Bread for beginners

Make this savoury tear-and-share bread to serve alongside soup and dips. It also makes an eye-catching side dish for a Christmas gathering. SERVES 8-10 PREP 40 mins plus 2 hrs proving COOK 35 mins MOR

MAKES 16-20 pieces PREP 20 mins plus 3 hrs chilling COOK 8 mins EASY 50g butter, plus extra for the tin400g blonde white chocolate (or use500g regular white chocolate),broken into pieces100g white cho

SERVES 8-10 PREP 20 mins plus cooling and 1 hr macerating COOK 45 mins EASY 200g butter, softened, plus extrafor the tin200g golden caster sugar4 eggs200g self-raising flour1 tsp baking powder2 tbsp m

Ingredients (Serves 8) ◆ 240g baking margarine ◆ 240g caster sugar ◆ 4 medium eggs ◆ 300g self raising flour ◆ Yellow food colour gel ◆ 1tsp natural orange extract ◆ 25g cocoa powder ◆ 125g chocolate

Why not make this year’s Christmas cake in a slow cooker? You’ll save on energy costs and be rewarded with a delicious cake that’s full of plump dried fruit and cherries. SERVES 18-20 PREP 15 minsplus

Christmas tree cakes This clever recipe makes two ‘trees’ from just one sponge, so once it’s baked and cooled, you can go head-to-head on the decorating with the kids! SERVES 16 (makes 2 cakes) PREP 4