THIS MONTH Christmas cake

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

SERVES 18-20 PREP 2 hrs plus cooling, 2 hrs 45 mins chilling and 2 hrs setting COOK 45 mins MORE EFFORT V 325g unsalted butter, softened,plus extra for the tin300g dark chocolate chips orchopped dark

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

IN LIEU OF A TRADITIONAL DESSERT, TRY ONE OF HELEN’S FESTIVE ALTERNATIVES

CREATE DELICIOUS MEALS AT HOME