Ease into twixmas

Christbrot is very similar to a stollen, but lighter in texture, and is best eaten freshly baked without needing time to mature. It isn’t hard to make Christbrot, but the method involves a triple rise

With cosy season just around the corner, try one of these tempting treats that taste as good as they look

Ingredients (Serves 6) ◆ 1.5 litres dry sparkling cider ◆ 50g light brown sugar zest and juice 1 orange ◆ 3 long cinnamon sticks, halved ◆ 8 cloves ◆ 2.5cm piece ginger, sliced ◆ ½tsp grated nutmeg ◆

These chewy cookies – a twist on the classic lebkuchen – are packed with fragrant cardamom and nutty brown butter. MAKES around 35-40 PREP 35 mins plus 1 hr chilling and 1 hr drying COOK 25 mins MORE

Ingredients (Makes 12) 200 g plain chocolate50 g unsalted butter225 g light or Genoa-style fruitcake, crumbled2 tsp mixed spice12 plastic lolly sticks50 g white chocolate chips25 g green coloured read

These delightful little gingerbread houses will perch perfectly on the edge of your mug. Try them with hot chocolate or mulled wine for adults. MAKES 8 PREP 30 mins plus cooling COOK 10 mins MORE EFFO