FOOD STORIES

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

This impressive plan-ahead Christmas lunch from Flora Shedden is a mouthwatering mix of traditional recipes and deliciously unexpected flavours

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

■ Makes 2 cakes (serves 16) ■ Prep 30 mins plus overnight soaking and cooling ■ Cook 1 hr 20 mins 200g dried sour cherries200g raisins150g sultanas100g mixed peel300ml cherry brandy250g unsalted butte

Our in-house skills expert Barney Desmazery shares clever tips for making life easier over the holidays Tradition dictates that you feed Christmas cake with the booze you baked it in, but it’s also a