Slow cooker christmas

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

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

■ 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

Bring some sparkle to your Sunday lunch with these showstoppers from Rick Stein

THIS MONTH Christmas cake

Chestnuts provide sweet, earthy flavour and a nutty texture that works beautifully with the chocolate and stem ginger. SERVES 8 PREP 25 mins plus overnight soaking COOK 2 hrs 30 mins EASY ❄ 150g sulta