The cherry on top

■ 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

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

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

SERVES 12 Topped with a chocolate butterscotch sauce, this makes a great alternative to traditional Christmas pudding. YOU WILL NEED 375g Medjool dates, pitted,roughly chopped5 balls stem ginger in sy

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