THIS MONTH Christmas cake

■ 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

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

Follow our easy plan to get your feast on the table in record time, with just one oven! 1-4 WEEKS BEFORE… Make/prep and freeze: Vol-au-vent casesCheesy leek and butternutsquash pieCranberry sauceHasse