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

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

THIS MONTH Christmas cake

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

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 10 ■ Prep 30 mins plus setting and overnight chilling ■ Cook 15 mins 4 tbsp custard powder2 tbsp caster sugar500ml double cream2 raspberry swiss rolls, cut into2cm-thick slices200g fresh or f