THIS MONTH Christmas cake

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

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

■ 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

SERVES 8-10 PREP 20 mins plus cooling and 1 hr macerating COOK 45 mins EASY 200g butter, softened, plus extrafor the tin200g golden caster sugar4 eggs200g self-raising flour1 tsp baking powder2 tbsp m

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