Make ahead foodie gifts

These delightful little gingerbread houses will perch perfectly on the edge of your mug. Try them with hot chocolate or mulled wine for adults. MAKES 8 PREP 30 mins plus cooling COOK 10 mins MORE EFFO

MAKES 36 PREP 20 mins plus overnight setting COOK 35 mins MORE EFFORT V 300g green shelled pistachios2 tsp flavourless oil, such assunflower oil1 tbsp cornflour1 tbsp icing sugar2 x 20cm square sheets

In this classic and fairly simple fudge, the ginger cuts through the sweetness of the white chocolate but, if you like, you could add a wee pinch of salt to the mix, too. Crystallised ginger works bes

MAKES 2 (SERVES 16) PREP 30 mins plus overnight soaking and cooling COOK 1 hr 50 mins EASY V 200g dried sour cherries200g raisins150g sultanas100g mixed peel300ml cherry brandy, plus extrafor feeding2

With cosy season just around the corner, try one of these tempting treats that taste as good as they look

SERVES 6-8 PREP 35 mins plus 2 hrs cooling COOK 3 hrs 30 mins MORE EFFORT V 4 clementines or satsumas, peeled,pith removed and cut into thinrounds crosswise25g shelled pistachios, chopped25g dark choc