Festive treats christmas cakes & desserts

By Francesca Bonadonna (plantifullybasedblog.com) Makes 20 | Prep 35 mins plus chilling | Cook 10-15 mins FOR THE GINGERBREAD COOKIES 113g vegan butter, softened100g brown sugar45ml unsulphured molass

Get the mixing bowls out for traditional cakes and bakes that will fill your home with warming aromas as they cook

They all started out on different paths – from sales offices to science labs – but each of these professional bakers found purpose and joy in baking. Here, they tell Jill Foster why it has become a passion that continues to nourish their souls

By California Walnuts (californiawalnuts.co.uk) Makes 12 | Prep 10 mins 75g California Walnut pieces100g dried apricots100g dried figs, halved2 tbsp mixed seeds 1 Place 25g walnuts in a food processor

By Charlie Tomlinson (wildroot.kitchen) Serves 6 | Prep 25 mins plus chilling | Cook 50 mins FOR THE FILLING 1 tbsp olive oil1 onion, diced4 garlic cloves, crushed10g fresh sage, finely chopped2 sprig

SERVES 8 | PREP 10 MINS PLUS COOLING | COOK 20 MINS | EASY 10g butter, softened, for brushing200g plain flour, plus extrafor dusting100g polenta1½ tsp baking powder200g caster sugar1 large orange, zes