THREE DESSERT RECIPES TO WOW YOUR GUESTS AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a time for sharing delicious food with friends and family. If you’re looking to impress in the kitchen this holiday season, these delightful and deceptively simple Christmas dessert recipes are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
CHERRY PAVLOVA
The pavlova is a staple of many Australian Christmas Day feasts. Mix it up with juicy, in-season cherries.
Daintree
What You’ll Need
· 6 egg whites
· 345g caster sugar
· 2 tsp cornflour
· 500ml thickened cream
· 700g cherries (pitted)
· 2 tbsp brown sugar
· 100ml hot water
· 90ml brandy (optional)
Method
Start by creating your fluffy pavlova. Preheat the oven to 120 degrees Celsius and line a tray with baking paper.
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, incorporating it completely. When the mixture is smooth and glossy, fold in the cornflour.
Spoon the pavlova onto the tray in a circle shape. Bake for 1.5 hours. Turn the oven off and leave the door slightly ajar for the pavlova to cool slowly for another hour.
Meanwhile, place the sugar, water and brandy (if you’re opting for the alcoholic version) into a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and add the cherries. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the cherries using a spoon. Continue to simmer the syrup for 10 minutes until it is thick. Add the cherries again and set aside to cool.
To serve, whip the cream until thick and spread on top of the cooled pavlova. Top with the cherries and syrup for a show-stopping dessert centrepiece.
STICKY GINGER CAKE
Ginger is a favourite flavour of the festive season and this yummy cake delivers a big ginger hit!
What You’ll Need
For the cake:
· 225g self-raising flour
· 1 tsp baking soda
· 2 tbsp ground ginger
· 1 tsp cinnamon
· 115g butter
· 115g brown sugar
· 200g golden syrup
· 250ml milk
· 1 egg
For the icing:
· 100g butter
· 2 cups icing sugar
· 2 tsp vanilla extract
· 2 tbsp milk
Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and grease a round cake tin.
Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture has the consistency of breadcrumbs.
Place the sugar, golden syrup and milk in a saucepan over low heat. Mix until sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat to boiling, then remove.
Add the sugar mixture and whisked egg to the flour mixture. Mix well. Pour into cake tin and bake for 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
To make the icing, mix the butter and sugar until creamy and smooth. Slowly add vanilla extract and milk.
Cover the cooled cake with icing and serve up your sticky and spicy treat.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Some of us have a family Christmas pudding recipe that has been handed down for generations. If you’re not so lucky, try this delicious option!
What You’ll Need
· 200g raisins
· 200g sultanas
· 150g currants
· 100g glacé cherries
· 185ml brandy
· 250g butter
· 285g brown sugar
· 2 tsp orange zest
· 3 eggs
· 180g breadcrumbs
· 60g plain flour
· 30g self-raising flour
· 1 tsp cinnamon
· Custard sauce, to serve
Method
This Christmas pudding takes some time, but is well worth the wait! If you can, combine the raisins, sultanas, currants and cherries and leave to soak in brandy overnight.
The next day, grease and line a pudding bowl. Beat the butter, sugar and orange zest until combined. Add the eggs one at a time. Stir in the breadcrumbs, flours, cinnamon, and marinated raisin mix. Spoon the mixture into the bowl.
Fill a saucepan with boiling water. Gently lower the pudding bowl until the water comes three-quarters of the way up the side of the bowl. Cover the bowl and simmer for four and a half hours.
Remove from the saucepan and stand for five minutes before turning the pudding out onto a serving plate.
Add custard and serve up your classic Christmas pudding – a family favourite in the making!
Which delicious dessert are you bringing to the Christmas dinner table? Let us know in the comments!