From chocolate reindeer bark to cranberry sausage rolls, try these easy seasonal showstoppers to prep ahead of the big day.
The key to having a happy Christmas as a cook is planning in advance – and having new twists on traditional ideas to keep your family and friends guessing.
These recipes from SPAR are all easy to make and easier to eat. And they all use ingredients that can be found in your local SPAR shop, meaning there’s no need to drive to out-of-town supermarkets or into crowded city centres.
SPAR shops also have great opening times, so it’s easy to pick up any forgotten items.
Try these fresh takes on festive favourites…
Chocolate reindeer bark
This super simple recipe, adorned with sweet reindeer faces, looks great and makes a brilliant gift.
It’s also a good recipe to work on with older children (and even the smaller ones can help to decorate) and they’ll be proud to hand around something they made themselves.
Get the recipe here
Cranberry sausage rolls
These pastry treats combine healthy minced chicken or turkey with deliciously sweet cranberry sauce, all wrapped up in pre-made pastry.
Get the recipe here
Christmas cheesecake
What better way to celebrate the season in style than with a festive Christmas cheesecake? Combining the seasonal colours of red and white, discover our red velvet cheesecake cake recipe to create a festive feel to any dessert selection come Christmas Day.
Get the recipe here
Vegetarian pigs in blankets
The last pig in a blanket is a treasure families will fight over, but non-meat eaters will end up stuck on the sidelines.
These veggie versions are a savoury treat for anyone who doesn’t like pork and are made of marinated aubergine slices wrapped around halloumi…meat-eaters will be diving in too.
Get the recipe here
Homemade nut roast
And for the main event, this homemade nut roast will delight vegetarian and vegan guests. This dish looks really pretty on the table and seems like it would be complicated to make… you don’t have to let anyone know it was an easy 15 minutes of prep.
Get the recipe here
Boxing Day burrito
It’s not your traditional Boxing Day sandwich and it’s not your traditional burrito, but it will please fans of both. A brilliant way of using up Christmas dinner leftovers, this hearty lunch will make everyone smile.
Get the recipe here
Asparagus turkey stir fry
If you want something a little lighter on Boxing Day, try this asparagus and turkey stir fry. It’s healthy, uses up leftover meat and can be ready in around 20 minutes.
Get the recipe here
Christmas cake
Looking for an easy light Christmas cake recipe? Here’s a lovely recipe for light fruit cake that’s easy to bake and tastes delicious.
A much more subtle and less overpowering cake that’s still got all the Christmassy flavour, if you’re after a light Christmas cake recipe, we’ve got the perfect one to try. This easy Christmas cake recipe is sure to put a smile on your face!
Get the recipe here
