The 22 best Express Christmas recipes: Yorkshire puddings, fruit cake and more (Image: Getty)
From mouth-watering mains to stunning desserts, discover our top Christmas recipes. We’ve got everything you need to prepare a spectacular Christmas lunch.
If your festive menu still needs some filling, check out our 22 best holiday dishes. Tips from the nation’s beloved chefs and Express’s baking gurus will guide you through the season’s gatherings and the main event.
We’ve got all bases covered, from starters to sweet post-dinner delights. There are even some last-minute showstoppers for those in a rush.
The roundup includes some of our favourites, such as a delicious chocolate Yule log and the crunchiest roast potatoes, reviews of celebrity favourites—think John Torode’s prawn cocktail—and a dose of exclusive recipes from talented chefs.
We even share how to cook your roast dinner entirely in an air fryer.
Don’t fret if you’ve forgotten to buy a Christmas cake or pudding – you can make them from scratch (Image: Getty)
Daily Express’ best Christmas recipes
1. Camembert sharing bread
Celebrate the Christmassy season with Jamie Oliver’s Christmas tree camembert recipe. “Push the boat out with this easy tear and share bread with oozy Camembert for dunking,” the chef said. Only requiring five ingredients, this is one of the best sharing starters that can easily be made in the comfort of your own home.
2. Smoky prawn cocktail
An Express reporter has trialled John Torode’s prawn cocktail Marie Rose sauce recipe, so you know how to master it. She says the recipe includes “one addition” that’s a must-have.
3. Deep-filled mince pies with crumbly pastry
Paul Hollywood’s mince pies require just a few ingredients to produce delicious results. They’re made with a ‘secret ingredient’ to jazz up shop-bought mincemeat.
4. Crispy and golden Yorkshire puddings
Founder of The Gift of Oil, Phil Bianchi, has divulged his food and flavour maestro expertise to help Britons master the art of these classic Yorkshire delights. His method is traditional in every way but makes one minor ingredient swap for the ultimate results – and a healthy one.
5. Delicious air fryer pigs in blankets
Samuel Goldsmith, BBC Good Food’s Senior Food and Podcast Editor, says an air fryer warrants unbeatable results for tantalising pigs in blankets, as he revealed in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk. He hailed “good quality pork chipolatas and good quality bacon” as the foundation of an excellent tray of pigs in blankets.
6. Decadent Brussels sprouts gratin
Brussels sprouts, a divisive yet traditional component of the Christmas dinner, can be transformed into a delicious dish with the right recipe. A TikTok foodie duo has shared an alternative to boring boiled vegetables with their Brussels sprouts au gratin recipe.
7. Beautifully moist fruit cake
Tristan Welch suggests using nutrient-dense peelings from raw vegetables to plump up the moisture content in your homemade fruit cakes. These peels inject colour, flavour, and additional moisture into the mix, making them perfect for baking and reducing food waste – a boon for your wallet and the environment.
8. Crunchy and fluffy roast potatoes
An Express reporter reveals the 40p ingredient she adds to roast potatoes to “level them up” to new levels of crunchiness. Flour and sunflower oil are used in specific quantities to deliver the best results from this easy recipe.
9. Mark Wood’s unbeatable turkey crown from frozen
Sharing his roast garlic and herb turkey crown recipe exclusively with Express.co.uk, England men’s cricket icon Mark Wood promises that the dish is perfect for any occasion. And the best part is that it uses a frozen turkey crown.
Swap deflated Yorkshire puddings for ones that are ‘crispy and golden’ with Phil Bianchi’s recipe (Image: Getty)
BBC Good Food’s Air Fryer Expert Samuel Goldsmith reveals his pigs in blankets recipe (Image: Getty)
10. Mary Berry’s traditional stuffing
Perfectly paired with roast poultry, especially at Christmas, Mary Berry has shared her traditional sausage stuffing recipe. Her delicious sausage stuffing balls require only around half an hour to prepare and even less time in the oven roasting.
11. Easiest gingerbread biscuits
Thanks to this straightforward recipe, which calls for just eight ingredients, many likely already in your kitchen cupboard, they couldn’t be easier to make. Moreover, they cost just pennies per serving, so they’re a cheap and tasty snack you can make yourself.
12. Sweet air fryer glazed ham
Nothing embodies the festive spirit quite like a sumptuously glazed ham, and one expert has put an offbeat spin on this seasonal delight. Recipe creator Amy Sheppard has infused the traditional Christmas ham with a quirky ingredient, ensuring a burst of flavour.
13. Christmas cake in a hurry
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a traditional iced fruit cake, and Mary Berry has shared her delicious recipe that will go down as a treat this festive season. Her recipe for traditional English fruitcake ensures the sponge is moist and dense, with a spicy-sweet flavour profile.
14. Dick and Angel Strawbridges’ meaty mince pies
Traditional mince pies consist of sweet shortcrust pastry and a plump, fruity filling. This recipe gives the traditional sweet treat a savoury makeover. “These savoury mince pies are really worthwhile. This mince pie has lamb in it, and it really does work with the sweetness in there”, said Dick.
15. James Martin’s ‘perfect’ make-ahead gravy
Gravy is undoubtedly one of the most important components of a Christmas dinner, and James Martin’s top gravy-making tips couldn’t be easier to follow.
16. Easy-peeling roasted chestnuts
Chestnuts may not be roasting on an open fire in your household this Christmas, but you can easily cook them in a standard oven with Jamie Oliver’s go-to recipe.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
It’s not Christmas without an array of sweet treats like Yule Log (Image: Getty)
17. Mary Berry’s 30-minute lemon and thyme turkey
Looking for a fragrant turkey that can be prepared in only 30 minutes? Look no further than Mary Berry’s recipes, which use just eight ingredients—including seasoning.
18. Foolproof six-ingredient Yule log
Express’s resident baking expert, Sophie Harris, shares a staple Yule log recipe. It’s a cut above the rest with decadent chocolate flavours crafted from just half a dozen ingredients.
19. Traditional bread and butter pudding recipe
It’s a classic for a reason, and this bread and butter pudding recipe is incredibly easy to whip up at the last minute. Serve at home or build the dish ready to transport to friends and family so it’s oven-ready.
20. Ultimate comfort-food mash
A super-versatile alternative to roast potatoes for your Christmas dinner, these superb spuds are a treat for the taste buds all year round. Jamie Oliver shares the ultimate recipe for your festive feast.
21. Air fryer Christmas dinner – a complete guide
Perfect for when you want to ditch the oven, air fryers are multi-use and incredibly reliable for cooking Christmas dinner. Chef Paul Bough shares his complete guide in an exclusive chat with Express.co.uk.
22. Delia Smith’s creamy bread sauce
Beloved TV chef Delia Smith has shared a recipe for traditional bread sauce to impress all your guests this Christmas season. She says: “The real thing is beautifully creamy and the perfect accompaniment to chicken or turkey.”
