Three-cheese cheesecake

The ultimate American dessert

Isaac & Scout’s Christmas cake

This delightfully indulgent-looking Christmas cake is so simple that even the children can lend a hand

Blitz-&-bake sticky toffee Christmas pud

This deliciously moist alternative to the traditional pudding was conjured up by combining sticky toffee pudding and carrot cake

Crab & ginger tart with a chilli dressing

Lesley Waters gives us her modern, British take on quiche

Miniature omelettes with ricotta

These little omelettes – called frittatine in Italian – make a wonderful appetizer

Soy roast duck with hoisin gravy

Tender duck breasts with subtle Chinese spice, finished with a ginger-infused oriental gravy

Dazzling beetroot-cured salmon

This salmon needs to be made at least three days ahead, which means very little work to do on Christmas day

Kahlúa chocolate cheesecake

Decadent, tempting chocolate cheesecake with the taste of coffee liqueur

Baked sea bass with lemon & herbs (with Tarator sauce)

This delicious fish dish is the perfect alternative to a Sunday roast

Gingerbread cookie cottage

Here’s a gingerbread recipe sure to delight youngsters and enchant adults alike; a genuine house of gingerbread