Crunchy custard-baked apples

Top your oven cooked apples with oaty, nutty granola for a hearty yet healthy pud

Chorizo & apple sausage rolls

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
Puff pastry bites with a spicy kick – team Spanish paprika sausage with sweet apple and top with poppy seeds

Caramelised onion tart

Top puff pastry with tangy mustard, onions and Parmesan cheese for a light vegetarian lunch or party buffet nibble

Italian chicken & butternut pie

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
Bypass stodgy rich pastry and top your Mediterranean bake with slices of ciabatta bread

Rainbow rolls

For a crunchy top and soft doughy middle, we devised scone-bread hybrid baps, which make use of leftover veg

Stilton & poppy seed sablés

Sablé is French for sandy, which explains the crumbly texture of these pastries – given extra crunch by the addition of polenta

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas cake

Decorate your cake with classic white icing and marzipan and then top with a playful seasonal motif

Garlicky fondant potatoes

These make a delicious change to steamed or boiled potatoes – they can be made ahead and finished on the stove top

Tuna, olive & rocket pizzas

A simple storecupboard standby supper for the whole family – top your pizza bases with salty seafood and a garnish of rocket and red onion

Sugared scones

A simple and quick scone recipe that has a great sweet finish – the crunchy sugar top adds texture too

Hot chocolate milkshakes

Break 200g plain chocolate (I used 70% cocoa) into cubes and put into a pan with 600ml full-fat milk. Gently heat until the chocolate melts, then bring almost to the boil, whisking regularly until even and smooth. Can be made ahead, then chilled for up to 2 days. Re-heat if necessary, whisking, then ladle or pour into heatproof glasses or mugs. Top with scoops vanilla ice cream and mini marshmallows. Add a nip of rum or brandy for the adults, if you like.

Bagels for brunch

Make a batch of these low-fat bagels to help stave off mid-morning hunger pangs