Frangipane Mince Tart – Gluten Free

A wonderful change from the usual mince pies with it’s delicious frangipane topping. It’s also easier to make as there’s far less cutting and shaping with pastry. I used my own homemade mincemeat which is gluten free and vegan. The recipe is here on my website if you would like to make it. It’s very simple and can be made ahead once stored in sterilised jars. A great dessert to serve with cream or custard after a lovely dinner.

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Shortbread Biscuits

Shortbread is just one of those treats that’s hard to resist. The full buttery flavour is just so delicious and feels like a real treat.

I have two great Gluten Free Shortbread recipes already on the website if you want to check it out. This is for Shortbread Chunks: https://www.cozebakes.com/2020/05/22/gluten-free-shortbread-recipe/ 

and this is for Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies: https://www.cozebakes.com/2020/07/11/edible-flower-lavender-shortbread-cookies-gluten-free/

Just use the search facility on the website here to find a few other options including a Lemon Shortbread. Everyone likes their shortbread their way and that’s absolutely perfect!

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Gluten Free Biscotti Recipe

Biscotti are an Italian biscuit, traditionally almond flavoured. They are baked twice to make them dry and crunchy and we recognise them for their oblong shapes. They lend themselves really well for flavourings and I have two options in the recipe below.

They can be left plain or dip the ends into some chocolate and sprinkle with nuts or cranberries. Biscotti can be seen as a lighter biscuit choice as they use less fat and sugar than other traditional cookies and biscuits. The addition of nuts helps to up their health benefit.

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Christmas Mincemeat Recipe – Gluten Free, Vegan and Dairy Free

I’m a little obsessed with mincemeat and will happily eat it with a spoon out of a jar! It’s very simple to make your own mincemeat and you can really taste the difference. It’s nowhere as sweet as shop bought and you can really taste all the different flavour combinations plus you control everything that goes into it. There isn’t a large quantity of processed, refined sugars as you get lots of sweetness from the fruit you use.

If you don’t like dates, you can use figs, raisins, cherries or dried apricots instead.

You can use fresh or frozen cranberries.

I like to use Amaretto in my mincemeat but Kirsch works well as does any orange liquour you may have. Be mindful about adding a strong alcohol as it can smother the other flavours.

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Leftover Christmas Pudding Muffins – Gluten Free option included

What to do with leftover Christmas pudding? Well I’ve made ice cream for two years in a row and I wanted to try something a bit different.

Making muffins means you can have smaller treats, they can be frozen and you don’t have to add butter or sugar to the recipe. All positive things. The final clincher for this recipe has to be that you need no equipment. Just a bowl and your muffin tin of choice.

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Orange & Cranberry Bundt Cake

The flavours in this stunning cake are just so lovely. Orange and Cranberries go hand in hand and they compliment each other so beautifully. I’ve used my Nordicware double tin to make these but you can use a large bundt tin also.

I’ve topped the cake with a sweet orange glaze which just sets everything off to perfection. You can of course leave it out but I would really encourage you to make it as it’s the perfect finish!

You can keep this cake at room temperature, covered, for a day or two and it will be fine. It’s also great for keeping in the fridge, in an airtight container and will be great for 4/5 days.

If you want to get ahead, you can make the cake, let it cool completely and then wrap twice, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature overnight and then glaze as per the recipe.

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Maple Glazed Gingerbread Cakes

These Maple Glazed Gingerbread Cakes with are a delicious little bake that has all the warm, cosy feel of winter with the rich mix of wonderful spices. I have made mine in a Nordicware Heritage Bundtlette tin that holds 6. It measures 4″ across. You could also use a silicone bundt mould which would make 12 cakes. They usually measure about 2.5″ / 3″ across the top.

Silicone will take longer to bake than a metal tin so that’s worth noting. Also, you should only fill your tin about 2/3rd way up and leave them to sit in the tin for at least 10 minutes before attempting to remove them. If you follow my tips for preparing the tin, they will simply slip out!

The recipe seems to have a lot of ingredients and please don’t let that put you off. It’s mainly all the spices.

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White Chocolate & Cranberry Fudge

A totally delicious fudge that’s so easy to make. You don’t need a sugar thermometer, just some good strong arm muscles and a bit of preparation to help the process go smoothly as possible.

I added the zest of half an orange just to give an extra dimension to this fudge but equally you could add some ground ginger or ground cinnamon. It depends on what you like personally.

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White Chocolate & Ginger Nut Fudge

This is one of the easiest fudge recipes so you don’t need thermometers but you do need a good strong arm to give the fudge a mix. I used a combination of white chocolate chips from Dr Oetker and some good quality white chocolate bars. Don’t use cooking chocolate for this recipe.

I added crushed ginger nut biscuits as my own ginger biscuits are soft in the centre and chewy and I wanted a crispy, crunchy bite to the fudge instead. If you can find small Gingerbread men, they will look really great!

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Coffee and Walnut Fudge

This fudge recipe is made in the traditional way so there’s no fear of any crumbly bits. It’s so smooth and so delicious but does take a little time when you’re bringing it to boil but this is what gives you that smooth, professional and really beautiful finish so for special occasions, it’s definitely worth it.

The flavour is gorgeous, full of rich coffee which cuts through the sweetness perfectly! Homemade fudge is so different than more commercial versions. It’s full of flavour and doesn’t get lost in an overly sweet taste.

The recipe is perfect to give as gifts. I put 3 pieces into cellophane bags, wrapped with pretty ribbon and gave them as gifts. People raved about the flavour and even though it doesn’t sound like much, 3 pieces of this fudge is more than enough for most people!

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