Super-easy Christmas baking recipes | Jamie Oliver

Having a homemade Christmas this year? Take your festivities to a whole new level with our super-easy festive baking recipes perfect for beginner bakers. From homemade Christmas party nibbles and easy edible gifts, to classic Christmas cakes and gluten-free festive bakes, we’ve got all the simple baking recipes you need for a ho-ho-homemade Christmas.

It’s the most delicious time of the year! And one of the best bits has to be all the festive baking. Perfect for entertaining the kids during the school holidays, wrapping up for an easy edible gift idea, or showing off your homemade Christmas party nibbles, our Christmas baking recipes have you covered whatever you’re planning this festive season.

From savoury to sweet, big cakes to cute little biscuits, now is the time to get ahead on your Christmas baking. If  you’ve never baked your own Christmas cake yourself before, it’s so much more simple than you might think. Be bold, have a go, but most importantly, have fun creating your own festive classics – you can’t beat a homemade Christmas.

Head to our Christmas hub for even more festive inspiration

THE ALL-TIME CLASSICS

Never made your own Christmas pudding? Have a go this year and we promise you won’t look back. This light, fruity, easy-to-make pud puts those you buy from the supermarket in the shade. And if you’ve got any leftovers, why not use them to rustle up this awesome festive sundae?

Everyone needs a fail-safe gingerbread recipe, and this one from our vintage vaults will see you through Christmas, and beyond. Bake with the kids and create classic gingerbread people; or go big and use it to build your own super-festive gingerbread house. Just add icing pens, jelly sweets and chocolate buttons… and off you go!  

We’re all for everyone doing Christmas their own way… But is it really Christmas without mince pies?! If you haven’t had a go before, making your own mincemeat really is a lot simpler than you might think, and this no-cook recipe makes it even easier. Give it a try – you won’t look back!

GREAT FOR KIDS

Looking for a way to keep little hands occupied (and away from the oven!) during the Christmas holidays? This brilliant no-bake chocolate fridge cake recipe is simple, delicious and really versatile, too – swap in whatever sweet treats you’ve got lying around: think nuts, popcorn, marshmallows, dried fruit… the possibilities are endless!

These DIY chocolate coins look seriously impressive and would make a gorgeous Christmas gift, but in reality are so simple a child could do it (with a little help, of course). Make up some tried-and tested favourites, or let the little ones go wild and have fun creating their own flavour combinations. 

Say ‘Happy Holidays’ the American way with these delicious peanut butter cookies. There’s loads that little ones can do to get involved with the baking, and they can really go for it when it comes to decorating! Perfect for personalising, these cookies make lovely table placeholders, or feature friends’ names for a thoughtful gift.  

PARTY BAKES

Having people round for drinks this Christmas? Make your own sausage rolls and serve them warm from the oven for next-level nibbles. This fancy-looking centrepiece serves up both classic sausage rolls and a veggie cousin – squash, chestnut & cranberry rolls – for a proper crowd-pleaser. And while you’ve got the oven on, pop in a tray of these vegan mushroom rolls, too.  

Can you even call it a Christmas buffet if there’s no quiche?! This simple recipe uses ready-rolled shortcrust pastry so it really couldn’t be easier to mix up your filling and get this on the table. This Christmas quiche recipe is also a great way to use up any leftovers from your Christmas cheeseboard. 

A lovely gooey baked cheese with crunchy veg spears on the side makes a delicious gluten-free addition to the Christmas table. Some crispy croutons on rosemary sticks for dipping would be sure to disappear fast, too! Add a selection of cured meats and pickles and you’ve got yourself a proper festive feast. 

GLUTEN-FREE

These classic Italian after-dinner treats are perfect with a coffee, and make a lovely elegant gift for your favourite (gluten-free) grown-ups. These sophisticated little balls of joy taste delicious, look impressive, and believe it or not, they’re really easy to make, too. Go on, celebrate Christmas the Italian way – Buon Natale!

Go big or go home with this festive beast of a fruit sponge. With all the flavours of Christmas in a delicious cake packed with apple, dates and raisins, this is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser (whether they’re gluten-free or not!). Keep it classic by decorating solely with peaked white icing, or turn it into a snowy background for your own Christmassy scene. 

Chocolate brownies are for life, not just for Christmas, but if you’ve got people coming round this holiday season having a batch of these ready to dish out is always a good idea. And this delicious gluten-free version means everyone can enjoy them. Serve them warm for the ultimate winter treat.

Hungry for more festive favourites? Check out our Christmas Hub.