Christmas: Desserts

Christmas is definitely the time to forget about diets, so enjoy this section of Delia's Christmas recipes and browse guilt-free...

Crumbles, pies, trifles, ice creams and jellies are all included and many like Cranberry Queen of Puddings can be made in advance and assembled when you need it. Or frozen like the Famous Truffle Torte - perfect if you have people visiting and are having to feed them over a few days.

The Delia Online Cookery School: Watch How to Make Caramel in our video, just click the image to play.

Iced Chocolate Creams

This is one of the best frozen dessert dishes ever. Not only do the creams look and taste very good but ...

This is one of the best frozen dessert dishes ever. Not only do the creams look and taste very good but they are also easy to make and keep well for a good 5-6 week...

Iced Christmas Pudding

If you would like to offer your guests a frozen alternative to Traditional Christmas Pudding, then this is ...

If you would like to offer your guests a frozen alternative to Traditional Christmas Pudding, then this is unbeatable. It consists of creamy textured ice cream made...

Individual Pecan Pies

Once on a holiday in New England, I found it very hard to order any dessert other than pecan pie. Since ...

Once on a holiday in New England, I found it very hard to order any dessert other than pecan pie. Since then I have loved to try out all the different variations of...

25 minutes - 30 minutes

Irish Coffee Pudding

If you're having a dinner party and want to serve a lighter alternative to something rich, then this is a g...

If you're having a dinner party and want to serve a lighter alternative to something rich, then this is a good bet. You can, of course, use Scotch whisky or brandy ...

Kaiserschmarrn

These were Austrian emperor Franz Joseph's favourite pancakes - and delightful they are too. He at...

These were Austrian emperor Franz Joseph's favourite pancakes - and delightful they are too. He ate them with sultanas, but I think dried cherries are even be...

Lattice Mincemeat Dessert Tart

Here is another festive dessert that makes good use of home-made mincemeat. Serve it fairly warm, with C...

Here is another festive dessert that makes good use of home-made mincemeat. Serve it fairly warm, with Cumberland Rum Butter to melt through the lattice. The Del...

20 minutes - 30 minutes

Linzertorte

This is a famous Austrian torte named after the town of Linz. The rich pastry flan is made with ground h...

This is a famous Austrian torte named after the town of Linz. The rich pastry flan is made with ground hazelnuts. The fruity element is usually either redcurrant or...

30 minutes

Little Sticky Toffee Puddings

This is as wicked as it sounds. A truly delectable combination of flavours and textures that are light a...

This is as wicked as it sounds. A truly delectable combination of flavours and textures that are light and melt in the mouth. I would choose this as a Christmas or ...

Maple and Walnut Cheesecake

There is a distinct affinity between walnuts and maple syrup, and this light cheesecake marries the flavour...

There is a distinct affinity between walnuts and maple syrup, and this light cheesecake marries the flavours beautifully. In order to increase the maple flavour the...

30 minutes

Melting Chocolate Risotto

You need to think rice pudding first, then it's easier to imagine a sweet version of a creamy, slightly sou...

You need to think rice pudding first, then it's easier to imagine a sweet version of a creamy, slightly soupy Italian risotto – only instead of melting cheese you get ...

35 minutes

Vegetarian

Mincemeat and Apple Crumble Flan

If you've got leftover mincemeat this will cheer up a January Sunday lunch beautifully. A ready-ma...

If you've got leftover mincemeat this will cheer up a January Sunday lunch beautifully. A ready-made pastry flan case will also save you time, which we have d...

40 minutes

Brandy Snap Baskets

I think these are really fun to make, and the crunchy caramel flavour is the perfect partner to any ice cre...

I think these are really fun to make, and the crunchy caramel flavour is the perfect partner to any ice cream – particularly Preserved Ginger Ice Cream. The Delia O...

7 minutes

Mulled Wine Sorbet

This is a truly special sorbet, perfect for serving to anyone suffering from a surfeit of Christmas indulge...

This is a truly special sorbet, perfect for serving to anyone suffering from a surfeit of Christmas indulgence. I am indebted to Caroline Liddell and Robin Weir for...

Slices of panettone bread layered in a white oval bowl with a red and white napkin next to it on a wooden board

Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding

In a way I'm very glad that the delectable Italian raisin and fruit bread, called Panettone, only comes in ...

In a way I'm very glad that the delectable Italian raisin and fruit bread, called Panettone, only comes in to the house at Christmas I absolutely love it and keep taki...

40 minutes

Panettone and Zabaglione Trifle

The trouble with a really good panettone is that whenever I use it I can't help sneaking a slice every time...

The trouble with a really good panettone is that whenever I use it I can't help sneaking a slice every time I go into the larder. It's quite unique and specia...

Petits Monts Blancs

Chestnut has an amazing affinity with meringue, and here the creamy richness of mascarpone is lightened by ...

Chestnut has an amazing affinity with meringue, and here the creamy richness of mascarpone is lightened by fromage frais. The Delia Online Cookery School: If you ha...

Pink Champagne Jellies

This is a tried and trusted recipe and one of my personal favourites. The Champagne cream is best made a...

This is a tried and trusted recipe and one of my personal favourites. The Champagne cream is best made at the last minute, with Champagne from a freshly opened bott...

Port and Claret Jellies

All that's involved here is a quick-dissolving packet jelly and a generous amount of port and claret. Fo...

All that's involved here is a quick-dissolving packet jelly and a generous amount of port and claret. For this reason it is strictly an adult jelly, so I'm afraid d...

Pears in Chocolate

This recipe was first published in the Evening Standard for Christmas in 1985 as an alternative to Traditio...

This recipe was first published in the Evening Standard for Christmas in 1985 as an alternative to Traditional Christmas Pudding. It is special (of course) and attr...

Preserved Ginger Ice Cream

This is one of the creamiest ice creams I know, and it provides a perfectly luscious backdrop to the strong...

This is one of the creamiest ice creams I know, and it provides a perfectly luscious backdrop to the strong, assertive flavours of stem ginger. Serve in some crisp ...

Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce

Profiteroles – little choux buns filled with cream and covered in a chocolate sauce – make a rather special...

Profiteroles – little choux buns filled with cream and covered in a chocolate sauce – make a rather special ending to a dinner party. The Delia Online Cookery Schoo...

15 minutes - 20 minutes

Prune and Armagnac Chocolate Log

If you want different recipes for the celebrations, this is one of them – a traditional Christmas log with ...

If you want different recipes for the celebrations, this is one of them – a traditional Christmas log with two very special fillings: a chocolate mousse and prunes wit...

three pretty white dishes of ice cream on a white plate with spoons resting by the side

Prune and Armagnac Ice Cream

Home-made ice cream is in a different league from anything you can buy, and it means you've always got a de...

Home-made ice cream is in a different league from anything you can buy, and it means you've always got a dessert tucked away in the freezer. The Delia Online Cooker...

Tropical Trifles

These can be thrown together at lightning speed but taste very cool and sophisticated. The little speckl...

These can be thrown together at lightning speed but taste very cool and sophisticated. The little speckles of vanilla in the custard complete the ‘home-made’ image ...