Not everyone is a fan of the classic Christmas pudding so why force it? Stick with the boozy element but try something a little new with our pick of the best boozy cakes and puddings to enjoy this festive season. These recipes are a wonderful celebration of Christmas flavours and ingredients. Nigella shares her five-spice and ginger bundt cake, Ottolenghi has a brandy, prune and walnut number and we're drooling over The Ethicurean's Milk Stout and Chocolate Steamed Pudding. Or for something a little different, Jamie's limoncello twist on the classic tiramisu is so worth the effort. Whatever it is, we've got you covered.
Prune Cake with Armagnac from SWEET by Yotam Ottolenghi & Helen Goh
Ottolenghi and Helen Goh's Prune Cake recipe from Sweet combines brandy and walnuts in a deliciously boozy and decadent festive dessert.
Brandied Plum Cake from Downtime: Deliciousness at Home by Nadine Levy-Redzepi
Nadine Levy-Redzepi's Brandied Plum Cake from her cookbook Downtime: Deliciousness at Home is an irresistible cross between cake, crumble and pudding. As Nadine says, "It’s the kind of thing I serve when I know we will be sitting around the table for some time after the main course, talking, drinking wine, maybe having a little cheese. Once we’ve digested a bit, I would bring this out." Perfect for Christmas.
Buy Downtime: Deliciousness at Home here.
Six Minute Sloe Gin Jellies from Six-Minute Showstoppers by Sarah Rainey
These festive ruby-coloured jellies come with a health warning, says Sarah Rainey: "they’re seeeriously alcoholic". Studded with blackberries, these sloe gin and cranberry jellies will certainly warm the spirits.
Order a copy of Six-Minute Showstoppers here.
Six Minute Baileys Cheesecake from Six-Minute Showstoppers by Sarah Rainey
Turn your favourite festive tipple into a crowd-pleasing cheesecake with Sarah Rainey's fast and simple recipe. Prefect for getting ahead on your dessert for the big day, it'll keep for up to two months in the freezer.
Order a copy of Six-Minute Showstoppers here.
Boozy Caribbean Pear Cake from One Pot Vegan by Roxy Pope & Ben Pook
Pear and dark rum take pride of place in this spin on a classic Caribbean cake. Packed with warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, this is a great vegan Christmas pudding alternative.
Order a copy of One Pot Vegan here.
Quince, Brandy and Walnut Trifle from Taverna: Recipes From a Cypriot Kitchen by Georgina Hayden
This Cypriot-inspired trifle is layered with brandy and syrup-soaked sponge, poached fruit in jelly, chopped spoon sweets, custard, and a cream layer on top to make it even more of a showstopper. You may not often cook with quince but its wonderful perfumed flavour really adds something special here – track down some quince or swap in pears if you like.
Walnut Cake from The Food of Spain by Claudia Roden
Claudia Roden's mouthwatering Walnut Cake is spiked with brandy syrup, making for a deliciously nutty, boozy and moist dessert. Inspired by her travels around Spain, this is an Asturian recipe from her cookbook, The Food of Spain.
Cheat’s Christmas Apricot Trifle from Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites by Mary Berry
Mary Berry's Cheat’s Christmas Apricot Trifle is an easy, make-ahead dessert from Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites. A great Christmas recipe to have up your sleeve.
Buy Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites here.
Plum Pudding Bombe from Perfect Host by Felicity Cloake
Plum Pudding Bombe from Felicity Cloake's Perfect Host is the perfect alternative to Christmas pudding. This delicious, chocolate dessert recipe is perfect for entertaining a crowd and can be make a few weeks in advance and kept in the freezer.
Buy a copy of Perfect Host here.
Limoncello Tiramisù from Jamie Cooks Italy by Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver's Limoncello Tiramisù from his cookbook Jamie Cooks Italy, combining vanilla mascarpone, crushed cherries and white chocolate, is a decadent twist on the classic.
Milk Stout and Chocolate Steamed Pudding from The Ethicurean Cookbook by The Ethicurean
From The Ethicurean Cookbook, this Milk Stout and Chocolate Steamed Pudding recipe packs a huge punch of flavour. Dark cocoa enhanced with a deep beer flavour, combined in a pudding and served with lashings of double cream? We think it should be a new British classic.
Get The Ethicurean Cookbook here.
Steamed Marmalade Sponge from Bread, Cake, Doughnut, Pudding by Justin Gellatly
For a tasty (but nevertheless boozy) alternative to traditional Christmas pudding, try this moist, light, rich and warming Steamed Marmalade Sponge from Justin Gellatly's Bread, Cake, Doughnut, Pudding.
Buy Bread, Cake, Doughnut, Pudding here.
Cider & Five-Spice Bundt Cake from Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson
This beautiful Cider & Five-Spice Bundt Cake from Nigella Lawson's Simply Nigella is deceptively simple to make and looks super impressive. Perfect for Christmas.
