With so much to do at this hectic time of year, it's important to take time out to do something stress-free and simple with your loved ones.
After all, it's the little, unplanned moments that bring magic and sparkle to your family Christmas, and often end up becoming cherished traditions.
Baking is the perfect antidote to those never-ending to-do lists - and you don't have to be a star baker to get creative in the kitchen.
Why not create new festive traditions this year by baking up a storm in the kitchen?
Create a tasty tradition you can repeat year after year by baking delicious homemade goodies for friends and family with Dr. Oetker's festive recipes. Not only are they great fun to make and share together, but gifting them to the ones you love is a wonderful way to show how much you care.
From Christmas cracker cupcakes to delight your friends, to homemade hot cocoa that's the perfect present, and decorated house biscuits that couldn't be easier to make, these recipes are guaranteed to become firm favourites for all ages.
So get together in the kitchen this Christmas to whip up some tasty treats together - and make memories you'll never forget...
CHRISTMAS CRACKER CUPCAKES
These festive cupcakes (with a surprise filling) are perfect as gifts ... or just to enjoy yourself!
With a joyful burst of Christmassy sprinkles hidden inside, these delicious cupcakes bring the magic of crackers to a homemade treat that's easy to bake at home.
Light, fluffy sponge topped with festive green buttercream, each mouthful is a happy surprise - just like pulling a cracker!
They're ideal party favours, end-of-term treats for the class or gifts for loved ones. Make them with family and friends to create cherished memories you'll treasure.
Makes 12
PREP TIME: 90 minutes
Ingredients
- For the cupcakes: 12 Dr. Oetker Rainbow Cupcake Cases (red ones), 175g margarine, 175g caster sugar, 3 medium eggs, 2 tsp Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Extract, 175g self-raising flour
- For the buttercream: 350g unsalted butter, 700g icing sugar, 1 tsp Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Extract, 15ml Dr. Oetker Green Food Colour Gel
- To decorate: Dr. Oetker Deck the Halls Christmas Sprinkles
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180C/160C/Gas Mark 4 and line a muffin tray with 12 red cupcake cases.
- Put the margarine and sugar in a large bowl and cream them together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and Vanilla Extract and beat until smooth. If the mixture starts to curdle, add a spoonful of flour. Sieve over the rest of the flour and beat one more time until combined.
- Divide the mixture between the cupcake cases. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until risen and golden. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tray for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Put the butter for the buttercream into a large bowl and beat until smooth and pale. Add the icing sugar, Vanilla Extract and Food Colour Gel and beat until light and fluffy. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with an open star nozzle.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut a circle out of the top of each cake at an angle, around 2cm in from the edge. Remove the circle of sponge and fill the hole in the cupcake with a spoonful of Deck the Halls Sprinkles, before replacing the sponge on top.
- Pipe a generous swirl of buttercream on the top of each cupcake, and finish with plenty more sprinkles. Your cracker cupcakes, with their hidden surprise centres, are now ready to wrap and gift to family and friends!
HOMEMADE FESTIVE HOT COCOA
A thoughtful and comforting gift, this delicious cocoa is ideal for festive nights in.
What could be better on a cosy winter evening than a steaming mug of hot cocoa, enjoyed with loved ones or friends?
Give the gift of comfort this Christmas with this homemade hot cocoa, a perfect present for your child's teacher or a sweet stocking filler they're sure to adore.
Made with indulgent cocoa powder, paired with festive sprinkles and a dash of their favourite flavouring, it's a wonderful and heartfelt way to show you care.
Makes 5 servings
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- For the cocoa gift: 65g Dr. Oetker Fine Dark Cocoa Powder, 120g granulated sugar, Dr. Oetker Deck the Halls Christmas Sprinkles, 5 x Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Extract (or other Dr. Oetker flavouring of your choice - try peppermint, caramel or zesty orange)
- To make the cocoa: 180ml milk of your choice, 50ml whipping or squirty cream, to decorate
Method
- In a large bowl, stir together the Cocoa Powder and sugar until well combined.
- GIFTING HACK
Turn this easy DIY cocoa into a thoughtful gift - to warm their heart as well as their hands! Simply package it up in a pretty tube or small glass jar, along with the bag of sprinkles and a bottle of their favourite flavouring, and tie on a festive ribbon with a handwritten tag explaining how to make the hot cocoa. You could put these in a small box or wrap them in Christmassy paper or cellophane. Decorate the outside with glittery pens for added festive sparkle. - Carefully pour the dry mixture into gift tubes or jars (there should be enough for 40g in each). Seal well. Decant some Deck the Halls Christmas Sprinkles into five small bags, tied with ribbons for a festive touch.
- Wrap these up together with bottles of Vanilla Extract or other Dr. Oetker flavouring to make the perfect homemade gifts for someone special.
- Add a festive tag with instructions on how to make the hot cocoa: Put 180ml milk into a saucepan along with the cocoa mixture and 1 tsp flavouring. Heat gently, stirring until smooth. Pour into a mug, top with cream and a generous pinch of Deck the Halls Sprinkles.
EASY CHRISTMAS BISCUIT HOUSES
The perfect family baking activity for all ages, these sweet Christmas cottages are great fun to make together - and equally fun to eat!
Create your own winter wonderland in miniature with this easy recipe, made with everyday biscuits topped with glittery icing, sprinkles and edible Christmas decorations.
An easy twist on the traditional gingerbread house, these cute Christmas cottages are great fun for all the family to make and enjoy together!
Perfect for letting little bakers get involved, under adult supervision of course, they make sweet gifts that are guaranteed to spread Christmas cheer.
Makes 15
PREP TIME: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 packet of plain biscuits of your choice
- Dr. Oetker Christmas Glittery Decorating Icing
- Dr. Oetker Deck the Halls Christmas Sprinkles
Method
- You’ll need an adult to help with / supervise this part. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the corners diagonally off the tops of the biscuits to create the shape of a roof on a house. Budding bakers might want to nibble on the offcuts!
- Using the Decorating Icing, in whatever colours you want, get creative: pipe details on your miniature houses such as doors, windows, fairy lights, trees and roof tiles. If you want to, why not add Deck the Halls Christmas Sprinkles too? You can use more Icing if needed to stick them down.
- Leave the houses to set for around an hour before putting them in a tin or wrapping them to gift to friends, family or neighbours. You could even make one for everyone on your street, or have a go at recreating your friends’ and families’ houses!