So, it’s December, which means the Christmas baking blitz begins in earnest – apart from a few that already began last month, or even the one before. More than ever this year it seems important to continue these rituals, and for me Christmas baking, and sharing the results (especially with those we won’t see in person) is a crucial part of Christmas.

This also seems like a good time to remind you about the Christmas baking recipes on the blog, which are all linked in the list below, along with a few of my favourites from elsewhere on the web, and a couple from books.

I also wanted to let you know a bit about my baking plans, as I did in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

As in previous years, I’m publishing this while in progress, rather than as a completed record after Christmas, to combine the roles of running sheet and some form of commitment. Despite this, my ambitions often exceed reality, but I usually get to them eventually – and after all, there’s always next year!

I think of deciding on my baking list as a little like decorating the Christmas tree – use lots of favourites, ditch a couple that are past their due date, and always add a couple of new ones 🙂 – this year that will (again) include a few I didn’t get to last year.

As always, I’ll be interested to hear any feedback along the way…like which recipes (not already ticked off) you’d like to see first, any thoughts on baking order, and absolutely I’d love to hear about your own Christmas baking favourites!

And if you think you might be going to be the recipient of some Christmas goodies this  year, and you want them to be a surprise, then look away now 🙂

Cakes, bread and pies

Robyn’s Christmas cake – baked 24/10

Dark fruit cake – baked 25/10

Stained glass window cake – baked 6/12

Bars and Slices

Cherry Ripe bars – baked 11/12 (store in freezer)

Pecan-apricot squares (or possibly mini tarts) – baked xx

Nussstangen (Hazelnut almond batons) – dough made 12/12, baked 13/12

*New this year* Tan squares – baked 10/12

Biscuits

*New last year* Lebkuken – dough made 9/10, baked 19/12

Spiced Christmas stars – dough made 11/12, baked 19/12

Green tea almond and coffee walnut shortbreads – dough made 13/12, baked 17/12

Pecan powder puffs – baked xx

Almond cardamom circlets – dough made 12/12, baked 14/12

Almond and pistachio pears (GF) – baked 15/12

Biberle – gingerbread almond nuggets – baked xx

*New last year* Iced sugar cookies – dough made 11/12, baked 19/12

*New last year* Zebra cookies – baked 13/12

Confectionary

Choc-espresso fudge – made 12/12 (store in freezer)

Eggnog fudge – made 12/12 (store in freezer)

*New last year* Mango-passionfruit fudge – made 18/12 (store in freezer)

*New this year* Maple-walnut fudge – made 12/12 (store in freezer)

Fruit-nut balls – made xx (store in fridge)

Chocolate caramel almonds – made xx

Cashew brittle – made 8/12

*New this year* Pecan pralines – made 7/12