Christmas dessert competition

[givemushypeasachance]

We're going to do a (fairly informal) Christmas dessert competition amongst some extended family, I think the plan will be to have it as a late Christmas lunch dessert or sometime in the afternoon if everyone is too full. There will be four entries, I think, and I won't know what the other three people are making. So think everyone having a small slice or spoonful of the dessert so they can pick a favourite.

What kind of thing could I make, ideally a day or two in advance, or much of the work done in advance anyway, that would be a bit different? I'm not thinking Christmas cake, mince pies, Christmas pudding. More like: pavlova, or an interesting trifle, or some sort of jazzed up cake. But if it has a festive twist, like idk an orange and cranberry chocolate cheesecake, then great. Has anyone got any recommendations?

One person is GF and is never fussed if she can't eat something but I'd like to include her and have it be GF if possible.

tl;dr what dessert could I mostly make in advance, ideally GF, seems a bit festive

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/yule-log

This is lovely, you can make it ahead and it is GF. You can also go to town on the decorations if you want.

GF brownies in some sort of festive flavour? Like mint matchsticks, or baileys or candy cane or something?

I don't want to piss on anyone chips, but as someone who'd gluten free I'd steer clear of brownies - just because the gf option is always brownies!

A chocolate Torte modified as beansandneedles suggestes could be a good shout though

I've never tried making a yule log before, the rolling does scare me a bit but you can hide everything under the icing can't you.

Queen Nigella can do no wrong - this thread was partly prompted by her recipe of the day which was this and I wondered about www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-meringue-truffle-cake

@BillStickersWillBeProsocuted definitely guilty here!! Will do torte next time 😄

Delia Truffle Torte (freezes really well)
or
Nigella Clementine Cake

To make the clementine cake extra special as soon as it comes out of the oven finely grate some good dark chocolate over the top. It will melt and form a nice covering.

I saved a recipe on tiktok yesterday for individual Bailey's and chocolate orange pots. Looks so delish and a cinch to make. And easy to make one gluten free by leaving out the biscuit base.

www.tiktok.com/@amysheppardfood/video/7436837029683449120?lang=en

If you have an icecream maker - buy a shop-made (gluten free if you like) christmas pudding, liquidise it with all the normal cream etc ingredients for a standard icecream base and use it to make Christmas flavour icecream - this can be done weeks before. Then for an advanced project use this icecream as a component in a more complex creation eg arctic roll or serve scoops in brownie-bowls (you just put your brownie mix into the holes of a cupcake tin then press a second matching cupcake tin down on them as soon as you take them out of the oven to make bowls. Add cinnamon to the brownie mix to make them Christmasy. Obviously use a gf brownie recipe if you wish.

Millionaire's trifle thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/millionaires-trifle/

Rice pudding is polarising, but I love it and I’ll be making Ottolenghi’s Danish rice pudding with salted almond brittle and sour sumac cherries for Christmas this year. It’s naturally gluten free, inspired by traditional Christmas flavours, but with an interesting twist. Every element can be made in advance as well.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/no-cook-chocolate-tart

this is easy and delicious
keeps well
can be easily done GF

i get a few chocolate holly /xmas motif cake decorations and pop one on each blob of cream

usually gets lots of compliments

This trifle! Raspberry and Limoncello trifle - beautiful and festive. And very delicious!

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/recipe/raspberry-limoncello-trifle?srsltid=AfmBOopwbo3UuBH_B203-paGLC_3ofI9ezWsWGxLKhrOsMmE7bGlL5Af

Lemon, lime or orange chiffon. The pencilled note is because I make it with gf biscuits so the melted butter ratio changes.

@TheSandgroper I need a gluten free dessert and was thinking cheesecake. Can't read your note: what adjustment do you need to make if using GF digestives please? Thank you

@OMGitsnotgood I found that gf biscuits absorb or get coated by the butter differently so I started with just 50g of margerine.

If that doesn’t work for you, add a bit more but if you start with too much, you can’t take it out.

I’m in Australia so can’t suggest a brand for you.

@OMGitsnotgood continuing

Once you add your melted butter and mixed it through, allow it to sit for 15 minutes before you decide whether you are happy or not. Only then add more. Gf flours and liquids are not an exact science but a little care at that point is all it takes.

Thank you @TheSandgroper

Nigella salted chocolate tart - the crust is Oreos but Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys do a GF dupe of oreos. Tis delicious and still good a couple of days later.

I read a review where the person had used a stencil to spray edible gold stars on top which would make it Christmassy. Could do the same with any smooth dark cake/tart.

Passion fruit pav is very seasonal

Tiramisu with Baileys

I made this Christmas tree pavlova a few years ago and it looked so good on the table. It was easy too as the meringue was baked a few days before and just left under some parchment paper until needed.

https://www.recipetineats.com/pavlova-christmas-tree-dessert/

Mont Blanc, serve in individual meringue nests made in advance. It's naturally a really seasonal dessert, but you could dress it up a little by decorating with a sugar snow flake, or a sprinkle of edible glitter or even small pieces of edible gold leaf.