What's a lovely cake/dessert to contribute to a Christmas party?

[franch]

Ideally something that looks really Christmassy and tastes great but doesn't involved any really advanced cooking/decorating skills.

Was thinking of Nigella's apple tarts from Feast, but cakes are really more my thing. I also like her idea of a pile of brownies with icing sugar and candles on, but can't quite see myself assembling that in situ. I have a trusty mincemeat cake recipe which tastes good but looks very plain.

Any inspiration?

Bog easy, Christmassy, make it in advance, tastes divine.

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Ooh, 2 votes for the clementine cake - that's got to mean something! Sounds similar to her almond and orange blossom cake which is a staple of mine. That one is very subtly flavoured, so if it's anything like that I wouldn't ice it - what else could I do to make it look fab?

Ooooh, I was just abou tto post the clementine cake. Have done it twice in last week, so easy and gorgeous.

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Right, looks like it'll be the clementine cake. Don't think I can do the chocolate orange sauce (though it sounds gorgeous) as I don't want to faff around in someone else's kitchen during a party. What do you think the grated choc would turn out like if you put it on a warm cake? Can't quite imagine.

Glaced fruits is an excellent idea. I always do her almond & orange blossom cake with icing sugar on top and some berries scattered around - this would be the winter version really wouldn't it. Where can I get them from? We do have an Italian deli not far away so I guess I should try there.

Thanks so much everyone

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Brownies are lovely any time of the year, and pretty easy too.

Stollen is lovely too, Nigel Slater does a lovely one, and you can make a couple and freeze one.

Tiramisu.

Piece of piddle to make.

Did a trial run of the clementine cake with the DDs today. You're right - incredibly easy and delicious (even though I let the outside brown a bit too much).

Many thanks - I suspect I'll be making a few of those this Christmas.

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is it that good? There are many threads here saying it's crap which put me off- that and the 2 hour boiling.

I do like the idea of a flourless cake but not a tasteless one.

boozy oranges are lush!

cut off the peel and cut out each segment of a net of oranges (so there is no skin or pith on them)

put them in a lovely glass bowl, cover them with loads of sugar and a large glug of cointreau and leave in the fridge for 24 hours....

they are really light and clean tasting...perfect to take as a yummy grown up dessert!

that cake sounds yummmmmmm!

Oh I didn't know that Meggle. Def not tasteless - I thought it was lovely and orangey, with a gorgeous texture. I just left the clementines to boil and got on with other stuff - the rest of the process is really nothing.

That sounds lovely melly, will keep that up my sleeve

How about nigella's cocacola cake, its fab

Does anyone know if it's possible to make the clementine cake if you don't own a food processor? I only have one of those hand held things that you stick in and whizz up soup with.

I'd guess that'd be fine Thankyou - only thing you need the processor for is to pulp the clementines.

which book is that in littleboo?

i made a lovely baked cheesecake last christmas with an orangey cranberry topping. twas lovely. from a GH christmas recipe mag. will post recipe if u r interested...

this raspberry cinnamon torte but replace the raspberry filling with mincemeat and forget about the coulis, just serve with cream or creme fraiche.

sorry just come back the cocacola cake is in" how to be a domestic goddess" which is of course what we all are

ja9 if you are still around I'd love to see that recipe please.

I did the clementine cake in the end, it went down really well - thanks all