Adding instant luxury to the simplest soup or taking centrestage in so many desserts and bakes, cream is a welcome addition to a wealth of dishes. Take a look at our recipes using double cream, soured cream and everything in between – there's even a vegan whipping cream using coconut milk.
We've given crumble a boozy twist for Christmas by stewing the fruit in a little mulled wine. The crumbly top is flavoured with mixed spice, orange zest and chopped hazelnuts to make it extra-special. Enjoy after your Sunday lunch, or as your Christmas Day dessert.
As comforting and delicious as it is easy to make, this creamy fish pie is the meal your dinner table has been waiting for. Dig through the bed of cloudy mashed potatoes on top to reach the creamy, garlicky seafood mix inside and you'll be in heaven in no time.
This ice cream tower is a real show-stopper
Blitz up this easy-prep dip for an impressive addition to your Christmas party food table. With a garlicky, whipped cheese base and a crunchy, salty-sweet walnut topping, it packs a flavour and texture punch!
Jade Greenhalgh's creamy root veg gratin features carrots and parsnips, with a subtle kick of horseradish and a golden, nutty topping. It makes a special side dish for roasts, a hearty winter main or a deliciously indulgent vegetarian Christmas dinner.
This is the perfect make-ahead dinner party dessert – rich and indulgent with simple yet effective finishing touches. The fresh fruit, aromatic rosemary and crunchy topping offset the richness of the mousse, and give a subtle restaurant touch. We think it will get guests' seal of approval!
This beautiful bake features Tendersweet carrots, a variety grown in the Scottish Highlands with a distinctively sweet flavour, but you could use regular carrots if that's what you have to hand. Inspired by classic carrot cake and using olive oil for a moist texture and fragrant flavour, these muffins are a special teatime treat. Don't forget the luscious cream cheese frosting!
Turn the nostalgic flavours of jelly and ice cream into a fun bake! These fudgy blondies are studded with fruity jelly and white chocolate with some fresh raspberries to cut through the sweetness. Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy those classic retro flavours.
This delicious 'Marry me' chicken dish is perfect for date night or a cosy dinner for two. Chicken breasts are pan-fried until golden, then stirred into a herby cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. It may not lead to a proposal, but it's a wonderfully indulgent and flavoursome meal. Find out how to make 'Marry me' chicken and it will soon become your go-to comfort dish.
This hearty and wholesome slow-cooker chilli, with gentle warming spices, is one of the most versatile baby weaning recipes – suitable for infants from 12+ months*, but it also makes a great meal for all the family. Once you've prepped the chilli, you can let it slow-cook during the day while you get on with other things, plus you'll have some leftover mini portions for the freezer – bonus!
Frozen squash and quick-cook orzo pasta make this one of the easiest weaning recipes. Suitable from 10+ months weaning stage*, this is creamy and delicious yet packed with goodness. There's no need to prepare a different dinner for the grown-ups either – this dish serves 2 adults and 2 children, then freeze half the sauce for more meals – ace!
Inspired by the flavours of butter chicken, this simple pilaf is made entirely in one tray. Bung all the ingredients in and let the oven do the hard work. Finish with a drizzle of cream and flaked almonds for those comforting butter chicken flavours.
This DIY bagel board is an easy idea for a laid-back brunch with friends
With dark rum, sweet Advocaat and warming winter spices, this gingerbread twist on classic Christmas eggnog is the ideal festive tipple
The classic Irish mudslide gets a makeover with the help of triple chocolate ice cream
A Christmas dessert that will seriously impress guests. The mixed berries are 'hiding' a layer of deliciously creamy eggnog panna cotta. Eggnog is traditionally made with booze, but leave it out if you're teetotal – or would prefer.
The base of this gorgeous cheesecake is made from fig rolls, and the jelly topping from citrus, cinnamon and dessert wine: desserts don't get more festive than this.
The warming hug-in-a-sip hot toddy was the inspiration behind these dessert canapé cakes made with honey, lemon and whisky.
For a summer-infused twist on a classic trifle, substitute the sherry for Aperol and add clementines and prosecco. For a refreshing no-alcohol alternative, swap Aperol for fresh clementine juice and prosecco for sparkling white grape juice.
This 5-ingredient vegan dessert turns the flavours of a Black Forest gateau into an easy-to-make parfait. It's simple, impressive and the perfect pudding to enjoy over the festive season.
This is the ultimate show-stopper dessert for Christmas. Layers of pain au chocolat, chocolate custard and cherries create a decadent Black Forest spin on this timeless festive pud.
This is tiramisu like you've never known before - ground ginger, crystalised ginger and ginger nuts transform this traditional Italian dessert into a spiced seasonal show-stopper. Serving 12, this needs to be on your Christmas dessert table!
Grab a blanket, put on a film and get cosy with this grown-up, rum-spiced hot chocolate recipe. Serve piled high with whipped cream and grated dark chocolate. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's ideal for winter gatherings and Christmas parties too.
Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, these lightly spiced gingerbread biscuits are the perfect Christmas baking activity. Top with spiced chai cream cheese frosting and decorate with colourful sprinkles.
A fun twist on the nostalgic Black Forest cake, this almond cake is rich, nutty, and bursting with holiday cheer—guaranteed to steal the show at any Christmas table!
This dreamy pear pudding is ideal for guests on a plant-based or dairy-free diet. Sweet maple syrup, fragrant thyme and festive ginger creates an intriguing, complex combination of flavours, finished off with a dash of luxurious coconut cream. This is too good to save for Christmas!
Originating for South Africa, malva pudding is filled with apricot jam and drizzled in syrup. We've given ours a festive twist with extra cinnamon and nutmeg. Try as an alternative dessert idea for Christmas Day.
Stollen gives this bread and butter pudding tart a special festive twist for Christmas. You can even freeze leftovers for another time but we doubt you'll have any, it's that good!
This spectacular yet simple-to-make ice-cream terrine is definitely one for your dessert table this Christmas. A homemade pistachio paste and an easy no-cook olive oil caramel makes this a game changer. This is creamy, luscious and decadent, just as festive desserts should be!
With light sponges, silky milk chocolate buttercream and glossy dark chocolate ganache, this decadent cake recipe is a chocolate lover's dream
A quiche with a potato crust? Don't knock it 'til you try it! Naturally gluten-free and showcasing fluffy and creamy Maris Pipers, the smashed potato crust feels both on-trend and comfortingly familiar. This makes a great lunch or centrepiece on a sharing table – everyone will want the recipe!
For your next indulgent treat, why not try these cherry jam filled Black Forest inspired doughnuts?
Take your baked apples to the next level with this gorgeous recipe full of warming whole and ground spices. The toffee sauce is so easy to make using melted toffee sweets – anyone can have a go. This is a great pud for after Sunday lunch or any night you fancy an autumnal sweet treat.