Easy Christmas recipes for the holiday period.

There are so many fun and festive things to do over the holiday season. It’s a time to eat, drink and be merry, so the Leap in! Crew has put together a collection of easy recipes that you can prepare for your holiday get togethers or to enjoy on your own.

Whether you’re planning a Christmas feast at home or you’re bringing a dish to a party, these festive favourites are delicious and simple to prepare. That means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with friends and family.

Before you get started.

Check out  our recent article – Top 5 cooking hacks for people with a disability. This contains our top tips to help you set up your kitchen safely, plan your menu and use assistive technology to make cooking fun and safe.

Sweet treats for a holiday feast.

Salted Jersey caramel popcorn (makes 8 cups).
Recipe sourced from www.taste.com.au

A salted caramel take on a delicious, classic popcorn snack!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup popping corn
• 2 x 225g packets jersey caramels
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes.

Tools:

• Saucepan for cooking popcorn
• Saucepan for melting caramels
• Spoon for stirring hot items
• Large bowl
• Baking tray
• Baking paper.

Instructions:

1. Cook popping corn following packet directions. Transfer popcorn to a large bowl, removing any unpopped corn. Cool completely.
2. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
3. Cut 1/4 of the jersey caramels into quarters. Set aside. Place remaining jersey caramels in saucepan. Add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until melted and smooth.
4. Pour caramel over popcorn. Mix well to coat. Spread out onto prepared tray. Top with jersey caramel quarters. Sprinkle with salt. Set aside to cool completely.
5. Break popcorn into pieces and serve.

Reindeer surprise chocolate truffles (makes 20).
Recipe sourced from www.taste.com.au

Cute chocolate truffles with a surprise!

Ingredients:

• 300g dark chocolate, chopped
• 315g packet iced chocolate madeira cake (see Top tip!)
• 2 x 125g packets Lindt Lindor Strawberries & Cream balls, unwrapped
• 40 mini pretzels, trimmed into antlers
• 40 candy eyeballs
• 20 red M&M’s.

Tools:

• Heatproof bowl
• Spoon for stirring hot items
• Baking tray
• Parchment/baking paper
• Mixing bowl
• Tablespoon
• Fork
• Cutting board
• Knife.

Instructions:

1. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place 50g chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Place over a bowl of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water). Stir for 3 minutes or until melted.
2. Meanwhile, use your fingers to crumble the cake (including the icing) into a bowl until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the melted chocolate.
3. Use about 1 tablespoon crumbled cake mix to shape around each Lindor ball to completely enclose. Transfer to the prepared tray. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm.
4. Place the remaining 250g chocolate in the same heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water). Use a metal spoon to stir often for 5 minutes or until smooth.
5. Use a fork to dip the chocolate truffles into the melted chocolate, shaking off any excess. Return the truffles to the tray. Decorate each truffle with pretzel antlers, pressed into the cake layer, candy eyes and a red M&M nose. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes until set.

Top tip!  If you can’t find an iced cake, add a little milk to the crumbled cake to moisten the crumbs.

Gingerbread mug cake (serves 1).

This quick and easy dessert is bursting with a tonne of flavour that is sure to bring back happy holiday memories! Serve it in a festive mug and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream with green and red sprinkles to make it extra special.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk*
• ½ tablespoon golden syrup
• ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Vanilla ice cream* (optional)
• Holiday sprinkles (optional).

Tools:

• Microwave safe mug
• Measuring spoons
• Fork.

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug
2. Whisk with a fork until the batter is smooth
3. Place the mug in the microwave and cook for about 1 minute
4. If cake is not cooked through, microwave it for an additional extra 10 seconds
5. Enjoy with ice cream and sprinkles!

*Go dairy free! To make this recipe dairy free, substitute a plant-based milk alternative. You can find soy milk, almond milk and oat milk in most supermarkets as well as coconut-based ice cream!

Easy no-churn vanilla ice cream (serves 10).

An easy delicious recipe for an old time favourite!

Ingredients:

• 600ml thickened cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence.

Tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer
• Container with lid
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Measuring spoons.

Instructions:

1. Pour the entire bottle of thickened cream into the large mixing bowl and whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
2. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the entire can of condensed milk and teaspoon of vanilla essence.
3. Fold the condensed milk and vanilla mix into the whipped cream.
4. Use your spatula to empty the mix into the container, place on the lid and freeze for until set before serving.

Prepare ahead of time. Make this recipe ahead of time and it can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Further Reading

Best of our free resources: Leap in! ebooks, guides and more.

How Compass is touching hearts and changing lives.

Staying safe at home: 5 cooking hacks for people with a disability.