Traditional British Christmas Recipes with a Modern Twist – Mince Pies, Puddings, and Festive Roasts Reimagined

Truffle and Parmesan Roast Potatoes

There’s something wonderfully comforting about a traditional British Christmas, the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and roasting meat filling the house, the crackle of a log fire, and a table groaning under the weight of festive treats. 

But even the most cherished traditions can benefit from a little reinvention.

This Christmas, why not breathe new life into old favourites with a few modern twists on classic British recipes? From mince pies to puddings and roasts, here’s how to bring a fresh sparkle to your festive feast – complete with perfectly paired drinks to make the season truly merry.

Mince Pies Reinvented

The humble mince pie has been a Christmas staple for centuries, originally packed with meat, fruit, and spices before evolving into the sweet treats we know today. But modern bakers are taking things a step further.

Try this:

Chocolate Orange Mince Pies: Add a splash of orange liqueur and dark chocolate chips to your mincemeat for a touch of indulgence.

Frangipane-Topped Mince Pies: Replace the pastry lid with almond frangipane for a nutty, golden finish.

Mini Mince Pie Tarts: Bake bite-sized versions in a mini muffin tin and dust with edible gold shimmer.

Perfect Pairing:

Enjoy your mince pies with a glass of mulled gin, aromatic, lightly spiced, and far less heavy than traditional mulled wine. Alternatively, an English sparkling wine like Nyetimber or Chapel Down adds a crisp counterpoint to the rich pastry.

Christmas Pudding with a Twist

Rich, boozy, and packed with dried fruit, the traditional Christmas pudding is the grand finale of the festive meal. But if your family finds it a bit too heavy, try these lighter, creative versions.

Try this:

Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding: Combine classic pudding spices with dates and toffee sauce for caramel sweetness.

Gin-Infused Pudding: Swap brandy for a botanical London dry gin for a fragrant, floral twist.

Christmas Pudding Ice Cream: Crumble leftover pudding into vanilla ice cream and swirl with brandy butter – ideal for Boxing Day.

Perfect Pairing:

Serve with a small glass of sloe gin or a dessert wine such as Muscat or Tokaji. For a non-alcoholic option, warm spiced apple juice with a hint of ginger and vanilla works beautifully.

Festive Roasts, Modernised

The centrepiece of Christmas dinner deserves a little creative flair. While turkey and beef remain traditional, modern cooks are experimenting with new flavours and textures.

Try this:

Maple and Mustard Glazed Turkey: Sweet and savoury with a glossy finish; a dash of bourbon elevates the flavour.

Herb-Crusted Beef with Horseradish Cream: A zesty crust of parsley, thyme, and lemon brightens up this classic.

Vegetarian Wellington: Filled with mushrooms, chestnuts, and spinach, it’s a festive showstopper for all diets.

Perfect Pairing:

Turkey: Pair with an English Bacchus white wine or a light Pinot Noir for a fresh balance.

Beef: Choose a rich Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vegetarian Wellington: A Chenin Blanc or rosé prosecco works wonders.

Modern Accompaniments

Side dishes are where you can truly have fun, introducing luxurious touches that enhance tradition.

Try this:

Truffle and Parmesan Roast Potatoes: Crispy and indulgent, a touch of truffle oil goes a long way.

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Maple Syrup: A perfect blend of sweet, salty, and savoury.

Cranberry and Port Jus: A silky, rich alternative to standard gravy.

Perfect Pairing:

A chilled Cranberry Fizz cocktail (cranberry juice, prosecco, and a squeeze of lime) complements the savoury sides while keeping things festive.

The Sweet Finish

End on a note that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

Clementine and Prosecco Trifle: Light, citrusy, and elegant.

Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding: Italian-inspired comfort food at its finest.

Mulled Wine Cheesecake: A rich, spiced showstopper with mulled berry compote.

Perfect Pairing:

Trifle: Pair with Prosecco or an Asti Spumante for a sparkling match.

Bread and Butter Pudding: A Baileys over ice or a cream liqueur coffee adds warmth and luxury.

Mulled Wine Cheesecake: A glass of ruby port ties everything together beautifully.

Bringing Tradition into the Present

Modern twists on traditional British Christmas dishes don’t mean abandoning the classics. It’s about celebrating what we love while adding a hint of creativity, global flavour, and modern flair.

Whether you’re baking a batch of chocolate-orange mince pies, glazing your turkey with maple and mustard, or finishing with a Prosecco trifle, these festive updates will impress family and friends... and may just start new traditions of their own.

Joyeux Noël – Revealing Beautiful New Winter Wonderland Packaging - in Time for Stir Up Sunday!

Several days ago we wrote about stir up Sunday. https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2025/08/when-should-you-start-making-your.html

Now, we have more to say on this very important pre-Christmas event. 

As Stir up Sunday approaches, it's time to immerse in all things festive. To help make this Christmas extra special Bonne Maman has introduced beautiful, limited edition etched jars to the brand's award-winning 360g Hazelnut Chocolate Spread alongside the 750g jars of delicious classic Apricot, Strawberry and Raspberry Conserves as well as especially designed packs of all butter Bonne Maman Madeleines.  

Perfect for adding some extra 'ho, ho, ho' to the festive season, each jar is beautifully embellished with an evocative, winter wonderland design. 

Once the Hazelnut Chocolate Spread and Conserves have been enjoyed, simply clean the jar, remove the labels, then upcycle into a charming decoration by adding a string of twinkling lights or fill with mulled wine spices or chocolate truffles to create a lovely homemade gift.

Perfect additions to a Christmas stocking or personalised hamper, the exclusive Bonne Maman packaging adds an extra little je ne sais quoi to seasonal family breakfasts and celebration teas.

Available while stocks last, the limited edition 360g Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (rrp £4.10) 750g Apricot, Strawberry and Raspberry Conserves (rrp £5.75) and special seasonal packs of Madeleines (rrp £3.00) will be available while stocks last from all major retailers, from late November. Bon appétit!

https://www.bonnemaman.co.uk

Creating a New Family Christmas Tradition: A Feast by All, for All

Christmas is a time for coming together, celebrating family, and indulging in delicious food. 

If you’re looking to add a touch of novelty and excitement to your festive feast, why not start a new family Christmas tradition? 

One way to make the day even more memorable is by getting everyone involved in preparing the meal. 

You can have each family member take charge of a different course – from the starter to the dessert – creating a shared experience that blends creativity, tradition, and fun.

Here’s how you can kick off this wonderful new tradition:

1. Plan the Courses Together

A successful collaborative Christmas meal starts with a bit of planning. Decide in advance how many courses you’ll have, keeping it festive but manageable. For a traditional Christmas feast, you might opt for four key courses:

The starter

The main (usually meat)

The vegetables or side dishes

The dessert

Gather your family and decide who will be in charge of each course. You could draw names from a hat, assign roles based on cooking skills, or let everyone choose what they’re most excited to prepare.

2. Incorporate Personal Tastes and Traditions

A family feast is about blending everyone’s tastes and traditions. Encourage each person to bring their own twist to their dish. The starter could be inspired by an old family recipe or a modern favourite, while the main course might reflect the region’s traditional roast or something entirely different. The vegetables can be a mixture of classic options like Brussels sprouts and roast potatoes, or something more adventurous like spiced carrots or glazed parsnips.

The beauty of this approach is that it allows everyone to share a bit of themselves through the meal, blending old and new flavours.

3. Host a Family Cooking Day

If you have the luxury of time, consider turning the day before Christmas into a family cooking day. Gather in the kitchen to prep ingredients and help one another with the more time-consuming aspects of cooking. For example, the person in charge of the starter can begin preparing soup or baking bread, while others peel and chop vegetables, or prep the pudding. This not only lightens the load but creates bonding moments around the stove.

If there are younger children in the family, assign them simple but important tasks like mixing ingredients or setting the table. It’s a great way to include everyone, no matter their age.

4. Presentation: A Feast for the Eyes

Another way to elevate this tradition is by making each course a showstopper, not just in taste but in presentation. Encourage each family member to think creatively about how they want their dish to look. The starter could be plated in individual portions, the vegetables arranged artfully, and the dessert garnished with a festive flair. You could even take photos of each dish to create a ‘family feast album’ – a fun way to commemorate the day and see how everyone’s skills evolve year by year.

5. Create a Story with the Meal

As each family member presents their course, ask them to share a little about why they chose that dish. Perhaps there’s a story behind the recipe, or it reminds them of a fond Christmas memory. This transforms the meal into more than just food – it becomes a tapestry of shared stories and experiences, weaving together everyone’s history.

6. Enjoy the Moment – Together

When Christmas Day finally arrives, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your collective labour. The beauty of this tradition is that the feast isn’t solely the responsibility of one person – it’s a shared creation, made with love by the whole family. Plus, you’ll likely discover new flavours and dishes you never thought to include before.

7. Rotate Responsibilities Each Year

To keep things fresh, rotate the roles each year. This way, everyone has a chance to try their hand at a different course, challenging themselves and exploring new recipes. It also ensures that each person has the opportunity to shine as the ‘star’ of the meal. Over time, this tradition could even spark new family favourites and become the highlight of the festive season.

Final Thoughts

Starting a new family Christmas tradition that involves everyone in the kitchen brings a new layer of meaning to the festive season. It’s about more than just the food – it’s about creating memories, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company. With each person contributing to the feast, the meal becomes a true reflection of the family, filled with love, laughter, and a delicious blend of flavours that are uniquely yours.

So, this Christmas, why not begin this wonderful new tradition? Get the whole family involved, roll up your sleeves, and create a Christmas feast that’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination.