Working from home and being in Tier 3 has inspired me to be more creative and try and make that Instagram worthy treat at home. Here are some of my homemade Christmas treats.

Chocolate Bombs

This year hot chocolate bombs have been a hit. They make the perfect gift and are so easy to make too. Click for the video.

All you need is a silicone dome mould, good chocolate (any flavour), chocolate powder, mini marshmallows and anything else you fancy in your chocolate bomb.

• Melt the chocolate and spread it on the dome (a thin layer) and stick it in the fridge to set. Put on another thin layer and set again.
• Once set, take the mould out of the fridge and slowly peel the domes out.
• Heat an empty plate in the microwave
• Lightly melt the rim of one dome then fill the inside with hot the powder and marshmallows. Melt another dome and place it on top to form your dome.
• **If you fancy a baileys one, mix the baileys with hot chocolate powder to form a thick paste. This ensures the liquid doesn’t sip out of the chocolate bombs**

Pear & Chai Savarin

Brtish bake-off inspired me to make these. Pear and masala chai mix work really well together. I had them as soon as it came off the warm chai syrup and one heated in the microwave with some custard. Both were so amazing.

Gingerbread Tree

Every Christmas I have gingerbread as place names on the table. It makes a perfect after-dinner treat and makes the table look festive. I use this recipe all the time, just add more spice depending on how heavy my hand is. As well as gingerbread men, this tree is a nice show stopper on the table. It is also a great gift.

Santa Pancake

I love a pimped pancake especially one I can make it a couple of minutes. This Santa pancake is easy and fun. All you need is some squirty cream, strawberries & chocolate. You can check out the video here too.

Chocolate Orange Macarons

Baking macarons can seem daunting however with practise you soon get the hang of it. Read about what works for me and the recipe I use for my French macarons shells. I have moved on from using buttercream as the filling and now use ganache to ensure they are not too sweet. I filled these ones below with some chocolate orange ganache.

Cinnamon Palmiers

Palmiers are my favourite pastry and this time of year adding cinnamon just makes them festive. They are really easy to make and just as easy to polish off. Here is a quick video.

What you need: puff pastry, caster sugar & icing sugar.

• I used a sheet of shop bought puff pastry. Place the sheet on some greaseproof paper. Sprinkle on some cinnamon and sugar. The amount you sprinkle is up to you. I do go a bit crazy with cinnamon but I am a big fan.
• Take the two long sides of the pastry and fold evenly into the middle of the sheet so the two long edges touch.
• Sprinkle the folded puff pastry with caster sugar and fold the pastry in half lengthways. Cover the pastry with the paper and freeze for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven at 180 degrees c. Place the frozen puff pastry onto a chopping board and cut into 1cm slices.
• Place greaseproof paper on a baking tray and place the biscuits about 2 cm apart. Sprinkle some icing sugar on them and bake for 10-12 minutes.

If all else fails and you just want some festive tipple, check out my Christmas cocktails.

Have you discovered some festive recipes this year?

Neha