It’s that time again; fairy lights are flashing; carollers are flocking to city squares, and gift shops are enchanted with Christmas displays. WineDown is swinging around the Christmas tree in anticipation of the man in the red suit’s arrival. And whilst the festive spirit is flowing, working through the gift list can be exhausting. Sigh. One person is likely challenging to buy for. Don’t worry! We’ve got some cracker gift options, so everything ends up tickety-boo.
Presenting (pun intended) ‘The Great CellarDoor.co Bake Off’. Less of a competition and more of a helping hand to pair scrumptious gifts consisting of moreish baked goodies and a bottle of plonk. Who doesn’t love being gifted homemade baked goods and wine?
On your marks, get set… bake!
Serves: 36 | Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 15 mins
You’ll want to double the recipe for these dainty French bickies so you can squirrel some away. Not only are they easy on the eye, but they’re also easy on the palate. Delicate, light and crisp on the outside, with white chocolate and raspberry ganache filling - are you drooling yet? Zhuzh them up with a bottle of bubbles and a sparkly festive gift box to impress. The ethereal bubbles of a Seppelt Pierlot Henty Brut Rosé or the fruity sweetness of T’Gallant Juliet Moscato beautifully frame the sweetness of the macarons.
Paired wine gift: Sparkling wine, Pinot Grigio or Moscato
Click here for the recipe.
Serves: 16 | Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 35 mins
Avoid a great bake-off brownie disaster with this tried-and-true recipe. These brownies scream Christmas; richly filled with chocolate, tawny-soaked cherries, and walnuts. There’s nothing quite like getting a gooey chocolate brownie stuck to the roof of your mouth! A fabulous excuse to wash it down with a nip of Wynns Coonawarra Estate Pedro Ximenez, which has garnered almost as many awards as a Christmas tree has baubles. A nice bake and a lovely gift!
Paired wine gift: Fortified wine: Pedro Ximenez or Tawny Port
Click here for the recipe.
Serves: 12 | Prep: 01:00 hour | Cook: 07:00 hours
Christmas isn’t Christmas without pudding, even for those who don’t love it and smother it in boozy custard or ice cream to disguise its fruity taste [how could one NOT love pudding, pfft]. Some of the best things in life are aged, and this recipe is no exception. It’s been lovingly passed down through many generations of WineDown’s family and is always a hit. Present the pud wrapped in calico and ribbon with a sprig of eucalypt leaves and a bottle of Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz or Penfolds Rare Tawny NV. The proof is in the pudding!
Paired wine gift: A contentious subject... we wrote a whole WineDown on Christmas Pud pairings.
Click here for the recipe.
Serves: 12 | Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins
Buttery shortcrust pastry filled with melt-in-your-mouth vanilla custard, topped with figs and berries. Three delicious elements sure to elicit a few ooo’s and mmmm’s as your giftee takes a bite. An easy-to-follow and construct recipe well suited to last-minute gifts. Bring the sweet sensations of the tart to the forefront with a bottle of T'Gallant Pink Moscato NV or Penfolds Max's Rosé, the perfect posh pressie. Just remember to keep them chilled and pop the fruit on last minute. No one loves a ‘soggy bottom’!
Paired wine gift: Rosé or Moscato
Click here for the recipe.
And continuing in the festive spirit, we’re sharing some Christmasy recipes that may accentuate your festive occasions.
Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 30 mins
Seriously. Delicious. Home-style. Relish. Whip up this tasty little treat in mere minutes and serve with cheese as an appetiser or smother upon your plump Christmas ham! Nom, nom, nom.
Pair with: Shiraz, of course!
Click here for the recipe.
Serves: 4 | Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 10 mins
Christmas in a glass, best served Christmas eve whilst baking for the big day. Do not leave this out for Santa, as he may not want to continue his journey. It’s that good! It’s spicy and zesty, providing the perfect amount of pep with its orange, fig, clove, cinnamon, and star anise flavours. It is possibly best served with the aircon on if it’s a hot summer’s eve.
Pair with: sneaky corners of gingerbread houses that no one notices are missing.
Click here for the recipe.
All that’s left now is to wish you the merriest and most joyful Christmas. May the laughter be loud, your tummies full and the joy overflowing. Most importantly, ensure you drink responsibly, sip rather than gulp, explore low alcohol options, drink plenty of water and seek alternative transport home.
Ho ho ho!