After a hot debate throughout the office on what the best dishes to see on the table on Christmas Day are, here is what made the short list –  

Chocolate Ripple Log Cake

• 250g chocolate ripple biscuits
• 300ml whipped cream
• 1 Cadbury Flake chocolate bar

1. Use a knife or spatula and spread each biscuit with a generous amount of cream.
2. Stand the biscuits on edge on a tray, pressing them together to form a log.
3. Cover the whole lot with cream and crumble Flake bar over the top.
4. Place in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight.
5. When the biscuits are soft it is ready to serve.
6. Cut on an angle to serve.

Traditional Shortbread

• 1 cup salted butter, cold and cut into pieces
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1. In a medium bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter, granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well combined
2. Add all-purpose flour and mix until combined
3. Knead dough by hand for 5 minutes. The dough should end up soft and pliable, similar to play-dough, not sticky.
4. Form a ball, wrap tightly, and chill for about 30 minutes
5. While the dough is resting, preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside
6. Roll dough out to about ½ inch thickness, use a cookie cutter for shapes.
7. Place each cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheet, sprinkle sprinkles over the top if desired and gently press into dough
8. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown
9. Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Honey Glazed Ham

• Leg of Ham
• 1/2 cup seeded mustard
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil

1. Remove skin from ham and score the fat and meat.
2. Mix together mustard, honey and oil in a bowl.
3. Brush mixture all over the ham.
4. Back at 180 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden.

Gingerbread

• 90 grams golden syrup
• 55 grams brown sugar
• 1 & ½ tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 125 grams butter chopped into cubes
• 1 egg
• 335 grams plain flour

1. Place golden syrup, brown sugar, butter & spices in a saucepan until  sugar is dissolved and butter is melted.
2. Remove from heat, add egg & combine. 
3. Add flour & soda and mix until a sticky dough forms. (dough will be VERY sticky)
4. Wrap dough in glad wrap and place in the fridge for a few hours until cold and firm.
5. Roll dough out to approx. 5mm thick and cut out desired shapes.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden. 
7. top with your favourite icing and decorations!