Floral Christmas recipe ideas

29th May, 2025

Ebony Kelk

Let’s face it: the festive period is all about Christmas food. We spend weeks planning Christmas food, go to the fanciest places to eat the best Christmas food, and even while away our evenings watching TV shows about Christmas food. From the humble Christmas pudding to the grandiose roasted bird, nothing conjures up the festive spirit quite like a lavish feast.

So, what are you into? Does a Terry’s chocolate orange hit the mark, or are you more of a gingerbread aficionado? Do you wash it all down with a glass of egg nogg, or has mulled wine got your vote as the season’s tipple of choice?

Whatever floats your boat, we bet you’re always on the lookout for some delicious Christmas recipes. And this year, we’ve got you covered!

Tried-and-tested Christmas food ideas you’ll love

Whether you’re after the secret ingredient to the perfect roast potato or an ingenious twist on a well-loved classic, food is all about experimentation. And what better ingredient to play with than flowers?

Now, that doesn’t mean you need to raid your local florist before every meal. In fact, many of our favourite floral additions can be found in your local supermarket. But if you’re after a real showstopper, don’t be afraid to go for the real thing!

Here are our top tips for introducing florals to this year’s Christmas food:

Add a little rose magic to your Christmas pudding

With deep, warm hues and elegant, sweet-scented petals, roses are a firm favourite in our Christmas bouquets. So why not double down and incorporate them into your Christmas pudding too?

But if you really want to push the boat out, how about crafting some candied rose petals for the top of your Christmas pudding? Simply dip your rose petals in egg white and caster sugar and leave them to dry for an hour or so. Ta da!

Achieve the perfect festive spud with rosemary roast potatoes

Rosemary is a great choice for winter wreaths and decorations, and even better for your roast potatoes. This woody herb adds a distinctive savoury note to your spuds – and fills your kitchen with gorgeous aromas too.

The best bit? It’s super easy to use and doesn’t require professional-level chef skills (or equipment).

All you need to do is make roast potatoes like normal. Peel, par-boil, then fluff up the outer edges of your spuds. Coat them in flour before chucking them into some very hot oil (or goose fat if you’re feeling fancy) in a roasting tin. Then, add some chopped or sprigged rosemary and toss it among the potatoes halfway through the roasting time to stop it burning. Add some bashed up garlic at the same time to really seal the deal.

Decorate your Christmas cake with holly and festive flowers

Like its close cousin the wedding cake, Christmas cake is all about the decorations. Holly is a common choice (please don’t mistake this for an edible flower), but for a truly Insta-worthy addition to your Christmas table, why not go full-on floral?

Red roses are a great choice to compliment the green and red ivy; or you could try poinsettia for an even deeper scarlet shade. Mix and match with pinecones for the ultimate festive decor. Or why not go edible? Choose flowers like lavender, nasturtium, or hibiscus for decor with distinctive wintry flavours.

Learn more about Holly

Get super fancy with fried courgette flowers

Courgettes boast beautiful yellow petals that are just perfect for festive fillings. Traditionally eaten in Italy and the Middle East, these delicate little morsels are typically filled with cheese and herbs and deep fried until golden brown.

While you might not celebrate Christmas in quite the same way as the Italians, you can still wow your guests with these next-level nibbles. Trying stuffing a savoury version with goats’ cheese, thyme and parmesan, or get sweet with ricotta, orange zest and mint.

Make a simple batter of flour, sparkling water, baking powder and salt.
Mix your filling ingredients and spoon the lot into a piping bag.
Heat a deep fat fryer to 180 degrees and pipe your mixture into your courgette flowers.
Dip your courgette flowers into the batter and deep fry until golden brown.
Sprinkle with salt for savoury or icing sugar for sweet – and keep warm in the oven.

Go full-on floral with a classic mulled wine

So many classic Christmas flavours are derived from flowers: cinnamon, star anise, and cloves to name but a few. And there just so happens to be a delight of a drink that incorporates all these flavours, and more!

We heartily recommend you whip up a batch of classic mulled wine to celebrate all things floral. Simply heat red wine on the stove with a cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and sugar, then finish with a flourish of orange and lemon zest. And if you really want to push the boat out, add in some dried orange blossom for an extra sparkle of pizzazz.

Why not celebrate all things floral this year with a batch of classic mulled wine. Gently heat red wine on the stove with a cinnamon stick, two star anise, four cloves and some sugar. Finish with orange and lemon zest. For a fabulous floral finish, adorn yours with some dried orange blossom.

Ready for more?

Once you’ve chosen the perfect floral recipe, why stop there? We’ve got a whole host of festive guides to help you make this Christmas the best one ever. Check out our guides to:

Christmas Inspiration

Looking for some festive inspiration? Explore our Christmas Inspiration for a delightful boost