We don't want to alarm you, but is happening in a matter of weeks, whether we're ready or not. And, of course, we're not ready. We're actually never ready...
Never mind, we've got every festive busy bee covered with a Christmas cake to suit. Some need a spare afternoon and lots of 'maturing time', others you can whip up on the morning of. Some are chock full of fruit and others are delightfully fruit-free, so even traditional fruitcake haters will be lining up for a serve.
However you make yours, a Christmas cake is a must for topping off a fine day with your nearest and dearest. So enjoy the prep and remember to keep it simple. That way you'll simply keep it coming year after year!
Bibingka often sold outside churches for breakfast after dawn mass. Source: Janyon
Dense with brandy-soaked fruit and spices, a little goes a long way! Source: Alan Benson
Whiskey is the tipple of choice for this one. Source: China Squirrel
Traditional Christmas meets outback flavours to bring you this richly spiced fruitcake, topped with dessert quandong for a tart, peachy finishing. Source: The Great Australian Cookbook
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Quandong Christmas cake
This fruitcake is heavy with all usual suspects: glace ginger, pineapple and cherry, golden syrup, sultanas and lashings of rum. Source: China Squirrel
Kersttulband is a special treat served to visiting friends and family during the Christmas season. Source: Alan Benson
It's always hard to stop at one piece of panettone! Source: Alan Benson
This sugar-dusted fruit bread is said to resemble the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. Source: John Laurie
Merge your gingerbread house with your Christmas cake and keep everyone happy. Source: Bake With Anna Olson
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Dark gingerbread cake
Not gonna lie, this gingerbread variation of the traditional French chocolate Christmas cake — is a commitment of time, energy and nerves. But what a stunner for your table! Source: Tribune News Service
Tihs version of the bûche de Noël is a combination of a flourless chocolate cake, rich chocolate ganache and a lightly toasted Italian meringue. Source: Alan Benson
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Speculaas yule log
Cinnamon and ginger add festive flavours to this cake, which is a million times quicker than a traditional Christmas pudding. Source: Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food
All the Christmas cake love with none of the dark overtones. Source: SBS Food
It's still packed with fruit, but tastes very different to a fruit cake... trust us. Source: Rachel Bartholomeusz
This is a variation of the traditional English fruitcake and is customarily eaten during the Christmas season. Source: Alan Benson
A serve of this in the afternoon will keep the Christmas party going and going. Source: Alan Benson
Bring on the always-in-fashion, always-delicious pav. Source: Feast magazine
Festive bakes
White chocolate passionfruit tarts
