What to cook for Christmas: Ambrosia!

Today's recipe is quite simply ambrosia – Raspberry Ripple Ambrosia, to be exact!

A luscious swirl of whipped cream, meringues, marshmallows, nougat and berries, it's one of those never-fail desserts that you can stir together in a jiffy and everyone will think you're a genius because it just tastes so delicious.

It's a handy recipe prepare in big quantities when you're feeding a crowd, or to keep in mind for those times when friends pop in unexpectedly and you need to conjure a dessert out of nowhere – keep a packet each of marshmallows, nougat and meringues in the pantry and all you need is a bottle of fresh cream. And it also suits gluten-free guests – just buy gluten-free varieties of all the ingredients.

Serve with or without my Chocolate Sponge Roll with Figs.

Countdown to Christmas dinner
Tomorrow is the last day I'll be posting a new recipe from my Christmas Day menu, so check back here tomorrow. To be notified by email when I've posted a new blog, click on the RSS Feed tab on the right of this page. Or if you'd prefer you can like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter to be the first to hear when each new recipe goes live. On the last day I'll post a Menu Planner to help you prep ahead as much as possible and make your Christmas Day a stress-free zone.

Here's my Christmas Day menu so far:
To drink:
Bella's Pink Fizz – read the blog or go straight to the recipe

To nibble while your guests arrive:
Oysters with Kilpatrick Topping – read the blog or go straight to the recipe
Sesame Prawn Toasts – read the blog or go straight to the recipe

To start:
Salmon and Avocado Towers – read the blog or go straight to the recipe

The main event:
Spicy Barbecued Beef – read the blog or go straight to the recipe
Roast Turkey with Cider Gravy – read the blog or go straight to the recipe
Bacon, Herb and Hazelnut Stuffing – read the blog or go straight to the recipe
Trio of Vegetables – read the blog or go straight to the recipe
Pawpaw Spinach Salad – read the blog or go straight to the recipe

To finish:Chocolate Sponge Roll with Figs – read the blog or go straight to the recipe Raspberry Ripple Ambrosia – go straight to the recipe

Coming tomorrow:

With coffee:
Prune, Pistachio and Hazelnut Log

For more free recipes, menu plans and tips, see annabel-langbein.com