Classic Christmas cakes and puddings

Unleash your creativity whipping up these minced fruit and nut pies with a brandy kick. They can be shaped into stars, snowflakes or topped with sweet meringue to offer something for everyone at your next special social gathering.

Mum’s made this cake for many years since her dear Aussie friend Lynne shared it with her. It is always a success, thus their friendship remains intact! Photography by Todd Eyre

This is the perfect recipe to start your Christmas cake baking tradition. It can be made ahead of time easy preparation on any occasion.

Topped with almonds and packed with dried and glace fruit, this moist fruitcake not only looks good but tastes amazing. It serves 16, so is perfect to feed a crowd if you're hosting Christmas lunch or Christmas in July.

Santa will be pleased he visited your house when you leave this Christmas classic out for him. Infused with ginger, cloves and cinnamon this Christmas pudding lives up to the standard left by grandmothers past.

Nothing tastes like the festive season quite like a decadent Christmas pudding. This orange and dark chocolate version is perfect served with your choice of creamy custard or ice cream

Nothing pronounces the festive season quite like a classic, decadent steamed pudding. Serve with your choice of brandy butter, custard or ice cream to leave everyone with joy.

Boiled fruit cake, fruit recipe, brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly

This decadent cake is packed full of the goodness of cherries, raisins and sultanas, then coated in a rich, dark chocolate frosting to create this divine dessert that's worthy of any celebration.

This rich Christmas pudding recipe is a deliciously decadent way to celebrate Christmas with loved ones. Top with 'frosted' cherries for a real festive feel

My mum recently handed me a real treasure – an exercise book that was used for recipes by my great-grandmother. I never knew my great-grandmother, but I certainly recognise some of her recipes from my visits to Nan’s house. It has been compiled with patience and love, and gives me an insight into a woman I never met. It is a privilege to now have her cookbook. This cake is from an era where home cooks were incredibly frugal, as everyday ingredients, such as butter, were in short supply.

Just because you don't eat gluten doesn't mean you have to miss out on Christmas treats - try this delicious glace fruit cake.

The Weekly's Top 10 cakes - Number 8

No Christmas would be complete without a deliciously plump fruit cake.

Christmas is not the same without the traditional Christmas cake! A cake that has all the ingredients that are mandatory to a Christmas cake, the only thing different is it's gluten-free!

A gluten-free diet doesn't mean lowering your standards. This gluten-free Christmas pudding is bursting with fruit and flavour.