We LOVE pigs in blankets. But pigs in blankets in egg sleeping bags, might just be even more delicious!

Christmas Day morning is a mad rush as we have either always travelled to family in Oxford or Surrey, or have been busy getting ready for family to descend on us.

I adore hosting and simple ideas to feed the masses are my top priority for Christmas feasts.

I wish we had to time to sit down for a beautiful course of smoked salmon but as we will always be at least an hour away from family, bite size brunches are the way to go!

These savoury Madeleines are easy to prepare and everyone can grab one, two or three!

Ingredients:

• Eggs (1 egg makes 3 Madeleines)
• Mini sausages wrapped in bacon
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Dried cranberries

Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees/Gas mark 4.

Crack an egg, one at a time in a small jug. Pour your egg equally between 3 Madeleine holes in a non stick Madeleine baking tray. I tried to leave the yolks whole for the middle ones. But it doesn't matter if a few split. 

Place your pigs in their blankets in the egg white, sprinkle with rosemary sprigs and a couple of cranberries and bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until the edges are crispy and golden. 

Keep them simple for little ones or add some spice.

Do you have a Christmas Day breakfast tradition? 

What will you be eating?!

I do love a good cocktail. But there are times when mixing 3, blow your head off, spirits is just too much!

Why not try making some festive cubes with seasonal ingredients to add a little something special to a jug of water at the Christmas table or add them to your favourite drinks.

The mint ones would be perfect for mojitos, try adding the rosemary to a vodka tonic and the fruit juice versions would add a little something to a glass of bubbly, alcoholic or not.

I used a range of fruits as well as froze some sugared slices of lime and lemon.

I think the blood orange cubes would make a great addition to a Bucks Fizz and the pomegranate ones would go down a storm with a cranberry juice and lemonade.

I've tried coffee cubes before which are wonderful in an Irish Cream liqueur and frozen edible petals make a clear drink simply beautiful.

What else would you make ice cubes from?!

I am a little bit obsessed with party nibbles. Especially at this time of year. 

And these just might be my favourite.

Super simple Stollen Croutons.

I'd love to have the luxury of hours to prepare incredible canapés and petit fours but the truth is, the easier something is to make the better. Especially if when served, they look spectacular!

Ingredients:

• Stollen Cake (I used a loaf as it was fairly flat)
• Fresh cranberries
• Desiccated coconut
• Icing sugar to dust or fine powder sugar sprinkle

Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees/Gas Mark 4.

Cut your Stollen into strips and then cubes.

Halve your cranberries and poke one half into each cube.

Bake in the oven for 8 minutes, have a peek at 6 minutes to make sure they aren't burning!

Dust with icing sugar or I used "Christmas Snow" sparkle from the cake decorating aisle and desiccated coconut.

Serve warm and watch your guest enjoy the little pockets of cranberry sweetness.

Make sure you check out my other nibble ideas too.

Baked Sprouts

Beetroot Nibbles

Mini Calzone