Bake, Stir and Savour: Early Christmas Prep in the Kitchen

Getting ahead with Christmas bakes, making the most of comforting autumn suppers, or simply savouring a steaming mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top all add up to the same thing: joy. And with a few Lakeland essentials by your side, it’s easier than ever to make those moments happen. From Stir-up Sunday traditions to perfect mince pies, from your Christmas dinner list to slow-cooked suppers, here’s how to bake, stir, and savour the season ahead.

Contents:
– Stir-up Sunday traditions
– Marvellous mince pies
– How to make hot chocolate an event
– Slow comfort food for busy days
– Prep now, enjoy later
– Start Christmas dinner prep early

Stir-Up Sunday Traditions

What is Stir-up Sunday?
Stir-up Sunday is a tradition that dates back over 100 years. It involves making a fruit-packed Christmas cake or pudding on the last Sunday before Advent.

The name comes from a line in the Book of Common Prayer that begins: “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord,” which was read in churches on that day. Over time, it became a gentle nudge for families to start “stirring up” their Christmas puddings in time for the festive season.

There’s no better way to get your family into the Christmas spirit than by gathering them in the kitchen on Stir-up Sunday. It’s one of those lovely traditions that everyone, from kids to grandparents, can enjoy together, with each person taking a turn to stir the mixture and make a wish for the year ahead.

When is Stir-up Sunday 2025?
Stir-up Sunday always falls on the last Sunday before Advent — this year, that’s 23 November 2025 — marking the traditional start of the Christmas pudding-making season.

How to make your Stir-up Sunday pudding

Mix it -Once the fruit has been soaked in booze for the flavours to start infusing and working their magic, everyone takes a turn at stirring it into the cake mixture while they make a wish. Pass the spoon!
Bake it – When it’s time to bake, we’ve got tins in sizes to suit any recipe and all the shapes and sizes of parchment you need to line them so no scrumptious morsels get left behind.
Ice it – It’s hard to beat the classic combination of marzipan and white icing to top off a Christmas cake.
Present it – You’ll want your cake to look its very best, and all you need is some cake decorating supplies and a couple of finishing touches. Adding a Christmassy cake frill gives a lovely festive feel.

For inspiration and detailed step-by-step guidance, see our wide range of Stir-up Sunday recipes.

Marvellous Mince Pies

If there’s one bake that instantly says Christmas, it’s a mince pie. The scent of buttery pastry and spiced fruit filling drifting from the oven feels like a seasonal hug. But there’s no reason why you have to make them same old mince pies every year. Think big with a slice-and-serve tart, or make some mini masterpieces to serve as nibbles at parties and buffets. And while they’re all simple to make, the right kit makes all the difference.

For a step-by-step guide on how to make mince pies, try our Mini Mince Pies Recipe. It’s a quick and easy bake that’s perfect for getting ahead of the festive rush.

Mince pie essentials shopping list:

Pastry blender – Keeps your pastry cool while blending the fat and flour.
Non-slip pastry mat – For rolling out with the help of size guides and conversion charts.
Perfobake tins – For crispy pastry without a soggy bottom in sight.
Baking beans – For an even blind bake.
Mince pie foils – To ensure your pies are beautifully baked and suitably presented.

With the right tins, cutters, and rolling pins, batch-baking is a breeze – ideal for filling the freezer ahead of December, or for whipping up a plateful when unexpected guests drop by. You’ll find everything you need in our bakeware collection, alongside tins for other festive bakes.

Serve your mince pies warm, with cream, custard, or just as they are, straight from the oven – they’ll disappear faster than you can make them.

How to Make Hot Chocolate an Event

Of course, baking is only part of the fun. Few things bring people together on a frosty evening like hot chocolate. But if you’ve ever wondered how to make hot chocolate that feels indulgent rather than everyday, the secret is to go all out.

Start with hot chocolate melts (like our fun Rudolph and Gonk melts), hot chocolate drops, discs, spoons, or hot chocolate bombes, whisk into warm milk until silky. Then, finish with a flourish: whipped cream peaks, mini marshmallows, chocolate curls, or a drizzle of caramel. For a grown-up twist, add a splash of liqueur or a sprinkle of cinnamon. And don’t forget, the mug it’s served in makes all the difference, too.

Our indulgent Lakeland hot chocolate range makes it easy to serve mugs that rival your favourite café. Think gift-worthy sets like this hot chocolate library, mouthwatering selection boxes, decadent flavours, and accessories to pile on the toppings. Perfect for family film nights, warming up after a frosty walk, or as a special treat for guests after carol singing. Turn it into a ritual: set out mugs, toppings, and spoons so everyone can build their own. It’s not just a drink – it’s a magical Christmas memory in the making.

Slow Comfort Food for Busy Days

Atmosphere in the kitchen isn’t only about how things look; it’s about how they smell and taste. Autumn is the season for slow cooking: hearty stews, bubbling soups, and easy suppers that fill the house with comforting aromas.

When the to-do list is longer than Santa’s scroll, slow cooking is your secret weapon. Pop ingredients into the Lakeland 3.5L Slow Cooker and let it do the work while you wrap gifts or hang baubles. Think beef stew to warm you up after a chilly day out, spiced pulled pork for Boxing Day sandwiches, or a veggie curry when you need a break from turkey.

And if you fancy something silky-smooth, the Lakeland Digital Soup Maker whips up velvety soups at the touch of a button, from roast parsnip and apple to spiced carrot and ginger. Perfect for warming up after a frosty walk, or for serving a crowd without fuss.

Batch cooking with these clever gadgets not only saves time but also frees up precious oven space for Christmas bakes. Make a little extra, portion it out, and freeze – future you will be grateful.

Prep Now, Enjoy Later

Speaking of freezing, nothing gives peace of mind quite like knowing there’s a homemade meal waiting in the freezer. With Christmas prep in full swing, batch cooking is a gift to yourself.

For all those portions of stew, soup, sauces, and side dishes you’ve cooked ahead, Stack-a-Boxes are the perfect partner: space-saving, stackable and easy to label, they turn the freezer into a calm, organised back-up plan.

And for a stash of meals ready to reheat straight from the freezer, fill the Souper Cubes Tray with soups, curries, or leftovers to create four single-portion ‘cubes’ than you can reheat individually, or altogether by popping the tray in the oven.

Start Christmas dinner prep early

To save time and space on the big day itself, pre-cook your red cabbage, bread sauce, or even roast potatoes, freeze them ahead, and simply reheat (leaving the oven clear for your turkey and trimmings). It’s the kind of planning that makes your Christmas dinner list feel less daunting.

A few weeks in advance:

Braised red cabbage — Cooks and freezes perfectly. Make it with apples and a splash of red wine or port, then cool, portion, and freeze. Just defrost and reheat gently on the hob.
Stuffing balls — Shape and bake them, then cool completely before freezing. On the big day, pop them back in the oven straight from frozen to warm through.
Pigs in blankets — Assemble them raw and freeze on a tray first so they don’t stick together, then bag them up. They’ll cook beautifully from frozen.
Gravy base — Roast chicken wings or bones for a rich stock, simmer with veg, then strain and freeze in tubs. On the day, just add your turkey juices for the perfect finish.
Parboiled roasties — Parboil until fluffy at the edges, toss in flour, and freeze flat on a tray. Straight into hot fat from frozen — crispy perfection, no stress. To learn more, read our guide on How to Cook Roast Potatoes
Yorkshire puddings — Bake ahead, freeze, and reheat in a hot oven for five minutes to revive their puff.
Cranberry sauce — Make ahead and store in the fridge; it keeps for weeks and only tastes better with time.
Bread sauce base — Infuse milk with onion, cloves, and bay, then strain and freeze. Add breadcrumbs and cream when reheating for a freshly made taste.
Stir-up Sunday pudding — If you’re making a traditional Christmas pudding, Stir-up Sunday (the last Sunday before Advent) is the perfect day to do it. It gives your pudding time to mature so all those rich, fruity flavours develop. Once it’s steamed and cooled, wrap it tightly in fresh baking paper and foil, then store it in a cool, dark cupboard until the big day. Just give it a final steam before serving.

Remember to label everything with what it is, when you made it, and reheating instructions. Future-you will be very grateful.

A few days before

Time to get the fridge organised and make sure the little jobs are done so Christmas Day feels calm and under control.

Defrost anything frozen — Move things from freezer to fridge 24–48 hours ahead so they’re ready to reheat.
Prep your veg — To be extra prepared, you could peel carrots and parsnips, trim sprouts, and store them in cold water in the fridge to keep fresh.
Make compound butter — Mix softened butter with herbs, garlic, or citrus zest; perfect for rubbing under turkey skin or finishing veggies.
Prepare appetisers — Get ahead by making bite-sized nibbles like sausage rolls or stuffed mushrooms. Most can be baked the day before or frozen, then crisped up just before serving.
Set the table — Get plates, glasses, serving dishes, and table decorations out now. It’s a great time to check you’ve got everything you need, and it’s still early enough to pick up any last-minute bits.

Christmas Eve

This is the calm before the (festive) storm. It’s an excellent time to get the last bits ready so you can relax on the big day.

Prep the turkey — Rub with your flavoured butter, season well, weigh it to work out cooking times, and keep it covered in the fridge.
Finish bread sauce — Reheat your infused base, stir in breadcrumbs and cream, season, and chill overnight.
Make pigs in blankets — If you didn’t freeze them, wrap and chill them so they’re ready to cook tomorrow.
Part-roast carrots and parsnips — Give them a head start in the oven, cool, and chill. You can crisp them up alongside the roast potatoes on the day.
Gravy game plan — Have your base defrosted and ready to go; you’ll just whisk in the turkey juices after roasting.
Write your oven plan — Note timings and temperatures, and tape it to a cupboard door.

Shop Lakeland to fill your kitchen with Christmas magic

Early prep doesn’t take away the joy of Christmas – it makes room for it. From Stir-up Sunday fruit cakes to trays of mince pies, from mugs of indulgent hot chocolate to slow-cooked suppers, every step is part of the build-up.

So, light a festive-scented candle, put on some music, and start ticking off your Christmas dinner list. Because with Lakeland by your side – and with our cookware, slow cookers, soup makers, and clever storage – your kitchen isn’t just where you cook. It’s where Christmas memories begin.

For more cooking tips, tasty recipes, and all the kitchen inspiration you could ever need, take a look at our blog.