Why we love clementines

Little moments of pure sunshine and sweetness which bring brightness to the darker months – clementines are part of a handful of fruits (mostly citrus) that are in season in the winter months due to them being imported from warmer climes. They are a hybrid of an orange and a mandarin, grown for their easy-peel skin and lower acidity over regular oranges. Pile into a bowl for an easy festive table centrepiece, or stud with cloves and allow to scent a room.

Easy clementine recipes

Clementine cake

This is a festive spin on a classic Victoria sponge – instead of jam and cream, it's layered with a homemade clementine curd (you can use shop-bought, if you prefer) and a champagne-spiked cream.

Clementine posset

Clementine is the star ingredient in these silky desserts – they only require 15 minutes of hands-on time, too.

Chocolate and clementine torte

Make the most of clementine season with this rich and decadent dinner party dessert. Finish with thick swirls of Cointreau cream.

Clementine, ginger and bay gin

Infuse your own gin with festive flavours, wrap it up nicely and give it to a special someone this Christmas. It's a unique and thoughtful gift that's really easy to make.

A bottle of clementine gin with clementine peel

Spiced clementine upside-down cake

This spiced clementine upside-down cake is great served warm with greek yogurt as pud, or just as an afternoon treat. The whole spices make it look really stunning when you turn it out.

Clementine and amaretto sour

This lower-alcohol sour has a fresh, citrussy pep thanks to the clementine juice.

Clementine and prosecco trifle

This recipe for clementine and prosecco trifle is a great modern twist on a British classic. It looks and tastes amazing, so it's guaranteed to impress guests. Freeze the egg whites until you want to make meringue, or use them in virtuous omelettes.

Trifle Recipe with Clementines and Prosecco

Clementine drizzle cake

Check out this clementine drizzle loaf, a festive take on the classic lemon drizzle cake. This light loaf recipe is super-simple to bake, and it's an easy crowd-pleaser.

Clementine and ginger viennese whirls

A rich yet light butter cookie made with clementine zest and filled with punchy ginger buttercream makes for a delicious alternative to more traditional Christmas fare – perfect on those winter days paired with a steaming mug of tea or coffee.

A plate topped with buttery swirl biscuits and filled with a ginger buttercream

Iced clementine possets with shortbread

A somewhat lighter Christmas dessert, that would also make a great pudding canapé for a New Year's Eve party. Plus they're stress-free! (You can make them two or three days in advance). We love the festive crystallised topping.

Mini clementine bakewells

Check out our cute clementine bakewells. This easy recipe makes for a great afternoon tea treat, and they're gluten-free, too.

Mini Clementine Gluten Free Bakewell Tart Recipe

Five-spice roast duck with clementines and port

This easy five-spice duck is a great roast for when there’s just a few of you for dinner. It feels celebratory to bring a whole roast bird to the table, and the clementines and spices will make the kitchen smell really festive.

Panettone and clementine tiramisu

Layers of coffee-soaked panettone, candied peel, Cointreau mascarpone and cocoa powder make for a showstopping dessert that's perfect for Christmas Day.

A large tiramisu panettone on a cake stand

Clementine mince pies

Fresh clementine zest and a dash of Cointreau is what makes these mince pies extra special. Finish with a pastry star topper.

A plate of star-topped mince pies with candles and fairy lights in the background

Clementine cheesecake with chocolate sauce

This sharp orange cheesecake is taken to another level with a dark chocolate sauce that you pour over just as you serve. A dessert that would bring any Christmas dinner or party to a glittering end!

Gluten-free clementine cake

Our gluten-free festive clementine cake makes a great alternative to traditional Christmas puds. Slice it and watch everyone come running for a piece of this fruity, sweet, yogurt-y deliciousness.

Gluten Free Christmas Cake Recipe With Yoghurt and Clementine

Clementine and bream crudo

With only a handful of ingredients, minimal prep and no cooking, you'll have an effortless restaurant-style starter in a matter of minutes.

A single serving of bream crudo with vegetables on the side

Home-preserved clementines

Preserved with fragrant spices and herbs in a jar, these clementines make a wonderful festive gift to make ahead of time.

A glass jar filled with clementines and star anise

Clementine cocktail

Whip up this tempting cocktail in just 10 minutes. Whether you dust off your juicer or buy shop-bought clementine juice, your guests will love this sparkling fizz.

Clementine and poppy seed muffins

The best recipe for clementine muffins. Clementines give a more subtle, delicate flavour than oranges in these light muffins, and the trick to making them well is to not overmix the batter before you pop them in the cases – it needs to be lumpy. Bake and enjoy!

Clementine trifle

This clementine trifle recipe with complex, subtle spicing comes from The Bath Priory. Make it for a quick and easy crowd-pleasing Christmas dessert.

Roast pork shoulder with cinnamon and clementines

Clementines give this fall-apart pork a zesty flavour boost which balances well with cinnamon spice. Serve it wrapped in tortillas with sour cream and lime.