When it comes to munching delicious Christmas food, it’s all leading up to the pièce de résistance – Christmas dinner.

These days, not everyone’s a fan of classics like Christmas pudding and Christmas cake and all quibbles should be strictly reserved for who’s bankrupting who in Monopoly after dinner as opposed to the dinner itself.

So why not try this Chocolate and Salted Caramel Leaf Cake – just the kind of showstopper that will look great in the middle of the table and get people talking.

Christmas pudding haters will rejoice while the subtle cinnamon and ginger spicing in the cake’s sponge will satisfy traditionalists.

When it comes to making the caramel for your buttercream, be careful not to stir it too vigorously as this can cause the sugar to crystallise. Instead, give your pan a few swirls to ensure everything is melting evenly.

Meanwhile, to get the perfect drip down the side of your cake, try it out down the side of a glass or bowl first to check it is the right consistency. After all, you want the satisfaction of watching it trickle down the side of your cake with ease.

Don’t panic if it’s too firm as you can always heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it through and make it easier to pipe.

5 things to bake for every Christmas situation