Black Cake is a dense, fragrant, deeply coloured celebration cake packed with spirit-soaked dried fruit and warm spice. This small-batch version stays true to the classic style, with a moist, almost velvety crumb and a rich finish from rum and cherry brandy.

Kompot Wigilijny is a fragrant Polish holiday fruit compote that drinks like a light dessert. Sweet-tart dried plums, figs, apple, and pear simmer with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise to create a ruby-brown, gently spiced broth that is comforting warm and refreshing chilled.

This tagine is deeply aromatic, with tender lamb in a glossy sauce scented by saffron, cinnamon, and ras el hanout. Soft dried figs and golden almonds add sweetness and texture, giving the dish the classic Moroccan balance of richness, perfume, and gentle spice.