How to Make a Christmas Dish - The Victorian Way 

“Christmas isn’t a time for abstinence, so I’m going to add some sherry, some raisin wine” Mrs C is helping ensure the family line.

Shade guide: 1:40 Swiss rolls are very middle class 2:06 trust that your confectioner doesn’t use cheap jam 2:57 Christmas isn’t a time for abstinence 5:07 Mr. Strut is delusional

"Christmas isn't a time for abstinence," Mrs. Crocombe says, as she adds the entire Braybrooke liquor cabinet into the pan.

1:56 - I didn't buy this one, I MADE IT - the most Mrs. Crocombe thing you can hear. Thank you for showing us this dish, and let the Christmas Season be good to all of you, people of English Heritage who record us those episodes.

“I do think they are a bit middle class…” No one delivers a savage dunk like Mrs. Crocombe

3:00 "some sherry" she said and poured in half a bottle. 😅I love this series so much - I always give it a like before even having watched it. Merry Christmas to whoever is reading this comment. 💜

Merry Christmas from English Heritage. We hope everyone enjoys this festive episode of The Victorian Way! As ever, here is some more information on this recipe from our resident food history expert Dr Annie Gray: • Isn't this just trifle? It is a lot like trifle, yes. By the 1880s trifles came in a massive variety of types with a huge range of ingredients. Trifles were eaten at many occasions though, whereas we picked this because it is simply called 'a christmas dish'. Fanny Cradock did something very similar in the 1970s. • Can I use a Yule log instead of Swiss Roll? Of course you can! Indeed, we'd positively encourage it. Mrs Crocombe would not have known of a yule log as a cake - they are just a little after her time - otherwise we might have done the same. • What's with the jelly in the trifle? Can we thrash this out once and for all? It's divisive, we admit. The very first trifle recipe had actual jelly in (i.e. made with calves' feet). However, most nineteenth and early twentieth century recipes for trifle mean jam when they say jelly - jelly can be either the bouncy stuff the Americans call Jell-O or a stiff, pectin-rich mixture which is basically strained jam like the redcurrant jelly we use here. Confusion about which type of jelly earlier authors meant probably caused the later use of "jelly-jelly" (as opposed to "jam-jelly") in post-war recipes. It's up to you whether you feel it is to be avoided at all costs, or guardedly welcomed. • What's the difference between the confectioner and the baker? There was a lot of crossover, but in the 1880s confectioners sold cakes, sweet things and often dessert items such as jellies, while bakers were defined by bread. However, many people operated as both, and some also ran tea rooms as well as acting as caterers. By the middle of the twentieth century, the meaning of confectionery had changed to be more about manufactured goods, specifically chocolate and things like boiled sweets. • Who is Mr Strutt? Richard Strutt (1848-1927) was married to the Braybrookes' only child, Augusta. The second son of Lord Rayleigh, he was a real party animal in his youth, but after spending most of the money he'd been left by his father, he eventually founded the Terling Co-Operative Company, known as 'the stores', a shop and society which both helped improve the standard of living for villagers (Terling is near Chelmsford in Essex) and made him a great deal of money. He retired, aged 36, in 1884, to live in what seems to have been genuine marital harmony with Augusta and their children, and to devote himself to music, which was his great love. Augusta died in 1903, aged only 42, after which Richard moved to Bath. • What is angelica? It's a plant which grows very tall and has hollow, fibrous stalks. It was (and is) candied and dyed green and was very popular in the Victorian era for decorating cakes and sweet dishes. • What are the flowers Mrs Crocombe is using to decorate it? She's using candied flowers, which you can make yourself, or buy. Just ensure that whatever flowers you use are edible! • Can I use something else instead of wine? You can use whatever you want. It is mainly there to add sweetness and a bit of a zing, so you might want to try a ginger syrup, a good quality cordial made rather strong, grape juice, or a dealcoholised wine.

"...so long as you can trust your confectioner not to use cheap jam, or to much baking powder." Timeless wisdom!

2:56 I want “Christmas isn’t a time for abstinence.” emblazoned on a tshirt with Mrs Cromcombe’s face.

The happiness I got after seeing the notification 😍

Its so hard to believe that the Mrs. Crocomb has been showing us the Victorian way of doing things for nearly 10 years already.

I made one of my best friends a cake for her birthday this year. She asked what kind of mix I used. I had the same look on my face as Mrs. Crocombe, "Mix? I didn't use a mix, I _made_ it!" lol Happy Christmas to you, too!

Excluding the alcohol (a Welsh Chapel upbringing gave my grandma a horror of the "demon drink"), this is very much what my mum, and before her, my grandma would make for an ordinary Sunday. If we had visitors, then, just as Mrs Crocombe said, they would produce a "more exciting" trifle. A fond childhood memory is being allowed to decorate the top of these dishes. I'm always reminded by these videos, that my grandma was Victorian (she was 12 years old when Victoria died), and learned to cook the Victorian way. Even in my kitchen today I use her methods, and a lot of my "batterie de cuisine" would not be out of place in a Victorian kitchen.

"I'm gonna add some sherry" *pours all the bottle in the saucer*

This is a real gift of a video, armand biscuits, wine sorce, middle class cake shaming, just needed Mary Ann to get a good roasting and it would be perfect! Merry Christmas Mrs C!

What a gift! The recipe! The history! The shade! Now *this* is Christmas time.

Mrs. Crocombe obviously feels that she has sufficiently torched the poor and has moved on to the middle classes. "All show and not much to them": hits me right in my middle class imposter syndrome. Queen of shade!

Avis Crocombe is the DIVA of the 1880's! She has enough Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent to spill into the 20th century. Cheers to all the wonderful people at English Heritage!

She's full of Christmas sparkle in this one! "I do think they are a little bit middle class-all show and not much to them." can be applied to a lot of things, including many I like. I feel like I have permission to not feel guilty about eating and drinking whatever I want now that Mrs. Crocombe reminded me that Christmas is not a time for abstinence.

It isn't the Christmas season without a new Mrs. Crocombe video. She's a delight to watch!

"armonds" "angelicar" I love her accent. Mrs. Crocombe is just too cute.

It ain't Christmas until Mrs. Crocombe drops her holiday recipe slay

1st shade in under 2 minutes - must be a record! ;-) And the sauce - wow, I didn't realize she was going to use up every drop 😂

Loving the ratios of wine & sherry to cake & custard. 😂

Part of me really wants to see Mrs. Crocombe as a guest judge on the Great British Bake Off. You made a Swiss Role? How very middle class.

Mrs. Crocombe: "It's the holidays, so here's a dish made with ingredients for middle class people, turned to mush by soaking it in wine. Merry Christmas!"

And a Happy Christmas to Mrs. Crocombe, Mary Ann, and all the staff at Audley End! This was a wonderful gift.

The amount of shade in the first two minutes of this video ...😳😳 I have never been so profoundly middle class in my entire life.... SAVAGE 🔥🔥

All the things I need: a bit of history, a little shade, a beautiful dish. Happy holidays, English Heritage. These videos are my favorite things!

Christmas really isn't Christmas without a Mrs Crocombe recipe! 😄😋

My grandma taught me to make a cake using a swiss roll! Had no idea that's what it's called. It's a delicious cake, using two layers of sliced swiss roll, two layers of thickened custard just like here in the video, and two layers of assorted red berries. It's topped with whipped cream. I do believe the recipe comes from the Austro-Hungarian empire. Really great to see it used here!

Mrs. Crocombe really has it out for baking powder, doesn't she? 😂

I loved her shade and flex on the swiss rolls basically saying she didn't think they were great but at least they looked nice, but oh by the way i made this one so yeah it's gonna be great.

Oh, the disappointment one feels within the soul when once confronted the confectioner admits to using cheap jam and too much baking powder...

NOW, it's officially Christmas! We've been provided with some lovely Christmas shade by our beloved Mrs. Crocombe! Merry Christmas to all!

After seeing that swiss roll, I really need Paul Hollywood to star as, like, a visiting cook traveling in the employ of the Braybrook's guests. And Prue too! It's the collab we peasants don't deserve but need desperately.

"I didn't buy this one... I MADE it" THE SASSSSSSS

Ahhh.... Mrs Crocombe throwing shades for the holiday cheers. What a joyous day. 🎉 🎄

"Christmas is not the time for abstinence!" she said and dumped two half bottles of alcohol in the sauce. 🙂

Mrs Crocombe is such a delight in any household even in this age. Food prepared by hand looks so much more palatable. M&S should take a leaf from her.

It isn’t really Christmas without a recipe video from Mrs. Crocombe!

Christmas isn't a time for abstinence is not something you hear every day.

It's a good thing Mr. Crocombe reminds us that, even in this busy festive season, one should take cares to not look middle class, and to check if your confectioner is using cheap jam!

Please never stop these videos. They really help with my depression ❤

I wish it were always Christmas time, constantly watching Mrs Crocombe's videos ♥

You go girl! ‘Christmas is not a time for abstinence’! Merry Christmas to all.🎄🍷🍰

Oh I love that the holiday episodes for Mrs Crocombe get their own christmas version of the intro song :D

I can't believe I've been watching this woman for 7+ years now. Time have definitely flown by!

"I do think they are a little bit middle-class. All show, and not much to them" - Mrs. Crocombe (Christmas, 2023)!🤣💕

This video is a wonderful early Christmas present! A very Merry Christmas to Kathy Hipperson and everyone at English Heritage! Bright Blessings!

Not Mrs. Crocombe saying "store-bought is fine." :) I love this series!

I am not the sort to race to watch videos, but as soon as I see a new one from Mrs. Crocombe, I click it straightaway wherever I am. I live for these recipes I'll never make and the classy shade she casts. SO entertaining. MOOOOOAAAR.

Arlmonds and angelicer in one video! Truly we have been blessed.

Loved when she said, Christmas is NOT the time for abstinence 😀😀!!! Love her!

“Christmas isn’t a time for abstinence" oh I sure gonna love this!

Merry Christmas Mrs Crocombe and all at English Heritage. A lovely seasonal dish. I thoroughly enjoyed this video including Mrs C's burn on the middle class!

"Now I'm going to add a little Sherry" Proceeds to add half a bottle..... Wow that... thats one hell of a holiday spirit!!!! I love it. Happy holidays to you as well Mrs. Crocombe!!!!

Oh lovely! Mrs. C is the best Christmas gift ever! Merry Christmas to all the servants 🎄🎅🏻🎁

Aaah, I remember how my grandmother would make a Swiss roll for special occasions - it is not an easy cake to make as you have to roll it while it is still hot.

The dopamine and serotonin release every time I see a new video and hear that intro music 🤗💙

Happy Christmas, Mrs. Crocombe. 🌲 Beyond that, saints deliver us from confections made with cheap jam. Heaven forfend!

Cake drenched in sugared wine and topped with thickened egg yolks and candied flowers... Not a time for abstinence, indeed! Loved the video.

I have the cookery book. I really enjoyed a visit to Audley End House and enjoy listening and watching the demonstrations of foods! Thank you Mrs C! Love them xx

Ah Christmas isn’t complete without Mrs Crocombe’s video ! Merry Christmas 😊

I was waiting for the Swiss Roll shade, and she didnt disappoint.

Her shade is increasing due to popularity. I can't wait for another cookbook ❤

Armonds, check. Source, check. Shade at the underclasses, check. It would not be Christmas without Mrs. Crocombe.

A Christmas cooking episode with English Heritage is CLASSIC!

A new Victorian way cooking video is always welcomed in my happy home here in the states.

“I do think they are a little bit middle class… all show and not much to them.” Now, Mrs. Crocombe. 🧐😂 Happy Christmas!!!

Looks absolutely delicious. Especially love the "add some sherry" part. As she says: Christmas isn´t a time for abstinence. Have a great Christmas!

Mrs C saying "some sherry & some raisin wine" and then pouring a whole half liter of alcohol into the pan reminds me of the "a few shots of vodka" meme 😂😂

all show and not much to them? there is deliciousness in simplicity, Mrs Crocombe, it doesn't need much to it 😭

Thank you Mrs. Crocombe for looking at us again while you are saying "I do think they are a little bit middle class" ❤

Exquisite old time dish with shades on the side… who wouldn’t love this?

It's always the SHADE for me when it comes to Mrs. Crocombe!

These always bring me so much joy. Downton Abbey without all the drama. And I love the facts in the comments.

Lmao i can never get over her "subtle" classist shade. So well done

Mrs. Crocombe's giving the gift of shade for Christmas this year! ❤❤

May I recommend for people watching this channel, they meet Mrs Crocombe and Mary Ann on the Novympia channel. They had me in stitches.

I don't even celebrate Christmas, but I love watching Mrs. Crocombe

"I didn't buy this one, I made it" - The queen of shade strikes again! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Booze and shade, nice! I wish Mrs Crocombe and to the English Heritage channel a good festive season too !

The amount of sherry she pours in inspires Sandra Lee a century later.

I was JUST gifted 'How To Cook The Victorian Way' and just could not be more thrilled. Thank you all for working so hard on so many fronts, and bringing so much joy! Cheers and Merry Christmas from the USA.

There is so much shade in this video, it's combating global warming.

We need cooking pinny's, oven gloves, tea towels and tea cosies with quotes from Mrs C emblazoned on them.

Throwing shade while in the Christmas spirit! The Holidays with miss Crombre, 😂❤

Happiness is a Victorian Way video with our beloved Mrs Crocombe

"Swiss role is rather middle-class". The shade though 😂. Classic Mrs. Crocombe

Oooh! She's serving a lot of Christmas shade. But really, seeing Mrs. Crocombe just improved my day

The Queen of Shade is back just in time for the festive season.

Came out right in time for my lunch break! What a treat!

Happy Christmas! I haven't made figgy pudding this year but I am planning a simple trifle. Mrs. Crocombe would undoubtedly Not approve but as I am one of the lower classes, it's the best I can do.

Needs that sherry and raisin wine to get through that middle class cake they are eating. I do adore Mrs C!! Thank you so much for these wonderful videos!!

I would really love to try this. I wish there was somewhere nearby, where one could go and 'have tea' and sample such exotic (to me, lol) delicacies!. I can't really make it for Christmas or such, as there are both kids and non drinkers in the family. And I would imagine, that this doesn't freeze well.

I knew our Shade Queen would make her Christmas appearance. Thank you.

Mrs Crocombe the Christmas baddie

I enjoy these so much. Thanks to all who work so hard to get these out for us to view. Merry Christmas!!!

"Angelicer" aside, this looks rather smashing.