Christmas might still be a few weeks away, but GAIL’s is already giving us plenty of reasons to get into the festive spirit.
The bakery chain has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2026, bringing back a selection of seasonal favourites alongside some tempting new additions, reworked classics and an altogether rather indulgent range of festive drinks.
Having launched on 5 November, the menu offers something for everyone, whether you’re after a sweet treat with your morning coffee, a festive lunchtime pick-me-up or something a little more substantial.
Among the newcomers are the Sticky Toffee Madeleines, which sound like a particularly difficult temptation to resist. Made with a date-based batter and a warming blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove, they’re tossed in butterscotch sauce while still warm and finished with a sprinkling of flaked salt.
It’s a clever festive twist on the traditional French bake, combining the comforting flavours of sticky toffee pudding with the delicate texture of a madeleine.
There’s also something for those who prefer their festive treats on the savoury side. The new Cavolo Nero Garlic & Pesto Bun combines brioche dough with cavolo nero and pecan pesto, ricotta, alpine Gruyère and spinach. Finished with a Gruyère and sourdough breadcrumb coating before being brushed with garlic and herb butter, it’s certainly not holding back on flavour.
GAIL’s has also given a couple of its seasonal bestsellers a makeover. The Turkey & Swiss Cheese Sandwich now features shredded turkey thigh and breast in a freshly baked cream bun, alongside bacon jam and chipotle mayonnaise. It’s a welcome departure from the traditional sliced-bread sandwich, with the combination of smoky, sweet and gently spicy flavours promising something a little more interesting.
The Turkey Hand Pie has received similar treatment, swapping diced turkey for pulled meat and leeks for caramelised onions. A gently spiced redcurrant glaze completes the filling, adding a touch of sweetness to the savoury pastry.
Thankfully, GAIL’s hasn’t forgotten about the Christmas classics. Its much-loved Mince Pies, Panettone Slice, Christmas Bun, Ricciarelli and Iced Penguins are all returning to the Baker’s Table, giving fans of the bakery’s festive staples plenty to look forward to.
But it’s not just the food getting a seasonal upgrade. GAIL’s is also introducing a new white chocolate drinks range, developed using cocoa butter from its chocolate partner, Xoco.
The range includes a Salted White Hot Chocolate, White Chocolate Mocha and White Chocolate Matcha. Xoco’s cocoa butter is sourced and fermented directly from partner farms, allowing the distinctive flavour of the cacao to come through rather than relying on conventional white chocolate.
For something a little different, there’s also a Black Forest Cold Brew, combining cold brew coffee with a lightly spiced cherry purée made using real fruit and a hint of star anise. Finished with vanilla bean cream and cocoa powder, it sounds like a rather decadent alternative to the usual festive latte.
Catie, Head of Food at GAIL’s, said: “Christmas is one of our favourite times to develop the menu because there’s so much nostalgia around the food people love. The challenge is finding that balance between keeping the favourites everyone looks forward to and introducing something genuinely new.
We’ve spent time refining recipes, from the texture and flavour of our turkey roll to the development of our own white chocolate syrup using cocoa butter from Xoco. It’s those little details that make a difference. We want everything on the Baker’s Table to feel familiar enough to be comforting, but interesting enough to make you want to try something new.”