My normal go-to homemade festive gift is truffles, but this year I thought I’d branch out and try something else. Partly, this is because in the November Tesco magazine there was a recipe for what they called Microwave Speculaas Fudge. (If you don’t have a microwave, though, don’t worry: this can be made just as… Continue reading Christmas Fudge
Tag: christmas baking
Christmas Cake for the Disorganised
Sometimes I manage to bake a Christmas cake well ahead of time, in October, and then feed it regularly with more brandy. Other years, I fail entirely and then get to mid-December and wonder about quick recipes which don’t need months to mature or regular feeds. Or hours in the oven. But even Delia’s Quick… Continue reading Christmas Cake for the Disorganised
Festive Cheesecake Experiments: Spiced Orange and Cranberry
The thing with Christmas, for me and M, is that traditional Christmas cakes and puddings are out, because M doesn’t like them. Fair enough, not everyone does. I do, the Christmas cake anyway, so I stick to a little one, but I like the chocolate chip panettones that we get as an alternative as well.… Continue reading Festive Cheesecake Experiments: Spiced Orange and Cranberry
Stir-Up Sunday
Yesterday, the last Sunday before Advent, was Stir-Up Sunday. At least in the Anglican tradition. Apparently, there’s a prayer in the service that has the line “Stir up we beseech thee, O Lord” (or words to that effect). It’s the day when, traditionally, all the Christmas cakes and puddings are made, with everyone in the… Continue reading Stir-Up Sunday
Christmas Baking: Pepparkakor
Now that we’re over half-way through November, I feel like I can step up my Christmas preparations. Not the Christmas crafting – that’s all long been underway – but the other preparations. The choosing of festive foods that don’t require ordering. Getting a Christmas tree (although that probably won’t be for another week or so).… Continue reading Christmas Baking: Pepparkakor
(Almost) According to Mary Berry: Mincemeat
With all the thoughts of Christmas crafting, I’m also beginning to think about Christmas baking. Cakes and mincemeat can be made well in advance, and can use fruits currently in abundance, if you have an orchard. If you don’t, dried varieties are fine. The problem I have every year is that M doesn’t like dried… Continue reading (Almost) According to Mary Berry: Mincemeat