Edible Xmas gifts that can be made well in advance.....

Possession

mandk30 wrote: »

How do you do the chocolate slabs and fudge? Will they last until after Xmas?

There is a whole long thread on chocolate slabs, and whether or not to temper the chocolate, but keeping it simple you melt some chocolate of your choice, put into a silicone loaf tin, and add toppings of your choice - I've done butterscotch and have still to do fruit and nut one, maltesers and other such goodies. last year i did marbling with different colour chocolates but this year I got a job lot of milk chocolate so I'm sticking with that. Have a look at the Hotel Chocolat website for inspiration.
I'm freezing the fudge and I'll get it out a couple of days before Christmas.

Possession

I put brandy into my orange marmalade (using the Mamade stuff, it's great!) near the end so that there might still be some alcohol in there!

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Hi ladies - what an inspiring thread this is! I have made individual puddings and cakes, Christmas chutney and will make Delia's Cranberry and Orange relish nearer the time.

All those recipes are well tried and tested but I'm now thinking of something a little different and have not had time to try it out first so I wondered if anyone could offer some advice.

I have a tin of prepared lemons for marmalade and was wondering if I could adapt the instructions to make Gin and Tonic marmalade. The instructions say to add 4lbs of sugar and 3/4 pint of water to the tin. If I used tonic and gin instead of the water will it keep the flavours? Any suggestions for what quantity of each would be best? Alternatively should I add the gin after it has boiled? Should I add juniper berries in a muslin to the mix?

Any thoughts welcome especially if you have experience of making boozy marmalade. :A

tigerstriper_2

Today I've made chilli jam and a hazelnut cake for pressies. I'm so glad I found this thread to help me pad out my xmas presents.

Golden_Anemone

Possession wrote: »

I put brandy into my orange marmalade (using the Mamade stuff, it's great!) near the end so that there might still be some alcohol in there!

Thank you. Could I ask how much brandy you put in a batch?

Possession

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Thank you. Could I ask how much brandy you put in a batch?

I didn't measure, but a good slug! However I don't like marmalade so I'm depending on other people telling me if its nice or not.

Ceirdwyn

Hi, please could someone recommend a good pear and ginger jam recipe, and a plum chutney that isn't too spicy for elderly relatives. I know I've left it a bit late, but I'd like to give them as presents this Christmas.
Thanks

Golden_Anemone

Well ladies I made the G&T marmalade and it is fab! Thank you so much for all your help - especially you Possession. :T

I used tonic water in place of the 3/4 pint of water and added 150 ml of gin after it had reached setting point and cooled slightly.

Please excuse my messy worktop! lol I'll dress up the jars with toppers before I gift them.

mum2one

WOW They look amazing x

esmer

Just made my first batch of Baileys Fudge. I have posted it on my blog

Possession

They look fab!

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Well ladies I made the G&T marmalade and it is fab! Thank you so much for all your help - especially you Possession. :T

I used tonic water in place of the 3/4 pint of water and added 150 ml of gin after it had reached setting point and cooled slightly.

Please excuse my messy worktop! lol I'll dress up the jars with toppers before I gift them.