Christmas Baking 2011

oldtractor

tessie-bear for frozen suff,especially meats you need to make sure that there is enough room in the fridge to take the item for defrosting which can take several days,so I write on the calender when to take out what and put to thaw .

tessie_bear

yes thats a good idea with the defrosting....fridge is chocka at christmas...we used to have a glass fronted drinks frige that the overspill went into which was useful

CH27

Need2bthrifty wrote: »

I've just made some mini Christmas Cakes (presents for single friends/pensioners) they are a perfect size for single people and those who like a "bit" of rich cake but dont want to buy/make a large cake (feeding and maturing them at present).

Its a recipe from the "doyen" of baking - Mary Berry and uses small Baked Bean tins to bake them in.

Also nearer the time I will also do some Shortbread rounds to go with the cakes - having found a carved wooden mould that belonged to my grandmother :T.

Baking cupboard has also been stocked up to make sweets like peppermint creams, truffles and crispy fudge squares which have a rice crispie and toffee base with fudge poured over the top - ok, ok I know - dentists and nutritionists will hate it - but hey its once a year!!

Could I have your recipe please?

becs

I've made 2 x Delia traditional cakes ( one for us and one for Father in Law) and are feeding them both with brandy! Also done 4lbs mincemeat from Bbc good food recipe and a bottle of sloe gin and a bottle of sloe vodka. Monday I shall be making some chutney and picalilli ( can't stand the stuff myself though!) and also doing some chocolate pudseys for my nephews for children in need on friday.i will also be doing some plumbrillo and chilli jam to go with the chutney and picalilli in hampers.

Lippycow

These http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-thornton/fudgy-salty-peanut-butter-brownies-recipe/index.html just because they look delish,saw her make them today:-)

VJsmum

I was just wondering what to do today, so i can put christmas cake 1 fruit in to soak, make that tomorrow and put christmas cake 2 in to soak (dad's birthday cake) tomorrow and make on Monday.

I would be very interested in marzipan and chocolate chip cake recipe!

liz-paul

Sorry to butt in but was wondering if I can substitute some of my leftover veggie suet for the butter in my xmas cake? Suet is fat, butter is fat - but do they do the same job? I don't think I'm going to use the suet for anything else and I don't have enough butter to make my cake today so will it work if I use half suet and half butter (well, margerine!) or will it be a disaster?! Thanks x

ALIBOBSY

I want to make a christmas cake but we don't like marzepan so will just put icing on. Just wondering if I can do a non alchocolic one though?

If I do it without alchohol will it keep as long?

Otherwise it will be mince pies/scones-various type/brownies and other tray bakes to go in the freezer. Lemon drizzle type, banana and crimbo spices are good, carrot cake style. I would freeze the topping/frosting/icing separately to add when defrosted or even just make fresh on the day but cake freezes well.

Will do a baked cheesecake and pavlova christmas eve and chill/finish off on the day. Have done own mince meat in the past but found 2 jars of tesco finest in the cupboard (think they must have been on offer last year and still in date) so will use them, but may throw in some extra bits-chopped glace cherries, chopped chocolate, squeeze of lemon mmmmm. Something else I did last year was when the production line of mince pies was going on did some other mini pies again to freeze for later. Used up some fruit I got cheap from aldi so apple/plum etc and could do some savory I suppose.

We have a lot of eggs from our chucks so thinking of doing some quiches for the freezer as well-uses the space in the oven, can be frozen in slices and make quick meals/lunches over the period.

Also useful to bng some homemade pastry in the freezer especially things like puff which can be a bit of a faff to make-although I do use the ready made sometimes I can't face using shortcrust out of a packet, its so easy lol.

Ali x

Need2bthrifty

CH27 wrote: »

Could I have your recipe please?

Recipe for Mini Christmas Cakes. The quantity makes 3 x 8oz cakes. I used the small baked bean tins, greased and lined as per any other cake tin.

2oz raisins
2oz sultanas
2oz currents
1oz ready to eat dried apricots, chopped
1½oz glace cherries, quartered
½ oz mixed candied peel, chopped
2tsp brandy, rum or sherry
Mix all the fruits in a large bowl with the liquor of your choice, cover with clingfilm and soak overnight.

½ oz blanched almonds, chopped
Grated rind of ¼ lemon
3oz plain flour
½ tsp mixed spice
½ oz ground almonds
2oz dark muscovado sugar
2oz soft margarine
2tsp treacle
1 egg
Mix all of the above ingredients, beat thoroughly until the mixture is smooth.
Add the soaked fruit and liquid, mix in thoroughly. Spoon into prepared tins, spread evenly and sprinkle surface with flaked almonds.

Bake at 160c/325f/gas mark 3 for 1-1½ hrs. allow to cool in the tins. Pierce the top of cakes in several places with a skewer and spoon in a little brandy/rum/sherry. Remove cakes from the tin, double wrap in grease-proof paper and foil. Store, feed and ice as any other Christmas cake.

Its nice and easy - just how I like my baking to be.

Need2bthrifty

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I want to make a christmas cake but we don't like marzepan so will just put icing on. Just wondering if I can do a non alchocolic one though?

If I do it without alchohol will it keep as long? Ali x

A friend of mine has done a non-alcoholic version and it appears to keep as well as any others, for soaking the fruit she replaces the quantity of alcohol with fresh orange or apple juice.