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Archive for December, 2014

IMG_2728Yesterday I spent all afternoon in the kitchen, decorating the Christmas cake, whilst listening to Christmas tunes. This has been a tradition, since as long as I can remember. Several months before Christmas, Becky and I usually discuss what design we’re each going to do that year. This year for me it was easy – I’d found two designs last year and only had time to do one, the penguin bowling cake. I’m glad I didn’t try to fit this one in last year since it literally took all afternoon to decorate. Click here if you want some elves to wrap your Christmas cake up for you!

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This year I really wanted to practise my piping skills, so I decided that rather than making a conventional gingerbread house I would take my inspiration from Eastern Europe. Some of the gingerbread creations made there are truly incredible and the level of detail is exquisite. Click here to find out how to build a Christmas gingerbread village.

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Sometimes simple is best – and when you’re short on time, it always is. I know that it I can get a batch of cupcakes made and iced with buttercream in just over an hour. However, I usually underestimate how long decorations take to make. These snowflakes though are super quick to make, and anybody can make them since the only skills required are being able to roll fondant icing out and use a plunger cutter.
Click here to make it snow!

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Mince Pies

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It’s about time we put some mince pies on the blog! If you only bake one thing this Christmas, have a go at these, they really are super, especially when they are warm straight out of the oven with a cup of tea. This recipe is from Josceline Dimbleby. This year I can’t make enough mince pies, I think I have already baked over 60, some are in the freezer ready for Christmas and the rest have been taking into the office as well as having a a few left over for an afternoon snack. Click here to try our favourite recipe.

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Last year I decided to make a slightly crazy Christmas cake, with lights and everything… and I’m not joking! I had seen a picture of this amazing cake and just couldn’t resist giving it a go. The style of the cake is what I imagine Mr Tumnus’s house looks like from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, so I thought I would to add a lampost too! Click here to find out how to light up your Christmas cake.

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photo 2 (2)Last week I offered to do some baking for a cake trolley in the office to raise money for Sands (the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity). The day before I wasn’t feeling 100% so I probably should have said that I could no longer make them, especially since I hadn’t even decided what I was going to make. However, I’m not that sensible so I didn’t say anything and ended up making these cute little penguins.

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I love a bit of Christmas baking, last year I worked my way through the cupcake recipes from the Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days book. I love the fruit cake cupcakes, the recipe is light and delicious and still has that lovely boozy fruit cake flavour. I thought these snowmen were pretty cool and as my hubby is a massive marshmallow fan I knew these would be a winner! Click here to find out how to build a snowman cupcake.

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photo 1 (6)It’s December so I think it’s acceptable to start doing some Christmas baking. I always start thinking about what I want to bake for Christmas months in advance and then come up with a list way too long and completely unachievable. I’ve tried to be a bit more realistic this year but it still feels like there’s a lot to fit in in a short time! So here’s our first batch of Christmas baking…

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