RECIPES
Keep popping back as I shall be regularly adding some of my tried and
tested recipes to get you baking.
Peppermint Bark
Popular in North American for years, peppermint bark is becoming mainstream here. Its easy to make and tastes like Christmas. Here's how:
You will need:
400g white chocolate
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
one box of candy canes
some festive sprinkles
Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave - total around 2 minutes - or over boiling water - be careful not to let the water touch the chocolate.
Stir the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate.
Place the candy canes in a ziplock bag and smash into various sized small pieces with a rolling pin.
Stir half of the candy canes into the melted chocolate.
Line a small baking tray with baking parchment and pour the melted chocolate mixture out.
Sprinkle the remaining candy canes onto the chocolate.
Decorate with additional festive sprinkles.
Leave in a cool place to set, or in the fridge if you like.
When hard, pick up the whole piece and snap into smaller shards.
Peppermint bark is great for decorating cupcakes, popping into a jar for a gift, or just snacking on. It is simple to make and much cheaper than buying ready made.
Enjoy x
Santa's Sweet Sleigh
Whilst not exactly baking, this is a fun activity to do with the children.
You will need:
Two candy canes
Two KitKats
A small chocolate Santa
A small chocolate biscuit such as Club or Gold
Three small wrapped chocolates
Colourful tape
Double sided tape
Tape the KitKats together, then tape on the candy canes.
Using a little double sided tape, add Santa and the other treats.
And that's it!
These make great place card holders for your Christmas table, or just lovely little gifts for those friends with a sweet tooth.
Shortbread
Ingredients
100g Plain Flour
70g Butter
1/4 Tablespoon Salt
30g Caster Sugar
Method
Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C (140 degrees fan) or Gas Mark 3
Line a baking sheet
Put flour and salt into mixing bowl.
Add butter then using fingertips, rub the butter into the flour and salt until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add sugar and mix in.
Using your hand, bring the mixture together until a dough is formed.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to 1/4" thick.
Cut dough into chosen shape and place on tray. Prick with a fork
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Place on a cooling rack.
Flapjacks
Ingredients
225g Self Raising Flour
225g Oats
225g Butter
2 Tablespoons Golden Syrup
175g Golden Caster Sugar
Optional - chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit
Method
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (180 degrees fan) or Gas Mark 4
Grease and line a tin
Melt the butter and syrup over a low heat.
Gently stir in the dry ingredients.
Press into the tin.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Score into squares whilst warm.
Copyright 2024 the cracking cake coach
