Twelve Days of Christmas
GEFU Exact Rolling Pin – Review
So tell me what sort of rolling pin you use?
4 – Crispy Bacon and Tomato Scrolls
Time to break up this sweet sweet fest with something for the savoury lovers! These crispy bacon and tomato scrolls are perfect for nibbling on whilst you put the finishing touches to the Christmas tree, wrap the presents or indeed sharing with guests.
3 – Chocolate Penguins
I have to admit I love making these little chocolate models, this year I’ve come up with these cutie pie little chocolate penguins, I’m sure you know someone who’d love one of these!
You will need:
Round christmas tree chocolates
Lindt Lindor chocolates
Chocolate ready to roll icing (Renshaws – Amazon) or sugarpaste coloured dark brown
Modelling or flower paste (available in Sainsburys or Tesco)
Gel paste colouring in orange plus another colour for the scarves
Edible ink pen in black (Amazon)
A little pink petal dust (Amazon)
Small cake cards, a square of card covered in foil or a square of baking paper.
2 – Quilted Christmas Cake
If you’re short of time it’s good to have a quick and easy idea up your sleeve for your Christmas cake. This quilted version is more a technique than a design and although I’ve just used almond paste (marzipan) you can do it in just the same way with a Christmas cake covered in both almond paste and ready to roll icing.
Day 12 – Snowmen Macarons
Just a little delicious Christmas idea from me today! Snowmen Macarons!
Ingredients:
1 x qty Macaron mixture recipe here
Milk Chocolate Ganache
80ml double cream
1 tbsp butter
300g milk chocolate chopped
To decorate:
Thin Christmas ribbon
Cake pop sticks
Orange edible icing pen or orange petal dust mixed with a little clear alcohol
Makes: 16 snowmen
Mix up the Macaron mixture following the steps just here, very simply flavour the mixture at the meringue stage with a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Day 11 – Mantecados
A little something to share with you for Christmas that I’d not come across before. I was tipped off to these by a good friend Helen who lives and works in Spain – you may have come across her blog The Diary of a Cake Maker.
Day 10 – Chocolate Meringue Roulade
Last years Toffee Pecan Roulade went down an absolute storm so I thought this year I’d share a chocolate version. They’re so brilliant because they’re freezable! Make it now and stash it in the freezer for a Christmas dessert.
Ingredients:
Roulade
5 egg whites, large
2 tsp cornflour
225g caster sugar
2 tbsps cocoa powder
Chocolate Caramel Filling
1 x 315g tin of condensed milk
90g soft brown sugar
90g butter
3 tbsps cocoa powder
Cream
300ml double cream
3 tbsps icing sugar
50g chocolate curls
Popping candy (optional)
Cocoa powder to dust
Day 9 – Cappuccino Truffles
A perfect after dinner treat, deliciously simple to make but dark, rich and packing a coffee punch. The white chocolate coating adds a lovely creamy touch just like a Cappuccino! Here are my tips for making, shaping and coating the best truffles around.
Day 8 – Ecclefechan
Have you ever tried these? They are really delicious and a nice alternative to Mince Pies too. I have added Christmas spices to mine and a zesty orange pastry which isn’t the traditional way so if you want them authentic simply leave those out.
