christmas recipe ideas

Celebrate and make the most of this wonderful time of the year by getting together with your family and friends. Why not have a Christmas gift wrapping party or baking party. Have fun and enjoy creating your own christmas traditions.

FIG & WALNUT SHORTBREAD

These Shortbread cookies are easy to make with the kids and are great for christmas presents. Here is how to make them:

Step 3: Roll the dough into 4cm balls, place on baking tray 5cm apart, flatten with spoon.

Step 4: Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on the tray.

GINGERBREAD MEN

I got this recipe from a friend and it makes the most delicious, moist gingerbread. We made these cute little guys as teachers gift for Christmas. Here how to make them:

Ingredients:

90g butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup honey or maple syrup

2 teaspoons grated lemon rind.

2 eggs, lightly beaten

5 cups plain flour, sifted

1 cup self raising flour, sifted

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom

Royal Icing - pre-made

Silver cachous, to decorate

Method:

Step 1: Combine butter, sugar and honey in a pan, stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Let cool for 10 minutes, stir in lemon rind.

Step 2: Transfer mixture to a large bowl stir in eggs and dry ingredients.Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead gently until smooth. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 160C fan-forced. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Roll dough between 2 sheets of baking paper until 10mm thick. Using a gingerbread man cutter, cut shapes from dough. Re-roll dough scraps and cut again. Place, 2cm apart, on prepared trays.

Step 4: Bake 1 tray at a time for 8-10 minutes, or until just firm to touch. Stand on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Make Royal Icing as per instruction on packet. Pipe faces and buttons onto gingerbread men. Decorate with silver cachous. Set aside to dry.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Today I am sharing with you on how to make a gingerbread house of your very own. 

What you'll need:

Gingerbread house mouldor template Rolling pin Baking trays A board for the house Icing bag/s and tips

Ingredients:

90g butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup honey or maple syrup

2 teaspoons grated lemon rind.

2 eggs, lightly beaten

5 cups plain flour, sifted

1 cup self raising flour, sifted

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom

Royal Icing Ingredients:

2 egg whites

4 1/4 cups icing sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Lollies for decorating

You will need to allocate 2 days to make the house, plan to bake the gingerbread on one day and then assemble and decorate the next day.

Step 1: Combine butter, sugar and honey in a pan, stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Let cool for 10 minutes, stir in lemon rind.

Step 2: Transfer mixture to a large bowl stir in eggs and dry ingredients. Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead gently until smooth. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 160C fan-forced. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Roll dough between 2 sheets of baking paper until 10mm thick. Cut shapes or push into your silicone mould. Place shapes on prepared trays. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool on wire rack.

Step 4: To make Royal Icing beat egg whites in a small bowl until just frothy. Gradually beat in enough sifted icing sugar until mixture forms stiff peaks. Transfer to piping bag, cover remaining icing with cling wrap to prevent drying out.

Step 5: Assemble house on board by piping icing to secure each piece together, holding each piece until icing dries. Allow to dry before decorating. To decorate pip a small amount of icing onto each lolly to secure.