Merry Christmas 2014

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas - peace, love and happiness!

Joolz xx

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy

Christmas Baking and goodies...Pt 1

I spent all day Saturday in the kitchen, from 8am to 6.30pm. I was bushed the next day with an aching back and very sore feet!

Peppermint fruit roll...

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Then it was on to baking sugar cookies...

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...and gingerbreads.

Frosting them is the part I like best! I use royal icing which drys quickly and hard so you can package up the cookies fairly quickly.

Royal Icing

1 egg white, use electric beaters to whip until frothy

1 to 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

- once the egg white is frothy, add in the icing sugar by the spoonful, beating in between. Add in lemon juice and whip until it resembles meringue mix.

I use a solid piping tube then I just drizzle the icing over the cookies. Work quickly to add your decorations before the icing starts to dry.

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I decided to cut my fruit cake and was very pleased with it. Its rich and full of fruit!

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I made Rocky Road...

...and this Chocolate Tiffin Cake from Marie at

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/chocolate-tiffin-cake.html

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I have given nearly all of these goodies away to friends and family. I have a few odds and ends left which I have packed to take away for Christmas.

Cheer - Joolz xx

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy

Christmas Goodies...

First up, Cherry Ripe Balls...

https://www.ohsobusymum.com.au/cherry-ripe-balls/

I saw this recipe in Facebook and when I went to buy the Cherry Ripe bars, they were on special for .99c each (1/2 price)! Winning!

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I'm not sure if Cherry Ripes are an Aussie thing or if they are available overseas but I'm sure you have an equivalent...

Break them into pieces...

Add in a packet of biscuits and cocoa...

Process until you have a fine crumb...

Add in the can of condensed milk...

Roll teaspoons of the mixture into balls and roll in coconut.

Oh so yummy!

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This next recipe might be just a family recipe because I haven't seen it anywhere else...

Years ago, when I was a small child, Arnott's made a darker Malt Biscuit but it hasnt been available for years now.

I use these ones now...

...but I add some cocoa and malt powder to replicate the taste...

Lolly bananas are the other strange ingredient to this roll... Do they have these in the US and UK?

On a sheet of Gladbake kitchen paper, shape the mixture into a long roll - it will make 2-3 10 inch longish rolls. The sprinkle with coconut and coat all sides, under and over. Transfer the roll onto some cling film and wrap tightly, keeping the roll in shape. Wrap in foil and refrigerate until needed (in my case, I taste tested an hour later - ha)!

This should keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks easily but I bet it won't last that long.

Looks pretty on a plate when you cut it.

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I am also doing a chocolate peppermint version using Choc Ripple biscuits... ~

... and Crown mint lollies...and a slosh of brandy!

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MALT ROLL

125gms butter

1 big tablespoon golden syrup

1/2 tin condensed milk

1 packet malt biscuits

1 tablespoon cococa powder and malt powder

10 lolly bananas, chopped up

1 cup mixed fruit (plus 10 glace cherries for colour)

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Process the biscuits to a fine crumb and tip into a large bowl. Add in the cocoa and malt powder, mixed fruit, cherries and lolly bananas.

Shape into a log, sprinkle and coat with coconut, roll up in gladwrap and refrigerate.

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These goodies will find their way to my friends and family next week - they have much less calories when gifted away! :)

Cheers - Joolz xx

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy

Oh, Christmas tree....

My tree is finally up! I was nearly not going to put it up as we are not home for Christmas this year but my girls insisted...

I have lots of baubles...

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i also made bread rolls this morning...

I could tell it was a good batch by the way it rose up to the top of the bowl...

I was right!

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I dropped off some of those scones I made to my florist earlier in the week (she's always doing arrangements for us at late notice) and in return she gave me this bunch of liiums. They had blown so she couldn't use them in arrangements anymore. Must be frustrating having to throw flowers away...

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Not sure what the rest of the day holds...it is 33-34C outside so I have the fan going now and am thinking a nice cuppa is in order.

Might post some pics of the tree lit up later.....

...and here they are!

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Cheers - Joolz xx

 

 

 

Posted by Joolz with Blogsy