christmas is a time for cake

It's Christmas Eve!!!

How did that even happen?

I am completely unprepared for Christmas this year...

Presents? Haven't bought any..

Baking? Umm.. Sorry family, but I've got nothing for you this year...

I do however, have something I prepared earlier for you, lovely readers :)

A  C A N D Y  C A N E  C A K E

(Proudly brought to you by 2014 Andie who was obviously far more festive and prepared...)

220g butter

220g dark chocolate, chopped

125g self-raising flour

125g plain flour

50g unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp bicarb soda

480g caster sugar

4 eggs

7 tsps vegetable oil

100ml buttermilk.

Preheat your oven to 160C.

Melt the butter and chocolate in a saucepan with 160ml of water

Sift the flours, cocoa and bicarb soda into a large bowl

Stir in the sugar

Add combined egg, oil and buttermilk

Then stir in the chocolate mixture until completely combined

Pour mixture into greased cake tin and pop into the oven

Bake for 1 hour 40 minutes

Frost with cream cheese frosting, flavoured with a little peppermint essence;

Sprinkle with crushed candy canes;

and poke a few in the top for decoration.

M E R R Y  C H R I S T M A S !

xx

what's a christmas without cake?

Remember a time when this little corner of the blogesphere was less philosophical and more about my baking escapades?

Well.. settle in with a cup of tea and enjoy. This one's on me.

~ ~ ~

I heart Christmas.

I heart cupcakes.

So it was only natural that my two loves come together during the festive season.

It was a less traditional Christmas for me this year, having moved away from 'home' it was not as simple as showing up to the family gathering with a plate of treats for the masses.

 But after not spending much time flexing my baking muscles in the past few months, it was fun to get back in the kitchen and prepare a few sweets for the small gathering that was my dad, sister and I.

There were cupcakes; there were melting moments; there were double choc chip cookies.

Quite simply - My Christmas was a food-fest.

In the interest of honesty, the two styles of cupcakes were the same cake batter and icing, just decorated differently.

: CHRISTMAS CUPCAKES :
Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

: CHRISTMAS CUPCAKES :
Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

How To :

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water


Line muffin tin with paper liners. Heat oven to 180 C.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for one minute.
Stir in boiling water (the batter will be really runny).
Fill liners 2/3 full with batter.
Bake cupcakes for approximately 22-24 minutes.

For the Frosting:

140g butter

3-4 cups icing sugar

2 tbsp vanilla essence

3-4 tbsp milk

Beat butter until soft.

Slowly add icing sugar

Gradually add milk and vanilla

Test consistency and taste frequently..!

And don't worry - Miss Emmy wasn't forgotten.

She had a special dog-friendly treat of her own.

xx

peace, love, happiness

Happy Festive Season

I love the days between Christmas and New Years -

The stress of family drama is gone, but the leftovers remain!

There is nothing better than ham on toast for days.

I am excited for all things 2014, but for now, it's all about the cupcakes and custard.

xx

back to baking

I don't remember the last time I went to the kitchen to make something fun.

The last few weeks have been a blur of take away and raw foods, so actual cooking has not happened for longer than I care to admit. And don't even question me on the last time I baked.

Last night, inspired by the latest Donna Hay magazine, I decided to turn on the oven and end the food drought.

Ta-Dah!!

Turkey & Cranberry Sausage Rolls

A delicious snack, meal or if you're weird like me, breakfast.

Off the top of my head, the recipe looked something like this - 

500g Turkey Mince

2 pieces puff pastry, cut in halves to create 4 pieces (good math Andie..)

1/4 cup cranberry sauce

2 Tbsp sage

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic

1 egg

Sesame seeds, for sprinkling

The recipe also called for prosciutto, but my Coles didn't have any in stock.

In summary - 

Lightly brown the onion & garlic in a pan, then allow to cool

In a bowl, mix turkey, cranberry sauce, Dijon, sage

Stir in onion/garlic mix

Roll mince mix into pastry, cut into bite size pieces, brush with beaten egg, sprinkle sesame seeds, put in oven.

They are good.

Even better served with cranberry sauce.

Next time, I'm going to add real cranberries to the mix. 

And maybe some Camembert cheese....

If I was the Entertaining type, these would be an absolute crowd pleaser at a party.

Or you can just eat them for breakfast, like me!

xx

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

At Christmas Time, you really can add candy canes to almost any recipe to make it a little more festive.

Well.. atleast I think so!

I made these little gems for Christmas Day and they got rave reviews from everyone.

Go and get your hands on some discounted candy canes and give them a go - it's not too late to appreciate a Christmas Cookie.

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

ingredients

1 c. plain flour

1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. sugar

1/3 c. butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/4 c. mini chocolate chips

1/2 c. crushed candy canes

instructions

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and whisk until combined and any lumps are broken up.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together using a mixer on high speed. 

Add vanilla and egg and beat until combined. 

Set mixer to low speed and slowly add flour mixture. 

Beat until just combined and fold in chocolate chips and candy cane pieces.

Drop tablespoons of batter two inches apart onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. 

Bake for 12 minutes or until set.

Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then finish cooling on wire racks.

xx

Candy Cane Swirl Cupcakes

Yes, it's a New Year. And yes, I am trying to focus on a healthier lifestyle. But the Christmas re-cap isn't over yet... So here we go.

I have to apologise.

Just a month ago, I wrote this post.

And now I have to eat my words.

Or my cake :)

Because I have found a recipe, which produces The. Best. Cupcakes. EVER.

And they're chocolate.

I am as shocked as you.

I wasn't looking for it. Wasn't even thinking about it. And it came into my life and changed the way I view the world. 

I will never be the same again.

I gave them a Christmas twist with some left over candy canes. I highly recommend that you do the same...

Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup almond milk (you can use regular milk if desired)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 cup boiling water

Directions

Line muffin tin with paper liners. Heat oven to 350*F.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for one minute.

Stir in boiling water (the batter will be thin, don’t worry, this is right).

Fill liners 2/3 full with batter. (I usually put the batter into a large measuring cup with a pour spout, and then pour the batter into the liners.)

Bake cupcakes for approximately 22-24 minutes.

Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

Approx 200g cream cheese, at room temperature

4 cups icing sugar

1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup crushed candy canes*

1 to 3 Tablespoons almond milk  (you can use regular milk; or cream if desired)

Directions

Place butter in a large mixing bowl and blend slightly. Add cream cheese and blend until combined, about 30 seconds.

Add icing sugar (a little at a time) and blend on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and beat until it begins to get fluffy.

Add vanilla and peppermint extract and crushed candy canes*

Slowly add the almond milk, a little bit at a time until desired consistency is met. (Don’t add too much if you want the frosting to stay in place when piped on cupcakes.)

Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.

Frost.

xx

*Note: Because it's the Festive Season and I had some candy canes lying around, I smashed them into small pieces and added them to the mix. This added to the peppermint flavour, but meant that I had to use a ziplock bag to pipe the icing, as some of the larger candy cane pieces wouldn't fit through the nozzle of my piping bag...

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Did you hear that??

Yup - That's the sound of a collective sigh as everyone celebrates making it through all the Christmas festivities without stabbing one of our relatives with a plastic fork*.

I don't know about you.. But for me, Christmas time can be a little trying.
Emotions are heightened after a long tiring year; we miss loved ones that are unable to join our celebrations - some are interstate and others no longer with us. And alcohol makes some family and friends merry, whilst others become melancholic.

And so when it is all over, we are relieved. And finally, we can relax.

But what I have learnt is that cupcakes are always a source of Christmas Cheer.

G I N G E R B R E A D   C U P C A K E S

Christmas Cupcakes

These are my gingerbread Cupcakes with Maple Frosting.

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Cupcakes

1 + 1/2 cups plain flour

2 tablespoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 + 1/2 cups butter

1 + 1/2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons golden syrup

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180 degrees

In a large bowl, sift together flour and spices; set aside

In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light

Add golden syrup

Beat in eggs, one at a time

Add vanilla

Add flour, mix on low speed until combined

Fill cupcake liners

Bake for approximately 25 minutes

Allow to cool before frosting.

Maple Frosting

1/3 cup butter

28 grams cream cheese

1/4 cup brown sugar

pinch of salt

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 cup icing sugar

Cream the butter, cream cheese, brown sugar and salt until light and fluffy;

Beat in maple syrup and vanilla;

Gradually add icing sugar until combined.

*Note: Yes.. sadly we are the family who use plastic cutlery on Christmas Day. The table is covered with a plastic Christmas themed table cloth and we pop cheap bon-bons and wear the tacky paper hats. Don't judge us.

xx

New Tradition

I have started a new Christmas Tradition.

Inspired by myself; and dedicated to single ladies everywhere - I call it the Christmas Channing Marathon.

In previous years, Christmas Eve has involved watching the Carols by Candlelight, in actual candle light.

This year, I spent the night with Channing Tatum. Also in candlelight.

Hello Magic Mike and Dear John - Would you like to stay a while?

  

**swoon**

xx

Images 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8.

Buddy is it?!

Christmas is in 3 days.

How did that happen???

Sure, I've pinned a few Christmas-inspired projects on Pinterest; and I've got vague plans for the day - Breakfast with Dad, Lunch with Mum (the usual) and I've seen approximately one-thousand Elf on the Shelf references in various blogs.

I'm still not entirely prepared for Christmas Day.

And the Elf thing ?!  I don't get it.

What's the point in using a creepy little elf to stage various stunts around the house?

Wouldn't most kids get grounded for doing some of the things this Elf supposedly does? 

I have googled it; looked it up on Wiki and followed a few links on Pinterest.

Maybe it's a Mum thing which I won't understand until I have grown a tiny human and given birth?

The only scenario I found amusing were the 'snow angels' on the kitchen counter made from flour.

But realistically, this could be just as effective with my old friend - Barbie.

If the weird little elf made his way to my house this year, chances are you would capture him in a very similar situation as below.

He seems like he would be a very cooperative drinking buddy.

xx

Image here

An American Tradition

Sometimes I wish I lived in the United States...

Americans get to celebrate lots of fun holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween - complete with the festive foods and over-the-top decorations.

They also seem to celebrate other occasions such as Graduation and Valentine's Day.

I have just discovered a new reason for a gathering in the Festive Season - A Cookie Exchange.

Also known as a Cookie Swap or Cookie Party.

The general idea (from what I can gather) is that everyone makes a huge (6-10 dozen) batch of their cookie of choice and brings them to the party complete with recipe card.

Here

A cookie swap is a social event with a practical side. 
For many, it marks the beginning of the holiday season and brings friends together for more than just cocktails and chit-chat.

WHY ? (I did some research...)

A cookie swap also…

Saves valuable time during the busiest season of the year. It is much faster to make multiple batches of the same cookie, than to track down ingredients for 7 or 8 different recipes and prepare each one.

Provides you with a wonderful selection of homemade baked goods to serve your guests over the holidays.

Introduces new types of cookies to your palate and unique recipes to your repertoire.

Provides a fun, casual social event that is easy to host – the guests bring the goodies!

Offers opportunities for a charitable outreach. Guests can be asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to a local food bank.

I might be new to this trend.. but I am smitten with the idea! 

And the invitations!!!

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

It's not all fun and games though..

There are RULES!!

THE RULES OF THE COOKIE EXCHANGE

All cookies should be homemade, baked and main ingredient must be flour.

No plain chocolate chip cookies, cookie mixes, no-bakes, meringues or bars.

Each guest to bring 6 dozen total cookies.

The theme is "Christmas Cookies" (You can make any theme you like.)

Arrange cookies in a basket or platter and be creative!   

Bring a large container to carry away your cookie, 

Email a copy of your recipe before the party (or bring recipe to the party)

RSVP as soon as you can and let the host know what type of cookies you are planning on baking - no duplicate recipes allowed

If you don't have time to bake, or have burnt your cookies, but still want to attend, you must go to a real bakery and buy 6 dozen yummy cookies.

These can be found at the Official Cookie Exchange Website.

If anyone has ever participated in a Cookie Exchange - 

Please tell me alllll about it! I am dying to know what it's like!

xx

45 Days To Go!

He's makin' a list

And checkin' it twice...

Yep! With only 45 days to go - 

Santa's getting ready; and so am I!

My favourite thing about Christmas is the food. More specifically (and not surprisingly) the BAKING.

The Festive Season officially kicks-off tomorrow with the Christmas Pageant - Also known as "The Day We Put Up The Christmas Tree".

With just 45 days to prepare, I am beginning my research for this year's Christmas Treats.

Peppermint Lollipop Cupcakes

Eggnog Cupcakes

Holly Cupcakes

Gingerbread Cheesecake

Super Easy Tree Cookies

Lucky I'm good at sharing my baked goods..

Sometimes.

xx

The Weekend That 'Flew'

So, we had our work Christmas Party on Friday night - The theme was 'Australia'..

And The Cool Pod rocked it.

Our interpretation of the theme was a little outside the square, but you can read more on that over at LukaMish.

Saturday was a very quiet day.. and by quiet, I mean that I barely moved from the couch. Frozen coke was my saviour.

So today I felt like I needed to be super productive to make up for such a lazy Saturday. The days activities included Christmas shopping and lunch with mum.

Then I spent a few solid hours in the kitchen - simultaneously baking, singing and dancing around to my latest and greatest playlist.

The result ?

A candy house and a cake for dessert.

 Not bad, right?

Can you believe there's less than a week left until Christmas now?

There will be more baking, singing and dancing later in the week as I prepare some sweet treats for Christmas Day..

xx

MAC o'clock

Miss Pip and I are heading to an industry Christmas Function tonight.

And on Wednesday, she gave me a birthday present - 

It's a macaroon.

Yeah. I know what you're thinking - "What on earth has a macaroon got to do with your birthday and a Christmas party?" 

Well... The lovely Pippa has organised for me to get my makeup done at MAC Cosmetics! 

Get it ?

MACaroon ?!

Yeah...... took me a while too.

Anyway, I'm super excited.

Thank you Miss Pip.

xx