Since the return to Uni in September, the days have been getting colder, shorter and darker; we’ve all had the sniffles and had to bury our hands and faces in scarves and pockets on the walk to lectures. But now it all becomes worth it as Christmas approaches; the cold, dark nights turn from being hideously bitter to festively sparkly and the silly knitwear baring holly and snowmen become appropriate again.
However being a student, returning home after a long day at Uni isn’t always the most warming option due to tight budgets restricting heating allowances. In spite of this, there is a really rather lovely solution – home baking! From my experience it makes the kitchen wonderfully warm and smell divine, slowly enticing my equally frozen housemates downstairs where we will sit and share the masterpiece (or questionable concoction) of the day. During the festive period, why not try a few of these Christmas baking ideas, and enjoy warmth, deliciousness and sharing in a truly Merry Christmas style.
Festive Brownies (Serves 24)
These are a fabulous festive pleasure for chocolate lovers; taking the traditional brownie and jazzing it up with a fruity layer of Christmas.
– 30ml brandy
– 100g dried cranberries
– 300g dark chocolate
– 200g butter
– 4 eggs
– 300g light muscovado sugar
– 200g plain flour
– 1 tsp mixed spice
– 100g chopped pecans
– Icing sugar
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Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4.
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Gently heat the brandy and cranberries in a saucepan and leave bubbling together on a low heat stirring regularly.
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Break up the chocolate and dice the butter before melting them down together. Once melted, leave to cool down slightly.
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Whisk up the eggs and the sugar until light and fluffy.
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Fold together the chocolate and egg-y mixes and sieve in the flour and spices.
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Take the cranberries and brandy off the heat. Slowly mix them and the pecans with the chocolaty mixture.
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Pour the mix into a pre greased baking tin and cook for 25 – 30 minutes.
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Leave to cool. Once cool completely, cut into squares and sprinkle with icing sugar
Hot Chocolate Orange (Serves 5)
Christmas time is the perfect excuse for utter indulgence. This incredibly simple recipe takes hot chocolate for a festive spin, turning it into an unbeatable winter warmer.
– 200g dark chocolate
– 75g dry milk powder
– 1 zested orange
– Pinch of cinnamon
– 700ml milk
– Whipped Cream
– Mini Marshmallows
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Grate the chocolate into a large mixing bowl with the milk powder, orange zest and cinnamon and thoroughly combine.
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Heat the milk in a large saucepan until just boiling.
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Stir in the chocolate mix and bring to the boil.
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Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Peanut Butter Fudge (Serves 16)
This divine fudge recipe makes an effortless treat which can either be shared with friends or given as a gorgeous Christmas gift.
– 125g butter
– 500g dark brown sugar
– 120ml milk
– 250g crunchy peanut butter
– 1 vanilla pod, seeds only
– 300g icing sugar
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Gently heat the butter in a saucepan.
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Into the butter, stir the sugar and milk and bring to the boil.
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Remove the mixture from the heat and leave to cool slightly before stirring in the peanut butter and vanilla seeds.
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Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Sieve in the icing sugar and beat until smooth.
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Pour the mixture into a baking tray (preferably lined with a sheet of bake-o-glide) and leave to cool to room temperature.
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Once cool, put into the fridge to set.
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When it has set, turn out onto a chopping board and cut into squares.
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Seal in an airtight container.
Mince Slice
This recipe is one of my Mothers and has always been a firm favorite in my house, annually confirming the beginning of the festive period. It’s an alternative to the traditional Mince Pie; tasting just as magnificent yet being a thousand times easier, making it preferable when being made for the masses.
– 200g butter
– 200g self raising flour
– 100g semolina
– 100g caster sugar
– A jar of mincemeat
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Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas mark 7.
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Mix the flour and semolina together.
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Melt the butter gently in a saucepan and stir in the flour and semolina to form a paste.
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Spread half of the paste on the base of a baking tray (preferably lined with bake-o glide).
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On top of this, spread the mincemeat evenly.
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Using a cheese grater, grate the remaining paste over the layer of mincemeat.
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Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
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Leave to cool. Once cool completely, turn out onto a chopping board and divide into slices.
And there you have it, just a little selection of Christmas goodies to indulge in this season, so why not get your cold and hungry friends round and cheer everybody up with some festive treats.
Image Sources:
1. http://www.theirlittleworld.com/2010/01/08/best-brownies/brownies/
2. http://www.foodspotting.com/402633-gelbzucht
3. http://blogchef.net/peanut-butter-fudge-recipe/
4. http://lancashire-food.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/wholemeal-mincemeat-slices.html