Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Baking baking baking

Something about Christmas makes me want to bake bake bake. Not entirely sure why, because it's not like there is a dearth of food to begin with, but it really is nice to have a bunch of sweet goodies in the cupboard and the fridge - not only are they just plain yummy but the homemade goods also make great last minute (or not) presents!

As she's only school holidays now, I thought my 10yo niece might enjoy a spot of baking with me, so yesterday we fired up the oven and the magimix and various other kitchen implements, and produced these:
Hedgehog slice and my mum's party slice - both actually very similar recipes but with slightly different results.

and these:
A selection of gingerbread men and other assorted shapes - all dependent on the cutters in my drawer!
My niece had fun decorating the gingerbread men/shapes - in fact, it was the quietest I've ever heard her!! (oh, and the ones she are holding are iced in purple, although it does look a bit like chocolate - purple is her favourite colour after all!)

17 comments:

jp said...

Sounds like you deserve a nap.
Lots of fun but exhausting.

Gorgeous gingerbread.

Poison_kitty said...

They look so tempting, but I've got to be careful what i eat this year as I've found I can't have gluten. This means lots of very creative baking for me!

Bells said...

oh i love the decorating!!! You did such a great job together! I was decorating mine and feeling very blah so Fee took over. But you did such a great job together!

Mmm party slice!

2paw said...

Yay for biscuit cutters, I made small reindeer with white icing and tiny pieces of cherry for their noses. No pictures because they were all eaten!!!
Purple is a pretty popular colour with young people!!!

MadMad said...

Oh, my goodness! No wonder you were tired! That is a ton of baking! It all looks awesome! Some day, you'll have to explain to us non-Aussies, what slice is. Actually, I'm off to google it.

amy said...

Yep, creative baking here, too, since I'm not using eggs. I've decided not to do roll-out cookies with cutters this year (honestly, I'm glad for the break) but have found some other good recipes to try. We'll be making cookies tomorrow--our 24th--for Santa.

Roll-out cookies are tough in the heat. I don't even attempt them in the summer anymore! Good job!

Geek Knitter said...

Purple is a wondrous color, I can well understand your niece's love for it!

I'll be baking pie tomorrow, my contribution to the holiday feast. Cant' wait!

roxie said...

Gingerbread sheep! I LOVE it! And what a great idea to get a ten-year-old to help. Fun for all imvolved.

Celia said...

Mmmm! Sprinkles! Great job!

Caffeine Girl said...

There is something about baking at holiday time, isn't there? What beautiful cookies -- and what a nice aunt.

DrK said...

weee party slice!! i have been so wrapped up in all things fruit mince i forgot about gingerbread. they look great! nice job 10 year old niece :)

kim said...

Me too. I just made two cheesecakes. Time to knit a bit. I love those little sheep cookies. So cute. I'm sure that quality time with your niece makes it that much more special. Merry Christmas!

Leonie said...

Best bit about a lot of sweet things is they can actually be frozen so that you can stretch out the joy a little longer!!

Donna Lee said...

I don't bake a lot all year. I just don't need the goodies in the house. But, at christmas, I let the inner pastry chef out and bake and bake and bake. Today it was babkas and macaroons. Tomorrow Em wants to make some cookies so more baking!

LynS said...

So productive, and so celebratory. The baked and decorated goods look good enough to eat (and eat...and eat...and eat...)

I'm still at work, and I've baked nothing this year. We'll be having very kitsch buche de noel from the local French patisserie for Christmas lunch. My mother would be horrified by the notion of purchasing Christmas dessert.

Anonymous said...

Oh yum! You made my mouth water just now.

TinkingBell said...

Lovely Chrissie fun
have a great christmas and a wonderful 2010!