I've mixed my Christmas Cake ...

[Dimplenose]

.. and it's now in the oven. I haven't made one for years but am feeling all domesticated today.

I might have a go at some machine patchwork later that I've seen on the internet.

Mind you I'm not feeling so domesticated that I'm tempted to do any constructive housework.

 

[Netty]

Wow you are good!! I havent done anything like that for years not even a mince pie! can we see some piccies when its all done and decorated

 

[CustardTart]

.. and it's now in the oven. I haven't made one for years but am feeling all domesticated today...

Wow, that's strange - must be something in the air!!! I went all Domestic Goodness this year too and made mine last week...

 

[Pinky166]

I hope you made a wish Libby!

My mum used to make a christmas cake every year when we all lived at home and I used to make everyone in the family stir it and make a wish, it was a tradition.

Would love to see pics once you've decorated it. Its a shame me & dh don't like all the christmassy things as I would love to make a christmas cake, mince pies & christmas pudding but it would end up in the bin. Maybe I'll make a sponge xmas cake.

 

[CustardTart]

I hope you made a wish Libby!

My mum used to make a christmas cake every year when we all lived at home and I used to make everyone in the family stir it and make a wish, it was a tradition.

Would love to see pics once you've decorated it. Its a shame me & dh don't like all the christmassy things as I would love to make a christmas cake, mince pies & christmas pudding but it would end up in the bin. Maybe I'll make a sponge xmas cake.

Why not!? It's your Christmas Cake, so surely the recipe/flavours are up to you...? You could just decorate it Christmassy... No one in my family likes conventional Christmas cake or pud so I just make adapted versions that they do go for - a choccie pud and tropical fruitcake with a carrot cake-style frosting...

 

[Pinky166]

Why not!? It's your Christmas Cake, so surely the recipe/flavours are up to you...? You could just decorate it Christmassy... No one in my family likes conventional Christmas cake or pud so I just make adapted versions that they do go for - a choccie pud and tropical fruitcake with a carrot cake-style frosting...

Yeah I think I will.....it occured to me as I was typing my reply to libby. The choccie pud sounds fab, do you make that?

I was a little domesticated myself yesterday and baked some chocolate chip cookies for hubby - he was most impressed, in fact he thought they came from tesco's I ended up showing him the dirty baking tray in the dishwasher. Say's a lot for my cooking doesn't it!

 

[joolz1910]

I have never made a Christmas cake because nobody likes it in our house. I wouldn't mind having a go at making mince pies - has anyone got a foolproof/yummy recipe they could share?

Or a recipe for the choc pud - that would go down well at my house.

 

[Dimplenose]

I hope you made a wish Libby!

Our family always wish when mixing the Christmas puddings not the cake.

 

[CustardTart]

I have never made a Christmas cake because nobody likes it in our house. I wouldn't mind having a go at making mince pies - has anyone got a foolproof/yummy recipe they could share?

Or a recipe for the choc pud - that would go down well at my house.

Mince pies are easy. I make my own mincemeat because I don't like currants and prefer to add lots of extra stewed apple and nuts but there's some delish sounding jars in the supermarket. Then I always cheat and use frozen puff pastry which makes the pies much less heavy than shortcrust ones... They are so yummy just out the oven and served with cream/ice cream - OMG my mouth's watering!!!

I've made this pud before and it was very easy. I added chopped pecans and a bag of chocolate buttons which oozed as you took a bite...

Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding

Serves 4-6

125 g plain flour

a pinch of salt

115g caster sugar

3 tsp baking powder

4 tbs cocoa powder

250ml milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

85g unsalted butter, melted

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tbs Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur

For the topping:

185g soft brown sugar

2 tbs cocoa powder

1 tbs Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Grease a 1.5-litre ovenproof baking dish.

Sift the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder and cocoa powder into a bowl. Add the milk, orange zest, butter, egg and liqueur, and beat together well. Pour into the baking dish.

To make the topping, stir the brown sugar and cocoa powder together and then spread over the pudding batter. Mix the liqueur with 250ml of boiling water and pour carefully over the pudding. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top of the pudding is firm.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

 

[mandymouse]

Mmm, I love the smell of Christmas cake baking

 

[joolz1910]

Mince pies are easy. I make my own mincemeat because I don't like currants and prefer to add lots of extra stewed apple and nuts but there's some delish sounding jars in the supermarket. Then I always cheat and use frozen puff pastry which makes the pies much less heavy than shortcrust ones... They are so yummy just out the oven and served with cream/ice cream - OMG my mouth's watering!!!

I've made this pud before and it was very easy. I added chopped pecans and a bag of chocolate buttons which oozed as you took a bite...

Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding

Serves 4-6

125 g plain flour

a pinch of salt

115g caster sugar

3 tsp baking powder

4 tbs cocoa powder

250ml milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

85g unsalted butter, melted

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tbs Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur

For the topping:

185g soft brown sugar

2 tbs cocoa powder

1 tbs Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Grease a 1.5-litre ovenproof baking dish.

Sift the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder and cocoa powder into a bowl. Add the milk, orange zest, butter, egg and liqueur, and beat together well. Pour into the baking dish.

To make the topping, stir the brown sugar and cocoa powder together and then spread over the pudding batter. Mix the liqueur with 250ml of boiling water and pour carefully over the pudding. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top of the pudding is firm.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Ooooh thanks. Sounds lovely. I could do some baking or it might be easier if I just pop over to your house for Christmas.

 

[Muscateer]

I love Christmas Cake especially homemade ones.

I have never tried making one I usually buy mine from M & S.

The Choc Orange Pudding sounds really nice, might have a go at making that.