November 2016
Hangerworld's Christmas Bake Off
Christmas is a time for celebration; the celebration of family, the giving of gifts and a festival of food. So, what better encapsulates the everlasting Christmas spirit than all that food you’ll eat? It brings us together, helps us to appreciate what, and who, we have each and every year; there’s just nothing better than a bit of cake (perhaps washed down with some eggnog). From grandma’s victoria sponge, to mum’s mince pies and your very own chocolate cake; Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without all that baking.
Okay, so it’s hot and it’s messy and you get a little frazzled with all those things you’ve got to cook for the whole family, but in the end it’s the looks on their faces when they take that first bite, that look of pure elation. So, whether you’re the cooking for everyone, or if you’re going over to a loved one’s for Christmas dinner, we’ve found some amazing Christmas baking recipes for you to try this year.
Mince Pies
Well they’re a classic Christmas Bake, you simply can’t get through the holiday season without scoffing down a few mince pies, so why not make your own? They’re super simple to make (you can even have the kids help out) and a perfect addition to any Christmas banquet. You can never have too many mince pies!
There are a few recipes out there, but these mince pies are unbelievably easy for you and the kids to make.
To make 18 pies, here’s what you’ll need:
- 225g cold butter, diced
- 350g plain flour
- 100g golden caster sugar
- 280g mincemeat
- 1 small egg
- icing sugar, to dust
Caramel Chocolate Log - GLUTEN FREE
The Yule Log is a staple tradition for many homes over the Christmas period; the whole family loves them (even the mother-in-law), you really can’t go wrong. But why not mix things up a little with a bit of extra oomph? Give yourself a bit more of a challenge with this scrumptious caramel chocolate log recipe.
What you’ll need
- Butter, for greasing
- 4 large eggs
- 125g golden caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
- 25g cocoa powder
- 50g oat flour
- 100g dulce de leche (or Carnation caramel)
- icing sugar, for dusting
- 50g white chocolate, melted
For the filling
- 400ml double cream
- 2 tbsp light brown soft sugar
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom (the seeds from 3 pods, crushed)
Get all your ingredients ready, then bake your log to perfection
Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Biscuit Icing
Nothing screams out ‘family Christmas’ like gingerbread and caramel. The kids love it, you love, grandma loves it, everyone loves it. The subtle spice of gingerbread mixed with the richness of soft, brown sugar and a dash of rum just dances on the taste-buds. It’s decadent, but what is Christmas without a little calorie-related guilt?
What you’ll need:
- 150ml full-fat milk
- 3 tbsp black treacle
- 225ml vegetable oil, plus a little for greasing
- 375g plain flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 375g light brown soft sugar
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1½ tsp ground ginger
- 3 good pinches of ground cloves
- 300ml buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tbsp dark rum (optional – replace with extra milk, if you like)
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
For the caramel biscuit icing
- 250g pack slightly salted butter, very soft
- 600g icing sugar, plus a little extra for dusting
- 300g full-fat cream cheese
- 2 tsp vanilla bean extract
- 200g smooth caramelised biscuit spread (such as Lotus Biscoff biscuit spread)
- 50g desiccated coconut, to decorate
- silver edible glitter (optional)
- gingerbread shapes
Traditional Christmas Pudding
Last, but certainly not least, there is the traditional Christmas pudding. Do we really need to say much about this one? You’ve been eating it every year since childhood (even if you’re still not 100% convinced you like it) - and you’ll carry the tradition on. Even if it wasn’t a traditional meal in your childhood home, now is the perfect time to set some traditions of your own.
What you’ll need
- 110g shredded suet
- 25g whole candied peel, finely chopped
- 25g whole almonds (skin on is OK)
- 1 small cooking apple cored and finely chopped (no need to peel)
- grated zest of 1/2 large navel orange
- grated zest of 1/2 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons rum
- 75ml barley wine
- 75ml stout
- 2 large eggs
- 50g self-raising flour, sifted
- 110g white breadcrumbs
- 1 level teaspoon ground mixed spice
- 1/4 level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- good pinch ground cinnamon
- 225g soft dark brown sugar
- 110g sultanas
- 110g raisins
- 275g currants
It’s recommended that you begin the day before you want to start steaming the pudding (bearing in mind the eight-hour steaming time which gives it that wonderful flavour).
When you’re ready, here’s how to make the traditional Christmas pudding.
Try one or two, or try them all, make this year the best Christmas yet! If you do decide to make a delicious Christmas Bake, show us by tagging us @hangerworld