Gingerbread men

We like men in this house, especially gingerbread men. Here was my first effort in making gingerbread men. A trial run for the Norbury Christmas Fayre this week. They were delicious. I adapted two recipes to include treacle and golden syrup, ginger and cinnamon. Stef approves of the taste and texture - a true sign of quality. Here they are before they were baked.

Stir Up Sunday

Sunday the 21st was Stir Up Sunday. The traditional day for making the Christmas pudding. I adopted this tradition last year and think its a lovely addition to the calendar. It is always the last Sunday before Advent and is therefore about a month  before Christmas, allowing plenty of time for the fruit (and booze) in the pudding to mellow, mature and develop that richness and texture. home made pudding is so, so much better than the shop bought ones. It's not hard, it involves soaking the fruit, adding ingredients and boiling the buggery out if it. Mine took about 3 1/2 hours to cook.

It's traditional for each member of the household to stir the pudding, while making a wish. Karl got a stir (he is a good stirrer) and I did the rest. I do a stir (and a wish) for everyone I think need it. So I go through all of my friends and family and have a little wish for them all. It's stretching the tradition - but I like it that way. Apparently, if you want to do things properly, you are also supposed to stir the mixture from east to west in honour of the Three Wise Men. I didn't go quite that far. Now roll on December 25th!

Bridget's Baby Shower

I don't need an excuse to bake - but a baby shower in the office was a special occasion I couldn't miss. Cupcakes with pink frosting (it's a girl) decorated with hundreds and thousands and wafer flowers followed by Whoopie Pies. My first attempt that will not be my last. Whoopie Pies are a cross between a cupcake and brownie sandwiched together with marshmallow cream. they are on the list for the upcoming Village Fayre I am attending (and retailing). And I am am never knowingly under catered - I baked a cinnamon and banana cake too! Delicious.

Let's Make Whoopie