Random Stuff

Christmas Muffins… anytime of the year!

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Cooking | No Comments

I came across these when searching for home made things to put in a Christmas hamper for my Mum and Dad and my brother and his wife.  It was on the BBC good food website that I found these and they really looked the part and seemed easy to make up and also more importantly easy to bake.  Though I will admit I didn’t actually give these a taste test before giving them as a gift.

Christmas Muffin Mix

The recipe is very simple, but the gift is all in the presentation.  I used the 89p 1 litre slom jars from Ikea and then layered the following ingredients in the jar (flour at the bottom).

• 300g self-raising flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground mixed spice
• 100g pecans or walnuts (if your not a nut lover leave these out and put in more fruit)
• 140g tropical dried fruits medley
• 100g light muscovado sugar

The nuts and dried fruits in this recipe can be what ever you like.. in fact the batch I made today had dried fruit and seeds as I didn’t have any nuts. I’ve also done this without the mixed spice and just using and extra bit of Cinnamon or Nutmeg instead.

I tied a wooden spoon to the jar with some rafia style paper from the pound store, and printed off a tag with the cooking instructions:

Tip the contents of the jar into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and add 2 beaten eggs, 300ml/½pt milk and 100g/4oz melted butter. Mix quickly and lightly to a soft batter. Divide between 12 muffin cases. Bake at 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 for 18-20 mins. Use within 4 weeks.

ommmmm

As mentioned above I did actually make these after reports that they were really very nice! So for your viewing pleasure here’s the finished article.

nommmmm

Tags: Christmas, dried fruit, healthy treats, muffins

It’s been a long night.. But I’m happy

Monday, November 30th, 2009 | Elf Adfventures 2009 | No Comments

Well as  you know, we have an Elf by the name of Emily coming to visit tomorrow, and in order to make it all much more  believable this evening I have been making a journal to record all her activities mischief and for her to leave instructions for craft activities for the little one.

Front of Emily's Elf Journal

I was really struggling to find suitable elf images, but in the end I had the brainwave idea to photograph Emily in various poses which I could then use for the journal.  So far I have created a front page, page one which is an introduction and a back page.  Each night as Emily gets up to mischief a new page will appear in the journal detailing the night’s antics and on the rear will be the days craft activity.

Each page will have room for Emily to put her own pictures and also space to put pictures of the little one doing the craft activities.  I still have quite a few blanks in my things to do list but I’m getting there!

Emily's Elf Journal Page 1

Back of Emily's Elf Journal

Emily also has her very own passport:

Red North Pole Passport

All the required information

All the details are there:

Personal details and photograph

Even has a Immigration stamp

Tags: Christ, Christmas, Elf, Magic Elf

A visit from one of Santas helpers – Emily the Elf

Monday, November 30th, 2009 | Elf Adfventures 2009 | No Comments

Tomorrow sees the start of Advent and with Advent comes a little visitor from the North Pole to keep an eye on us all and to make sure we are good enough to get some presents this year.  However, I don’t think it’s us that we need to worry about being good because this little elf by the name of Emily Tumbleflump Dancing-Toes is rather mischievous herself. So I’ve been told!

Emily Tumbleflump Dancing-Toes

Each day Emily will be getting up to something mischievous and setting some little activities for the little one to do, so check back in every day to see what’s been going on!

Tags: Christmas, Elf, Magic Elf

Magic Marshmallow Fudge – more yummy Christmas goodies

Sunday, December 21st, 2008 | Cooking | No Comments

I always thought making fudge was some big thing, well when ever I’d seen it being made, huge marble bench all the turning etc… too much like hard work to me even though it tastes great.  Fudge always seems to cost a fortune as well. So you can imagine my excitement when whilst browsing for the peppermint cream recipe I came across a very easy recipe for Magic Marshmallow Fudge it was so easy I’ll never buy fudge again!

Magic Marshmallow Fudge

As you can see I also added some mini marshmallows to the top of the fudge before it had set. Once set all there was left to do was cut it up into squares and pop into bags like the peppermint creams.  The end result was perfect and so easy too. I’m sure you could do other stuff by just adding in chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts or Malteasers… hmmm I think I’ll try Malteasers next!

Tags: Christmas, Fudge, Home made, Sweets

Peppermint Cream Christmas Trees

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 | Cooking | No Comments

Nom nom Chirstmas goodies – Today the little one and I made some little gifts for the Pre-school teachers in the form of Peppermint Cream Christmas Trees dipped in dark chocolate yummy.

I remember making these as a child but not sure if it was at home or at school, but they seemed to be easy. There’s not much too it but they were quite sticky to start off but once they started to dry out it made it all a lot easier. I got some little cellophane bags and ribbon from the local cake shop for finishing and the little one made some gift tags as well.

The recipe was one I found on the internet when looking for simple Christmas things for a Pre-schooler to make. The site was www.northpole.com They have a great kitchen/cookbook section and the recipe I used was Amanda’s Peppermint Cream Very nice!

The trees all cut out

Trees diped in Chocolate!

Nicely bagged up as presents

Tags: Christmas, Gifts, Home made, Sweets