I am a big fan of homemade gifts from the kitchen.
I think spending some time preparing gifts, thinking about the people you are giving them to, and taking care in their presentation, helps to make the whole Christmas experience far more enjoyable.
I'm sticking to pretty quick recipes as, realistically, no one has time to spend the extra hours in the kitchen.
The Mini Christmas cakes are excellent gift for teachers, coworkers or Great-Aunts.
The Spicy Nuts are great for hostesses who love to entertain and Uncle Bill who loves anything hot.
Homemade gifts don't get much easier than this one. The hard work is already done because you can use a good quality shop bought fruit cake and pre-mixed frosting.
All you have to do is the fun job of assembling and decorating!
mini christmas cakes
1 large, square fruit cake
2 large packets of ready made soft frosting (icing)
confectioner's sugar (icing sugar) for dusting
food coloring
3/4 cup apricot jam
ribbons, tinsel, items for decoration
Warm the apricot jam in a small saucepan or in the microwave, and them push through a sieve. Put to one side.
Combine your packets of frosting on a clean surface dusted with confectioners sugar.
Knead them well together. Once they are smooth divide the frosting into 9 pieces.
Now is the time to color the frosting if you want to. Pale shades look very stylish, so go easy on the amount you add.
Measure your cake and cut into 9 pieces.
Take your first piece of cake and spread with a thin coating of the jam on the top and sides.
Take your first ball of frosting and roll it out until large enough to cover the tops and sides of the cake. Use your fingers to gently ease the frosting onto the cake. Trim off any excess.
Repeat for each cake.
If you like, you can use the frosting offcuts to make leaves, stars, or bell shapes. Secure them to your cakes with a dab of jam.
Complete your decorations with ribbons, tinsel, even Christmas baubles, for a really festive effect.
Protect your mini cakes by putting them on squares of thick cardboard covered in foil.
This recipe makes a great gift at Christmas time. It's a sociable time of year so whoever receives this gift will be glad to be able to whip them out to offer their guests.
spicy mixed nuts
2 cloves garlic, crushed
a good splash of olive oil
2 cups of your favorite nuts, mixed or plain
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan and gently fry the garlic for a few minutes taking care it doesn't burn.
Add the nuts and fry until they begin to turn golden.
Tip the nuts onto absorbant paper and allow to drain a little.
Mix all the spices together in a bowl and tip in the still hot nuts. Mix and toss well to coat the nuts in the spice mix.
All to cool.
Use airtight containers to give as gifts. Jars or cellophane bags work well.
Christmas cookies can make stylish Christmas gifts if you take your time when you ice them.
You'll find recipes for the best Christmas cookies here.
You'll find that when you make Christmas gifts in your own kitchen that you enjoy the Festive Season all the more.
Why not get the kids inolved as well? Let them see that homemade gifts can be even better than shop bought.
