Day 3 is here!
Every year I try and make some yummy festive goodies for my family and friends so, I thought I’d share with you some ideas I’ve done previously and some that I am planning on doing this year!
I love mince pies! Any sort are yummy, which is strange because as a child I thought they were horrible.
This recipe is a Slimming World friendly one but don’t be put off they are super delicious…just a little smaller.
I made these last year for me and Tim to enjoy and for my sister as part of her Christmas present.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
low calorie cooking spray
227g/ 8oz plain flour
a pinch of salt
113g/ 4oz butter or margarine,cut into small cubes
16 level tbsp mincemeat
1 level tsp icing sugar, to dust
Method
Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5.
Lightly spray some bun tins with low calorie cooking spray.
Make the pastry; Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the fat and gently rub it in with your fingertips.
Add sufficient cold water to mix to a ball that leaves the sides of the bowl clean. Rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Roll out the pastry thinly on a lightly floured surface.
Cut out 32 rounds with a 7.5cm/3 inch fluted cutter. Use to line the prepared bun tins.
Divide the mincemeat between the pastry cases.
Roll out the remaining pastry trimmings and make some little stars with a star cutter. Use to decorate the tops of the tarts.
Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, until the pastry is crisp and lightly coloured. Cool on a wire rack and dust lightly with the icing sugar.
I’ve made them once so far, this year, here’s a picture of my attempt. Me and Tim really enjoyed them with a cuppa!
Another homemade gift that I’ve made before is ‘Hot chocolate marshmallow stirrers’
These are easy to make and really yummy.
You’ll need the large marshmallows, I got mine from Tesco. (Other supermarkets are available) A large chocolate bar, some chocolate sprinkles & skewers.
Melt some chocolate of your choice, in a bowl over hot water, my preferred method then pop the marshmallows onto the end of a skewer and dip into the chocolate generously!
Once you have a nice covering of chocolate dip the chocolate end into the sprinkles and cool in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened.
I wrapped the Marsmallow with little cellophane bags and tied with ribbon. Tie a hot chocolate sachet in with the ribbon and you have one yummy hot chocolate ready to go!
One last little idea that I love is ‘chocolate dipped oreo snowman pops’
(That’s a mouthful!)
You’ll need lolly sticks, oreos, white chocolate and sprinkles & choc chips to decorate.
Push the stick into the creamy filling between the oreos.
Melt your chocolate the same way as the marshmallows and cover your oreos in the chocolate.
Stick on your sprinkles & choc drops to make the snow man’s face.
Leave to cool in the fridge! So easy.
I hope this has given you a few ideas, let me know what you think and if you try any of these ideas how you got on.
I’ll be doing another homemade Christmas present post later on in blogmas but focusing on crafty ones as these are one of my hobbies.
Until next time,
Roseanne 🙂
Roseanne Byford 