Summary
The joy of the Christmas season often allows for a more leisurely approach, particularly when it comes to shopping for gifts. There is no need to rush through stores, contemplating gifts that ultimately may go unused.
Furthermore, culinary delights are a significant component of the festive spirit. Christmas provides ample opportunities to indulge in a variety of delectable treats, enhancing the enjoyment of the season.
In recent years, I have been exploring the creation of charming treats for special occasions. For instance, you may recall my previous creation of gin and tonic waffles.
Nevertheless, I would like to share my preferred festive treats that I plan to bring to the Christmas table this year, although the snowman treat has become a regular in various seasons.
1.) Homemade Snowman’s Bubble Bath
If you enjoy hot chocolate, you will appreciate this delightful treat, which is both simple and adorably festive. Moreover, crafting homemade hot chocolate is much easier than one might assume.
Preparation Instructions: Start with three substantial marshmallows and some chocolate sauce. Create a facial expression on the marshmallows (your initial attempt may not be your most artistic) and insert either straws or sweet breadsticks for limbs. For an added touch, use a tube of orange icing to fashion a carrot nose.
Heat whole milk in a pan until warm, and select a high-quality chocolate bar with a higher cocoa content than that of milk chocolate. When the milk reaches a boiling temperature, add chunks of chocolate that will melt within approximately ten seconds. Continue tasting and adjusting the chocolate amount to accommodate your preferences, and do the same for white chocolate, which melts more swiftly.
Serving Suggestion: Once adequately poured into a cup, position the marshmallow snowman atop your hot chocolate and present immediately, as the marshmallow will start to dissolve within minutes.
2.) Sloppy Snowmen Sugar Cookies
During my childhood, I harbored a fear of my snowmen melting, which led me to create smaller versions that I could freeze during warmer conditions. Fortunately, that concern has since faded.
Preparation Instructions: To create the sloppy snowmen, you can either bake cookies from scratch or take advantage of store-bought plain cookies. For the dough, combine approximately 350g of all-purpose flour, a pinch of baking soda, 250g of quality butter, and around 300-330g of caster sugar, along with one egg and a teaspoon of vanilla, cinnamon, or rose extract for flavor.
Blend the dry ingredients, then mix in the wet ingredients, forming discs for baking at 180-190°C for 10-12 minutes.
After cooling for five minutes, apply a layer of white icing over the top, and place a marshmallow on top, decorating with icing tubes in black and orange to create features.
Serving Suggestion: They can be served at any time!
3.) Christmas Tree Cupcakes
These cupcakes are notably simple to decorate, allowing you to unleash your creativity, much like crafting a real Christmas tree.
Preparation Instructions: First, prepare your cupcakes (homemade or sourced from a bakery). Combine 120g of butter, 120g of caster sugar, two eggs, and a splash of vanilla, cinnamon, or rose extract along with 120g of self-raising flour. Mix the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs and wet ingredients. Gradually fold in the self-raising flour, ensuring a gooey texture.
Pour the mixture into cupcake liners and bake at 170-180°C for 12-17 minutes until golden brown. After cooling, prepare the buttercream icing with 150g of butter, 300g of icing sugar, and a hint of whole milk and food coloring (green). Beat until smooth and bright green, then use a piping bag with a star nozzle to decorate creatively.
To Serve: Use edible glitter, colorful edible balls, or keep it simple. Serve whenever you are ready.
4.) Irish Ginger Dippers
This particular treat is intended for adults only.
Preparation Instructions: Using the hot chocolate preparation from the snowman’s bubble bath (recipe 1), incorporate several generous measurements of Baileys Irish Cream, adjusting to your preferred strength.
For the gingerbread, I recommend following the BBC food recipe, which is quick and efficient (approximately 20 minutes).
Serving Suggestion: Ensure the gingerbread is freshly prepared prior to serving the hot chocolate, as accuracy in serving temperature is crucial.
5.) Arctic Penguin Porridge
Among the simplest breakfast options, this recipe has proven popular with both children and adults alike, which speaks to its universal appeal.
Preparation Instructions: Begin by heating a bowl of porridge with whole milk, then arrange blueberries and tangerines in a manner that resembles a penguin, placing the fruits as flippers. To sweeten the dish, consider dusting the top with icing sugar for a snowy effect.
Alternatively, if blueberries are in short supply, feel free to create a Rudolph-themed porridge instead.
Serving Suggestion: Serve while still warm.
6.) Ho Ho Pancakes
For some reason, I frequently find myself burning pancakes, whereas my partner excels at preparing them. This indicates that I rely on his mood for pancake days.
Preparation Instructions: I recommend using Nigella’s excellent pancake recipe, which allows for preparation in less than 15 minutes.
Decoration and Serving Instructions: Once prepared, stack the pancakes on a plate and create Santa’s beard using thick cream. For a festive touch, halve strawberries and arrange them to form Santa’s iconic red hat. For eyes, blueberries work well, but you may also substitute the tips of the strawberries.
7.) Sippable Snowmen
This is less of a recipe, but an enjoyable craft,
Preparation Instructions: I’ve fashioned these snowmen using a variety of bottle designs, including glass Coca-Cola bottles, Orangina bottles, and retro-style milk bottles, depending on the desired aesthetic.
After selecting your bottle, enhance it with chocolate buttons or actual buttons. If you do not have a small scarf available, purchase an Innocent Smoothie, as they feature small knitted hats for charity that are perfect for this project.
Finish by creating a snowman’s head using a chunky marshmallow and decorate with colored icing.
Serving Suggestion: Fill the bottle with milk (perhaps with a touch of cinnamon), insert a straw into the top, and serve.
8.) Strawberry Santas
A delightful and simple dessert that comes together quickly.
Preparation Instructions: Acquire several punnets of fresh strawberries, wash them, and slice them horizontally in a manner that allows them to stand upright. Once prepared, add clotted cream in between the strawberry halves and on top. Utilize a seed or a small amount of icing to create Santa’s eyes.
Serving Suggestion: Present promptly for an adorable dessert display!
9.) Turkey Curry Penguin Balls
Do others among you continue to prepare turkey curry on Boxing Day to utilize leftover turkey? If so, why not enhance your dish with adorable penguin-inspired rice balls?
Preparation Instructions: Begin by cooking sticky rice, allowing it to cool sufficiently for rolling. Cut seaweed paper into half-moon shapes to create the penguin heads, using the remaining paper to fashion eyes. For the beak, slice sweetcorn in half.
Serving Suggestion: Present alongside a bowl of turkey curry for an interactive meal.
10.) Salted Caramel Christmas Tree Crepes
Crepes are generally straightforward to prepare and cook in mere minutes, making them an ideal festive treat.
Preparation Instructions: I rely on Nigella’s recipes for pancakes and crepes, which are always effective. For full ratios and instructions, refer here.
Once the crepes are cooked to a golden brown, place two on a plate and fold them into triangles, overlaying one slightly above the other to create a Christmas tree appearance. Chop green fruits, like kiwi, and scatter them across the crepes. A sprinkle of icing sugar and some salted caramel sauce completes the presentation. For decorative touches, use half grapes for eyes and pomegranate seeds as ornaments.
Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately.
