Ruffles and blossoms

What more could a girl want?

Cupcakes and image - Sharnel Dollar 2010

Dollar Family Gingerbread House 2009

Mum (me) and Aunty Sam baked and assembled the house. We had to remove the roof though, as we left the cans of soup we used to keep it upright whilst drying inside. I cannot tell you how much we laughed last night while we assembled this house. Decorated by Olivia (5 years old), William (3 years old), Cullen (7 years old) and Matt (5 years old).

Next year I'll also decorate one all by myself. Call me selfish, but I NEED to make one of these and I must have total artistic control! I've already started to brainstorm ideas for a sugar cookie Easter Bunny house - cute, cute, cute!

Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts

Here is a super easy (and tasty) treat you can make in minutes. I think these would be gorgeous bagged up little cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbon.

They would also be an easy activity to do with children on the school holidays.

What you will need:

Candy canes - if you want to make 10 hearts, you'll need 20 candy canes

White chocolate

Dark chocolate

Sprinkles or non-pareils

What to do:

Unwrap all your candy canes and place them in the shape of a heart on baking paper.

Heat chocolate and spoon into the centre of the hearts. Be sure to fill all the little nooks.

I made all of mine with dark chocolate base and topped some with white choc as well.

Sprinkle with your choice of non-pareils an let set. Note that white chocolate takes a little longer to set than dark choc.

Now, nibble on them with a friend with a good cup of coffee or give as a sweet gift this Christmas.

Enjoy!

Gingerbread Cookies

For those readers who wanted a simple cookie recipe that tastes great, but doesn't need a whole lot of decoration, then have I got the cookie for you.

Let me introduce you to ......

Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

6 tablespoons of golden syrup


150 grams of butter


2 tablespoons of water


3 teaspoons of ginger


2 teaspoons of all spice


150 grams of sugar


1 teaspoon of baking soda


450 grams of flour



Method

Pre heat oven to 180º Celsius

In a large saucepan place golden syrup, sugar, water and spices. Using a wooden spoon, mix together over low heat. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.


Remove from the element.

Add butter then baking soda and stir well.

Slowly add the flour, mixing together to form a dough.

Spread some flour thinly on a board and taking half the dough, roll it out thinly and cut into shapes.

Bake for approx. 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Recipe from Steph via Kathryn

Packaging ideas for Christmas treats

Amanda from Swish and Swanky suggested I share some ideas and resources for presenting your yummy homebaked treats in this Christmas.

Iced Cookie Boxes $12.99 for 6 from Martha Stewart Crafts

Tall Goodie Boxes $12.99 for 6 from Martha Stewart Crafts

Similar Noodle Boxes $8.80 for 25 from The Packaging Place

Set of six treat boxes for $4.75/$5.75 from Bake it Pretty

Red spot cake tins on eBay. Don't forget to line with a matching tea towel or co-ordinating tissue paper.

Burken Jar $3.99 from Ikea

Aspen Jar $29.95 from Brown Button Trading

Then tie a ribbon with a pretty ribbon. There are so many places to find gorgeous ribbons ...

Spotlight

Ribbons Galore

Specklefarm

Details, Details

Last year I made these Cookie Jars as gifts (I used the Ikea jars). I filled them with dry Cookie premix and tied a cookie cutter to the lid. I also made up directions for how to mix, bake and decorate. They were a hit. A wonderful activity for children to do with Mum or Dad during the holidays.

Hope I've inspired you to start your Christmas baking!

Happy Birthday Trudy

I'm on my way out the door with my party shoes on. My gorgeous cousin Trudy turns 40 and we are about to celebrate.

I've been baking all day (or what feels like all day) and here are the results. Hope Trudy likes them!


All images - Sharnel Dollar 2009

Our Christmas

I know it's a little late, but here is a peek into our first Christmas in our new home.  We had the most relaxing two weeks together, too lovely for words really.  Not a contractor in sight (I think that was the best part).  Just lots of swimming, reading, DVD's and quality family time.  

Our Christmas tree with multi-coloured trim inspired by the Martha Stewart Living magazine cover from Dec 2006.

Our vintage ornament wreath hanging proudly on the front door - a collection that I plan to add to each year. All ornaments where purchased from USA eBay.

Gifts we gave to family and friends.  Cookie Jars complete with mix, recipe card and cookie cutter.

Each Christmas I like to wrap our gifts in a different colour theme.  I managed to use existing supplies this year and found a use for some lonely scrapbooking bit and pieces that have been sitting around for far too many years.  I love the mercury glass hearts and the quilted paper the most.

All images Sharnel Dollar