It’s about now that I start to plan what I am going to bake. My planning is no indicator of what will end up being baked. That is down to whether I run out of time. Time management was never my forte.
But for now, let me have my expectations. I have ordered some ham hocks from a local butcher so they will definitely get cooked and my favourite way of doing this is to follow Dorothy Hartley’s method. I have also ordered sausage meat so Sausage and sage pie is likely. These are my mainstays, they root me in a feeling of a tradition and I think this year this might be exactly what we need.
I have been filming a Christmas breads online course so we have been eating stollen, mincemeat wreath, cinnamon star, Christmas tree bread and blue cheese and pear focaccia until it comes out of our ears. I will be investing in a pair of elasticated trousers.
Most of my baking will be for gifts for family and friends. I always make little bags filled with treats such as Marzipan chocolates, Candied peel, Mincemeat bars , chocolate truffles and Rocky Road Slice. I will add in some savoury crackers and spiced nuts.
If I get time I will revisit my Ginger and marzipan cake because the flavours of that scream Christmas and one night I will make my Mushroom and Chestnut Wellington, although our youngest won’t touch mushrooms with a barge pole so it will have to be a night when she wants to make her own dinner (which is a lot of the time as she is a fussy eater).
So, this is my dream Christmas baking… I wonder how much, if any, of it I will actually pull off.
What are your plans for Christmas baking this year?
Kath x
It’s a difficult one. I’ve long ago made my Christmas cakes, and despatched them to my ‘children’. Thanks to Covid, we’ll see none of the, as we haven’t all year, so sweet treats aren’t going to make the cut. You can’t do that kind of baking just for two! Anyway, we’re not really in the mood. So we might be having a boringly healthy Christmas this year. I hope you all have fun however!
Yes, it’s going to be a very strange Christmas. I am really sorry that you haven’t seen your family for so long. I count my blessings that my children are still young enough to be at home. My friends that have children living away are finding it very difficult and are missing them desperately. Sending lots of love your way xx