Sunday, December 16, 2007

Christmas Baking

I started my Christmas baking tonight. I made one of my usuals (Chocolate Fridge Cake) and one of my new usuals (Peanut Butter Macaroons).

The Fridge Cake turned out really well I think, but I only had enough meringue nests to make a single batch. I usually make a double. I might check the bigger Loblaws for more nests if I get around to it.

I burned the bottom of the Macaroons for the 2nd year in a row. They're not too burnt to eat but still... At least the third pan came out ok and now I know why they burnt. Apparently, when you put 2 pans in the oven, side-by-side, the heat can't circulate so the bottoms of the cookies burn. My lesson for the day I guess.

Chocolate Fridge Cake
Courtesy of: Jamie Oliver (Oliver's Twist)
Yield:4

Ingredients
150 g Digestive biscuits (~2 cups)
100 g pecan nuts (~1 cup +)
100 g pistachio nuts (~1 cup +)
10 glace cherries (15-20)
2 meringue nests, crumbled, into small pieces
150 g butter (1 stick, 113.5g)
1 tbsp golden syrup (corn syrup)
200 g good quality chocolate (250g, half a big bar)
cocoa powder, for dusting (omitted)

Directions
  1. Break the biscuits into small pieces directly into a large bowl. Add the pecans, pistachio nuts, cherries and bits of meringue.
  2. Put the rest of the ingredients, except the cocoa powder, into a bowl and put over a pan of simmering water on low heat to melt.
  3. Mix the ingredients together and place in the container which acts as your mold. To help with turning out, line a 12 by 8-inch (30 by 20 centimeter) container with cling film, first leaving plenty of extra film at the edges to fold over the top. (I used 8"x8")
  4. Leave in the refrigerator to firm up then turn out and cut into chunky slices. This cake can be kept in an airtight container and actually improves after a couple of days.


Chewy Peanut Butter Macaroons

Ingredients
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups flaked coconut

Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients.
  2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets.
  3. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes.

Yield: about 5 dozen.

Comments
- 2006 -
  • I used 1.5 300mL (10oz) cans and the cookies flattened right out. Try with 1 can next time.
  • Watch the time and/or check oven temperature. I almost burnt them.
- 2007 -
  • One 10oz can seems perfect
  • I kinda burnt them again. I know now that I can't put 2 pans in the oven at once. Even with only one pan in the oven, check the cookies after 10 minutes.
  • I don't remember how many cookies I made last year but I got 3 dozen this year.

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