I absolutely LOVE Christmas! For me, Christmas is all about spending time with my family and friends. I have to admit, I tend to go a little bit over the top at Christmas with DIY, gift giving and food! I thought I would share a little bit of my Christmas madness with you! I've jam-packed this post with DIY, recipes and pretty inspo as well as FREE printable gift tags for your pressies for loved ones! Happy reading!
Super cute printable Christmas tags! - grab yours by signing up below and then print at home using your fave card stock!
Vanilla sugar cookies!
I receive so many requests for my vanilla sugar cookie recipe. It's super easy and versatile. I like to make sugar cookies at Christmas time and package them in cello bags with a ribbon and gift them to my family and friends. Grab my sugar cookie recipe here.
I receive so many requests for my vanilla sugar cookie recipe. It's super easy and versatile. I like to make sugar cookies at Christmas time and package them in cello bags with a ribbon and gift them to my family and friends. Grab my sugar cookie recipe here.
Gingerbread cookie recipe
What you will need
Melted butter, to grease
125g butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup golden syrup
1 egg, separated
2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
What you will need
Melted butter, to grease
125g butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup golden syrup
1 egg, separated
2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
What to do
Preheat oven to 180°C (fan forced or 160°C convection) . Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter to lightly grease.
Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until light, fluffy and pale in colour. Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 8mm thick. Cut out shapes – I like stars, Christmas trees or little gingerbread men. Place on trays about 3cm apart.
Bake in oven for 12 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.
Grab my royal icing recipe here and decorate!
Top tips for that perfect gingerbread! Before you get started, here are my top 4 tips for the perfect gingerbread!
- Let the dough chill after it’s made and after it’s shaped. Rushing this stage may mean your cookies could expand during baking and lose their shape.
- Roll out your cookie dough to around 8-10mm in thickness. They taste so much better and won’t lose their shape during baking
- Don’t over mix! I usually add half the flour in the mixer and then hand mix the rest of the flour
- Don’t over bake! I recommend up to 10 mins in the oven (180 degrees fan forced). But this does depend on the size and thickness of the gingerbread so keep an eye on it!
My FAVE Christmas cake recipe
I never really liked fruit cake or Christmas cake until a few years ago. I started playing around with a few recipes but didn't really find anything that I liked. So I started adding 'a bit of this' and a 'bit of that' and conjured up this amazing fruit cake recipe with Grand Marnier - my fave french liqueur. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!
I never really liked fruit cake or Christmas cake until a few years ago. I started playing around with a few recipes but didn't really find anything that I liked. So I started adding 'a bit of this' and a 'bit of that' and conjured up this amazing fruit cake recipe with Grand Marnier - my fave french liqueur. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!
Cocktails!
It wouldn't be Christmas without a lovely cold drink! Here are three of my fave cocktail recipes!
Christmas-tini!
What you need (makes 8-10 glasses)
1 bottle dry fizzy white wine, chilled
125ml vodka, chilled
500ml pineapple juice, chilled
1 lime
What to do
Mix all ingredients together in a jug and pour into wine glasses or champagne flutes.
Raspberry cocktail - grab my recipe here!
Lime cocktail - grab my recipe here!
It wouldn't be Christmas without a lovely cold drink! Here are three of my fave cocktail recipes!
Christmas-tini!
What you need (makes 8-10 glasses)
1 bottle dry fizzy white wine, chilled
125ml vodka, chilled
500ml pineapple juice, chilled
1 lime
What to do
Mix all ingredients together in a jug and pour into wine glasses or champagne flutes.
Raspberry cocktail - grab my recipe here!
Lime cocktail - grab my recipe here!
DIY Christmas crackers
Let's be honest, we all love a good Christmas cracker! After a wine or 2 and some lunch we grab those crackers and wear those paper crowns! You know exactly what I am talking about! I like to make my own crackers because I like the paper to match my theme. The gorgeous gals at Be-Spoke Bride show you how to easily make these super cute crackers. Happy crafting!
DIY Christmas wrapping and decorations
With school holidays around the corner (yikes!!!) grab the kids and make some Christmas wrapping and decorations with the most amazing ideas from PassionShake!
With school holidays around the corner (yikes!!!) grab the kids and make some Christmas wrapping and decorations with the most amazing ideas from PassionShake!
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