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almond, bourbon, brandy, chocolate, cocoa, currant, dried apricot, dried fig, glacé cherry, glacé fruit, hazelnut, mixed peel, pecan, pistachio, raisin, spice, sultana, walnut
This year it is a very late start to Christmas baking, due, yet again, to work, plus three interstate trips in the last couple of weeks. Prior to last year I managed to work not quite full time, which gave me a little bit of time to do other things. At the moment, I feel like I don’t have time to <think> about cooking, let alone write about it!
Nonetheless, I feel like the Christmas baking, and the Christmas baking post, is something I can’t miss altogether, so I’m still going to give it a go, starting with a couple of items for the work Christmas bake sale this coming week before (hopefully) a selection for friends and family.
As in previous years, this is published while in progress, rather than as a completed record after Christmas, to combine the roles of running sheet and some form of commitment. Despite a hugely busy year, my ambitions are I’m sure still tracking ahead of reality, though I’ve deliberately chosen options that are pretty straightforward to make, and I’m only making the sugar cookies if my daughter agrees to ice them 🙂
So, to my baking plans, shared ahead of time as I did in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
For those of you interested in also trying some Christmas baking, there are many Christmas baking recipes on the blog, which are all linked in the list below, along with a few of my favourites from elsewhere on the web, and a couple from books.
I think of deciding on my baking list as a little like decorating the Christmas tree – use lots of favourites, ditch a couple that are past their due date, or need a break, and usually (though not this year) add a couple of new ones.
As always, I’ll be interested to hear any feedback along the way…like which recipes (not already ticked off) you’d like to see first, any thoughts on baking order, and absolutely I’d love to hear about your own Christmas baking favourites!
And if you think you might be going to be the recipient of some Christmas goodies this year, and you want them to be a surprise, then look away now 🙂
Cakes, bread and pies
Robyn’s Christmas cake – baked 14/10
Dark fruit cake – baked xx/12
Stained glass window cake – baked 23/12
Bars and Slices
Cherry Ripe bars – base made 15/12, baked 18/12 (store in freezer)
Ginger Crunch – baked 10/12
Classic shortbread – baked 20/12
Grand Marnier brownies – baked 9/12
*New this year* Makronenshnitten (Walnut macaroon with jam) – baked 21/12
Biscuits
Green tea almond and coffee walnut shortbreads (plus a berry pistachio version)- baked 15/12
Pecan powder puffs – baked xx/12
Almond cardamom circlets – baked 22/12
Iced sugar cookies – baked xx/12
Zebra cookies – baked 18/12
Neapolitan cookies (adapted from Zebra cookies) – baked 9/12
Rosewater and cafè latte meringues – baked 15/12
Confectionary
Choc-espresso fudge – made 16/12 (but this batch didn’t quite work, so will be choc fudge sauce :))
Passion-fruit fudge – made 22/12 (store in freezer)
Eggnog fudge – made 17/12 (store in freezer)
Fruit-nut balls – made 17/12 (store in fridge)
Coffee-walnut toffee – made 20/12
Christmas pudding truffles – made xx/12
Gary said:
Hi Beck,
As always a magnificent Christmas baking post.
This year I’ve been low carbohydrate eating so my Christmas will be mostly meat focussed.
Your post though balances nicely the different ways people eat and love life 😃
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
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Beck @ Goldenpudding said:
you too Gary, and I think Christmas dinner is one of those times most people are meat focused, so that helps!
I’ve seen some of your low carb offerings and am glad it’s working for you – I’ve been doing the Fast 800 diet intermittently, but it’s definitely harder while also cooking for hungry young adults!
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Margie said:
I love connecting again with your Xmas post. Sending many good wishes and lots of love from across the ditch!
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Beck @ Goldenpudding said:
thank you Margie, hope you also have a wonderful Christmas – your not quite so little dude must be a fantastic age for peak excitement and wonder! 🙂
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Bard of Avon said:
Wow Beck, what an array of goodies! I hope you can everything done for Christmas. You will be very busy! In the best possible way!
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Beck @ Goldenpudding said:
I probably won’t, but I’ll have fun trying 🙂
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motherdaughtergradtrip said:
Hi Becky !
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div>Congratulations
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Paradiva said:
Simply gorgeous array of Xmas goodies Beck! I love the shortbreads, the fudges, the gingers, the cardamoms… what wonderful creations!
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Beck @ Goldenpudding said:
I know you’re an appreciative audience! 😉
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Laurie C said:
I just discovered your blog and all the Christmas baking posts! Amazing! I’m the same, in that I enjoy making overly ambitious menu and baking plans even though I don’t have time to do it all. I suppose when I’m retired, I’ll have the time but not the energy!
Our Christmas baking changed several years ago when our daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease just after college, and we switched to having a gluten-free kitchen. Gluten-free baking was a whole new ballgame, and not as relaxing as regular baking was. (We’ve all lost some weight after making the switch, so I guess that’s good!)
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Beck @ Goldenpudding said:
Thanks Laurie, and glad you enjoyed! I hope I still have energy to do this after I’m retired, and I will certainly have more time!
GF can definitely be tricky (I’ve done a fair amount too as my MIL and sister were GF) though I have to say I haven’t done much on translating gluten recipes, more using ones made with nuts etc that are already GF. Glad to hear the switch has had health benefits for your family though 🙂
(if you’re interested, almost all the confectionery is GF as well as the pistachio and almond pears and I think a couple of others).
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