Day Eight: Christmas Baking

Not the traditional Christmas cake or pudding, but a selection of cakes that would be great for Christmas. This includes a little recap of cakes already posted and some new ones too!

For an alternative Christmas Cake, you may fancy making the Mincemeat and Marzipan loaf cake which I made earlier in the year. It is nice and light and uses up ingredients that you might have around at this time of year.

Signe Johansen's Mor Monsen recipe would also go down well at this time of year - just a tiny amount of dried fruit and a nice moist cake too.

I couldn't do Christmas without a Yule log, and I always make one for my son's birthday in December. It takes a long time to make it and my kitchen looks a mess when I have finished but it is a wonderful cake. Here is this year's log:

The icing was a mess - I seemed to take up cake crumbs as I was spreading it, but it really didn't matter - a sprinkling of "snow" and all is well. I always follow Nigella's recipe for this flourless yule log. See previous logs here and here. With the leftover icing (it is so good, you cannot throw it away), you can top some chocolate cupcakes, and add some dark chocolate flakes.

On the theme of cupcakes, I have also had a go at making some Bakewell Cupcakes, adding almond essence to a standard cupcake recipe. Once they are cooked, cut a hole in the top of the cupcake and add some raspberry jam, replace lid and add some flaked almonds and icing sugar.

And finally, how about making some chocolate truffles for you or as an edible present for someone else - 

Love Mrs Jones x