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Easiest-ever CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS GIFTS FINGER FOOD WOW DESSERTS 65+ RECIPES DRUM ROLL! Choc-chip candy cane ice-cream cake, p64 Welcome We wanted to do something meaningful for our taste members this year. So here is a special gift from us to you – a collection and keepsake of essential recipes to create a magical Christmas to share with your friends and family. he Christmas What is a Christmas without season is all entertaining family and friends? about showing those This is when finger food makes an around us how much appearance. And, my, can it be impressive! we care. And I can’t Spectacular layered dips always go think of a better way down a treat at my place, as do stunning of doing this than by barbecued prawn bites and turkey making food from the sausage rolls. But my favourite would heart. Aside from connecting with loved have to be a giant retro cheese ball ones, food is one of the things we remember we’ve shaped into a Christmas tree and most about this time of year. That moreish decorated with cocktail onions, pretzels dip Aunt Sally made, or that sensational and crackers. It’s easy to make, plus ice-cream cake Granny makes every year. a huge amount of fun to look at… and to I really enjoy whipping up batches of eat! Take a look for yourself on page 33. chocolates, biscuits and jams, popping After the main meal, there is ALWAYS them into giftboxes and jars, then adding room for dessert. With our Christmas in pretty ribbon and a gift tag. It’s so simple summer, I find that frozen desserts are to do, and to see that look of wonder on always welcome. And they’re really easy someone’s face as I hand it to them as to put together! Using bought ice-cream a gift is worth every little minute in the and sorbets, biscuits and chocolates, you kitchen. I’ve included loads of my favourite can have a show stopper on the table treats in this cookbook, just perfect for in no time at all! gifting to family, friends, neighbours From the heart, I wish you a Merry and teachers – anyone who has made Christmas, filled with wonderful food a special impact on your life this year. and even more wonderful memories. KIM COVERDALE, FOOD DIRECTOR OUR COVER STAR What better way to end a Christmas meal than our fabulous Choc-chip candy cane ice-cream cake? Get the kids involved with the decorating! Choc-chip candy cane ice-cream cake, p64 2 EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS CONTENTS What’s inside Christmas gifts Finger food Wow desserts Biscuits, chocolates, fudges, Start your celebrations with retro A finale worth waiting for! jams and cakes – all easy to make cheese logs, fun dips, bruschetta, Easy desserts that look amazing into thoughtful gifts. seafood bites and more! and taste unbelievable. p04 p26 p44 Key guide FF MA NO FREEZER GF MAKE V FRIENDLY AHEAD COOK This icon denotes This icon denotes This icon denotes This icon denotes This icon denotes recipes that can recipes that are recipes that can recipes that require recipes that are be frozen ahead gluten free. be made ahead no cooking. vegetarian. of serving. of serving. EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS 3 Christmas gifts The sweetest way to spread around Yuletide love is with homemade gifts packaged up prettily. Go all out with classic baked goodies such as mince tarts, shortbread and fruit cake, or get the kids to help you mix up a moreish rocky road. 4 EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS GIFTS THIS SUPER-EASY ROCKY ROAD IS ALL WRAPPED UP AND READY TO GIVE SPICED ROCKY ROAD, p20 THE INFO + CLASSIC MAKEOVER + GREAT FOR KIDS + SUPER EASY MA MAKE AHEAD EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS 5 GINGERBREAD MINCE PIES, p8 THE INFO + CLASSIC MAKEOVER MA MAKE AHEAD EYES WILL TWINKLE WHEN THESE STARRY LITTLE MINCE PIES ARE RECEIVED. 6 EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS GIFTS CRANBERRY AND PISTACHIO AND PISTACHIO CRANBERRY DOUBLE-CHOC COOKIES AND CREAM PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL CRUNCH MANGO, GINGER AND SESAME MANGO, CHEAT’S CHOCOLATE BLOCKS, p8 THE INFO + GREAT FOR KIDS + SUPER EASY CHUNKY FRUIT AND NUT MA MAKE AHEAD EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS 7 Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch Chocolate 2 x 200g blocks milk chocolate, plus extra 100g milk chocolate, chopped 1½ tablespoons smooth peanut butter 12 pretzels, chopped 2 tablespoons Rice Bubbles 1 tablespoon cacao nibs 1 Make Festive Cranberry Pistachio GINGERBREAD MINCE PIES CHEAT’S CHOCOLATE BLOCKS Chocolate Place chocolate blocks, flat-side up, on a baking paper-lined tray. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Top with GINGERBREAD MINCE PIES Top each pie with a pastry star, pressing to cranberries, pistachios and coconut. Stand MAKES 24 secure. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until for 3 hours or until set. PREP 30 MINUTES (PLUS 30 MINUTES golden. Set aside for 5 minutes in pans. 2 Make Double-choc Cookies and Cream REFRIGERATION) Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Chocolate Crush 1 packet of cookies. COOK 25 MINUTES 6 To gift, pack mince pies into display boxes, Place chocolate blocks, flat-side up, on a 2¼ cups plain flour dust with icing sugar and secure with ribbon. baking paper-lined tray. Drizzle with melted ¹⁄³ cup firmly packed brown sugar chocolate. Top with crushed and whole 1 teaspoon ground ginger CHEAT’S CHOCOLATE cookies. Stand for 3 hours or until set. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon BLOCKS 3 Make Mango, Ginger and Sesame ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg MAKES 10 BLOCKS Chocolate Place chocolate blocks, flat-side 185g butter, chilled, chopped PREP 1 HOUR (PLUS 3 HOURS STANDING) up, on a baking paper-lined tray. Drizzle with 1 egg, lightly beaten COOK 1 MINUTE chocolate. Top with sesame seeds, mango 1 tablespoon chilled water Festive Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate and ginger. Stand for 3 hours or until set. 410g jar fruit mince 2 x 200g blocks dark chocolate 4 Make Chunky Fruit and Nut Chocolate 2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind 100g dark chocolate, melted, cooled Place chocolate blocks, flat-side up, on a 1 small green apple, coarsely grated 2 tablespoons finely chopped baking paper-lined tray. Drizzle with melted ½ cup dried cranberries dried cranberries chocolate. Top with apricot, fig, sultanas Icing sugar, to dust 1½ tablespoons finely chopped and nuts. Stand for 3 hours or until set. pistachio kernels 5 Make Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch 1 Place flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, 1½ tablespoons toasted coconut flakes Chocolate Place chocolate blocks, nutmeg and butter in a food processor. Double-choc Cookies and Cream Chocolate flat-side up, on a baking paper-lined tray. Process until fine crumbs form. With motor 2 x 23g packets mini Oreo cookies Place extra chocolate and peanut butter running, add egg and enough chilled water 2 x 200g blocks milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on until dough just comes together. Turn out 90g white chocolate, melted, cooled HIGH (100%), stirring halfway through, for onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until Mango, Ginger and Sesame Chocolate 1 minute or until melted and smooth. Set just smooth. Shape into a disc. Wrap in 2 x 180g blocks white chocolate aside to cool slightly. Spread over chocolate baking paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 90g white chocolate, melted, cooled blocks. Top with pretzels, Rice Bubbles and 2 Meanwhile, combine fruit mince, orange 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted cacao nibs. Stand for 3 hours or until set. rind, apple and cranberries in a bowl. 50g dried mango, thickly sliced 6 To gift, wrap blocks in baking paper 3 Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. 20g uncrystallised ginger, thinly sliced and secure with ribbon. Grease 2 x 12-hole, 1½-tablespoon-capacity, Chunky Fruit and Nut Chocolate patty pans. Roll out dough between 2 sheets 2 x 200g blocks dark chocolate of baking paper until 3mm thick. Using a 100g dark chocolate, melted, cooled Cook’s notes: 6.5cm round cutter, cut 24 rounds, re-rolling 4 dried apricots, chopped + FOR GINGERBREAD MINCE PIES: trimmings as needed. Line holes of pans 2 dried figs, chopped Pies will keep in an airtight container with rounds. Using a 5cm star-shaped 1 tablespoon sultanas in the fridge for up to 1 week. cutter, cut 24 stars from remaining dough. 8 pecans + Remove pies from refrigerator 5 Divide fruit mixture evenly among pastry 12 skinless hazelnuts, chopped 30 minutes before serving. cases, pressing with back of spoon to level. 10 almond kernels 8 EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS GIFTS WHITE CHOCOLATE AND CANDY CANE FUDGE SLAB THE INFO + GREAT FOR KIDS + SUPER EASY MA MAKE AHEAD WHITE CHOCOLATE AND CANDY CANE FUDGE SLAB SERVES 60 PREP 15 MINUTES (PLUS 4 HOURS REFRIGERATION) COOK 35 MINUTES 2 x 395g cans sweetened condensed milk 1½ cups caster sugar ¹⁄³ cup glucose syrup 250g butter, chopped 2 x 180g blocks white chocolate, chopped 12 mini candy canes, crushed, plus extra candy canes to decorate 2 teaspoons mini silver cachous 1 Grease a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 5cm above edges of pan. 2 Place condensed milk, sugar, syrup and butter in a large heavy-based saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until mixture is smooth and sugar has dissolved. 3 Increase heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes or until mixture has thickened. Add chocolate. Stir until melted and smooth. Working quickly, pour mixture into prepared pan. Tap pan on bench to level fudge and remove any air bubbles. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane and cachous. Decorate with extra candy canes, pushing gently into fudge to secure.