Christmas Baking!

So the last few days have been mega hectic, but I was determined to find time to do some Christmas baking with the kiddies.

I really wanted to make a gingerbread house, but have never made my own always brought the ones that you just decorate yourself. So this year because of time constraints I was naughty again and brought a kit that you just needed to roll, cut out and cook. When I got this out of the pack I very quickly realised it was going to be rubbish. The template was tiny and the dough was very dry even after I kneaded it. So I gave up.

Then I spotted on Jennifer's Little World that she had made one, she made it look so easy. So it gave me some confidence to try it myself. I say try it myself as when I got going I got a little bit possessive over the gingerbread so in the end Chester only helped me decorate a little bit of it and Millie was not allowed anywhere near it!!

Like Jennifer I got the template from Tesco's website , I had most of the ingredients in the cupboard, I just had to pop to shops to get some Black treacle.

I was amazed at how easy it was, I cooked 2 pieces at a time for 8 minutes so whilst one batch was cooking I was rolling/cutting the dough for the next section of the house.

I ended up with lots of left over dough so I got the festive cookie cutters out and made some cookies.

For once I had a little patience and did not rush. I left the Gingerbread to firm up over night and then spent a good hour and half assembling and decorating the Gingerbread house this morning....

I also decorated the cookies, Chester has picked out a tree and a snowman to leave for Father Christmas tomorrow evening.

Whist I was in the baking mood Me and Chester decided to make a cheats yule log!

Because I was now running out of time and patience I made a basic sponge mix (200g butter, flour, sugar, 4 eggs) then I added half a jar of melted Tesco Finest desert sauce (its new and very yummy) mixed together and put in a loaf tin.

Normally when making a yule log I put the mix on a baking tray then roll the sponge whilst warm, I didnt have time for this so this is why we used a loaf tin.

Then whilst I was out finishing the Christmas shopping Craig kindly carved the 'log' into a bit more of a log shape! Chester and I then covered it with Chocolate frosting and then placed Orange Matchmakers all over it to look like lots of little logs!

I have to say that even though it is a bit off track from the original it really is yummy and looks lovely and, well, I suppose the main thing is that Chester LOVED making (and eating) it!

So thats our Christmas treats baking done for the year, I am linking this post up to The Crazy Kitchen's Gingerbread House Linky!