Christmascrumble Recipes

CHRISTMAS CRUMBLE FRIANDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Make the crumble top first. Rub the butter and flour together until they look like rough breadcrumbs. Stir in the almonds, demerara sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of the cardamom, saving the rest for the friand batter.
• Melt the butter, then let it cool for 5 mins. Meanwhile, generously grease the wells of a 12-hole friand tin (we used a Master Class non-stick friand tin, or you can use a deep non-stick muffin tin). Sift the dry ingredients for the friands, including the remaining ground cardamom, into a large bowl. Also add the rougher bits of almond that collect in the sieve.
• Cut 12 thin half-moons from 1 apple, then peel and chop the rest of the fruit into small pieces. Put the egg whites in a separate bowl and whisk until thick, foamy and doubled in size, but not stiff.
• Using a spatula or large metal spoon,fold thewhitesintothedryingredients,thenfold in the melted butter until even, followed by the chopped apple. Divide the batter between the tin and top with the crumble, then poke in the apple slices. Bake for 25 mins or until golden and risen. I find it best to let the friands cool in the tin, then carefully ease them out with a palette knife. Best on the day they are made, but will keep in an airtight tin for 2 days, or freeze for 1 month.

CHRISTMAS SCENT

Steps:

• Add orange and lemon slices to dry mixture of spices. Put in a small sauce pan with 4 cups of water. Simmer on low to release the fragrance. Or, you can simmer it in a mini (2 qt.) crock pot with the lid off for a safer alternative.
• IF you simmer it for a few hours, you will need to add more water occasionally so it doesn't boil dry. Store in refrigerator when not in use, to prevent molding. It can be simmered over and over again! Always add more water to equal 4 cups before each use.
• TO GIVE AS A GIFT: put ingredients in a quart-sized decorative jar. Add enough water to fill jar. Add a few drops of red food coloring if desired. Close securely and give with a small gift tag explaining how to use it.
• Note, I prefer to use the lesser amount of cloves so that they don't overwhelm the other fragrances.

CHRISTMAS MINCEMEAT SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F; grease a 13x9 pan and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar and baking soda.
• Stir in melted butter and mix together until mixture appears crumbly.
• Firmly pat half the crumb mixture into prepared pan, then cover evenly with mincemeat.
• Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over mincemeat and pat lightly.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until squares appear golden brown.
• Cool before cutting into squares.