Sunday, December 6, 2009

Christmas Cakes

Well it's that time of year again when my thoughts turn towards Christmas Cakes. I very rarely make them to sell and just end up giving them away - presents, raffle prizes, you know the thing.

This one was made for Mr Stressy's boss - she sold it at the Travelling Fair she'd organised to raise money for a few local charities. Sold it for quite a bit I might add. Well done her!


Now this one is for mum and dad. We don't go a bundle on the cakes done with marzipan and icing, preferring this sort. I would far rather do these - they take a fraction of the time to decorate and I think look so much more festive. It has nothing to do with the fact that I adore Brazil nuts and when decorating them, put one on the cake, one in the mouth, one on the cake, one in the mouth. Oh no, that would not be wise for someone on a diet. Not wise at all...

This last one has gone to a friend who orders a cake every year. And without wanting to sound like I'm showing off, I think this is my favourite Christmas Cake I've ever done. There are small subtle differences to the cake at the top and this one just makes me smile.


Anyone fancy a piece? I've got a lovely looking recipe for 2 chocolatey cakes which I am determined to make today, so if fruit cake isn't your thing, call back another day to see how they turned out.

12 comments:

dottycookie said...

Oh those are so cute! I'm goign to whisper a secret now - we've decided not to make a Christmas cake this year, I know, I know, it;s heresy. But I get so fed up with still eting it in January when it seems desperately inappropriate!

dottycookie said...

Argh, I'm sorry for all the typos. It's far too early in the morning and I haven't had a cup of tea yet.

Sarah Knits said...

Those penguins are so cute, I have a cross stitch picture with some very similar ones that I mean to get framed every year but it needs a triangular frame (not easy to do) and they get forgotten again until next year! Your cakes look too lovely to eat I would not be able to cut them at least until christmas was over - kinda defeats the object then though! So so pretty, thank you for sharing with us.

marit said...

Work of art! Those penguins are just adorable!!! The fruitcake looks delicious too....

Rhiannon said...

Yes please :)
Christmas cake is one of the things I haven't made yet this year (and suspect that I won't have time to make now), but that doesn't mean I love it any less!
xxx

Locket Pocket said...

You are so clever! I don't think I've ever actually made a christmas cake - isn't that naughty?!

Lucy x

Mary deB said...

I'll be back for the chocolate one!

wonderwoman said...

i just love them all but the last one is fantastic!!

xx

Mrs Moog said...

Well, they all look gorgeous and I bet your house smelled delicious when they were baking. I told m-i-l I wasn't going to bother with making a cake this year so, apparently, she's bought one.

Unfortunately,I was spoiled by years of my Mum's wonderful Christmas cake and nothing shop bought can ever match up.

I picked up some lovely Christmas cookie recipes from a local National Trust place today, so they're next on our festive baking list.

xxx

Anonymous said...

Michaela:

Your fruit cake iced decors are impressive but where can I find a recipe for a small dark fruit cake without icing- glazed fruits instead. A little less nutty festive than your parent's fruit cake perhaps,but very fruity? Just dreaming of cooking such a fruitcake myself in my oven. ;)

Giulietta
Giulietta

Mama said...

Gorgeous cakes you've got there Missus! I need to bring something to a "girls Lunch" Dec 12th - think you can pop one over to me?

ps: doesn't look quite the same without Cameron's head print in it this year!

Handmade in Israel said...

Oh, I love thos penguin cakes! I don't have much use for Xmas cakes over here, but those penguins are just adorable!