Sunday 25 December 2011

Itssss Christmasssssssss

SANTAAaaaah came!

Woke up this christmas morning and he's had a cheeky nibble of the mince pie! Its magic, or i had a naughty midnight snack at 3am...

Beebz was a lucky girl and unwrapped some pup pressies!

Went for an early christmas walk this morning after our cornflakes, outfit of the walk... Disney pyjamas, vans and fluffy santa hat.

Off to eat (more) and be merry!

Happy holidays! Bake n Beebz people. X

Saturday 24 December 2011

Christmas eve!

I'm wide awake, on a bit of a chocolate sugar rush and too excited-able to sleep, So im bloggin'
Today (Christmas eve!) has been a blissful festive day spent lazin' in bed, watching movies, baking, a lil shopping... and even managed to pop to the gym for a quick cardio blast, before I set upon my challenge of tackling all the chocolate and cookies in sight.
 I whipped up these Christmas sugar cookies this morning whilst singing  some festive tunes acapella.
I used a simple shortbread recipe and added ome almond extract and red food colouring to half of the dough.
 Once the dough balls had a chance to chill out in the fridge, I pulled em out and rolled out each cookie into candy canes and swirls!
 This evening we walked Bobbin to the crazy Christmas light house....
This guy goes all out every year, Its so bright you can see the glow of the house from miles away and causes traffic jams as people come far and wide to see the display. the front garden was swarming with squealing children getting there photos taken with the nativity scene (me included). Once home me and Beebz warmed up with some warm mulled wine and wrapped up all our presents for to big day tomorrow!
Christmas Pajamas and cosy socks... ON
Carrot for Rudolf and Gluten free mince pie for Santa (poor fella could have allergies too.) All set and ready for their arrival!
Time to close my peepers... ITS CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!!!!

Thursday 22 December 2011

The time of giving and recieving...

... FLUFF.

and PB CUPS!
cheers for the gift box full of American candy related goodies, Charlotte.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Happy Holidays

Schooooooooooooools . out. for. winter.

Finished up at school for Christmas. the last week we just threw glitter about, sang carols and ate chocolate. Its was pretty fun, but the kids were getting so hyper by Friday. I'm glad to now, have packed up and be outta class.

I'm ready for my 2 weeks of relaxing baking, shopping and quality time with those people I sorta like.

speaking of which, Monday I met up and spent the day in London with Mr Bake n Beebz...
we had planned to go ice skating but the weather was miserable and the rain stopped play, so instead we  just fancied spending some time in each others company in the capital.  We wandered around M&M world...
sipped pints of diet cola in a pub and watched the hustle and bustle of china town...
 
happened to stumble across the hummingbird bakery. stepped inside to be welcomed by christmassy cupcakes.
the only GF cupcake left was a lil frosted vanilla numbah. but boy, it was nomz. Ate it all up by myself and sent myself spiraling into a full sugar coma.  
After wandering pretty aimlessly and getting soggy in the drizzle we decided to catch the tube to Kensington... to make the pilgrimage to...
 
WHOLE FOODS!!!


 as we stepped  ran in, I shreiked with excitement... It was like frickin' disney for a foodie blogger.

Gigantic gingerbread mansion...

the best part was the self service nut butter machines, you can make and blend your own nut butters choosing from almond, pecan, pistachio and peanut... I had some cheeky samples, harry had to restrain me from putting my head underneath the machine's taps, The pecan was so gooooood, but at £26.99 per kg, I, and my purse opted for straight up salted peanut. its by far the best PB i have ever had, tastes so fresh and its good to know it only contains nuts and nuttin' else.
we needed a rest after so much excitement and dined in the restaurant, I made a B line for the burrito bar but in the end was enticed by a gluten free meddterainian platter of falafel, green bean and aubergine tagines
served with lentil rice. this was so good! and a bargain meal out for £3.80
After refueling I continued to drag Mr B n B around the aisles and we picked up some amazing American foods including salsa verde for mister spicy. The most addictive jalapeno cheese pop-chips,  jars of PB&co nut butters and lots of baking/pancake mixes.

BEST DAY EVER! I would just like to say thanks, Harry for putting up with your mental PB/ foodie obsessed girlfriend.
and now, im in the kitchen baking cookies! g'night.

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Gettin' festive

Ahhhhh I'm So excited to receive bloggy my secret Santa! Laura took it upon her self to spread some festive joy and organize a blogging parcel exchange.
I received my gifts in the post this morning! Lucy from porridge and parsnips Sent me a brilliant card and box of pink delights!
Pink mug for my daily cuppa x10, Christmas green and red M&Ms (which didn't last after delivery!) and pink cupcakey bits....
Thank you so much Lucy!
Can't wait to see my parcel I wrapped up and sent pop up on the blogo'shpere!

In other festive news...
My lil tree is up!  I had a wonderful Sunday at Mr Bake n Beebz's, we had a family roast and Christmas tree day! we dressed the tree, it looked far more beautiful/ tasteful than my amateur bedside creation. If I had my way i would turn my bedroom into a complete sparkling tinsel filled grotto.
 Things have been winding down at school and me and my class have been doing lots of Christmas crafts! At the end of the day I'm covered in glitter, glue and tissue but its soooo much more fun than sums or spellings.
I baked and packaged some mini gluten free fruity christmas cakes for a bake sale! they were pretty popular and a made some pocket money

I have been working seven days a week lately at school and at the cath kidston store so havent had much time to bake or blog, Ill have some extra pennies though! The school breaks up for christmas holidays this friday... cant wait to get back in the game. planning on baking some christmas present and puddings for family and friends.

Do you make/bake homemade gifts?!


Wednesday 7 December 2011

Gingerbread scones with Maple Glaze. (Gluten Free)

 Christmas is my thing, i live for it... I start my count down in January.
 I'm just a creature who loves the extra trips/ excuses to shop, unwrapping the decorations, cozy cinnemony smells,  the copious sweet indulgent treats and of coarse the presents (mostly receiving them).

 Its turned December the 7th and Im far too excited Already, I'm getting giddy, and i need to calm down...
My Festive baking season has definitely officially begun, and there is no stopping me. I have baked mini fruity GF Christmas cakes for a craft sale over the weekend and These... Ohhh these, they just smell like like Santa Claus well at least what I hope he smells like, I recon he bathes in maple syrup and dowses himself in cinnemon colonge. anyway before this gets creepier/ weirder. Th
These Glazed Gingerbread scones just epitomize all things Christmas, and taste, so comforting.
they are a mix between a sweet spiced gingerbread cookie and a soft fluffy warm scone.  buttered up and drizzled with maple glaze.  they just some how disappear... It must be Christmas magic or something... like my tummy.

225g/8oz Plain GF flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp caster sugar
2 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon 
50g cold butter, cut into cubes
1 free-range egg 
75ml skimmed milk or soya 
30g stem ginger and dried cranberries.
  1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 5.
  2. Sift the flour,  baking powder ground ginger and cinnamon and add sugar in to a large bowl. Add the butter and Rub into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. make a well in the centre.
  3. In another bowl, beat together the eggs and milk, reserving a tablespoon of the mixture to use as an egg wash. Add the rest to the flour mixture, along with the sultanas, stirring until the mixture comes together to form a dough. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead briefly (don't over work) until the dough is smooth.
  4. Gently press the dough out to a thickness of about 2.5cm/1in and cut out shapes of your choice using a cutter. Arrange the scones on a baking tray, spaced slightly apart, and brush the tops with the reserved egg wash.
  5. Bake the scones for 10-12 minutes, or until golden-brown and risen. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
    Whilst cooling, mix together 3 tbsp icing sugar with 1 tbsp of maple syrup.
  6. To serve, brush each scone with a maple glaze.