BONFIRE TOFFEE APPLE COOKIES

These are ideal for packing away and taking with you to watch the fireworks, the apple and cinnamon give you that winter warming taste that pre-empts christmas and they are excellent with a glass of milk or hot chocolate.

I made them originally with the toffee mixed in but found that they oozed all over the baking tray so placing them on top means you don't lose all their caramel tastiness.  Fudge works just as well and are easier to cut, especially if children are making them.

Makes 12

100g Butter
150g Sugar
1 Egg
150g Plain Flour
50g Ground Almonds
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tbsp Milk
40g Dried Apple chopped
40g Soft Toffee or Fudge chopped

Line a baking sheet and heat the oven to 180C

Cream together the butter and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg, flour, ground almonds, cinnamon and baking powder and mix well to combine.

Now fold in the milk and chopped apple..

Place spoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking sheet leaving room for them to spread when cooking.  Top each mound with a few pieces of toffee then cook for 12-15 minutes or untill they are brown.

CHRISTMAS CATCH-UP

One of the favourite things I made this christmas were Gingerbread Cupcakes with a Mascarpone Buttercream top and finished with a mini Gingerbread Biscuit.  Unfortunately they were so delicious I didn't manage to get a photos before they were scoffed - every time!  The only evidence I have is the picture above of the biscuits so you'll just have to imagine them, make it good though x


I think this year was the most un-organised christmas I've ever had, but judging by the amount of baking I did for others, everyone else was sorted.  Friends ordered mini pies for christmas eve and large pies for boxing day.  Cafe's were getting an array of festive cupcukes and there was a lot of edible glitter involved.

   Can't believe I made 2000 Mince Pies for
    Dafna's Cheescake Factory in Liverpool

    And a few more for The Aubergine Cafe
                      in West Kirby








My Birthday is December 9th which is not great just 2 weeks before christmas but I have a very dear friend Merry Phillips who's birthday is just 2 days before christmas.  It was a very special one this year and I was so honoured and touched to be invited to her 21st celebration.  Cake was always going to be on the cards and I came up with this small selection

Amy at Weekly Bake Off had the genius idea of having an online Secret Santa.  Everyone taking part exchanged home made gifts by post.  I have to thank you Amy for organising it all,  I had such fun putting my gift together and was unbelievably excited to take delivery of the one sent to me.

I made a Retro Hand Bag and a Felt Needle Case along with a jar of Quince Jelly, Egyptian Dukkah spice mix and a Bake-Your-Own Cookie Jar

I do hope it was liked by Jan.  I have to say I was overwhelmed by the gift I received.  It was so beautifully wrapped and as I unpacked it I could not stop squealing with joy as I discovered more delights.  Cranberry and Brandy Fudge, Millionaires Shortbread with Dates & Pecans and 2 lovely decorations.  Thank you so much but please let me know who you are, I need the recipe for those squares x

Edible gifts were the way forward for me this year.  Gingerbread Wreaths were so much fun to do and got me feeling very festive and  Gingerbread Snowflakes were a good by-product with the scraps.

Lastly,  my gift hampers.  They included Peri Spiced Olives, Mini Christmas Puddings, Quince Jelly, Dukkah Spice Mix and Lemon Infused Olive Oil

I hope you all had a great Christmas and still have a few goodies tucked away to enjoy - I do but don't tell anyone cos I'm not sharing Xx