Sorry for the gap in blogging, but things have been pretty busy here. The beautiful weather has meant that I've been spending much more time outside with Daisy. She will happily play outside whatever the weather, but we've been trying out different activities and taking advantage of the sunshine while it lasts.
Sorting, tidying and decluttering have also been happening (while Daisy naps) and I have thrown so much stuff away.
I really feel like I'm getting somewhere now.
Today we played out in the garden for a while then came in to do some baking...
Gingerbread men
200g plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Pinch of salt
1-2 tsp of ground ginger
75g butter
3tbsp golden syrup
75g soft brown sugar
Decorations
1. Preheat the oven to 170 oC.
2. Sift the flour, bicarb, salt and ginger into a bowl...
3. Melt the butter, syrup and brown sugar in a pan...
4. Leave to cool and pour onto dry ingredients...
5. Mix to form a soft dough...
6. Bring together and gently knead...
7. Sprinkle a board/ work surface with a little flour to prevent sticking and roll out to 2-3mm thick...
8. Cut out your gingerbread shapes and put on a lightly greased baking tin...
9. Bake for 10 mins...
10. Don't put them too close together as they will join hands! Leave to cool slightly on the tray before transferring them carefully to a cooling rack (limbs are easily lost at this stage!)...
11. Decorate and add eyes, mouth and buttons...
We used the tube of icing up as glue to stick the bits on.
We also made some vanilla cakes but I will put up the tutorial for these tomorrow as it's getting late now. I know I promised small cakes next, but this is how I bake...spontaneously! The gingerbread men were planned as an activity for Daisy and the vanilla cakes just followed!
I hope you're enjoying my recipes and tutorials.
Mandy x
What fun to decorate gingerbread men with your little one!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan
DeleteYes it was fun, but Daisy loves to do things without any help now! I can be quite interesting if I offer help...she will scream 'no' at me! Xx
Hi Mandy,
ReplyDeletelooks like you've been enjoying yourself baking with Daisy. I haven't so far done much except a few sponge puds and a coffee cheesecake that could have done with stronger coffee flavouring but it all got eaten so didn't go to waste.
I did make 9 suet pastry pies yesterday to use up the last of some suet mix in a bag, a bit of frozen mixed veg, some quorn mince and a few flavourings and some thick gravy. I use an electric pie maker to make my pies and it only does two at a time but they do bake to a nice golden colour. Hubby thinks they are savoury minced beef :-) He'll never know the difference if I don't tell him.
Kids grow up so fast, both my grandsons (Daniel age 7 and Alfie 5) are very independent and don't like you doing stuff for them. Daniel likes to bake with me but usually makes more mess than anything.
I've been using up stuff from the cupboards and freezers this past two weeks and have managed to keep over £200 in my bank that would normally have been broken into to go to the Supermarket etc but I have resisted and used up what we have got in. Theres been lots of pasta involved as I seem to have numerous jars of assorted pasta shapes, also Basmati rice and other stuff. I don't intend doing any shopping until maybe this weekend so there will be more "interesting" meals for the rest of this week.
Loving the tutorials and it looks like Daisy is enjoying herself immensely. take care jane
Hi Jane
DeleteSounds like you've been busy with the savouries! It feels good to use stuff up and not spend in the supermarket. I've just gone through my cupboards, picking out things close to their use by date. I will start incorporating these into our meals/baking this week. I think I will blog about it as it happens (thrifty and all that!)
I am enjoying the baking, but sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself (and you and Loo). They take time to do but I'm glad you're enjoying them.
My new blog is under construction at the moment!
Good to hear from you,
Mandy xx
These look good, Mandy & I think I will make them for my dh. Not as "men" but just biscuit shapes! He like ginger. Well done with all your frugal cooking & baking.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary Jo
DeleteI hope you enjoy the ginger biscuits xx