Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Edibles Continued..

 Here's another family favourite of mine that never goes astray at Christmas...the good old Rum Ball! I'm not particularly a fan of chunks of raisin and nuts in my Rum Balls, so here's a smoothy...you can add your glace cherries and so forth if you prefer...and certainly, increase the rum and make them a little more boozy! These are also fantastic as gifts, in tiny truffle cups, boxed and tied with ribbon.



CREAMY RUM BALLS

7oz Milk Arrowroot Biscuits
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup coconut
400g can sweetened condensed milk
3 tbsp. rum
extra coconut

Crush biscuits with a rolling pin until they resemble fine crumbs. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl, mixing well until combined. Shape mixture into walnut-sized balls, rolling each in extra coconut until covered. Place in refrigerator until firm.

Makes 30.

Delectable Christmas Treats

It seems permissible to gorge ourselves with goodies for just one day of the year...Christmas..and maybe, just maybe, you can get away with Easter as well. If you're not into shortbread or fruity Christmas puddings, you may like to do something a little less traditional and create this super easy, super quick Rocky Road. You can wrap the pieces individually, take a plate of them to the in-laws, whatever your heart desires...I  formed my rocky road into Christmas trees, wrapped them in cellophane and tied them up with ribbon as gifts.


CHRISTMAS ROCKY ROAD


500g dark cooking chocolate
125g unsalted cashew nuts
300g pink and white marshmallows, torn
200g cherry ripe, chopped

Grease a lamington tin and generously line with non-stick baking paper.
Place all the chocolate into a microwave proof bowl and place on high, checking and stirring regularly, until smooth. Arrange cashews, cherry ripe and marshmallow pieces in the lamington tin.
Pour hot melted chocolate over the top of the marshmallow mixture until even and well-covered. Set in refrigerator before turning out and cutting into squares.




Rocky Road Christmas Tree



To create the Rocky Road Christmas tree, prepare squares of rocky road on a smooth surface (I used a piece of cardboard covered in aluminum foil). Start with a wide base, adding less and less squares to achieve a pyramid effect. To ensure the rocky road stays in position, pour some extra melted chocolate over the top. you may sprinkle coconut over the melted chocolate or add other decorations if preferred. Coloured glace cherries would look festive!
Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!