Posterous theme by Cory Watilo
Claire Richardson
Pyjama Baker's Christmas Gingerbread!

  After the success of my Gingerbread House last week, for those lucky enough to work with me (!), I thought I would create a little festive treat for each of them in the office today!
Here's how to turn a few simple cupboard ingredients into bespoke gingerbread people in less than 30mins!

  What you need:
Rolling pin (or... PJ Baker alternative of a wine bottle)
Mixing bowl
Sieve
Scales
Spoon
Gingerbread/cookie cutters - Any shapes will do
Sauce pan
Baking trays
Greaseproof Paper

  Ingredients:
1 orange (zest + juice)
125g unsalted butter (salted will do if you can't find unsalted)
375g plain flour
2tbsp ground ginger
1tbsp ground cinnamon
5tlbsp golden syrup
100g brown sugar

  For the decorating (the fun part!):
150g icing sugar
15-20ml warm water
Whatever decorations you like - hundreds & thousands/ glimmer sugar/ silver balls/ etc

  How to create your masterpieces:

  • Get your PJs on, then preheat the oven to 170c or equivalent.
  • Melt the butter with sugar & golden syrup in the pan until all melted and combined - but don't let it boil or it'll taste bitter.
  • Allow to cool slightly while you sieve the flour into a nice big bowl & add the cinnamon & ginger.  Mix together & then add the orange zest.
  • Pour the melted ingredients into the flour bowl and combine together to a thick dough, adding the orange juice (you may not need it all, see how the dough feels.. you don't want it wet and sloppy - you have to roll it out)!
  • Once all combined, flour the work surface generously, and flour the rolling pin too.......
  • Roll out unitl about 3mm thick, keep flouring it as you go so it doesn't stick. 
  • PJ Baker Tip - split the dough into two of three before you start rolling, it makes it a lot easier to handle in smaller batches.
  • Once rolled out, cut with cookie cutters or stencils (you can make your own!)
  • Place carefully onto baking trays, lined with greaseproof paper and pop into the oven for about 10mins, until golden.
  • Once cooked, leave to cool (about 30nins).
 
Decorating the little beauties:
Sieve 150g of icing sugar into a bowl, add 15ml of warm water and mix together well.  If you need a little more, add it slowly - you'll be surprised how little you need.
Place the icing in a piping bag, or an icing bottle like this makes things much easier... http://www.lakeland.co.uk/kuhn-rikon-squirt-bottle/F/C/cooking-baking-cake-decorating/product/14206
Ice your chosen design onto each biscuit and while the icing is still wet, dip carefully onto a plate of your chosen decorations!
PJ Baker tip - small decorations work best e.g. hundreds & thousands as they stick easily and give a good covering!

  Let the icing dry and then delight your colleagues/ neighbours/ family/ friends .......................................HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

(download)

Pyjama Baker's oven-baked Rice pudding.....

Pyjama Baker's Oven-baked Rice pudding....
 
Well, it's a cold, dark wintry night and what could be better than some gorgeous oven baked rice pud?
 
Simply whack 60g of Pudding Rice in a bowl, add 30g of sugar (I use nice dark soft brown sugar, but any will do), then add 1pt of milk and a good sprinkle of cinnamon.
Shimmy it into an oven @ 150c for 2hrs (stir occasionally) and then devour with a topping of your choice...
 
I quickly roasted some plums with port, orange zest & juice and a bit more cinnamon (yes... I LOVE cinnamon), 15mins in the oven with the Rice Pud and you've got yourself warm, fruity delight with lovely christmassy syrup (made from the port, juice & sugar).
 
Then, put your favourite PJs on and .... enjoy!

The Pyjama Baker has been busy...

The Pyjama Baker has been hard at it again..... another two long sessions in the kitchen this week in my favourite new PJs (obviously!) baking and I have created two masterpieces (well..... )
1.  A gingerbread house complete with 'stained glass' windows, hundreds & thousands gravel path, jelly bean window shutters, a roof tiled with choc buttons and a marshmallow snowman.
 
2.  A fire breathing dragon cake for my friend's son's birthday party.......
 
Take a look and let me know what you think!!
 
Pyjama Baker!
 
PS - My tip for this months' most amazing PJs is.... Gilly Hicks...... check them out.  Almost as good as the baking...........