Eggnog Cookie Shake

Of all the holiday flavours I think eggnog may be one of my favourites, maybe its because its such a seasonal thing? I look forward to the day those cartons miraculously pop up in in the dairy section, just waiting to be put in my shopping basket.

Watching a Christmas movie? how about cuddling up with a couple of yummy cookie shakes and make eggnog even better. I enjoyed mine last night watching a double feature of Elf and Home Alone 2.

This recipe has to be one of the easiest ever, combine the ingredients in and blend, nothing else to it. If you want to get a bit more fancy you can dip the rim of the glass in extra cookie crumbs like I have and finish it off with a side of cup cookie.

For the Shakes
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1 cup eggnog
6 gingerbread cookies, crumbled (bought or home made)
Fresh whipped cream (to top)

To make the shakes- Add the vanilla ice cream, eggnog and 4 crumbled cookies to a blender. Blend until thick and smooth. Pour into 2 chilled glasses. Top with the fresh whipped cream and the remaining crumbled cookies.

White Chocolate, Cranberry and Macadamia Cookies

Cookies are high on my list of home made Christmas gifts, they're quick and easy to make and look great packaged up in cute boxes or bags. You'll be seeing a number of cookie recipes over the next couple of weeks as I make them for everyone I can think to give them too.

I love white chocchip cookies, well white chocolate anything really, and these giant cookies are no exception. With macadamia nuts thrown in for a tasty crunch and some cranberries for festive flavour and colour, I think these will be a yummy addition to this years cookie gift boxes.

Oversized White Chocolate, Cranberry and Macadamia Cookies
185 grams butter (melted and cooled)
150 grams white chocolate chips
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup unsalted macadamia nuts (roughly chopped)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup plain flour
1 egg
1 egg yolk

To make the cookies- Preheat oven to 180 degrees c. and line 3 large trays with baking paper.

Add the sugars into a large mixing bowl, sift and both flours and mix together.

Add the eggs and the melted butter to a small bowl and beat together lightly.

Stir the butter and egg mixture into the flour mixture to form a soft dough.

Add the chocolate chips, nuts and cranberries and stir through.

scoop out heaped tablespoons on cookie dough and roll into balls. Place the balls about 3 inches/ 8cm apart to allow for spreading and flatten down.

Bake the cookies for roughly 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on trays.

Gift Ideas for Bakers, Cake-ers and Ice Cream Makers

Finding Gifts for people can be tough! I've put together a few ideas that might make getting through that Christmas shopping a little easier. I super love everything from Rifle Paper Co. if your friend/ family member is anything like me they'd be super excited unwrapping a pretty recipe tin Christmas morning.

1. Pretty pastel Spice Tins

2. 'That's how I roll' Tea Towel

3. 'Should I make cookies?' T-shirt

4. Recipe Tin and Recipe Cards

5.  Pistachio Kitchen Aid Mixer

6. Rambling Rose Apron

Not forgetting the littlest aspiring bakers, here are some ideas for kids in the kitchen. I think my little niece might have one of these waiting under the Christmas tree. 

1. Le Toy Van Mixer Set

2. Tala Retro Animal Cookie Cutters

3. Pink Sprinkles Doughnut Rattle

4. KidKraft Chef Accessories Kit

5. Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Scoop Set

Last birthday boyfriend spoilt me with my very own ice-cream maker that has quickly become one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. I love my Yellow Cuisinart, but daydream about having a whole range of colours, like this new 'passion flower' pretty purple one. There's something super satisfying about making your own home-made ice cream, plus check our the cute accessories for eating and storing.

1. Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

2. Robert Gordon Ice Cream Spoons

3.Retro Home-made Ice Cream Storer

4. Robert Gordon Ice Cream Cups

Piña Coladas

Christmas is a time to get together and share some love, some laughs, some gifts and sometimes a few cocktails. While those on the other side of the world are likely serving cocktails that will warm them in the chilly winter months, Christmas in Australia falls in the middle of summer so something a bit tropical is more fitting.

Piña coladas are a favourite of mine and are the perfect treat at the end of a humid day. The recipe I'm sharing is even better, substituting the usual cream for ice cream makes them wonderfully cold and delicious! 

For the piña coladas 

1/2 pineapple peeled and chopped

125 mls white rum

270 mls coconut milk

8 scoops vanilla ice cream

Crushed ice

To make the piña coladas- add the pineapple, rum, coconut milk and ice cream in a blender and blend until smooth. 

Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and pour the pineapple coconut mixture over the top. 

Garnish the glasses with extra pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries. Enjoy!!

Baileys Ice Cream

The holiday season often means an abundance of yummy desserts like pies and puddings. While a lot of people may swear by custard with their pudding, I prefer ice cream.

Sure a scoop of vanilla ice cream is yummy enough, but why not take the naughty factor up a step and treat yourself to some baileys ice cream.

This ice cream is as straightforward as can be. No eggs, not heating, no custard making, just mix, chill and churn for a rich and creamy ice cream with the unmistakable flavour of Baileys Irish Cream.

Baileys Ice Cream (makes roughly 5 cups)
1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups thickened cream
2 cups milk (full fat)
1 1/4 cups sugar (granulated)

To make the ice cream- add the all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.

Cover the mixture and place in the fridge until cold.

Once the mixture is chilled, freeze in an ice cream maker according to your machines instructions.

Because of the alcohol in the mixture, it will not quite reach the usual soft serve consistency in the ice cream maker. Transfer the churned ice cream to a container and freeze overnight before serving.

Last Years Christmas Favs

Feeling pretty pleased with myself for being so organised, my Christmas cards are all done! Check out some of my favourite Christmas recipes from last year while I wander down to the post office to mail the last of my cards.

Gingerbread Cottage

Woodland Christmas Cookies

White Choc Cranberry Pistachio Wreaths

Speculaa Snowflake Cookies

3D Sugar Cookie Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread Ice Cream

Christmas Tree Time

I think the 1st of December is probably my favourite day of the year. Its put up my Christmas tree day!!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile now you know the drill, tree, Christmas music or movies, fruit mince pies, eggnog, fake pine needles and glitter everywhere!! Well yesterday it was Bad Religion's Christmas songs (so funny!) and chocolate cupcakes but still the same idea.