Christmas is just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time of year to get those wood fired ovens fired up and get creative with baking. We want to spread the festive cheer by giving you some ideas for some edible Christmas gifts or tasty festive treats for friends and family to enjoy.
Edible Christmas Gifts
Shortbread stars
Shortbread is always a hit with friends and family, especially around Christmas time when it’s okay to indulge. These shortbread stars are perfect for quick and easy stocking filler or perhaps you just want something yummy to nibble on Christmas Eve.
You’ll Need (Makes 12 stars)
- 150g plain flour
- 100g butter
- 50g caster sugar
- 1tsp vanilla extract
Method
First you will need to fire up your wood fired ovens to their optimum temperature, then allow to cool until your oven reaches around 130°c.
Next you will need to mix the flour and butter into a bowl, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Then pop in the sugar and vanilla extract and mix together until you have a ball of dough.
Once the dough is smooth, wrap it in some clingfilm and chill in the fridge for about an hour. Whilst you are waiting for your dough to cool, line a high heat-baking tray with baking parchment.
Next take your dough out of the fridge and roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is around 1cm thick. Using a star cutter of your choice, cut out the biscuits and pop them onto your pre lined baking tray.
Next, place the biscuits into your wood fired oven for around 30 minutes, or until they are a pale gold colour. Whilst your biscuits are cooling, dust over some caster sugar for a festive finishing touch.
Christmas Treats for the kids
Reindeers Christmas Cupcakes
These reindeer cupcakes are perfect for baking with the kids and are sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
You’ll Need
- 125g butter
- 175g caster sugar
- 2 free range eggs
- 200g self raising flour
- 2tbsp cocoa powder
- 100ml milk
- 100g dark 70% cocoa solid chocolate, melted
For the chocolate icing
- 50g dark chocolate
- 3tbsp double cream
For the decoration
- Giant chocolate buttons
- Smarties
- Black writing icing
- Mini pretzels
- Mini marshmallows
Preparation method
Firstly you will need to get your wood fired ovens fired up to their optimum temperature, then allow time for your oven to cool, maintaining temperature at 170°c.
Next, in a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar. Once light and cream, add in the eggs, flour and cocoa powder until all the ingredients are well combined. Then fold in the milk and melted chocolate.
Carefully spoon the mixture into muffin cases and pop into your wood fired oven for 20 minutes, or until the cakes have risen are light to touch. Place them onto a cooling rack, and get the kids ready to help you decorate.
For the icing, heat the chocolate and cream in a saucepan over a low heat. Once the mixture is smooth, leave to cool. Once cooled, generously spread over the top of each cupcake.
Finally, press a chocolate button on the top of each cake, acting as a nose, then pop a smartie on top using the remaining icing. Slice your mini marshmallows in half and place two above the nose as eyes, then use your black icing for the pupils. Finally stick the pretzels either side of the eyes so that they look like the reindeers antlers. Ta-dah, there you have your scrummy chocolate reindeers! You could even get the kids to leave one out for Santa!
Christmas Classic
Mince Pies
We couldn’t do a seasonal baking post without including a Christmas classic. Nothing beats a crumbly, fruity mince pie served with lashings of brandy butter. Definitely a festive favourite, and is sure to taste spectacular out of one of our wood fired ovens!
You’ll Need
For the pastry
- 375g plain flour
- 260g unsalted butter
- 125g caster sugar, with some extra for dusting
- 2 eggs (1 beaten for glaze)
For the filling
- 1 large jar of mincemeat (around 600g)
- 2 Satsuma, chopped
- 1 apple finely chopped
- 1 lemon zest
- Icing sugar for dusting
Method
Firstly you will need to get your wood fired oven to the right temperature. You can fire up your oven to its optimum temperature and allow to cool until it reaches 200°c, or alternatively; if you are already using your oven and have cooked something in it previously, you can use the residual heat to do some Christmas baking.
For the pastry you will need to pop the flour, sugar and butter into a bowl, rubbing together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Then slowly stir in the egg. Once the pastry has come together, wrap it in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Whilst your pastry is chilling, you can get on with the mincemeat filling. Put the mincemeat into a bowl, adding in the satsumas, apple and lemon zest. Mix well.
Once your pastry has chilled, roll out the pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Once your pastry is about 3mm thick, cut out 12 circles with a fluted pastry cutter, making sure they are large enough to cover the base of the tray your prepared earlier. Place each disc into the 12 holes and then fill with mincemeat.
Finally cut out 12 more slightly smaller circles out of your pastry, placing them on top of each pie, tightly sealing the edges together. Cut a small slit into each lid, brushing lightly with some milk. Bake the pies for 20 minutes in your wood fired oven, until they are golden brown. Dust with some caster and icing sugar, then serve warm with some scrummy brandy butter.
We hope we have persuaded you with these scrumptious Christmas baking recipes to get outside despite the chilly weather and do some festive baking in your wood fired ovens. Be sure to send us pictures of your festive bakes, we want to inspire everyone on our social media channels too! Email your pictures to: info@stoneovenco.co.uk.
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