Have yourself a ‘sweet treat’ Christmas
In a moment of shock you realise you've put all your focus and attention into the main course (or present buying) and have forgotten about dessert... Never fear, I've rounded up my favourite pre-made Christmas bakes that are sure to hit the sweet spot.
The weeks building up to Christmas are often referred to as the busiest time of the year and it’s not hard to see why. Christmas parties consume your social calendar, there's a last minute rush to complete jobs at work and the looming arrival of family members. Don’t get me started on shopping malls, reserved only for the most experienced shoppers (and panic buyers) among us.
But, let’s face it, Christmas is nothing without the people around you – and food. So, let me help you plan ahead with your festive treats this year. Say goodbye to fussy, untimely food prep and hello to pre-made treats. Here’s a roundup of my festive favourites:
Fiasconaro Panettone Albicocca e Ciocc from Sabato, Auckland, $68.90
Kick start the morning (and enjoy throughout the day) with a little panettone. An Italian sweet treat – and one of my faves! But when time is short, there’s no need to whip one up from scratch. Instead, purchase this delicious bundle by Sabato. Hand wrapped with candied apricot and topped with lashings of chocolate icing and pistachio nuts, it’s a winner amongst all chocolate lovers. Enjoy fresh or toasted.
Mince Pies from Aro Bake, Wellington, $16.90
Christmas begins with mince pies. These sherry-soaked bites wrapped in butter-sweet pastry from iconic bakery, Arobake, tick all of my boxes. Not only for the coffee table, they make a great gift for friends, family or colleagues.
Rudolph cake from Bluebells Cakery, Auckland, prices from $120
If you’re looking for a showstopper cake, that’s what the team at Bluebells Cakery do best. This chocolate Rudolph treat can be tailored to the amount of mouths you'd like to feed, so your family can enjoy layers upon layers of goodness.
Traditional Christmas cake (medium) from Pohutukawa Pantry, Christchurch, $58
A family recipe, the Pohutukawa Christmas Cake is one to get your hands on. With carefully selected sun-dried apricots, raisins, sultanas, cherries and tangy citrus that are soaked in Kaiapoi Distillery’s quality brandy, their cakes are spiced to perfection and are beautifully decorated.
Gingerbread men from Bread and Butter, Auckland
Made with a traditional German gingerbread dough and a trickle of New Zealand honey, these soft and chewy gingerbread men will satisfy even the littlest members of the family. If you’re popping by, don’t forget to sample their café menu for a some pre-Christmas down time.
