Merry christmas-2

~ Merry  Christmas  ~
 (Christmas party  for lil tummies)

Christmas is incomplete without sweet treats and  beautifully 

decorated  X-mas trees. Be it the traditional christmas pudding 

or the yummy spiced Christmas cookies , the cheer of holiday 

season is a perfect excuse to sink your tooth into a generous

 holiday indulgence.

I just love the colors of Christmas , its  the time for celebration 
 everywhere.  Once you step out of your house, you are simply  bound to
 be a part of the ongoing activities all around the town.The gorgeous
 decorations at all the shops , malls and  hotels seem to be silently
 competing to draw the maximum attention and highest  footfall .

                                                                                   Pics clicked at Grand Hyatt Goa

Little guests on christmas surely need some more pamper and

 an extra welcome with a large slice of yummy cake but what if

you come to know about their visit the very last moment !!
Keeping in mind my  lil one who dosen't relish the deep flavors n
soaked fruits of Christmas cake the  answer had to be something
 beyond traditional- a  wonderful nutty banana choco cake :) :) 
for sure. While the aroma of the cake wafted in the house - 
I was  busy with the preparation of some quick

 Gingerbread cookies !!!!!Christmas party means lot of 
homemade stuff ....isn't it ???

To add some more fun to the tiny party , the kids had to decorate 

some  gingerbread cookies too - with less time on hand , piping 

some royal icing decorations was jus out of question - so the 

 colorful edible food markers surely came in for rescue. (Thanks

Sailaja,for the lovely gift- I just loved scribbling with it too :) :) )

Baking for Lil ones

Nutty banana choco cake 

Ingredients-
1 cup refined flour (maida),1/4 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
1/4 cup cocoa powder , 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2  cup yogurt 
(room temp),1/2 cup mashed banana,1 tsp baking powder,
 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/3 cup olive oil , 2 tbsp choco 
chips , 3 tbsp chopped walnuts ,raisins n  almonds.

Method-
Preheat oven to 180C. Sift together  flour and cocoa n keep
 aside. In a large bowl whisk together yogurt , mashed banana 
& sugar to a smooth creamy consistency,  mix in baking
 powder & soda to it. Keep aside or 3-4 mins till the mixture
is slightly frothy. Gently mix in oil & the flour mixture. 
Add half the nuts & choco chips & reserve rest for topping.
Pour the mixture in a 7" loaf tin , top with remaining nuts & chips 
and bake in a preheated oven for 40- 45 mins or till toothpick 
inserted in the centre comes out clean.Cool for 10 mins in the tin 
& then remove to cooling rack .Cool completely. Slice and serve.

The best part of blogging is the passion that it instills in oneself 
about creating , cooking , clicking & sharing. Sending my alcohol free 
 festive cake to  Jungle frog's Christmas cakes & Monthly mingle. 


Easy peasy Ginger bread cookies 

Ingredients 
1/3 cup butter softened , 1/2 cup castor  sugar ,1 egg beaten,
1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp mixed spice ( powdered nutmeg, clove,cinnamon,
 1/4 tsp fresh ginger juice,  2tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp baking powder.

Method
Whisk together butter and sugar for 4 mins or till pale. Mix in rest of the 
ingredients and knead to a smooth dough (sprinkle some flour if required)). 
Shape the dough into a flat disc , cling wrap & chill in the refrigerator 
for 45 mins. Preheat oven to 180C. Roll the dough on a floured surface to
 3 mm thickness & cut out fancy christmas shapes. Transfer the cookies
to a lined baking tray & bake for 10-12 mins.Cool completely on a wire 
rack before serving.



Do check out my fun food creations 'Santa's Goodies' in the
 Dec issue of Child magazine , India on Pg 60-61. Cute x-mas
pizza, star shaped crackers some easy DIY decorations on cupcakes/
muffns & cookies can surely give a new twist to the party :) :)