Christmas time!

I love Christmas - it is without doubt my favourite time of the year - everything about it makes me happy.  Second to my love of  Christmas decorating is my love of Christmas baking!  I came across this image yesterday on pinterest and had to investigate to find the recipe - how gorgeous and festive does it look!! 

I havn't made it yet, but definately will be very soon - something else to add to my Annual Christmas baking list!

Here's the recipe...

Dulce De Leche-Chocolate Bars

Yield: 48 bars

Prep:   50 mins 
Bake:   12 mins  to  18 mins  350°F 
Start to Finish:  3 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

7 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk

Pinch salt

10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

4 ounces white chocolate, melted

Red and green food coloring

Directions

1. Make crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees F; place rack in center. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing paper to extend on two sides.

2. In a mixer bowl, beat together butter and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in extract, then flour and salt until combined well. Press along bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until just golden brown around edges, 12 to 18 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool completely.

3. Make filling: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, milk and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened and a deep caramel color, about 15 minutes. Pour over crust and spread evenly; refrigerate until completely cool, about 1 hour.

4. Melt semisweet chocolate; let cool slightly. Using a spatula, evenly spread over filling (for swirled top, see below). Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Using a knife, score chocolate layer into 1-12-inch squares.

5. For swirled top: Divide white chocolate into three parts. Tint one part red and one part green. Leave remaining part white. Dollop red, green and white chocolates over semisweet layer. Using a toothpick, gently swirl together colors.

7. Run a sharp knife under hot water; dry. Following score marks, cut into squares. Wipe knife after each cut (run under hot water and dry as needed). (Can be made ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.)

Max's first birthday!

Back in September My baby had his first birthday.  I was super excited to plan & make things for his party, which was a 'Magical Garden' theme. 

Max has always loved being in the garden and when I discovered Polkadot Prints fabulous 'down in the garden' printables, I got my inspiration!  My Mum & I made all the food, and I had my first attempt at colouring fondant and decorating the cake!

I found a whole new online world of fabulous party items & styling that I had never known about, and have since become a huge fan of - I can't wait to plan our next party!!  Head over to these fantastic sites that I sourced many items from for this party, and will definately be going back to!

Sharnel Dollar Designs  for beautiful jars, yummy bon bon's, and a gorgeous selection of cake stands.

the Little Big company  lots of lovely little things, great centrepieces - I got my fab drink dispenser from here.

P is for party  great range of party bag fillers and everything else you need for your party.

Occasion by design  some goreous coloured fairy floss and a great range of party accessories.

and never have a boring invitation again - just go to Polkadot Prints and you can print them all from home!
and of course a few little things made by mermade designs!

Here are a few shots from the party!

Critters from the magic garden!

The dessert table

The candy buffet

My first attempt at cake decorating!

For the cake stand I painted a terracotta pot and covered a cake board in 'contact' and ribbon.

A few more detailed shots of the tables (and sweet treats!)

My little birthday boy having fun with the props!

The ball pit is a great idea to keep littlies entertained (and contained)!

Finally!

Yay!!  So happy to finally have my new supplies, and am finally ready to go!!  I really hope everyone likes the new, improved mermade designs!!

On another note, I will be sharing other things on my blog that I love and that I am often asked about!
So to start .... I promised a couple of friends on facebook, I will be sharing some recipes - I have decided that here is the perfect place to do this! 

Today is a bit of an out of character cold wet day in Sydney - perfect for my delicious Apple & cinammon pinwheel scones! So here is the recipe....

Apple & Cinnamon Pinwheel scones

Basic scone dough

2 cups self raising flour

1 cup milk

100-150g butter

Good shake of cinnamon (approx 1 tablespoon)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Filling

2 medium sized apples - peeled

4 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 180.  Grate butter into bowl of flour – crumble with fingers until crumby consistency

Add milk and mix to form soft dough – add more flour if necessary to make smooth.

Turn out onto lightly floured surface, roll into oblong/rectangular shape

Sprinkle cinnamon evenly over rolled out dough, repeat with the brown sugar,

Grate peeled apples over the dough – using all sides to avoid grating the core.

Start gently rolling up edge closest to you and roll away from you into a log.

Smooth over  join where dough ends, shape log so it’s all even, then using a large sharp knife cut into pinwheels, reshape if flattened by knife.

Place each pinwheel flat on baking paper lined tray & bake in preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 12-15 mins – keep an eye on them – when they get a golden shade on top and the centre bounces back when pushed – take out of oven. Put a little butter on top and let it melt before serving!                                                                                                                                          Enjoy!

New logo!

Love my new logo work - thanks to the fantastic work from Sally @ your shop name here!