GINGERBREAD COOKIES
Gingerbread biscuits are commonly associated with Christmas, and of course the most famous one being the gingerbread man. Typically in a rough humanoid shape with stubby limbs, these gingerbread men were first made in England during the 16th century. Nowadays, it is commonly decorated with icing or coloured chocolate. Image from Food Network
Gingerbread biscuits are commonly associated with Christmas, and of course the most famous one being the gingerbread man. Typically in a rough humanoid shape with stubby limbs, these gingerbread men were first made in England during the 16th century. Nowadays, it is commonly decorated with icing or coloured chocolate. Image from Food Network
CANDY CANES
Candy canes are something that you can almost always find hanging on a Christmas tree. You would see them right away because of their distinctive white and red striped cane with a peppermint flavour. The story goes that these candy canes were attributed to a choirmaster in Germany who bent straight candy sticks into canes for children. The canes represented the shepherd’s staff, which was associated with Jesus Christ. Image from tendollarthoughts.com
Candy canes are something that you can almost always find hanging on a Christmas tree. You would see them right away because of their distinctive white and red striped cane with a peppermint flavour. The story goes that these candy canes were attributed to a choirmaster in Germany who bent straight candy sticks into canes for children. The canes represented the shepherd’s staff, which was associated with Jesus Christ. Image from tendollarthoughts.com
EGGNOG
Eggnog is a rich dairy beverage traditionally served during festive celebrations such as Christmas. Eggnog is said to have originated from England, the name possibly derived from “egg and grog”, eventually becoming “egg-n-og”. In the past it was made with rum but now it is milk mixed with sugar, raw eggs and some spices. Image from whereismymilkfrom.com
Eggnog is a rich dairy beverage traditionally served during festive celebrations such as Christmas. Eggnog is said to have originated from England, the name possibly derived from “egg and grog”, eventually becoming “egg-n-og”. In the past it was made with rum but now it is milk mixed with sugar, raw eggs and some spices. Image from whereismymilkfrom.com
CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Christmas pudding started in medieval England. It was served on Christmas Day as decreed by the Roman Catholic Church to make pudding on the 25th Sunday after Trinity. Typically dark because of the rich sugars and treacle used, the main ingredients tend to be plums, raisins and prunes. Sometimes alcohol such as brandy is used as well. Image from eazycityblog.com
Christmas pudding started in medieval England. It was served on Christmas Day as decreed by the Roman Catholic Church to make pudding on the 25th Sunday after Trinity. Typically dark because of the rich sugars and treacle used, the main ingredients tend to be plums, raisins and prunes. Sometimes alcohol such as brandy is used as well. Image from eazycityblog.com
CHOCOLATE YULE LOG
Chocolate Yule log is a Christmas dessert cake, usually a chocolate Swiss roll that is decorated with frosting and icing to resemble snow, with fake branches and edible leaves placed on it and berries as well, all to make it look like a log ready to be used in the fire for the winter solstice. This cake came mainly from France, where it was known as Bûche de Noël. Image courtesy of Bread Talk
Chocolate Yule log is a Christmas dessert cake, usually a chocolate Swiss roll that is decorated with frosting and icing to resemble snow, with fake branches and edible leaves placed on it and berries as well, all to make it look like a log ready to be used in the fire for the winter solstice. This cake came mainly from France, where it was known as Bûche de Noël. Image courtesy of Bread Talk
MINCE PIE
Christmas mince pie is another pie that’s served during the Christmas season, coming from the European crusaders who returned from the Middle East bearing spiced meat. Pies in England started incorporating this spiced meat, commonly using spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It became associated with Christmas as the crib for baby Jesus Christ, with the 13 ingredients of the pie representing Christ and the twelve Apostles. Image from blog.easytobook.com
Christmas mince pie is another pie that’s served during the Christmas season, coming from the European crusaders who returned from the Middle East bearing spiced meat. Pies in England started incorporating this spiced meat, commonly using spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It became associated with Christmas as the crib for baby Jesus Christ, with the 13 ingredients of the pie representing Christ and the twelve Apostles. Image from blog.easytobook.com
FRUIT CAKE
Fruit cakes are simple sponge cakes that contain candied fruit bits, nuts and sometimes spices. When used to celebrate Christmas, they get decorated with hard icing to represent snow, and other items such as edible holly leaves and berries. Historically there is no real link between Christmas and fruitcakes but it still remains a tradition to serve fruitcake during Christmas. Image from voices.yahoo.com
Fruit cakes are simple sponge cakes that contain candied fruit bits, nuts and sometimes spices. When used to celebrate Christmas, they get decorated with hard icing to represent snow, and other items such as edible holly leaves and berries. Historically there is no real link between Christmas and fruitcakes but it still remains a tradition to serve fruitcake during Christmas. Image from voices.yahoo.com
PANNA COTTA
Panna Cotta is a delicious Italian custard, which is less dense than your classic Christmas pudding. However, its silky smooth texture makes for a sexy dessert for the table. At Christmastime, common Panna Cotta creations come in festive flavours like Cranberry, Pomegranate and even poached figs. Image from chefeddy.com
Panna Cotta is a delicious Italian custard, which is less dense than your classic Christmas pudding. However, its silky smooth texture makes for a sexy dessert for the table. At Christmastime, common Panna Cotta creations come in festive flavours like Cranberry, Pomegranate and even poached figs. Image from chefeddy.com
TRIFLE
The trifle is a much loved dessert from Britain with as many variants as there is with its multiple layers. A popular method soaks the sponge cake in jelly while it is layered with combinations of fruit, cream or custard. Whether it's something sweet, creamy, fruity or chocolaty that you want, the trifle serves to be the dessert to all your cravings. Image from gotchocolate.com
The trifle is a much loved dessert from Britain with as many variants as there is with its multiple layers. A popular method soaks the sponge cake in jelly while it is layered with combinations of fruit, cream or custard. Whether it's something sweet, creamy, fruity or chocolaty that you want, the trifle serves to be the dessert to all your cravings. Image from gotchocolate.com