Sharing Christmas
Sharing Christmas
![]() |
Make a Shared Christmas Gift for Under £20 (christmas Cake!)
Christmas time’s favourite phrase must be “do you remember when…?” as families catch up and remember past times with wry smiles, chuckles and the occasional foot stamp preceded by pantomimic exclamations of “oh no I didn’t!”. The rush of memories flooding back as we dig into the purchased Christmas Cake of despair when the taste of an overly-sweet dry cake makes us hark back to stickier times when Christmas cakes were moist, moreish, fruity and baked at home, with love.
Barbara Walker, Co-Manager of the Jamaican boutique hideaway spot Hotel Mockingbird Hill, whose organic Restaurant Mille Fleurs has been acclaimed by Gourmet Magazine, believes this is the one time of the year that those who ‘don’t cook’ should take a Sunday afternoon to get back into the kitchen.
Barbara says “I don’t have to go into the kitchen that often anymore and I am happy to leave the kitchen space to our wonderful trained Chefs, however the first Sunday of December is when I break that rule and the oven becomes mine, bearing in mind that I never bake. There is nothing better than spending the afternoon stirring, whisking and beating whilst remembering my Mother’s wonderful Christmas Cake Recipe, which she is now passing on to her granddaughter. Just knowing that I can create something to share at Christmas, which is so good, that it is being handed down from one generation to the next without alteration – that is quite a rare accomplishment in today’s world.”
If you don’t have a family Christmas cake recipe to celebrate this holiday season why not try hers:
Barbara’s Rich Jamaican Rum Christmas Fruit Cake:
(for spices these are only guidelines – check and adjust to personal taste)
1.5kg finely chopped mixed dried fruit (use a blender or food processor if you prefer a smoother type of cake and preferably fruit that has been steeped in golden rum for a minimum of 2 weeks for before cooking date)
500 gm brown sugar
500 gm butter
750 gm flour (we use whole wheat but you could use white, if so you’ll possibly have to check the consistency) –if the mixture seems a little too wet add a little flour
1 tbsp. cinnamon powder
1 tbsp. nutmeg grated
1 tbsp.pimento powder (allspice)
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 doz. eggs
2 tbsp. vanilla essence
Pinch of salt
Method:
Cream sugar and butter until it is white and fluffy.
Seive the flour and mix in the dried spices, salt and baking powder
Alternatively add one egg at a time followed by a few tablespoons of the spiced flour mixture
When all eggs and flour are thoroughly mixed add the vanilla essence
Add enough of the fruit mixture until it gets a rich brown colour.
Put into baking tins which are lined with grease-proof paper and bake at a very low temperature 100C for approx. 2.5 -3 hours (and enjoy the aromas in the kitchen while the cake bakes!)
This cake is a moist cake so when you test it with a needle or pin, it will always be a bit sticky but check that the mixture is cooked through.
When cake is done, take it out of the baking tins immediately otherwise it will sweat. Leave to cool.
When cool, return to baking tin or to a storage tin and pour about 12 cl. (about 3 pegs or double shot) of rum and close the tin. Repeat this once a week till Christmas – the longer the cake is stored, the better it tastes!
The fun part about this mixture is that it can also make the Christmas dinner’s Christmas pudding: instead of baking all the mixture put some into greased and floured pyrex dishes, cover firmly with greaseproof our brown paper and steam -1½ hours in a pressure cooker or 2½ -3 hours in a bain-marie. When done, open up, pour over about 12cl of rum and put away for Christmas day. Repeat this once a week till Christmas – the longer the pudding is stored, the better it tastes! On Christmas day just warm up the pudding for about ½ hour in a bain-marie and serve with rum butter.
So an easy gift for your family & Father Christmas in 3 easy steps:
1. Steep you fruit in golden rum
2. Bake the cake and steam the pudding
3. Let the cake soak “golden sunshine” rum in a minimum of 2 weeks leading up to Christmas.
Recipe courtesy of Barbara Walker, Hotel Mockingbird Hill, Jamaica
About the Author
Shireen Aga
Co-Director Hotel Mockingbird Hill ~ 'The Caribbean's No.1 Environmentally Friendly Hotel'
Port Antonio Jamaica,
|
|
Christmas for Sharing $6.95 "By Catherine Rollin. For Piano. This edition: 2 copies included. Duet or Duo; Piano Duo (2 Pianos, 4 Hands). Christmas; Winter. Intermediate. Sheet. 12 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing" |
|
|
Sharing Christmas Every Day $3.95 Why share the wonderful blessings of Christmas only during the holiday season when you can share Christmas every day? This refreshing gift book encourages readers to ponder the many reasons to share Christmas--family, friends, blessings, and of course, the true Reason for the season. Extend the Christmas spirit throughout the year with "Sharing Christmas Every Day," where you'll find the encouragement and inspiration you need to keep Christmas in your heart. |
|
|
Sharing the Story Christmas Card $13.99 ">>>Cover:>> Sharing the Story> >>Inside:> When they saw the stay they rejoiced.>May the miracle of Christmas shine in your heart all year.> >>Scripture:> When they saw the star they rejoiced. - >Matthew 2:10>> >20 cards and envelopes>" |
|
|
Sharing $37.99 Sharing |
|
|
Sharing Christmas: Songs For The Season $14.49 Shadow Mountain:5008341 |
|
|
Giving and Sharing $13.99 ">This 15-song collection features >>Shirley Caesar, >the Queen of Gospel, singing her favorite Christmas songs and carols. Taken from her highly successful holiday albums, this project of Christmas favorites features "O Holy Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "What Child Is This" and many more!>>" |
|
|
Shirley Caesar - Giving and Sharing: A Christmas Collection $28.13 Disc 0:No track list availableDisc 1:Hark! The Herald Angels SingGift, TheO Holy NightLittle Drummer BoyAve MariaDo You Hear What I HearO Come All Ye FaithfulIt Came Upon a Midnight ClearAngels We Have Heard on HighWhat Are You Gonna Name Your BabyWhat Child Is ThisGod Rest Ye Merry GentlemenGiving and SharingWe Three KingsO Christmas Tree |
|
|
Alfred 0023271 Christmas for Sharing Music Book $22.49 Alfred Music Publishing is the world s largest educational music publisher. Alfred produces educational' reference' pop' and performance materials for teachers' students' professionals' and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument' style' and difficulty level. (Two Pianos' Four Hands; Two parts included) This expressive' spirited piece for intermediate pianists celebrates the joy of the holiday season. Both pianists get the opportunity to play melodic material as well as accompaniment. As a fun twist' two famous Christmas carols make surprise appearances' woven into the original work. |
|
|
The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus' Birth $16.25 It's the Christmas season during a time when people had little money to spend. Cookie jars held pennies, not Christmas cookies.So when Jack smells something delicious coming from the kitchen, he can't believe his nose. Cookies But his excitement turns to disappointment when he learns the cookies aren't for him. Instead, Mother is baking them for the needy people at their church. While Jack helps roll out the dough, his mother tells him the legend of the Christmas cookie.In a captivating interplay of simple words and beautiful illustrations, The Legend of the Christmas Cookie tells a tender story of giving---not just cookies, but gifts of the heart that last forever. |
|
|
Sharing The Easter Faith With Children $18 "It is easy to share the Christmas story and faith with children. The story lends itself well to pageants and other celebratory events for children. It is not as easy to share the Easter story and faith with children because the messages and images are complex. In many congregations, children are featured in palm parades on Palm Sunday but not specifically planned for at other holy week services. This book explores what the Easter message can mean for children as they grow up. Brown helps congregations and families share the Easter message with children and include the children meaningfully in Lent, Holy Week, and Easter observances. The volume includes a reproducible booklet for parents.This carefully researched and well-grounded, practical resource from a respected Christian educator will strengthen a congregation's educational ministry with children and support parents as they shape the faith of their children." |
|
|
Sharing Good Times $4.99 In this wonderfully evocative volume, following the outstanding success of The Hornet's Nest, Christmas in Plains, and his classic, An Hour Before Daylight, Jimmy Carter writes about the things that matter most, the simple relaxed days and nights that he has enjoyed with family and friends through the years and across generations. Here are lively and witty accounts of exploring the outdoors with his father and with black playmates; making furniture; painting; pursuing new adventures and going places with children, grandchildren, and friends. He describes how he learned to share life with his wife, Rosalynn -- and how they both learned how to grant each other personal space -- and to compete with her on the tennis court, high mountains, trout streams, and ski slopes. These lifetime experiences can be an inspirational guide to anyone desiring to stretch mind and heart and to combine work and pleasure. |
|
|
Sharing Season Newsletter - American Greetings - Photo Christmas Newsletter $1.69 "Share everything you have been up to with family and friends with the help of a photo Christmas newsletter that leaves plenty of room for your to personalize. Share six photos and details of the past year for a cute way to catch up! 5"" x 7"" Flat Card" |
|
|
Sharing Christmas Squirrel Greeting Cards Pk/10 Holidays / occasions Greeting Cards Pk of 10 by CafePress $21 'Tis the season to be sharing Warm up someone's winter with this sweet Christmas card. Holidays / occasions Greeting Cards Pk of 10 Greeting cards are a great way to express yourself and to keep in touch with friends and family. A personal note on a beautiful card will make a lasting impression and a touching keepsake.Available in your choice of paper stock |
|
|
Sharing the Secret $5.99 Sharing the Secret |


US $11.95

































































































