Festive snacks, sweets & treats

[EmilieT]

Hi everyone, 

During this season, with the cold weather creeping in and the days being shorter, I find that festive treats can lift up my mood and make me forget about the freezing wind and grey skies. In fact this weekend, I spent a couple of hours making the gingerbread men you can see in the picture on the right - the smell alone was fantastic, but the snacking that followed was even better

Do you have any favourite treats you like to get over the festive period?

Gingerbread, mince pies, chocolate candied oranges, candy cane, some fudge, anything caramel, a good cup of hot chocolate, ... there are so many options out there, and we all celebrate the holidays in our own way - I'd be curious to know what are the treats you like most over this time of the year! 

[Cleoriff]

@EmilieT

I could eat mince pies all day long. I love them and it annoys me that they only become available in the winter. (I don't make my own. as I find shop bought far more tasty)

I do like nuts and raisins as well. Any type of nut will do, except almonds.

[EmilieT]

@Cleoriff I just looked it up and apprently about 370 millions mince pies are bought each year in the UK - I imagine you're playing a good part in this number? 

More seriously I do like mince pies as well, they're not really a thing in France so it was a really lovely discovery I made when I moved here. I'm not big on raisins but nuts, yes please - have you tried some of the honey or maple roasted ones? Rich but oh so delicious 

[Cleoriff]

@EmilieT

I have no idea why mince pies should be seasonal?! I have decided I will buy some in bulk this year and shove them in the freezer. This should ease my craving during the summer months..

I haven't tried any of the honey or maple nuts, though will give them a try I think.

I also received a selection box of Le Chocolat two days ago. My niece in Scotland sent them. They are delicious

[Anonymous]

I try not to stuff my face all your round, Christmas is no exception.. if it's on offer I'll snaffle it but I don't like anything particularly festive.

[TallTrees]

Hi @EmilieT

My fav. snack is slice of home baked ham, pickles and a  fresh bread roll.

or slice of my heavy fruit cake with strong cheddar cheese and a cup of coffee.

A glass of Crabbies Ginger Wine.

Your Ginger Bread Men look fantastic.  I love ginger.  

[EmilieT]

@Cleoriff

 Sounds like a good plan, stock up for the rest of the year  Let me know how you like those honey/maple roasted nuts, I can't stop eating them once they're in front of me so I have to be very careful buying them!

@Anonymous

It's a very healthy rule to live by, I wish I could follow it as well more regularly ...  

@TallTrees

Thanks for the compliment, they were a lot of fun to make! I do like a fresh bread roll with anything on, that's the French in me. Would you eat heavy fruit cake with cheddar then? That's a combinaison I'd not heard of before but why not 

[TallTrees]

Hello @EmilieT

Yes, Fruit Cake and a piece of Cheddar Cheese is very nice.

I love fresh bread rolls ~ can't resist them ~ like peanut butter on them.

Tinned tuna fish in the roll with some seafood sauce and tuck in with crisps (of course)

Pot of tea.  Tell you what is nice is Chinese Tea (flower tea) very refreshing.  

When I was in Singapore they put tea to sip inbetween courses and there are lots of courses

absolutely fantastic.  Some of the best food in the world. 

[davethorp]

Quality street for the sweet tooth

Also love some cheese, wine and biscuits at this time of year

[Glory1]

I also love mince pies, warm from the oven with some double cream, absolutely yummy.

And I love the honey roasted nuts too @EmilieT but like mince pies you only seem to see them in shops during the Christmas period. Daft really as you can enjoy them any time of the year.

Like @Cleoriff I stocked up on the honey roasted cashews and peanuts and will stuff my face over Christmas. Bought enough to share with my friends, otherwise I'd eat them all myself