Our Independence Day (Dec. 6th) really opens the Holiday season around here, and in my family it really is sort of little Christmas (or a rehearse if you may). We gather together for a feast meal, and table is always full of wonderful, Christmassy delicacy. I was in charge of the dessert this year (although my very talented brother-in-law made the most delicious macarons too, my first ever!), and I opted for very, very traditional Finnish things, torttu and pipari. Torttu is a pastry (made mostly from butter *ahem*) with a prune jam filling. You can make the dough yourself or go for a ready-made as I always do as it's tasty and easy. Here's a little how-to, it's not that difficult:
And then pipari! Pipari = a gingerbread man/woman/hattifattener/pig/heart/star any shape or size you wish. There were quite a few years that we didn't eat that much of them, but my nephew loves them and with him we've really discovered them again. Years ago I used to make gingerbread-Christmas-trees for my colleagues in work, the idea for it is from my favorite Christmas-book Christmas Time by Mads Moe:
We (me and my sister) have even purchased a special star cutter-set just to make these trees (we have a joint custody), but you could make and use paper/cardboard molds too.
...and then you can get totally crazy with anything you wish! I usually use different sweets, some frosting and melted sugar (hot! be careful with it!) to keep it all together...
And you'll end up most wonderful (yet a bit wonky sometimes like mine here!) and unique gingerbread-tree, which my nephew absolutely loved. I can highly recommend making these trees with your favorite sweets "just because" - and it's just wonderful not to save them "for some day" but just to nibble bits here and there... Hello Holiday-Spirit!
Yours,
Mia
10 comments:
Thank you Mia, just a perfect timing, I'm having coffee and missed Finnish Christmas sweets! I haven't done any yet and I'm not sure if I can (find the energy). That tree is adorable and better when wonky!
Yesterday I was watching the celebration in the castle but I din't pick any 'Wow' dress - did I miss something? But I do enjoyed seeing Finnish people! x Teje
Hello dear Teje,
I'm happy to be able to offer :) you some our traditional sweets!
And Linnanjuhlat-dresses were great, but as you said, not that many WOW-ones. I liked Maria Ylipää's red best, I think: http://static.iltalehti.fi/linnanjuhlat/toppifloppi_ylipaa0612in_lj.jpg - what did you think of Jenni Haukio's dress: http://www.iltalehti.fi/linnanjuhlat/2012120616417568_lj.shtml - it's by Paola Suhonen and all but... I'm not too impressed!
Happy weekend, we're off to Ikea-Kuopio tomorrow!
Yoursm,
Mia
Thank you for sharing your how-to's Mia and very delicious they all look too! So glad you all had a lovely day yesterday and wishing you a great weekend too!
Vivienne x
Looks delicious, Mia -----enjoy your trees, macaroons and pinwheels.
Sounds like you all had a great celebration!!
Have fun shopping soon,
Counting the days,
Anne
PlumCreek
Oh Mia, you are such a tease with all the lovely sweets! I'm hungry and they all look so delicious and amazingly
Beautiful. I'm so happy you all had a great celebration on your country's birthday!
Happy weekend to you, xoRobin❤
Oh yummy Mia, what a feast you had. Glad it was a happy day for you all,
Jane x
Hello Vivienne,
Happiest weekend to you too! I wish you've been baking something yummy too!
Yours,
Mia
Hello Anne,
We had great day yesterday! I wish you the most wonderful 2nd Advent!
Yours,
Mia
Have a lovely weekend too, Robin, and lovely 2nd Advent! Christmas is really getting near!
Yours,
Mia
Hello Jane,
Lovely Sunday (and it's the 2nd Advent too!) to you! Please kiss Billy-boy for me!
Yours,
Mia
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