3 Fun Christmas Activities To Do At Home
Christmas is not only a time for gift-giving but also a time to have fun with friends and family, enjoying each other's company. What better way to embrace the festive spirit than with delightful home activities you can do with your loved ones? These activities promise to be fun, delicious, and convenient for everyone to partake in, ensuring a memorable and joyous Christmas.
Candy Salad
If you're looking for a fun and colourful dessert that's perfect as a fun Christmas activity, a candy salad is the way to go. This delightful mix of sweets is sure to be a hit with both children and adults alike. Let’s dive into how to make a candy salad!
What is a Candy Salad?
A candy salad is a whimsical dessert that combines various types of sweeties with other sweet and fruity ingredients. It's colourful, customisable, and incredibly easy to make. Think of it as a salad, but instead of veggies and greens, you’re mixing your favourite sweet treats.
Ingredients for a Candy Salad
The beauty of a candy salad is that there are no strict rules – you can get creative with your favourite sweets! Here are some popular ingredients to get you started.
Candies:
- Gummy bears
- Jelly beans
- Sour sweets
- Fizzy pencils
- Gummy eggs
All of these sweets can be purchased on the Treat Kitchen website! Just click Here! .
Marshmallows:
- Mini marshmallows
- Coloured marshmallows
Fruits:
- Sliced strawberries
- Blueberries
- Pineapple chunks
- Grapes
Extras:
- Sprinkles
- Crushed cookies
- Chocolate chips
How to Make a Candy Salad
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Choose a variety of sweets, fruits, and extras to create a diverse and colourful mix. Aim for a balance of chewy, crunchy, and juicy elements.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruits
If you're using fresh fruits, wash and slice them into bite-sized pieces. Make sure the fruits are well-drained to avoid excess moisture in your salad.
Step 3: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine your chosen sweets, marshmallows, fruits, and any extras. Gently toss everything together to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your candy salad in individual bowls or a large, festive serving dish. Add a final touch of sprinkles or a few extra sweets on top for decoration. Why not have a Christmas movie night with your candy salad?
Home-Made Gingerbread Biscuits
Ingredients for gingerbread biscuits
- Treat Kitchen Gingerbread Baking Mix
- 160g Butter
- 1 Large Egg
How to make gingerbread biscuits
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Gather all your ingredients before you start. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Pour the Treat Kitchen gingerbread baking mix into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add Butter
Add 160g of butter to the bowl. Using your hands or a pastry blender, mix together the butter and the dry mix until it forms a crumbly texture.
Step 4: Incorporate the Egg
Crack one large egg into the mixture. Combine all the ingredients until the mixture forms a smooth, cohesive dough.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the dough to your desired thickness. For a classic gingerbread biscuit, aim for about 1/4 inch thickness.
Step 6: Cut to Shape
Use your favourite cookie cutters to cut the dough into festive shapes. Transfer the shaped dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 165°C (150°C for fan ovens). Bake the biscuits for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Gingerbread biscuits
- Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- Even Baking: Ensure your biscuits are evenly spaced on the baking tray to allow for even baking.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate your gingerbread biscuits with icing, sprinkles, or candy for an extra festive touch.
Home-Made Bread
There's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. If you're looking for a straightforward recipe to make delicious homemade bread with friends or family this Christmas, you've come to the right place. Follow these simple steps, and you'll have a golden, crusty loaf ready to enjoy in no time.
Ingredients for home-made bread
- Treat Kitchen bread baking mix
- 340ml warm water
- 8ml olive oil
How to make home-made bread
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C for fan ovens). This ensures your oven is at the right temperature when your bread is ready to bake.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Pour your bread mix into a large bowl. Add 340ml of warm water and 8ml of olive oil. These ingredients will help create a soft, flavourful dough.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Using your hands, knead the dough for around 7 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic. Once kneaded, cover the bowl with a clean cloth and leave the dough to rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Once the dough has risen, turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it by hand until it's smooth. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it on a baking tray lightly covered with flour or baking paper to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
Place the tray in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Homemade Bread
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool. Once cooled, slice and enjoy your delicious homemade bread. Bon appétit!
Tips for Perfect Bread
- Check for Doneness: The bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. If unsure, insert a skewer into the centre; it should come out clean.
- Customise Your Loaf: Add seeds, herbs, or cheese to the dough for extra flavour.
- Storage: Store your bread in a paper bag to keep the crust crisp. For longer storage, freeze slices and toast them as needed.
