12th annual Christmas baking

Wow, I can’t believe this is the 12th one! I guess time flies when you’re having fun.

As per our tradition, earlier in December Kirby and I made the day trip to Montreal so Sylvie and I could do our Christmas baking and crafting. We started the day by getting ourselves organized and making Millionaire Shortbread.

Sylvie toasted some almonds while I mixed the rest of the ingredients for the shortbread base.

Once the chopped almonds were incorporated we firmly pressed the dough into the bottom of the pan and set it to bake.

While it was baking we started on the caramel layer.

This boiled for almost 30 minutes which gave us time to cool the shortbread layer enough to pour the caramel. It probably goes without saying, but the caramel layer is the most important element to get right. If you over-cook it you’ll end up with a caramel that is too tough and chewy. But if you under-cook it, the caramel will be too soft. I’m pleased to say we nailed it on our first try.

Then we let the caramel cool in the fridge for a couple hours, and got started on our felting project. We’re still in our needlepoint felting era, and loving every finger-pricking moment.

Once the caramel set on our shortbread, we melted the bittersweet chocolate with some butter and spread it on top.

And before it cooled, we sprinkled some corse sea salt on top.

We then let it set at room temperature before cutting into individual portions.

Sylvie and I both agree this is the most delicious treat we have ever baked. It’s the perfect balance of sweet with a touch of salt and they hold together beautifully. All in all, a very good bake this year.

Once we set the Millionaire Shortbread to the side, we went back to our felting. We decided to make little tree ornaments decorated with different embroidery and beads.

The base came together easily enough (although forget ever getting two things to look identical). I had the idea to run a garland with lights around mine and it didn’t come out exactly as I had hoped. I wanted to complete it before I left so I improvised the top. Let’s just say, I didn’t make two of these.

And so concluded our twelfth year of holiday merriment letting our creative sides shine. Sylvie’s completed ornament arrived in the mail a few weeks later and it turned out even better than I could have imagines. Just beautiful.