I’ve found it really difficult to get in the festive mood so far this year; the big relocation hasn’t helped, nor have a few other factors, so this week – with it being the start of December – I decided that I would throw myself into the festive mindset, and what better way to do so than to bake mince pies?
Busby and I have never baked together before. Our house in Lewes had a very tiny kitchen that could really only fit one adult in – so as you can imagine, workspace was not easy to come by. Nick’s parents house, however, has a wonderful kitchen with plenty of space to stretch out and roll pastry, so we started our baking relationship earlier in the week – and what fun we had!
I wouldn’t recommend baking with a toddler if you’re in a hurry to whack out a dozen mince pies for impending guests, but if you’re looking for a fun, hilarious activity on a cold December afternoon (and don’t mind copious amounts of flour ending up on the floor… and the odd egg or two rolling off the side and finding its end on a tile) then I would whole-heartedly recommend it!
I was going to make mincemeat from scratch (using my friend Katie’s recipe) but it seemed like a rather expensive way to do things, so I bought Sainbury’s own mincemeat and we added our own dried cranberries – which made the mixture extra yummy! I used this recipe for the pastry.
The end product was very tasty, and Busby, Nick and I have been enjoying the mince pies ever since!
I’ve ordered some different sized stars and a sausage dog cutter for our next baking endeavour – preparation for her second birthday… which is only a couple of weeks away now! Eek!
Hannah
That’s so lovely and she looks so cute! We love a bit of baking around here- it’s a brilliant way to keep them busy and active, and even better when it results in something edible! We’re thinking of starting to tackle our gingerbread house this afternoon…. Wish me luck 😉 xxx
Author
Oh wow! A gingerbread house is very brave!!!! I think Busby and I would consume most of it before it became a house 😉 Good luck! xx
Oh baking with toddlers is so much fun once you accept that the floor won’t be the same again this side of a good mop! And it’s amazing what they can do when you let them have a go – Elma’s really great at cutting out shapes (we make a lot of biscuits!) and Kitty at four is turning into a very handy assistant chef!!
Author
It’s good to start them early! Busby’s shape cutting was definitely getting there towards the end 🙂 I’ve ordered some new shapes for our next baking endeavour! xx
I can’t wait to start baking with my toddler. She is 19 months. Perhaps we’ll try in the new year. Busby looks to be having lots of fun here. The mince pies look yummy. I’m struggling to get in the festive spirit too this year (part poorply toddler, part house buying & selling stress). Just think next year we will all be in our new family homes and hopefully feeling much more festive!
I too love baking with my twins, I just have to accept the mess! It’s so nice but you do need lots of patience! Great result, lovely to see xx
Ahhh she looks like she’s having so much fun baking with you!!! Lovely to be able to do that together. They look yummy too! I really miss mice pies living here! Xx
She’s absolutely beautiful! And I am not just saying that after our conversation last week where we agreed they look alike! But she is just gorgeous. She looks like she is having so much fun baking with you- no one in our house likes mince pies but we have been having fun baking other festive bits. She looks so cheeky licking the spoon- definitely the best bit! Hope you feel more festive soon- your move must definitely have been hectic and no wonder you aren’t in the spirit of it yet! x
Ahhh bless her she is so beautiful and what a great little helper too even if a few eggs hit the ground running. I love it. I have only just experienced our first baking with my two tots and at first I was nervous for the mess but we had so much fun it was a great activity for a cold winter day indeed. Beautiful ordinary moment. Love the photos #ordinarymoment
This post is just so darn cute and how cute are those photos! Her wee smile would brighten up the darkest day. x
Looks like she enjoyed herself, I am looking forward to move soon so I can bake with the boys as our kitchen sounds very much like your old one! Looks like they were very tasty! x
They look delicious!!! We are going to make ours this week too, 🙂 x
How adorable. It’s my favourite thing about this time of year. Enjoying making things with my son. Thanks for joking in #festivefriday I hope to see you this week too!
The apron!!! She is just too cute, and it looks like she had so much fun too.
Once we get to the UK (on Boxing Day, just a few weeks to go aargh!) I’m definitely making mince pies with the Bean. It’s so hard to feel festive without them, isn’t it?
Ah, looks likes she had fun. #FestiveFoodFriday Happy Christmas. x
Oh lovely Pinterest wifey, this is gorgeous. I love a festive bake with the toddlers. Weirdly I found it easier last Christmas when mine were only 18 months. They seemed more compliant then, now they want to do it ALL themselves, oh the flour everywhere! She’s beautiful by the way 🙂 Thanks so much for linking to #festivefoodfriday.