Clove-Studded Orange Candle Holder Thingies

Here’s a great Caker Christmas craft that even kids can do.

Come to think of it, all caker crafts are easy enough for kids. Hmm. I’m not sure of the equation here, but if I were smarter, I’d definitely make a connection.

In any case, all you need are some oranges, some cloves and this little ditty playing in the background.

1. Cut the tops off oranges and scoop out enough so that a tea light can fit inside snugly
2. Pierce the orange skin with a skewer in a design of your choice
3. Push clove stems into the holes
4. Light the candles
5. Hug yourself

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares

Should you be so lucky to stumble across a caker dessert platter this holiday season (and how gracefully you stumble upon it depends on how many rum and Cokes you’ve had), you’ll find these Peanut Butter Marshmallow squares nestled between the Chocolate Haystacks, Cheerio Chews and the Hello Dolly squares.

I don't know what it is about these squares, but they rank among my favourites. It could be the marshmallows. Or the maple-y scent of the butterscotch chips. Or the peanut butter.

On second thought, it's probably the rum and Cokeses.

½ cup butter
1 (11 ounce) package butterscotch chips
1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
3 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

In the lower pot of a double boiler, add water halfway to top and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. In top of boiler, heat butter, butterscotch chips and peanut butter until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in marshmallows. Pour into buttered 8x8” pan. Refrigerate and cut into squares.

Source: No idea. I stole it from my mom. Where she got it is anyone’s guess. Including hers.

UPDATE: My sister saw this and said I didn't do these squares correctly. She said you spread the peanut butter/butter/butterscotch chip mixture in the pan and then sprinkle the marshmallows on top. This creates a "smooth, creamy base." (Her words). I said I'm following the recipe that Mom wrote down. Needless to say, there's some controversy over this and I intend to resolve it.  (BTW: My sister also said you can microwave everything instead of using a double boiler.)

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: So my sister and I brought this up with the Grand Dame of Caker Cooking herself (in other words, my mom) as we sat around the holiday table eating JELL-O with mandarins and Cool Whip. As much as I hate to say this, my mom agreed with my sister. Pour out the peanut butter mixture and sprinkle the marshmallows on top. Whatever. I'm so over this controversy.

Holiday Caker Baker Cereal Boxes

This Caker Christmas, why not surprise that special someone on your list with a nicely decorated cereal box?

Caker Baker Cereal Boxes are an elegant – and economical – way to transport your baked goods this holiday season. For detailed instructions on how to make your own, click here.

I wrapped this Life cereal box in some old holiday paper I found in the garage. There’s simply no better way to say, "I care about you, but not enough to purchase a tin."

Novelty Dancing Snowballs

We’ve all been there – that awkward 15 minute pause in the conversation at a holiday party. These dancing snowballs are a great way to keep people entertained while they think of the next thing to discuss.

The only downside? The decidedly un-festive smell of mothballs. But hey – that just might get the ol’ conversation wheel rolling again.

"My god, those balls stink."
"Speaking of stinky balls, that reminds me of the time..."

1 tablespoon citric acid
1 pint water
2 tablespoons baking soda
Mothballs

Add acid to water and soda. Add food colouring and mothballs. Balls will dance for 3 hours. A dash of soda and citric acid will start the balls rolling. This makes a lovely Christmas decoration.

Note: 1 pint equals 2 cups. I filled up a couple of vases and adjusted the quantities accordingly. Don't scream like I did when you add the citric acid. I was convinced I was about to blow up the kitchen.

Source: St. Mary's C.W.L. Grafton Cookbook

Holly Cookies

Here’s a great way to share the wonder of Caker Christmas with the young’uns in your life. These Holly cookies are easy for kids to make and they taste great. Just like a Rice Krispies Square. Only they’re made with corn flakes…and they’re, uh, green. But aside from that, totally like Rice Krispies Squares.

½ cup butter or margarine
2 packages marshmallows (see Note #1)
1½ teaspoons vanilla
green food colouring
7½ cups corn flakes

Melt margarine and marshmallows. Add vanilla and food colouring. Pour over corn flakes. Fold to mix. Drop by spoonful onto cookie sheets. Add cinnamon candies or cherries for decoration. (See Note #2)

Note #1: I found 250g bags of marshmallows and 400g bags. I opted to go with two 250g bags, although you could try getting away with a single 400g bag.

Note #2: I can't put those cinnamon hearts on anything if it isn't Februray. I'm sorry. I guess I'm a purist. I opted for red M&Ms which gave a nice hit of chocolate. Plus I think they look nicer. Remember to place them "m" side down.

Source: With Hearts that Care and Hands that Serve, Outlook, Saskatchewan

Tips on throwing a Caker Christmas party

Pictured (counter-clockwise) are Delicious Corn Bake, Peanut Butter Cauliflower Casseorole, Popcorn Salad, Caker Lasagna and Polynesian Rice Salad

The date has been set, the invites are being prepared and the menu is being finalized. My annual Caker Christmas party is only a few weeks away! 

Non-Cakers may think it’s a snap, but hosting a Caker Christmas party is a lot of work. I mean, there are all those cans to open. But with a little preparation, patience and electrical tape, you’ll be a Caker Christmas pro in no time. 

Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years.

1) Be prepared

Have an assortment of caker recipes ready for when the panicked procrastinators call the day before. If you’ve invited Italians, you’ll have to clarify the concept of “pot luck.” The idea of going to someone’s house for dinner and bringing a dish can be difficult for them to comprehend.

2) Approve ALL dishes ahead of time

I’ve had guests show up with some of the most inedible crap. People still talk about the year someone came with a bridge loaf iced with green cream cheese. It sat on the table like a satanic Yule Log. Then there was the Special K meatless pot roast. Remember: If you’re scared to eat it, don’t bring it.

3) Sharing is caring

I always ask guests to gather around the table and tell us a little bit about their dish. It makes everyone accountable.

4) Stock up on water

One word: sodium.

5) Decorate the shit out of everything

Wrap garland around banisters, curtain rods and pets.
Lay sheets of cotton batten over every bare surface to create snow-covered landscapes.
Divide your windows into smaller panes using electrician’s tape. Then spray snow in a sweeping motion to give the illusion of a winter wonderland.

Hang your holiday cards on a string. It’s like a laundry line of love.

Don’t forget the bathroom. A Santa toilet seat cover and some pine-scented Avon soaps can add that special touch while someone is dry-heaving.

Coming up Monday: Holly Cookies!

It's the most mangiacake time of the year!

It’s December and that can only mean one thing: Caker Christmas is just around the corner!

For those of you familiar with this blog, you know that Christmas is what started the caker ball a’rollin’. If anyone wants to read about my annual party, click here.

While I’d like nothing more than to invite you all to my house to partake in the festivities, I only have so many plastic forks.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t join the fun. Throughout the month, I'll post caker holiday recipes, holiday crafts and tips about how you can throw your own Caker Christmas bash.

Grab your electrician’s tape, Santa toilet seat cover and green food colouring. It’s going to be the cakiest Christmas ever.