A Walk in the Woods

*Buche du Noel Yule cake * Marshmallow Mushrooms *

*Sugared Branches and Berries* 

A walk in the woods can be truly inspiring- or I suppose if you are a fairy tale character, terrifying, but no doubt Hansel and Gretel or Little Red would appreciate these woodland inspired holiday ideas.

I thought I would celebrate a Joyeux Noel and attempt a Buche du Noel, or Yule log dessert.  Although a fungus covered log doesn’t sound like an appetizing culinary inspiration, these delightful desserts, so popular in France, have gained worldwide appeal and are created in endless varieties, usually done in chocolate accompanied by mushrooms, branches, or even elves.

My previous attempts at rolled cake desserts have not gone well and as a trip to the Culinary Institute isn’t in my immediate future, I thought I’d come up with an easy DIY “semi-scratch” (very light on the scratch part) version this year. I added some super easy marshmallow mushrooms and sugared rosemary sprigs and cranberries.

I used a less traditional Pumpkin roll from Giant bakery ($3.99) as I love that type and it was the only rolled cake they had. I also used a vanilla frosting as chocolate and pumpkin didn't really work for me.

 Helpful tip: (probably Martha) slide wax paper under a cake before frosting, then remove with any spills or misses to keep platter perfect.

       The log pre-makeover 

I used Pillsbury Easy Frost- and wow it was! 

The tip is ideal for creating a bark like effect.

I tried to stagger rows of icing for an organic texture 

That took all of five minutes 

 almost done, you could stop here

to create extra stump, on a diagonal, carefully slice off a thin section

now time to embellish

Marshmallow Mushrooms

While delicate meringue mushrooms usually accompany a Buche du Noel, an easy quick version is this marshmallow+ cookie concoction

 Ingredients

Cookies

 I chose these for their shape- 

they are store brand but I'm sure the elves in the hollow tree make a version too

Large marshmallows

Candy Melts

melt candy according to package 

 carefully dip tops of cookies in white chocolate

spoon any chocolate over missed areas and let harden

 with a skewer or toothpick etch in mushroom gills

with melted chocolate attach mushroom stem

I cut marshmallows in half lengthwise and rolled into slimmer shape

These would be a fun treat alone or nice accent for a storybook tea or kid's bug themed party

Sugared Rosemary and Cranberries

Usually sugared fruit or in this case, rosemary and cranberries, involves raw egg white, which makes me a bit squeamish so I used agave nectar thinned with a little water as my sugar "glue"

Dip the rosemary sprigs and cranberries in the nectar and spoon extra over for a generous coating and roll or sprinkle in white sugar for a frosty look.

The rosemary adds a lovely fragrance as well!

Let It Snow

Whitewashed Snow Village

Mini church, building, trees, silvertone tray from Dollar Tree

Although the “official” colors of Christmas are red and green, sometimes a snowy palette of white and ivory can set a more serene, wintry and magical mood.

I bought these colorful little painted Christmas village buildings at the dollar store (Dollar Tree) and gave them a simple cream finish a la spray paint. It accents the surprising nice little details on the buildings and hides their charming but sometimes less than stellar paint jobs, after all they were a dollar.

This isn’t a new idea, but so simple and fun, I thought I’d share my version. 
Check it out on the delightful blog Romantic Home's
 Show and Tell Friday
http://romantichome.blogspot.com

You'll need:

mini buildings

spray paint

clear or white glitter

greens, trees, ornaments, odds and ends

plates or cake stands (optional)
*They also look adorable on a fireplace mantel, shelf or window sill

I spray painted the buildings alternating the white  and ivory gloss colors I had on hand in my arsenal of spray cans. I found the white alone looked a bit chalky and “hospitally” and adding a spritz of the ivory softened the shade a bit.

Once dry, I “painted” glue onto larger areas like the roofs and squeezed fine lines of glue from the bottle around windows and trim. While glue is still wet I gave them a generous sprinkle of icy glitter and let dry thoroughly.

I also hit up the Dollar Tree for little bottlebrush trees (2/$1- by far the best price I found), snowflakes, and greens and dug up some of last years décor.

Now you get to channel your inner urban planner and create your town wherever you like! I experimented with different sized cake stands from my collection of sale and flea market finds and glass domes to create different scenes.

on a cake tier with greens

add mini white ornaments

I tried a sepia tone for ambiance 

layered small cake stand on larger

under glass

DIY INDOOR SNOWBALL FIGHT

When Mother Nature isn’t cooperating or if you live in a warm climate, an indoor snowball fight is a fun, and warmer, alternative to the real thing.

Snowball Supplies

These were all purchased from the Dollar Tree but similar items can be found at craft supply stores

Styrofoam balls

1 package “faux” snow (in sheets)

Basket or containers (mine were 2 for $1 yay an extra)

Assorted snowflakes

Peppermint sticks (optional for energy)

also: hot glue gun or white glue, scissors, ribbon, tags

*You’ll have a lot of these supplies left over to use for other crafty projects

(I love the delicate, shimmery snowflakes and always pick up a few sets (6 per set) to top wrapped gifts, tie around cookie jars or add to greens)

Then on to decorating: I chose a blue and white general “wintery” theme to match the basket but you could use traditional “holiday” colors as well.

 I designed this label on the computer (as you can see I’m not a poet) but you can be creative and come up with whatever suits your fancy. I wove ribbon through the basket and simply tied on the label.

These are fun for kids or kids at heart, tuck in a gift card or $ and it makes a whimsical gift. Makes a friendly fun indoor target game too (wreaths and chargers Dollar Tree- reuse them later!)

Helpful Hints:

If you use a hot glue gun use caution (I have a love/hate relationship with the things) White glue also works but is just a little trickier as it dries more slowly.

Like the real thing, each snowball will be unique and a little less than a perfect. I like to thinks this adds to their natural “character”.

Of course PennyWise doesn’t condone violence so be careful tossing these about and although they are only Styrofoam and cotton snow, adults should always supervise. In other words, we’re not responsible for any injuries or broken Ming vases.