[Ninja Baker] Joyeux Noël

[Ninja Baker]

London prepares for the Olympics and  Christmas! Photo courtesy of David Cassidy.

Christmas in the New Jersey suburbs. Photo courtesy of James Watkinson.

‘Tis the season when Kris Kringle’s spirit embraces many people of all faiths. Bags swinging, smiling shoppers exude an air of expectation of goodness even in tough economic times. Bing Crosby standards promote lovely sentiments on the radio. Lights sparkle on evergreen pines, which shoot up to the sky like the tree in the Nutcracker Ballet.  Classic menorahs blaze, too. Hanging like fine lace, blue and white lights adorn the eaves of houses. And inside many a home, I imagine are the deep-jeweled toned decorations and candles of Kwanzaa, which pay homage to the African harvest along with American hopes and ideals. 

St. Albans, England. Photo courtesy of David Cassidy.

Perhaps December snows are also a reminder of Heavenly kind of purity. (This idea may be a stretch for Southern California and Florida residents who dangle plastic snowflakes from palm trees like blingy earrings.) Well, anyway, this Ninja Baker believes that as the curtain closes on the year, there is a mystical presence that appears. It’s almost as if Angels touch the earth.

The Ninja Baker's Gingerbread Boy  welcomes in the season of celebration.

Whether I’m touched with sugarplum visionitis or not, the Ninja Baker kitchen as of late has transformed into the Land of Sweets à la Nutcracker Ballet. Gingerbread boys and pink peppermint cakes have filed out of the oven into the tummies of kids of all ages. 

The Ninja Baker's Pink Peppermint Mini Cakes.

  

Years past have not always seen me this enthralled with the holidays. I was single for a long time (we’re speaking of decades.) Surrounded by smiling couples, Santas and reindeer brought a deep sadness before my darling husband, David.

December 2011, however, finds me particularly grateful. My stepmother still radiates glamour. Dad, aged 88, continues to swim laps. And my mom, the tennis star, has yet to decline an invitation to smash balls across the net. Last and not least, after a major surgery in November, my husband’s rosy cheeks are reappearing. I’m also appreciative for the Angels, the Creator, Spirit, Good Luck (choose whichever term suits your lexicon.) Rivaling the drama of Clara rescuing her beloved Nutcracker from the King of Mice, Seraphim choreographed a series of events, which saved David’s life.

Darling husband, David.

In late autumn, Bones – the TV show that features David’s fantabulous graphics -took an out-of-the ordinary hiatus. (Super-talented Emily Deschanel was with child. So, many were granted a maternity leave.) During the break, David was so enthused by a tennis lesson with my Mom that he decided to take up tennis and start with a rigorous running schedule. But first, he happened to have a physical scheduled with his new doctor.  When she found out that David had been a smoker (he quit in 1988), she said doctors now believe that men who smoked are at risk for damage to the walls of their aortas.  Since the damage can cause a ballooning out of the walls (aneurysms) which can burst with a 90% morality rate, the doctor told David to get a sonogram. Unfortunately it showed two large aneurysms, which might well have burst if he had started his running program. Fortunately, the hiatus gave him time to take all the necessary tests and get corrective surgery. He’s now feeling great and getting in better shape than he’s been in years!

If I may sermonize pour une petite minute: Smokers, go get an ultrasound! Amen.

P.s. Please do share your holiday blessings and miracles by sending an email to NinjaBa...@gmail.com  Love to hear!

Now, on to the fun of baking for the holidays.

Ginger and spice and everything nice guarantees smiles anytime of the year.

Gingerbread Boys Atop Chocolate Frosted Gingerbread Cupcakes 

The Next Iron Chef’s Finalist, Elizabeth Falkner’s Demolition Desserts provided the foundation for my cupcakes (page 118 – Chipotle Gingerbread) and cookies (page 158 – Sammy Snaps.)  For more info on the super talented pastry chef and owner of San Francisco's Citizen Cake, see Everything’s Coming Up Roses. (The chocolate icing for the cupcakes comes straight off the Baker’s Chocolate box.)

Vanilla Peppermint Cakes

Peppermint Cupcakes.

Oprah’s Celeb Friend, Candace Nelson, Founder/Owner of Sprinkles kindly gifted

Ms. Winfrey's audiences with a spectacular recipe.

Click the highlighted link to view the how-to details.

Replacing peppermint extract for vanilla, I whipped up a standard buttercream for the frosting. Then, went to town spraying pink onto to the mini cupcakes, which I garnished with a bit of rose glitter. (The edible spray and glitter are available at most any baking/cooking supply shop.)

Martha Stewart’s Chocolate Mint Cupcakes

The Ninja Baker's Choco Mini Bites.

For Martha’s mini choco-mint bites, I used the same batch of mint frosting. After piping on the icing, however, I sprinkled Peppermint York buttons to honor my friends celebrating Hanukkah. (Again,  you'll need to click the highlighted link for Martha's cake recipe. And as always, adjust baking times according to cupcake size.)

Green Tea Cheesecake

(From DessertFirstGirl.com) 

Note 1: I used mini cheesecake pans with removable bottoms. Baking time was about the same as the recipe.

The Christmas wreath is easy if you have a piping bag full of buttercream and a leaf tip.

Note 2: My neighbor’s French boyfriend who is not a huge dessert fan liked the flavor. Another man in the food biz said it’s the best thing I’ve ever made. Still, I may increase the matcha green tea powder next time. (Guess my Japanese upbringing and taste runs deep.) 

Believe it or not. Healthy chocolate cupcakes!

NYC’s Kyotofu Restaurant’s Chocolate Soufflé Cupcakes

Amazing how good-for-you tofu, soy milk and dark chocolate actually tastes great! Baking time in my oven was closer to 35 minutes. (Versus the recipe’s suggested 20 minutes.) 

From the UK: My English friend, Maria kindly shared her Irish Tea Bread. This yummy chock full of currants and pecans concoctions pairs well with a mug of hot cider and a roaring hearth. 

Full of Christmas Cheer, Irish Tea Bread.

Fun fact: The highlighted link (above) for the recipe leads to Delia Smith’s website. She is the UK equivalent to an American Food Network TV star. (Think Ina Garten and Sandra Lee.)

Wishing you health, happiness and dreams of Sugar Plum Fairies who entrance you with visions for a glorious 2012.

©Copyright 2011

The Ninja Baker

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Posted By Ninja Baker to Ninja Baker at 12/22/2011 10:32:00 PM