Cook ’ s Notes
Made by hand
Edible Gifts
Don’t slog around the shops, enjoy making gifts that your friends and family
can eat instead, courtesy of award-winning cake creator Alix Fauvel
W
hen you see some of her
creations, you can see why
she has “Cakesmith” on
her business cards. Baker
is a bit broad for Alix Fauvel, who
specialises in hand-painted designs
on her stunning cakes. Working from
a converted outbuilding at home in
Cranborne, Dorset, this year she has
designed and produced Selfridges’ top
of the range artisan Christmas cake. It’s
an incredible hand-painted wreath with
a bow and 3D baubles. Not something
we could make at home. Thankfully,
Alix is sharing this easier recipe for
gingerbread tree decorations. It’s the
ideal festive activity to do with any over
excited children you might have in the
house. Wrap the decorations up nicely
when you’ve made them, and you’ll
have a great personal gift to give away
– or keep for your own tree!
Gingerbread Tree Decorations
Ingredients
Hot Mix
2 tbsp water
140g dark brown sugar
2 tbsp black treacle
2 tbsp golden syrup
2 tbsp ground ginger
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves (optional)
175g cold salted butter, diced
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
375g plain flour, sieved
Royal Icing
1 egg white
Approx. 200g icing sugar
Eddingtons
Snowflake Set of 3
Cookie Cutters
Harts Price: £4.49
Food colour paste/lustre
Sprinkles
String
64