Table Of Content

T) S G All � want for nc The besT of 9 (i 9 9. $ T S U A 4 1 0 2 S A M T S RI H C Festive food fabulous craft and No-sew angels, that’s us – we’re easy! Christmas Madeira cake B e tte r h o m e s a n d g a rd e n s A ® ll I w an t fo r C h ristm as 2 0 1 4 b h g .co m .au Just cut ’n’ join me and I’m done elebrate with ideas Bakes, cakes, slices, trifles, sweets and treats gifts, decos, stitchery, paper makes, playful pals and more BHL29568_SPOTLIGHT_BrandAds_IFC DPS_SUBBED.indd 1 30/09/2014 5:06 pm BHL29568_SPOTLIGHT_BrandAds_IFC DPS_SUBBED.indd 2 30/09/2014 5:07 pm editorial Editor Julia Zaetta; Deputy editor Dora Papas; Managing editor Kathy Buchanan; Craft technical editor Fiona Connolly; Food editor Jane Collins; Creative research and photo librarian Kim Pynsent; Production editor Joseph Kenworthy; Design director Monique Larracy; Designer Jennifer Mullins; Subeditors Janine Toms; Alison Wright contributors Photographs Chris L Jones, Alan Benson, Michelle Young, Yann Audic, Andre Martin, Omid, Cath Muscat, Vantuan; Styling Mary Harris, Annie Millar, Dora Papas, Lisa Hilton, Georgina Dolling, Crystal Wilkinson; Projects Georgina Bitcon, Lindy Butler, Dora Papas, Kim Pynsent, Chantal Davison, Kim Davies, Annie Millar, Neil Chisholm, Australian Country Spinners, Emma Turner, Naomi McFadden, Dieter Mylius, Cristina Re, Kylie Sams; Illustrations/Diagrams Stephen Pollitt, Tech View Studio advertising Sales director home titles Donna Hodges; Group sales manager Victoria Connie Halliday publishing Director of magazines Peter Zavecz Publisher, monthly & homemaker titles Karen Deveson Circulation manager John Borg Group marketing director Zoe Sabados; Marketing manager Megan Bowman; Digital imaging Michael Tobar, Natalie Carter, Louisa Dertadian, Gregory Montgomery, Ian Thomas; Print procurement manager Mark Boorman website bhg.com.au Producer Melissa Bondfield pacific magazines pty limited (02) 9394 2000, Media City, 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh NSW 2015 Strategy director Miriam Condon Commercial director Gereurd Roberts Retail sales and circulation director Vicki Rossi Production director Dean Porter editorial enquiries (02) 9394 2496 subscriptions enquiries 1300 668 118 REPRODUCTION Printed by Webstar Print (ABN 58 000 205 210) at Unit 1, 83 Derby Street, Silverwater, NSW 2128. Distributed in Australia by Gordon and Gotch Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 088 251 727). Published 1 time a year by Pacific Magazines Pty Limited (ACN 097 410 896). Title and trademark BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS® reg US Patents Office, Cover photography Chris L Jones; styling Mary Harris Canada and Australia, by Meredith Corporation. Use of trademark is strictly Stockists for cover Hearts, silver baubles and angel prohibited. Recommended and maximum price $9.99, inc GST. from Spotlight. See Stockists, page 145 4 Greetings Merry Christmas from us and welcome. Now let us invite you into All I want for Christmas, which is our special ‘regift’ to you. Again this year, we have taken what we think have been the most exquisite gifts, crafts, little people and sweet foods we’ve produced in Better Homes and Gardens – in case you missed them – to make your Christmas presentation simply stunning. ‘Unwrap’ the package of on the cover pages and just delight. Then make your choices To top off your day, finish with a thrill! Not only and serve up the most beautiful will you give the gift of excitement as you present Christmas ever. We love it, we this beauty, but the taste will be a highlight of your meal. See cake recipe on page 36, and don’t forget love you, so go enjoy on us! to add our little plate-side friend. Have the best day! 5 contents 06 Cover star Scale the heights of baking brilliance with a magnificent multi-layer Madeira Mountain cake topped with a canopy of white chocolate leaves. See recipe on page 36. 08 B erry reds & snowdrifts Spread festive delight with red and white! Whip up fun felt stocking fillers and embellish gifts with embroidery and cross-stitch. Sweeten Christmas with fondant gifts, snow-covered icing trees and edible baubles. Berry yourself in ice-cream pudding, tarts and panna cotta, and create magical cakes and trifles! 40 All that glitters Give your craft some razzle with fabulous felt reindeers, no-sew angels, cross-stitched mini cushions and trails of pretty paper garlands in red, green and gold. Wow them 133 with scrumptious goodies, from ice-cream cake and berry pavlovas to unforgettable Christmas cakes, memorable mango cheesecake and zesty sherbet loaf. 70 A calm cool Yule Freshen up your Chrissy with breezy blue and bright 135 red. Knit or sew the sweetest animals, ornaments and baubles. Turn pretty patterned paper into crafty cards and crystal stars. Add a warm glow to dessert with lemon tarts, a biscuit wreath, white chocolate nut brittle, fruitcakes, profiteroles and tasty cakes and slices. 116 A bush Christmas A merry medley of fabulous felt and origami ornaments, adorable tree trims and gifts in the colours of the bush – native green, sky blue and berry red. Bake creamy, dreamy cheesecake, berry tipsy trifle, luscious lemony cakes, cherry tarts and glorious puddings that put a new spin on a traditional Christmas favourite. 142 Baking General Instructions Melting chocolate methods, cake tins, royal icing recipe, covering cakes with fondant or almond paste (marzipan), icing tips and preparing puddings. 143 Craft General Instructions Helpful hints and tips for preparing your cross-stitch, 135 paper and felt creations, plus a guide to knitting abbreviations and stitches used in our projects. 145 Stockists Where to find selected cooking and project supplies, decorations and ornaments. 146 Recipe & craft index Easy-find guide to recipes and projects. 6 64 62 66 7 winterwonder 8 berry reds & snowdri f ts C Spread all the joy hristmas just doesn’t look like Christmas without the cheerful colours of Saint Nic. Put the ho-ho-ho of the jolly big man in your home with traditional red, then let it snow with these red and with a dazzling dash of white. Be inspired by our fabulous craft ideas – a heart-shaped wreath to spread the love, to a white delights that galaxy of sweet, hand-stitched stars for the tree, and ways to will put a smile on pretty-up your pressies. Continue the colour theme at your Christmas feast with lashings of lip-smacking berries and Santa’s face! tempting treats. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas... 9 Ribbon wreath Take a twist on the traditional and create this charming heart-shaped wreath. You and the kids can go for broke ripping 2cm-wide strips of fabric. Cut each strip into 10cm lengths. Create a heart by shaping an old wire coat hanger and knot the strips, side by side and very close together, around the form. The more the merrier! To hang, tie a ribbon or a longer strip of fabric around the dip of the heart. Bright as buttons Raid your button jar and down with a dab of glue or decorate plain wrapping double-sided tape. The result paper with shirt-size buttons. is so fabulous your recipient Arrange them into naive will probably want to frame seasonal shapes such as it – just use sturdy card stock a Christmas tree, stocking, instead of paper for your bell or wreath, sticking them backing material. Bauble bliss If you love European-inspired designs, sew a set of these tiny bauble pillows to spruce up your tree or give as gifts. Each design is quick to stitch and could easily be finished in an evening. For full instructions, see page 28 10