The Bookread Magazine - December 2021

THE

Bookread Magazine

Issue 4 | December 2021

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We wish you a Merry Christmas from all of us at Bookread!

The Editor

Hello.

Introduction

Welcome to the December issue of The Bookread Magazine!

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la !

It's already rather cold, and already has snowed in many places in the UK - just in time for Christmas! And with this issue of The Bookread Magazine, why not try making Gingerbread Men, pg 39 or even the Stollen Christmas Cake, pg 48. This year, we've also got a few Christmas activities, pg 47 you can do, to have so much fun this year!

Wishing you all, a very Merry Christmas, on behalf of all of us, here at Bookread UK...

sites.google.com/view /bookreaduk @BookreadUK

officialbookreaduk @gmail.com

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Handwashing 101

By Bookread UK

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2 Rub soap all over your palms, the backs of your hands, and in between your fingers

Wet your hands before applying soap

3

4

Do this process for at least 20 seconds before rinsing

Wipe your hands with a clean towel or paper towel and void rubbing too vigourously.

All rights reserved. © Bookread UK, 2021

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Hula Hoops Potato Shapes

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Bookread Magazine

Entertainment

Coming ou

Spider-Man: No Way Home With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero...

Release Date: 28 January 2022 (UK)

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Release Date: 17 December 2021 (UK)

Sing 2 Can-do koala Buster Moon and his all-star cast of animal performers prepare to launch a dazzling stage extravaganza in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There's just one hitch -- he has to find and persuade the world's most reclusive rock star to join them.

t soon...

Entertainment

Boss Baby 2: Family Business When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover that they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and their grandfather's secret legacy.

Release Date: 18 November 2021 (UK)

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Big Shot (Book 16) After a disastrous field day competition at school, Greg decides that when it comes to his athletic career, he’s officially retired. But after his mom urges him to give sports one more chance, he reluctantly agrees to sign up for basketball...

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Entertainment

Calling all Bookreaders!

We need YOUR opinion!

Should we carry on with 'Guess What?! Today It's...' in the 2022's issues of The Bookread Magazine?

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Entertainment

'Guess What?! Today It's...' IS BACK! And once again, it'll be included in this magazine!

Turn the page...

Psst... want to make any of the food you see in the next few pages?

Head over to page 31!

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Entertainment 1st December Each year, dessert lovers enjoy a slice of their favourite on National Pie Day. Take away ice cream as a dessert choice and most people are either cake people or pie people. Or to put it another way, most people have cake or pie with their ice cream! #NationalPieDay

Fritters

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Pie

2nd December National Fritters Day on December 2nd allows for no frittering away of the time.

Make haste and get them while they are hot!

Fritters come in a variety of forms, from morsels dipped in flavorful batters to bits of dough stuffed or filled with delicious surprises! #NationalFrittersDay

Entertainment

House

3rd December National Roof Over Your Head Day was created as a day to be thankful for what you have, starting with the roof over your head. There are many things that we have that we take for granted and do not stop to appreciate how fortunate we are for having them. #RoofOverYourHeadDay

4th December National Cookie Day on December 4th serves up a sweet treat. Bakers across the country warm up the ovens for holiday baking, and we enjoy giving tins of cookies to friends and family all season long.

Celebrate, by baking your own cookies at home! #NationalCookieDay

Cookies

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Entertainment 5th December International Ninja Day recognises the fascination associated with the history and pop culture of the ninja.

Celebrate the day by learning more about ninjas, watching a ninja documentary or trying to move as quietly and as quickly as a ninja...

#InternationalNinjaDay

Gazpacho

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Ninja

6th December National Gazpacho Day, on December 6th, recognises a flavorful soup that cooks serve cold. Gazpacho is typically a tomato-based vegetable soup. Originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, Gazpacho is widely consumed in Spanish cuisine. #NationalGazpachoDay

Entertainment

Cotton Candy

7th December National Cotton Candy Day celebrates the spun sugar treat that delights candy fans of all ages. On December 7th get your favourite flavour of this sweet delight that dates back to the 1400s!

Participate, by buying some cotton candy, and enjoy it all day! #NationalCottonCandyDay

8th December Each year on December 8th, brownie lovers across the nation enjoy one of their favourite baked goods on National Brownie Day. Participate by enjoying some fudgy, warm brownies, pour a glass of milk and maybe add a scoop of ice cream...

#NationalBrownieDay

Brownie

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Entertainment 9th December National Pastry Day celebrates one of the world’s most favoured baked goods.

On December 9th, visit your local bakery and pick up one or two of your favourite kinds.

Crossiants, Chocolate twists, Pastel de Nata, or even a Pain au Chocolat - what will you choose? #NationalPastryDay

Nobel Prize

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Croissants

10th December On December 10th, Nobel Prize Day recognizes the annual prize established by Alfred Nobel.

Observe Nobel Prize Day by watching the Nobel Prize ceremonies live online. You can also discover more about the Nobel Prize and Alfred Nobel himself. #NobelPrizeDay

Entertainment

Apps

11th December National App Day on December 11th encourages us to explore all the possibilities apps afford us.

Fun Fact: 'App' actually is short for Software Application!

#NationalAppDay

12th December Gingerbread House Day on December 12th recognises a family tradition for many around the country.

Enjoy Gingerbread House Day by gathering the family together, bake up some gingerbread and start building and decorating your very own gingerbread house! #GingerbreadHouseDay

Gingerbread House

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Entertainment 13th December December 13th ushers in a celebration worthy of the winter holidays with Cocoa Day. It’s a perfect way to warm up after a cold day outside.

Host a cocoa bar after a day outdoors in the snow. A cup of hot cocoa after sledding or building a snowman warms us right up... #NationalCocoaDay

Monkey

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Hot Cocoa

14th December Every year on December 14th National Monkey Day celebrates the unique characteristics of simians. The day also focuses on other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers, and lemurs!

Observe Monkey Day by discovering more about these fascinating primates. #MonkeyDay

Entertainment

Cupcake

15th December Each year, December 15th also recognises National Cupcake Day. Even the word cupcake sounds like a miniature celebration. They’ve been known by other phrases that make us put our hands together in glee, too! For example 'Fairy Cakes' and 'Patty Cakes'. #NationalCupcakeDay

16th December Chocolate lovers rejoice on National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! December 16th offers the day you’ve been waiting for. On this day, dip and drizzle your favourite foods in every kind of chocolate imaginable.

Why not try plain churros, dipped in warm melted chocolate... heaven!

Churros

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Entertainment 17th December Get the flapjacks ready for National Maple Syrup Day. December 17th calls for orders of pancakes, french toast, or biscuits topped off with butter and delicious maple syrup.

Enjoy Maple Syrup day by Serve up a breakfast worthy of real maple syrup...

#MapleSyrupDay

Twins

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Maple Syrup

18th December On December 18th, Twin Day celebrates all the siblings who enjoy the unique connection as they share a birthday.

Twins share everything right from the beginning. While their personalities may be different, they often know what the other is going to say before the words are spoken. #NationalTwinDay

Entertainment

Oatmeal Muffin

19th December Enjoy a delicious breakfast or snack on National Oatmeal Muffin Day. It’s an excellent way to celebrate on December 19th annually.

Known for its health benefits, millions of people start each day with an oatmeal muffin as oatmeal includes health benefits for our hearts.! #OatmealMuffinDay

20th December Across the nation each year on December 20th, National Sangria Day recognizes a wine and fresh fruit combination that brings a fresh celebration to the table.

However, Sangria is made with wine and sweetened with fresh fruit and fruit juices, so kids aren't allowed! #NationalSangriaDay

Sangria

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Entertainment 21st December Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21st commemorates the birth of a challenging word game enjoyed by millions around the world.

Fun Fact: The first crossword puzzles were published in England in children’s books and other publications!

#CrosswordPuzzleDay

Crossword Puzzle

22nd December National Date Nut Bread Day on December 22nd delivers a baker’s delight to celebrate.

Date Nut Bread

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Fun Fact: Dates are believed to have originated around Iraq, dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years!

#DateNutBreadDay

Entertainment

Family Tree

23rd December National Roots Day encourages families to delve into their family history, heritage, and ancestry.

The holidays are an ideal time to collect family information.

While families gather around the table telling stories and sharing memories, someone is sure to be the family historian. #NationalRootsDay

24th December Christmas Eve on December 24 kicks off a series of holiday traditions. Some are ancient practices with a modern spin, while others date back hundreds of years!

Make lasting memories with your loved ones on this day, such as watching a fun Christmas film! #ChristmasEve

Christmas Eve

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Entertainment 25th December Every year on December 25th, over 2 billion people around the world celebrate Christmas Day. Traditionally, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, non religious people and those of different faiths celebrate the day as a cultural event.

Merry Christmas! #Christmas

Candy Cane

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Merry Christmas!

26th December National Candy Cane Day on December 26th gives candy lovers a day to celebrate the red and white striped candies found abundantly during the holidays.

Enjoy these sweet yet tasty candy canes...

#NationalCandyCaneDay

Entertainment

Fruitcake

27th December Fruitcake lovers young and old, commemorate National Fruitcake Day each year on December 27th.

Made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts, and spices - fruitcake has been a holiday gift-giving tradition for many years.

Why not bake a fruitcake... #NationalFruitcakeDay

28th December On December 28th, National Short Film Day commemorates the day the motion picture industry was born, when the Lumière brothers projected a program of short films to a public audience for the first time.

Observe Short Film Day by watching short films all day. #NationalShortFilmDay

Watching TV

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Entertainment 29th December Tick Tock Day, observed annually on December 29th, reminds us to complete any unfinished business that might need addressing before the end of the year.

The clock is ticking.

The countdown has begun.

It's almost 2022...

#TickTockDay

Bacon

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Clock

30th December On December 30th each year, bacon lovers celebrate Bacon Day!

#BaconDay

Entertainment

Happy New Year!

31st December There are many reasons this day is one of the biggest nights of the year. Not just because it’s a time of big parties and celebrations all around the world. New Year’s Eve can be a significant turning point in your life!

Make sure you do a big countdown until 2022! #NewYearsEve

Want to make any of the recipes you saw here?

Turn to page 31!

Would you like more content just like this?

Tell us, by getting in touch!

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Subject to Availability.

Subject to Availability.

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FRUITCAKE

Food

An easy fruitcake to make this chilly winter!

(Page _ _)

In the next couple of pages you'll find numerous of different indulgent and special desserts to make and dig into, on the 'WHAAAT?!' days this December...

Adult supervision is advised!

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Credit: BBC GoodFood

Food

Apple Pie

Total time: 2 hrs and 30 min Serves 8 Ingredients: For the filling 1kg Bramley apples 140g golden caster sugar ½ tsp cinnamon 3 tbsp flour For the pastry 225g butter, room temperature 50g golden caster sugar, plus extra 2 eggs 350g plain flour, preferably organic softly whipped cream, to serve

STEP 1 Put a layer of paper towels on a large baking sheet.

Quarter, core, peel and slice the apples about 5mm thick and lay evenly on the baking sheet. Put paper towels on top and set aside while you make and chill the pastry.

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Food STEP 2 For the pastry, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until just mixed. Break in a whole egg and a yolk (keep the white for glazing later). Beat together for just under 1 min – it will look a bit like scrambled egg. Now work in the flour with a wooden spoon, a third at a time, until it’s beginning to clump up, then finish gathering it together with your hands.

Gently work the dough into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill for 45 mins. Now mix the 140g/5oz sugar, the cinnamon and flour for the filling in a bowl that is large enough to take the apples later.

STEP 3 After the pastry has chilled, heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Lightly beat the egg white with a fork. Cut off a third of the pastry and keep it wrapped while you roll out the rest, and use this to line a pie tin – 20-22cm round and 4cm deep – leaving a slight overhang. Roll the remaining third to a circle about 28cm in diameter. Pat the apples dry with kitchen paper, and tip them into the bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mix. Give a quick mix with your hands and immediately pile high into the pastry-lined tin.

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Food STEP 4 Brush a little water around the pastry rim and lay the pastry lid over the apples pressing the edges together to seal. Trim the edge with a sharp knife and make 5 little slashes on top of the lid for the steam to escape. (Can be frozen at this stage.)

Brush it all with the egg white and sprinkle with caster sugar. Bake for 40-45 mins, until golden, then remove and let it sit for 5-10 mins. Sprinkle with more sugar and serve while still warm from the oven with softly whipped cream.

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Credit: BBC GoodFood

Food

Vintage Chocolate-chip Cookies

Prep: 15mins

Cook: 10mins

Makes 30

Ingredients: 150g salted butter, softened 80g light brown muscovado sugar 80g granulated sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg 225g plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ¼ tsp salt 200g plain chocolate chips or chunks STEP 1 Heat the oven to 190C/fan170C/gas 5 and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

STEP 2 Put 150g softened salted butter, 80g light brown muscovado sugar and 80g granulated sugar into a bowl and beat until creamy.

STEP 3 Beat in 2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 large egg.

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Food STEP 4 Sift 225g plain flour, ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda and ¼ tsp salt into the bowl and mix it in with a wooden spoon.

STEP 4 Add 200g plain chocolate chips or chunks and stir well.

STEP 5 Use a teaspoon to make small scoops of the mixture, spacing them well apart on the baking trays. This mixture should make about 30 cookies.

STEP 6 Bake for 8–10 mins until they are light brown on the edges and still slightly soft in the centre if you press them.

STEP 7 Leave on the tray for a couple of mins to set and then lift onto a cooling rack.

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Credit: BBC GoodFood

Food

Gooey Brownies Prep: 20mins Cook: 20mins Makes 20 Ingredients: 150g butter 75g light soft brown sugar 150g plain chocolate, broken into pieces 1 tbsp golden syrup 3 eggs 125g golden caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 150g plain flour ½ tsp baking powder 3 tbsp cocoa powder, plus more to dust 4-6 tbsp dulce de leche, caramel or chocolate hazelnut spread STEP 1 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 20cm square cake tin with baking parchment. Melt together the butter, brown sugar, chocolate and golden syrup gently on a low heat until it is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat.

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Food STEP 2 Whisk together the eggs and caster sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy – this will take a few minutes and is worth doing properly. Add the vanilla extract, then sift over the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder and add the chocolate mixture. Fold everything together quickly and scoop half of the mixture into the tin. Dot over scoops of caramel or chocolate hazelnut spread and then scoop the rest of the brownie mixture over the top. Add more scoops of caramel or chocolate spread, if you like, and bake for 30 mins.

The top of the mixture should now be set and slightly cracked looking, but the mixture underneath will still have a slight wobble.

STEP 3 Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares. Dust the tops with cocoa or icing sugar, if you like, or if serving as a dessert drizzle with more caramel. Will keep for 3 days in an airtight container.

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Credit: BBC Food

Food

Gingerbread Men

Prep: 30mins Cook: 10-30mins Makes 20 Ingredients: 350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for rolling out 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 125g/4½oz butter 175g/6oz light soft brown sugar 1 free-range egg 4 tbsp golden syrup STEP 1 Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and pour into the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and blend until the mix looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.

STEP 2 Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

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Food STEP 3 Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.

STEP 4 Roll the dough out to a 0.5cm/¼in thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using cutters, cut out the gingerbread men shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them.

STEP 5 Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly goldenbrown. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. When cooled decorate with the writing icing and cake decorations, if using.

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Credit: BBC GoodFood

Food

Vanilla Cupcakes Prep: 40mins

Cook: 20mins

Serves 6-12

Ingredients: For the cupcake mixture 120g butter, softened 120g caster sugar 2 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 120g self-raising flour For the buttercream icing 140g butter, softened 275g icing sugar 1-2 tbsp milk A few drops of food colouring (optional) STEP 1 Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

STEP 2 Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and mix into the butter mixture along with the vanilla extract.

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Food STEP 3 Fold in the flour, adding a little milk until the mixture is of a dropping consistency. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until they are three quarters full.

STEP 4 Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until goldenbrown on top and a skewer inserted into one of the cakes comes out clean. Set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes. Then place on a wire rack.

STEP 5 For the buttercream icing, beat the butter until soft. Add half the icing sugar and beat until smooth.

STEP 6 Add the remaining icing sugar with 1 tbsp milk, adding more milk if necessary, until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add food colouring (optional) and mix well.

STEP 7 Spoon the buttercream into a piping bag and add a nozzle of your choice. Pipe in a swirl motion and then enjoy!

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Credit: BBC GoodFood

Fruitcake Prep: 20mins

Cook: 25mins

Food

Serves 8

Ingredients: 175ml flavourless oil, plus extra for greasing 100g light brown muscovado sugar 2 eggs, beaten 225g plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp allspice ½ orange, juiced ½ lemon, juiced 200g mixed dried fruit 200g apricot jam icing sugar, for dusting STEP 1 Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Grease and line the base of two 20cm springform cake tins with baking parchment.

STEP 2 Stir together the oil and sugar, add the eggs, flour, baking powder, spices and juices, and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until pourable and reasonably runny. Gently fold in the fruit, then divide the batter evenly between the tins. Bake for 20-25 mins or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean, then leave to cool.

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Food STEP 3 When cool, remove from the tins and sandwich the cakes together with jam. Sieve some icing sugar on top to serve.

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Merry Christmas From The Bookread Team Great Christmas Activities...

Make, and decorate a Gingerbread House!

Bake unique, Christmas cookies!

Create Christmas crafts, such as a tree!

Make a Christmas card for someone!

THIS

Saturday 25th December 47

Credit: Sainsbury's Magazine

Stollen Christmas Cake Total Time: 2hrs 30mins

Serves 14-16

Ingredients: 150g raisins 50g currants 100g cut mixed peel 50g dried cranberries zest and juice of 1 orange 150ml cloudy apple juice 2 tbsp rum 150g soft unsalted butter, plus extra to grease 150g golden caster sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground ginger ¼-½ tsp ground cardamom (seeds removed from 10-20 pods and ground in a mortar and pestle) ¼ tsp ground cloves a generous grating of fresh nutmeg 175g plain flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder 100g ground almonds 2 tbsp dried skimmed milk powder 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped out 3 large eggs 150g golden marzipan, cut into 1cm cubes STEP 1 In a large food bag or a mixing bowl, combine the raisins, currants, mixed peel, dried cranberries, orange zest and juice, apple juice and the rum. Cover and soak overnight.

STEP 2 Preheat your oven to 160°C, 140°C fan, gas 3. Grease and line the base and sides of a deep 20cm round cake tin.

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STEP 3 In a freestanding mixer, or using an electric hand whisk, beat together the butter and sugar until very pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

STEP 4 In a separate bowl mix together your spices along with the plain flour, baking powder, ground almonds, milk powder and a large pinch of salt.

STEP 5 Add the vanilla seeds and 1 egg to the creamed mixture, beat thoroughly, making sure you scrape down the sides. Continue adding one egg at a time and beating it in thoroughly before adding the next. If the batter does start to split, beat in a tablespoon of the flour mixture.

STEP 6 Gently fold in the flour mixture, and then add the cubed marzipan, along with all of your soaked fruit.

STEP 7 Spoon the batter into the tin and level the surface. Bake for 1 hour and then cover the top with foil to prevent further browning. Cook for another 30-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Make sure you are not poking into a gooey marzipan section.

STEP 8 Leave to cool in the tin then turn out and wrap in foil and keep in a cool, dark place until needed.

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Complete this crossword for Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21st!

P.S. ANSWERS AT BACK OF MAGAZINE

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GRAB THEM NOW, BEFORE THEY'RE GONE! Subject to Availability.

GOODBYE 2021. HELLO 2022.

20 22 Happy New Year!

From The Bookread Team

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR, FROM ALL OF US AT AT BOOKREAD UK!

20 Happy New Year 22 From The Bookread Team Great New Year Activities...

Do a big countdown, until 2022 starts!

Watch the fireworks at midnight!

Write a New Year's Resolution!

Make a New Year's card for someone special!

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Merry Christmas!

P.S. DON'T CHEAT!

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