Coloured Sugar

Everyone probably knows about this tip, but just in case there are others out there that are as challenged in kitchen as I am, I thought I'd pass this along.

As many may know, finding coloured sugar in the UK can be difficult.  I don't think I've ever seen it in any of the big supermarkets.  

I checked on the net and sure enough, you can add food colouring to sugar to create your own.  What the website didn't tell you was that with some colours you have to add so much colouring that the sugar becomes overly moist and tacky.  Certainly not good enough for sprinkling on sugar cookies.

So what's a girl to do?

Pop it in the oven on 50C for about 8 minutes, until the sugar dries out.  It may initially clump together, but with a little shake, it easily comes apart.

Voilà ... perfect coloured sugar.

Wow.  You learn something new every day!  Thanks Caitlinn.  Oh and I LOVE the Christmas picture of your baby.  

Wow.  You learn something new every day!  Thanks Caitlinn.

Yep, you sure do.  I have my red and green sugar ready for sugar cookies.  Now I just have to find the gumption to make them!

Oh and I LOVE the Christmas picture of your baby.  

Aww, thanks!  He looks so cute in his Santa hat.  Shame he won't smile for the camera; he hates my red eye flash!

 Yes ta very much Caitlinn.I have always wanted to try coloured sugar as well,but have never seen it sold anywhere
 
 I would like to try to make a King Cake sometime

  Aww you know the little ones like to smile,but as soon as you get that camera out...... LOL

 I would like to try to make a King Cake sometime

What's a King Cake?

I've found a really cute cookie on another forum.  I don't think I'll try to make them this year because baby is too small to truly appreciate them, but for anyone with older children, this might make a fun afternoon project: Peanut Butter Christmas Mice.

Aww you know the little ones like to smile,but as soon as you get that camera out...... LOL

Not my little one!  He's very used to cameras (have over 4,000 digital snaps and a host of traditional film) and will frequently smile for it.  But when the flash comes out, my goodness can he make some horrid faces.  The poor mite!

 Oh sorry,King Cake is a traditional thing you make in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras .Iam not from there but this cake sounds very yummmy to me

 Here is a sample recipie if you are interested
     http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_5958,00.html.

 Aww bless your son.He sounds like a ham and likes his pic taken Just dont like that flash then.

 You really see how fast they grow through pics,dont you!
   

Thanks for the tip Caitlinn. I always wondered how to do it myself without it clumping up. It would be a lot cheaper making it myself. I'll have to try it.

I would like to try to make a King Cake sometime

Rhia...at Mardi Gras time here in Houston you can't hardly throw a stick without hitting a King's Cake. They look so yummy but I've never tried one. I bet a homemade one would really be good. Are you going to put the plastic baby in it too when you make it?

"Rhia...at Mardi Gras time here in Houston you can't hardly throw a stick without hitting a King's Cake."

 LOL ,thats cool .Yeppers they do look yummy indeed.Now we both will have to try it huh

 Well I know you can put a bean in it too,but I think I will try a plastic baby.more like its suppose to be,and fun to see who finds it

 Guess I will have to go to a party supply store for one,but maybe my Wally world might carry something like that,LOL

Well I know you can put a bean in it too,but I think I will try a plastic baby.more like its suppose to be,and fun to see who finds it

 Guess I will have to go to a party supply store for one,but maybe my Wally world might carry something like that,LOL

I'm pretty sure you can find them in the craft department of Wally world or at craft stores. They're usually in a bag of like 20 I think. They're with the stuff for baby showers. (like the cake decorating stuff and all that)  

 Ta Melissa for the info.Me and Mr Santa will be visting Wally world for some last minute shopping tonight.So I will check it out for sure.I will write it down now,so I dont forget

 Cany wait to see the look on hubby's face,when I say that Iam looking for little plastic babies,LOL

Cany wait to see the look on hubby's face,when I say that Iam looking for little plastic babies,LOL

It is many years since I saw coloured sugar but I remember having it in the house when I was little and I think my parents would have just got it from the supermarket. More recently I have heard that Fortnum and Mason stock it.

Good tip on the colored sugar front...no idea they did not have it there.

Just a side note on the King Cake.  In Spain it's traditional to serve that same type of cake on Three Kings Day..Jan. 6th.  The person that finds the trinket will have a year of good luck as well.

Those cakes are soooo yummy!

" In Spain it's traditional to serve that same type of cake on Three Kings Day..Jan. 6th.  The person that finds the trinket will have a year of good luck as well. "

Cool,I didnt know that it was popular in other countries as well  

Well I got my babies,and will be making it tomorrow to take to my parents home.This is a treat for them as well.They have never had it either

       Wish me luck all,as Iam a bit nervous!

  Ta again Caitlinn, for bringing up the subject of coloured sugar,as I would have never thought about making a King Cake otherwise

 Well I was pleased with my King Cake,Everyone enjoyed it as well. My Dad was teasing me by saying that he wouldnt eat it because he was scared he would swallow the baby LOL.

 My Mom got the baby,and she was very excited about it.hehehehehe.

 Dont know if I will be fixing it next Christmas,as we will be in England.But you just never know