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Finding a little Christmas magic can be as simple as cutting out a stencil with the kids, slathering chocolate spread on some pastry, or buying a new plant for the kitchen

Christmas stencils, plants and Pinterest hacks

SHARPEN YOUR STENCILS

The quickest way to add a little Christmassy cheer to your table? Work with prepared goods and add a little stencil. No one will be any the wiser!

ROYAL ICING STENCIL CAKE

Buy a readymade cake, or make a simple sponge cake. Make the icing just before you’re ready to use it. Beat 1 free-range egg white until frothy. Add 180 g icing sugar and mix until incorporated. Gradually add 1 t lemon juice until the mixture is the texture of peanut butter. The icing should be spreadable, but not too wet, or it’ll leak through the stencil. Place the stencil against the cake and enlist a helper to hold it steady. Using a spatula or palette knife, swipe the icing over the stencil in an even layer. Scrape away any excess icing and carefully remove the stencil. Clean the stencil thoroughly before reusing, or you’ll end up with a blurry design.

SHORTBREAD BISCUITS

Roll out the dough and cut out circles. Place 2 T cocoa powder into a piece of muslin, then close using an elastic band. Place the stencil on the uncooked dough and gently dab with the sachet of cocoa powder. Bake as usual.

PASTRY STENCILS

Use a stencil to cut out shapes using thawed pasty. Place on top of your pie and bake as usual. Try it on jam tarts, fruit pies or even on savoury pies for a little extra fun.