When I was a little girl the weeks before Christmas were full of anxiousness and deep thoughts.
Fearing that my “little tricks” could deprive me from the so much desired presents, I acted as if Santa Claus was behind me all the time and I judged myself to make sure that nothing could keep the big red bag away from me.
That’s why this year I’ve decided to open the Christmas season with a present for the “tricky kids”…

Here Christmas is for everybody…

Carbón dulce (sweet coal) is a spanish typical Christmas present.
Tradition says that the kids with “bad behaviour” should get carbon instead of presents.
Anyway carbon is sweet to make sure kids know that they’re good and could improve their behaviour.

In past times carbon was darkened with smoke but now it’s forbidden for health reasons and food coloring is used for the same effect.

Carbón dulce

70 g egg white icing
Black food coloring
700 g sugar
230 g water

Egg white icing:
1 egg white (35 g)
5 drops of lemon juice
200 g icing sugar

Black food coloring.

In a large bowl combine all ingredients until smooth and thick.
A good test is when a knife blade drawn through the icing leave a clean cut.
Add more sugar if necessary.
Add the food coloring.

Prepare a rectangular pan lined with greased parchment paper.
Combine water and sugar in a deep saucepan until 1/3 of the height.
Bring to boil until 126ºC.
Remove from heat and add the egg white icing.
Stir in circles until foam forms.
Keep stirring until foam surfaces again.
Pour the mixture into the lined pan.
Break the carbon in pieces.

Tomorrow I’ll fly to Oporto and I fill myself with an anticipated happiness: my rose is unmatched in the entire world.





Candied rose petals:

10 rose petals
1 pasteurised egg white
50 g sugar

Wash and dry gently the petals.
Brush the petals with the egg white.
Completely coat the petals with sugar.
Let them dry in a dry place or in the oven at 35ºC for a couple of hours.