Christmas Shortbread & Gingerbread

The Festive Season has arrived quite quickly in my opinion and so that means turning our minds to thoughts of specific celebration foods. I try to make as much as I can this time of year but of course that's not always possible.

A great product to have on the Christmas table, share with friends at pre-holiday catch ups or send with the kids to school break up parties is Shortbread

It's sweet for those of us with a sweet tooth and fine festive fair (some even come in Christmas shapes!). What's more it's additive and preservative free! So instead of reaching for a packet of choccie biscuits take another look at grandma's old favourite - Shortbread.

You can add to that list as well Gingerbread! Another great favourite free of nasties. But be warned! Not all Shortbreads and Gingerbreads are baked equally. Once you start adding flavours and decorative colours and sweets then some thorough label checking is required.

Take for example those I have pictured. Walkers is a great brand as they are sold internationally and stick to your basic recipe of flour, butter, sugar and salt, so all good (unless you eat Gluten free).

The other clear package of flavoured Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread bites is not so straight forward. The pistacio's and cranberries have been treated with a sulphite and it lists an ingredient "natural flavours" - well what does that mean? Very obscure!

The other product pictured is Woolworths Elfies Gingerbread Men with iced decoration. Normally this would be a stay away product but in fact the iced colouring is made from Beetroots used for their red colour and Lutein used for it's orange colouring - both perfectly safe.

So feel free to spoil the littlies this silly season with these treats!

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