Christmas Bread Dough Wreaths

One of my sisters lived in America in the 1980s and was swept away by the effort her neighbours put into their Christmas trees. Consequently, she owns a magnificent Christmas tree and dozens upon dozens of elaborate ornaments. Despite this, the loveliest ornaments on her tree are simple bread dough ornaments. These ornaments can be any shape you desire (hers include mini-Christmas wreaths) and because they are varnished, they last a very long time. This is a great activity to do with children.

Ingredients
• For the wreaths: 2 cups plain flour, ½ cup salt, 2 teaspoons vegetable or canola oil, ½ cup water.
• Metal hanging hooks suitable for Christmas ornaments
• Egg glaze: 1 egg and 1 tbsp water beaten together
• Poppy seeds
• Acrylic paint and paintbrushes
• Varnish (estapol or similar)
• Ribbon

Make the dough
• Thoroughly mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Then add the oil and the water and start to bind the ingredients into a dough.
• Mix the dough with your hand, adding more water drip by drip until the dough is firm enough not to stick to your hands, but not dry enough that it is crumbly.
• Turn dough out onto a smooth surface and knead for 7-10 minutes, until it is smooth, pliable and very slightly warm.

To make a small Christmas wreath
First make a twist by laying two 20cm ropes of dough side by side. Starting in the centre, twist them around each other then work outwards, first to one end, and then to the other. Make the twist into a circle by wetting your hands, smoothing the ends, and working the ends of the dough together to make a seamless circle. Set aside on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Roll out dough until it is 5 mms thick and cut out holly leaves. Make holly berries by rolling small pieces of dough in your hands. Arrange the holly leaves and berries on the top of your wreath circle. Fit a hanging hook behind the leaves. Paint with egg glaze, avoiding the holly leaves and berries. Sprinkle poppy seeds on the wreath. Bake at 145oC for 90 minutes. After baking, and when totally cooled, paint the holly leaves and berries with acrylic paint. Once dry, apply varnish. Allow to completely dry before adding a ribbon bow to finish.

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