The time of year has once again rolled around. The time when I’m up against a time crunch and have to get Christmas baking done.
Now, I really think this all began because I watch too many TV baking shows. They make baking seem so easy. Within a few short minutes they throw ingredients together and create these stunning looking, and likely fabulous tasting, creations. It looks so easy. So several years ago, convinced I could do the same sort of thing, I decided to bake a few things to give to other family members at Christmas.
I have discovered while I am not a great baker and will never take home any sort of award, I can hold my own. Paul Hollywood might never shake my hand, but I can make some things which are fairly tasty. And the family seems to enjoy them. In fact, they have now come to expect them.
There was some concern this year when I started hearing about a shortage of sugar. But I have been keeping a close watch on sugar supplies, and so far, I haven’t noticed a shortage. Although given the time of year, people could snap up available supplies rather quickly.
But there is one ingredient I have been searching for and have not been able to find for a couple years now. Green Maraschino cherries.
I know there used to be such a thing. I have seen them. I have used them. But the last time I saw any was at least back in 2019. And I haven’t found any since.
You can still find red Maraschino cherries. Usually. Supplies in some stores seem a little short at the moment, but that is likely the time of year. But green ones seem hard to come by.
All Maraschino cherries are made. They are taken and bleached, then died whatever colour is wanted. Since you can find plenty of the glace, or candied, type in various colours, including green, they don’t seem to have run short of green dye. They just don’t seem to be making them.
So my little chocolate balls with the red or green cherries inside will continue to be just red for another year. But I will keep searching.