GINGER and spice and all things nice permeate the air at Border bakeries and patisseries in the countdown to Christmas.
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A gingerbread village has taken pride of place in the kitchen window at Geoffrey Michael Patissier in Albury.
Owner Geoffrey Michael said staff spent a day early last week on the sweet creation, which would stay up until Christmas.
“The feedback has been great,” he said.
“It’s whimsical and people like the look of the colour; kids like the look of the lollies,” he said.
Having trained at five-star establishments Stamford Plaza Brisbane and on Hayman Island before moving to the Border almost four years ago, Geoffrey said he had learnt the fine art of crafting elaborate gingerbread villages.
“On Hayman Island we’d have a week or two to put together a gingerbread village with the help of a team of engineers; cost was not really a factor,” he said.
Geoffrey said they would make up to 150 gingerbread houses ahead of Christmas.
“They look special on a dessert table and they make a nice gift for someone too,” he said.
Geoffrey Michael Patissier’s other seasonal treats are fruit mince tarts, Christmas pudding macarons and gingerbread men.
Albury microbakery The Bicycle Baker owner/operator Nicky Bruce said they started their Christmas baking in late November due to demand.
She said they had been busy baking fruit mince tarts and panforte.
“We have introduced a new fig and walnut panforte, which is based on a traditional Tuscan recipe,” she said.
“There’s no chocolate but it’s full of figs, honey and walnuts. It's suitable for vegans.”
The Bicycle Baker fruit mince tarts are made with King Valley Dairy cultured butter, Wholegrain Milling heritage wheat flour and Buller Wines Tokay.
The Bicycle Baker products are available from Border stockists including The Essential Ingredient, Border Just Foods, Yalandra Fine Foods, Secret Cup Cafe and Dares Fine Foods until December 23.
South Albury business Nord Bakery is baking northern European festive fare for the third year.
They began offering German delicacies pfeffernusse and Danish biscuits pebernødder about three weeks ago.
Since then they have stocked fruit mince tarts and authentic stollen – a classic German Christmas fruit bread.
South Albury neighbours Eden & Olive is offering Christmas shortbread and a sublime peppery panforte made by homegrown chef Jodie Jones.