Macaroon Basket

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon gum arabic
• ½ cup boiling water
• 1 large cup white sugar
• Butter for greasing
• Whipped cream for filling
• Comfits for decoration
• Red jelly for decoration
• Ladyfingers (optional)

Directions

1. Dissolve gum arabic in boiling water until thoroughly mixed.

2. Stir in white sugar and boil gently until very thick.

3. Keep the mixture hot in a pan of boiling water while using.

4. Butter the bottom and sides of a round tin pail.

5. Dip the edges of each macaroon in the hot candy and lay them in close rows on the bottom until covered.

6. Ensure they dry and adhere firmly before starting the sides.

7. Build up the wall one row at a time, letting each harden before adding another.

8. Once the basket is firm, carefully lift it from the mold.

9. Create a loop handle at each end with four or five macaroons stuck together.

10. Set the basket on a flat dish and fill it with whipped cream.

11. Sprinkle comfits over the cream or decorate with bits of red jelly.