Movember moustache shortbread and prize giveaway

The biscuits are cute, but this is a slightly more serious post than usual.  If you normally skim read (aw c’mon, there’s no shame admitting it....we all do it...don’t we???) please could you slow down at the bit headed up “charity prize draw”?  Thanks awfully!

November is the month you are most likely to see dapper gentlemen sporting beautifully groomed moustaches.  Why?  Movember, of course!  If you haven’t heard of Movember here is the explanation taken directly from the official site:

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Once registered at movember.com each Mo Bro must begin the 1st of Movember with a clean shaven face. For the entire month each Mo Bro must grow and groom a moustache. There is to be no joining of the mo to the sideburns (that’s considered a beard), there’s to be no joining of the handlebars to the chin (that’s considered a goatee) and each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman.

A Mo Sista is essentially a woman who loves a Mo. An individual that is dedicated to supporting the Mo Bros in her life through their moustache growing journey; whether it be a friend, colleague, family member or partner. These inspirational women are committed to raising awareness of men's health issues and much needed funds for men's health along the way.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

Mr CC is currently sporting a fine Mexican-style moustache.  We monitor its progress with wonder each day as he has never sported facial hair beyond the few days ‘can’t be bothered to shave’ stubble.  I’m viewing it as an experience similar to an advent calendar, but with less chocolate.  We are both impressed by its luxuriant fullness and that it is (mostly) uniform in colour.  Such a ‘tache deserves sponsorship!

Now, as a Mo Sista married to a Mo Bro (Mr CC!) I must do my bit to raise awareness and – perhaps more importantly – funds.  This is where I throw myself at your mercy...and hopefully your charity.  This is a brilliant cause and every pound raised helps the fight against cancer.

Charity prize draw

Please, please, please, might you consider sponsoring Mr CC’s ‘tache growing exploits?  His Mo page can be found here and you can donate by clicking the ‘donate to me’ box displayed under his profile picture.  You can donate using credit cards or paypal and - I think - you can donate from anywhere in the world.  The money goes directly to the charity and – if you are in the UK and a taxpayer – you can also click the gift aid box thus increasing your donation at no extra cost to you!

To further sweeten the pill, I have put together a little prize bundle worth over £40.  The prize includes moustache themed goodies of biscuit cutters and stamps, sandwich cutters (can also be used for pastry or biscuits), picks for canapés or cupcake decorations, candies and – because the other big C-word is approaching (that’s Christmas) - a Christmas themed cupcake case set and book!

On 1^st December I shall enter the names of all donors into the prize draw and pick one at random.  That person will win the prize bundle of goodies.  Please leave your name in the donation details (blog name is fine if you don’t wish to leave your real name – just split it into a first and surname) and also, in the message box, state that you have come to the Mo page via The Caked Crusader.  This is so I know to include you in the draw.  Also, I know many blog competitions/draws often limit entries to a particular country but I’m not doing that here – the cause is too important to fret about postage costs.  If you donate and win I will post the prize bundle to you WHEREVER you are in the world...if your country has a postal system, I’ll get it to you!

The shortbread men are made from my quick and easy shortbread recipe. In honour of Mr CC’s fine ‘tache growing exploits, each little man was given a chocolate moustache (ebay is brilliant for finding quirky and cheap chocolate moulds).

The chocolate shortbread ‘taches were made from an adapted version of the recipe I used for the men, and that adapted version is set out below.  The moustache biscuits give an idea of what you can win by donating as they were made using the moustache cutter and stamp set included in the prize bundle – obviously, not the set I’m giving away...I bought my own set!

Thank you for whatever donation you can make – it’s such a good cause.  Hope you’re lucky in the prize draw!

Ingredients for chocolate shortbread

125g unsalted butter, at room temperature
55g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinking
150g plain flour
30g cocoa powder
Optional: 100g chocolate chips

Method

Preheat oven to 190°C/fan oven 170°C/375°F/gas mark5

Line two baking sheets with greaseproof paper.

Beat together the butter and sugar until you have a smooth paste.

Stir in the flour, cocoa and chocolate chips (if using), and bring together to a dough.

Roll out the dough between two sheets of clingfilm. You’re aiming for a thickness of approximately 1cm.

Cut into shapes using the cutter of your choice and place on the baking tray; allow a little room for expansion but no need to leave more than about 1cm. NB. The dough re-rolls easily so don’t waste any of it!

Sprinkle with additional caster sugar.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the biscuits are firm-ish to the touch. Mine took nearer 18 minutes.

Leave to cool on a wire rack.

Store in an airtight container – they will keep for days and days!

Bask in the glory of the wonderful thing you have created.

Eat.