Cheese Twist Scones

Here's another recipe from the archives of my Mum's Little Red Recipe Book. My mum grew up on a farm, and I'm sure there would have been a lot of home baking done, along with ingredients being readily available. I would categorise this recipe as farm style baking as it's not particularly healthy, but a comforting, tasty treat. Especially on a cold, wet, windy (Wellington) day with a nice hot cup of tea! 

Cinnamon & Raisin Scrolls

When I was in America in 2010, one thing I ate changed my life forever! One of the great things about the USA is the ability to make the most shockingly bad for you junk food taste unbelievably amazing! On a day trip down to San Diego from Los Angeles, we stopped for a snack in a mall. It was one of those places with heaps of options for food. I picked out a Cinnabon. I was sold. I couldn't stop thinking about this gooey, sticky, warm, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon bun. My memories of cinnamon buns are of a somewhat dry scone. A Cinnabon is anything but! I only ate one more in the three weeks we were travelling around the States. The second was during a stopover in Delaware in transit from NYC to Washington DC on the world's dodgiest bus (Only $20 a ticket- we were certain there was some illegal cargo on board....!) We couldn't eat on the bus, so I save my little Cinnabon until we got to our hotel in Georgetown. Even after 4 hours travel, it was still amazing! 

What I've Been Baking & Recipe for Mini Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Wow wasn't that a mouthful of a title! The last few months I have been trying a few different new recipes. Nothing I can take credit for but I wanted to share in case you're lacking some inspiration! I also thought I would share what I've been doing along with a recipe for some really cute mini cupcakes with a decadent chocolate ganache frosting. I made these for a baby shower recently and they went down an absolute treat!

Recipe: Jamie Oliver Baked Chocolate Cheesecake

I used to always make this cheesecake for special occasions or if I was asked to make a dessert for a pot luck (bring a plate) dinner. As I had a pretty significant birthday (30!) in the weekend, I thought why not! I haven't made it in a while as it's very decadent, and makes a really large cake! If you haven't tried a baked cheesecake before, you're really missing out! It has a lovely smooth, velvety texture that melts in your mouth. 

Coconut Walnut Truffles

As you may already know (or guessed) by the other recipes on my blog, I stick to mostly old fashioned home baking and treats. We don't have any food allergies or intolerances in my family, so I basically cook whatever takes my fancy. I am however, happy to cater to anyone else's dietary requirements. If I am visiting someone or having a friend over, I'm more than happy to make something that they can eat. 

This recipe I came across while I was cutting up the Wiggles magazine to make this garland. I was quite surprised to find this recipe and see that it was not only easy to make, but yummy sounding too. Maybe it's just me, but I don't generally expect to find many adult friendly (i.e. food adults will eat) recipes in a children's magazine!

Recipe: Honey Jumbles aka Rice Krispie Treats

Once upon a time, someone gave my sister a Kid's Microwave cookbook. It had some great recipes in it, for example, how to make scrambled eggs (!) And like most of the other cookbooks we had at home growing up, we only ever used the sweet section! I kept the book for awhile but really only so I could have this recipe. We gave the book to the Salvation Army store awhile ago, but I tore out the page with this recipe on it! (Incidentally there is a good recipe for meringues on the other side!!)

Recipe: Apricot Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's been quite a while since I posted a recipe on the blog! It's not for lack of baking however. I've actually done quite a bit, just nothing original. Will share what I've been baking in another post....

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Three years ago I went on a bit of an OE (Overseas Experience) with my husband. We mostly travelled in America. On my list of things to do, was to eat Red Velvet cake. I really didn't know that much about it except it seemed to be really popular, and it was red! I didn't even know what kind of flavour Red Velvet was! 

I managed to taste a Red Velvet cupcake, Frozen Yoghurt and a Red Velvet layered dessert. (I also became a huge fan of peanut buttered flavoured desserts while over there so sometimes I picked that flavour!). 

Double Chocolate Sour Cream Brownie

I used to be a terrible brownie baker. I think I've mentioned this before! I avoided making brownies as a rule because I couldn't guarantee if I made one, that it would turn out as a delicious as it should. People always say brownie is so easy, but somehow I just couldn't seem to get it right. 

Either I over baked it, and I have a slightly burnt, dry, crumby chocolate cake, or I under cook it, and have a gooey, sticky chocolately mess!

One Step Peanut Butter Cookies

A lot of people have been asking and sharing on Facebook and Instagram what they are making for school lunches this year. As I have a toddler, this doesn't really affect me! But, he does go to in-home care twice a week while I'm working I send him along with a packed lunch, usually exactly the same thing every time! So I am always looking for recipes or ideas of things I could put in his lunch box or for when we're at home. At the moment he's pretty fussy, so the menu is fairly limited!
Everyone knows this recipe, it's so easy, I think will freeze well and takes minutes to make. It's also a great one for kids to do themselves as there's barely any measuring either. Not one of the healthiest ones, but sometimes you just need something quick and easy to fill the gap right?!

Chelsea Winter Gluten Free Chocolate Cheesecake

One of my favourite things about Christmas is all the delicious food that you get to make. I have a sweet tooth so I'm always drawn to desserts and treats! Because of this, I usually get the task of making dessert for Christmas day, so I begin trawling through Pinterest for recipes and inspiration! (Seriously what did we do before we had Pinterest??!!) 

Triple Berry Blondie (Brownie)

Here's an easy recipe when you want something sweet for an afternoon tea or dessert, but don't want to go to the effort of making a cake. 

This recipe I made up as an adaption from the Edmonds Illustrated Cookbook. If you love the regular Edmonds book, then you really need this one! 

Super Easy White Chocolate Russian Fudge

When I was growing up, my sister and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. We pretty much only ever made cakes and sweets! One of our favourite "sweets" to make was Russian Fudge. We used a recipe from the Rally Cookbook which you had to boil for 30 minutes until it was ready to beat and set. Usually when you're making sweets you want to make and eat as soon as possible! Although the waiting does make it taste sweeter don't you think?!

Mini Sweet Pecan Pies

This is one of those recipes that I've had for aaaaages but never done because I thought it would be too hard or fiddly. I got the recipe from a colleague at work who is a brilliant cook and baker, and whips up all kinds of things at the drop of a hat. She sometimes makes these for special morning teas at work and we all "ooh" and "ahh" about them because they look so fancy and special. They also taste delicious and are the perfect type of thing when you want "just a mouthful". So now I have discovered that they are deceptively simple!

The only ingredient I needed to buy was the Pecan Nuts. I already had some frozen sweet short pastry (yes I know, a cooks cheat), and everything else is pantry staples. 

You could make your own pastry, it's included in the recipe, and it looks pretty easy too. 

Midweek Meal: Chinese Chow Mein Rice

I would like to preempt this post by saying that 1. I am definitely not a food photographer (I took all these pics on my phone while I was cooking!) and 2. I realise this is probably the furtherest recipe away you can get for an authentic Chow Mein, but this is the name I made up, so I'm going with it!

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie

It's really not the right season over here in New Zealand to be making desserts like Pumpkin Pie. Our weather is warming up, and you're more likely to be indulging in strawberries and ice cream! BUT I can assure you, once you've had this pie, you will change your mind! It has a beautiful sweet, velvety texture, and it's hard to stop at one slice!

I got the recipe from an old work colleague who used to make it every time we had a pot luck meal. I actually hadn't had it before then, it always seems a bit confusing to make a sweet dish from a vegetable! So the thought of it might put some people off. If I had the choice of apple pie or pumpkin pie, I might actually choose the pumpkin option! 

This is really a very sweet, decadent dessert that can be eaten warm or cold, alone or with cream, ice cream or yoghurt. 

It's definitely worth a try, and if I have any Northern Hemisphere readers, here's an easy recipe for your Thanksgiving dinner!

Ninja Cookie Drop: Double Dark Chocolate Cookies with Hazelnuts and Sea Salt

This past weekend I participated in what is known as "The Sisterhood Ninja Bake 2013". This is where a group of women all over the country, secretly bake and drop off homemade goodies to hundreds of others. The idea behind this is to brighten someone's day, bring them a little joy if they are going through a hard time, or just to let them know someone out there cares. 

Spiced Apple Cake Slice

Today was a bit of a lazy day. My son was up in the night so I was feeling really tired, I had zero motivation to take him anywhere (bad mothering I know!) and I felt like baking something tasty but easy. 

I always think if you are baking something with a fruit or vegetable in it, that instantly makes it healthy, right?! For example carrot cake, banana bread and this beautiful spiced apple cake! 

A dear friend gave me this recipe years ago, but I'm sure I only made it for the first time this year! I couldn't even really remember what it was meant to look or taste like, but I knew I liked it when she baked it! I really like anything that has cinnamon in it- blueberry muffins, cinnamon scrolls, carrot cake, pumpkin pie (ooh remind me to blog a recipe for that!)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone has a favourite chocolate chip biscuit recipe. (FYI: Biscuit is what us Kiwi's call cookies!) It might be a family secret, or favourite tried- and true recipe from a favourite cookbook like the trusty old Edmonds or another familiar baker. 

Michael Jones Chocolate Celebration Cake

We don't have many traditions in my family but this cake certainly seems to be becoming one! I have been using this recipe for around 10 years now. It is my go-to cake for birthdays and special occasions. I get a lot of comments about how delicious it is. It's a very dense, chocolatey cake, perfect for a celebration. it bakes up well in a large tin, I often use a 27cm tin and it still rises up nice and high, so will easily serve 10+ people. I usually do a plain chocolate icing with or without extra decoration, but the original recipe calls for a decadent cream and chocolate bar topping! Obviously I have to give credit to Michael Jones for the recipe, but you should also feel privileged to be getting it, as it is almost a family secret!