Baking and Treats
Feijoa Crumble Cake with Chai Spices
This feijoa crumble cake tastes smells like autumn and is a little nostalgic way to share some love. Heady with spices, it is a great way to use up the fallen fruit from your tree.
Roasted Summer Fruits
My beautiful mama grew up in stone fruit country and these roasted summer fruits remind me a lot of her. Vibrant plums, luscious cherries and plump apricots; and the beautiful Pinot Noir wine those flavours permeate.
Black Forest Cake with Summer Cherries
This beautifully luscious black forest cake accompanied us to a friends New Years Eve gathering. A dark rich sponge topped with beautiful summer fruits, it is a truly spectacular way to celebrate the end of a very packed year.
Carrot Cake with Pineapple and Hazelnut
Carrot cake with cream cheese icing is my absolute favourite, and this combination of carrot, pineapple and hazelnut is divine. Recently I made it for a dear friend who had an awful week and needed a wee pick me up.
Raspberry Amaretto Cookies
Wickedly simple; these raspberry amaretto cookies a lovely afternoon pick me up with a hot cuppa. The best bit? These can be made and then frozen, ready for a last minute bake when the feeling hits.
Easter Caramel Pots
Easter provides one last hurrah and these Easter Caramel Pots are great when shared with friends. Making caramel from scratch can be a finicky process; so I advocate getting a little bit of help.
Irish Coffee Panna Cottas
Celebrate St Patricks Day this year with these rich and lucscious Irish Coffee panna cottas. Irish coffees always brings make memory of the empty Irish coffee glasses sitting on the kitchen bench the day after my parents had guests over.
Salted Caramel Brownies
Is there anything that isn't made better with the addition of salted caramel? These brownies are heady, rich and buttery, with an intense caramel sweetness shot through. A decadent addition to a morning tea, or even a party table.
Pear and Blue Cheese Muffins
Here is that classic flavour combination of pear and blue cheese, piled into an easily transportable vessel of a muffin. I like to make a batch for a weekend morning tea; and smuggle a few away in the freezer.
Margarita Pie
This frozen margarita pie is decadently delicious for a weekend treat. The recipe is from the most enormous cookbook called America: A Culinary Road Trip the 50 States, that my Canadian bought me for Christmas.
Ginger Crunch
What makes the best ginger crunch? I think it's all in the icing to base ratio. I am a fan of the 2:1; mostly crunch with a soft smear of spicy ginger icing on top. Be sure to get the icing consistency right; you don't want it runny as it needs to ho…
Individual Chocolate Panettone Trifles
My love affair with trifles has existed for over three decades now and I see no sign of it stopping. We've always had trifle for Christmas dessert and most years, I manage to hide some away for a delicious Boxing Day breakfast.
Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
For the last few years, I've made these Christmas gingerbread cookies as gifts and they are always a hit. Gently spiced, these fragrant little bundles fit perfectly into little ones hands.
Summer Fruit Icecream
Summer is on it's way and this summer stone fruit icecream is a gorgeous option for when the hot days arrive. I love visiting the markets where they blend beautiful fresh fruits with vanilla icecream to order.
Peanut Butter Cookie Icecream Sandwiches
Summer is on it's way and icecream sandwiches are in! This is a great dessert to make for a dinner party. Cookies can be made in advance, kept in an airtight container and away from my Canadian.
Rum Spiked Chocolate Mousse
I remember when I was little, my mother would make chocolate mousse for dinner parties. I remember the pretty parfait glasses, filled and waiting in the fridge for the guests to arrive.
Oaty Banana Loaf
My week has been stressful and this oaty banana loaf is one of the most comforting foods to eat. Fresh from the oven with a little butter or lightly toasted with jam, this is a recipe that is adored by everyone.
Apple Tamarillo Crumble Tart
There are very few desserts that I go for, but an apple tamarillo crumble will pique my interest each and every time. Something about the acid, sweet, butter and crunchy combination that creates a little party in my heart.
Autumn Apple Whiskey Raisin Tart
I love the simplicity of an autumn apple tart. Understated and classic, there is something matchless about apples, butter and sugar, baked until caramelised, sweet and heady with aroma.
Blue Cheese and Walnut Rolls
After the Christmas break and Auckland Anniversary Weekend, we had a couple of odds and ends of blue cheese in the fridge. You know the ones I mean, that last bite that gets put back in, but is never appropriate to bring out when you have guests agai…
Cherry Custard Tarts
These Cherry Custard Tarts are light, sweet and utterly delicious. My Canadian and I had the parents for dinner and these tarts were devoured at lightening speed.
Chilli Chocolate Fudge Cookies
These Chilli Cookie Fudge cookies are rich, moreish and the perfect addition to a picnic, or as a gift for loved ones. You can always keep them to feast on over the course of the week too.