In Australia it is unbelievably hot in the lead-up to Christmas but we still borrow traditions from the Northern hemisphere in terms of food we serve. Even people who love baking need a break from standing in front of a hot oven. A quick Christmas recipe is a great Christmas recipe, which is why these Christmas Madeleines are perfect. Continue reading
These salted caramel pecan pie cookies are so easy and so delicious! I made them on the weekend for a dear family member’s birthday party. Tom, the birthday boy, thought they were one of the yummiest things he has ever eaten and as this man has a sweet tooth I take that as high praise.
They have the taste and look of pecan pies but in cookie form – how great is that?
This is the story of a cake that almost wasn’t eaten. I made this simple chocolate peppermint cake from scratch to take to my friends at the newspaper where I work as a journalist. Then, the next morning, the usual pandemonium to get out the front door ensued and cake got left behind. Poor cake. Continue reading
I kept seeing recipes for cakes/cookies/brownies with dulce de leche, a thick caramel sauce that tastes like heaven. Often these recipes would suggest buying the dulce de leche at a deli. Problem was, when I did eventually track down the dulce de leche it was super expensive. Quite honestly, the price was unjustifiable. So I did some research and blamo – I found you could make dulce de leche easily from scratch at home.
I had such an urge to bake a chocolate bundt cake this morning. I was planning to bake shortbread but some invisible force was telling me to create a cake with chocolate and rum that I thought – who am I to argue with the Jedi-minefield that is permeating my kitchen? Continue reading
I adore chocolate mousse but am often put off by the thought of having to make a big ole mess in the kitchen. When I found a recipe that doesn’t involve separating eggs or using every bowl in the house I was sold. Continue reading
I am going through a spicy and sweet stage. I always thought of spicy as something to have at dinner – laksa, anyone? – but as my love of baking increases, so does my curiosity with combining different tastes.
My light bulb moment with this spicy Mexican chocolate tart came one night when I was looking in the pantry for a nightcap of spiced rum and a nibble of chocolate.
I saw a bottle of my favourite tequila sitting alongside some dark chocolate and cinnamon and lo and behold – a glamorous dessert was born. The flavours of Mexico – spice from the cinnamon, heat from the chilli, tequila – shine through.
It goes without saying that this is an adults-only dessert – even if your young ‘un has a taste for chilli the fact that the tequila isn’t cooked off means it isn’t suitable.
This recipe is made of up several different steps, all of which can be done a day before you want to serve the tart. All the steps are simple and fuss-free, yet the finished product looks (and tastes) luscious.
If you do nothing else I would recommend making the candied red chilli the night before. This gives the sugar syrup and chilli a decent getting-to-know-you time, resulting in a better, less harsh flavour.
Ensure you deseed the chilli to remove most of the heat, and use big chillis, not the teeny heat-packing birds eye variety.
I used the excess sugar syrup left-over from making the candied red chilli to dress a chocolate cake – I will share that recipe soon.
This tart can serve 8 generously, or 12 if you cut into smaller squares.
GATHER:
Dough:
115 grams butter, melted
¼ cup caster sugar
1 ¼ cups plain flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Tequila chocolate ganache:
125 grams best quality dark chocolate, chopped roughly
½ cup pouring (single) cream
1- 2 tablespoons tequila – the amount required will depend on the quality of your liquor.
Candied red chilli:
1 large red chilli, deseeded and cut into fine strips. You will only use about 1/3 of the chilli
150 mL water
150 grams caster sugar
LET’S GET TO IT:
Candied red chilli:
Make a sugar syrup by combing the water and sugar in a small pan over a low heat. Stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 20 minutes (stirring and scrapping the bottom) until syrup is thick and reduced.
Remove from heat then add sliced red chilli to pan. When pan and syrup are cool cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge overnight.
Dough:
In a large bowl stir together all the crust ingredients with a spoon until a soft dough forms – this should take about one minute.
Spray a 35cm x 4cm rectangular tart pan with removable base with non-stick cooking spray and press the dough all over the base and up the sides of the pan. Using the bottom of a glass helps with this.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for half an hour.
Preheat the oven to 180C.
Remove plastic wrap from tart and use a fork to prick the pastry base all over.
Bake for 20-24 minutes, until lightly golden.
Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Ganache:
In a small saucepan place the chocolate with the cream and stir over a low heat until melted, thick and glossy – keep a close eye on it as you don’t want it to burn or boil. Allow to stand 15 minutes, then stir in the tequila, tasting as you go.
Stir to combine.
To assemble:
Remove chilli from syrup (you don’t need the syrup) and place chilli on sheet of baking paper.
When pastry base has cooled to room temperature pour in the ganache (give it a quick stir first) then decorate the top with the candied chilli.
Slice in thin wedges to serve.
I love the reaction I get when I put out a platter of whoopie pies. As they aren’t that well known in Australia, people usually ask what they are (‘what do you call this, Darl?’). The usual reaction upon being told is one of mirth and general happiness, and everyone feels the need to repeat it (‘Whoopie pies!’) Continue reading
I blog almost nothing but sweet things but truth be told I do not have a sweet tooth. I crave savoury things, with a specific nod to the cheese family. Give me brie or give me death.
Many of my fav desserts – which I daren’t make lest I scoff the lot – have a cheese element: tiramisu, baked cheesecake, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, cheese platter…
I have new cheese-esque addition to the top dessert list after recently baking this incredibly easy and delicious ricotta and honey tart. Continue reading
Omgosh – treat is the correct word here! This recipe for brown butter rice crispy squares is super dooper easy and super dooper delicious. In case you’re still not sold, you need just four ingredients, one pan, and no baking required. Continue reading
the hungry mum 