Tag Archives: recipe

Christmas eggnog cookies

20 Dec

 

EggnogCookies

This was the first Christmas I have ever tried eggnog and let me state for the record – I am in love!

In Sydney Christmas is a hot’n’humid affair, with temperatures usually in the mid 30C so our drink of choice on the big day is beer or champagne. I don’t know anyone who has tried eggnog – many people I mention it to haven’t even heard of it.

But big supermarkets start stocking it in December and this year curiousity got the better of me. I bought it, tried it, loved it. I created eggnog cupcakes, which you can see here https://thehungrymum.com/2015/12/07/one-bowl-eggnog-cupcakes-for-christmas/

I wanted to play around a bit more so I found this recipe for eggnog cookies at http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/11/melt-mouth-eggnog-cookies/

I tweaked it somewhat, including reducing the sugar by half. And replacing the rum extract with real rum. And doubling the amount of cinnamon 🙂

I also didn’t bother making the butter topping, as lovely as it looked, cause it was just too hot to spend another minute in the kitchen.

These eggnog cookies were packaged up in pretty tins and given to neighbours for Christmas.

GATHER:

2 1/4 cups plain flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

170 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature, diced

1/4 cup caster sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

2 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 teaspoons dark rum

1/2 cup eggnog

eggnog-cookies

LET’S GET TO IT:

Preheat oven to 180 C degrees.

In a large bowl use a fork to whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon – set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer beat butter and both sugars until pale and creamy.

Beat in egg yolks one at a time, then stir in vanilla, rum and eggnog.

Turn to low speed and add flour mix, one tablespoon at a time, until just combined. Roll dough balls the size of a ping pong ball and place on tray, then gently flatten paper lined baking sheets. Allow space for them to spread.

Bake for 13 – 15 minutes.

When cold sprinkle with icing sugar.

 

One bowl eggnog cupcakes for Christmas

7 Dec

eggnogcupcakes

Can you believe I only tried eggnog this week? As it is high summer in Australia at Christmas we are likely to quaff chilled champagne than a warm custard-like drink, but I have to say I quite liked it. Continue reading

Christmas Madeleines – an easy chocolate peppermint recipe

30 Nov

 

Christmas Madeleines

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

Chocolate mud cake from scratch recipe

27 Nov

Chocolate mud cake

My firstborn just turned ten! Farewell Miss 9, hello Miss 10! My lovely gal requested a chocolate mud cake for her birthday and her wish was my command.

This was the first time I had made a dark chocolate mud cake from scratch and I was thrilled with the result. It was rich without being cloying, dense without being heavy and perfectly moist. Continue reading

Easy chocolate peppermint cake recipe

18 Nov

chocolate peppermint cake - the hungry mum

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

Choc chip chai cookies

2 Nov

Choc chip  chai  cookies recipe

Up until a year ago I could take or leave chai. As a coffee lover I often don’t have time for tea. But after discovering some amazing chai tea leaves, rather than the awful powdery stuff favoured by some cafes, I am a chai convert.

Another reason for my love of chai: it melds so well with butter, sugar and flour. It is the perfect pairing for many baked goods, as it adds a lovely depth and flavour. Need proof / inspiration?

Here’s my chai tea sultana cake: https://thehungrymum.com/2015/10/07/chai-tea-sultana-cake/

And my chai tea bundt cake recipe: https://thehungrymum.com/2015/08/30/chai-bundt-cake-from-scratch/

I recently had the idea of mixing chai with chocolate and my recipe for chocolate chip chai cookies was born. The tea leaves and the dark chocolate are just made for one another, and the ginger creates a warmth that you will love.

Miss9 took over the making of these bickies! They are large and rustic – next time I would probably make them a bit smaller. Either way, these choc chip chai cookies taste amazing.

I was inspired by a recipe from the Australian Women’s Weekly called basic vanilla biscuits.

Choc chip  chai  cookies

GATHER:

200 grams unsalted butter, diced, at room temperature

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup icing sugar, sifted

1 egg

½ cup dark chocolate chips

1 ¾ cups plain flour

½ teaspoon bicarb soda

2 teaspoons chai tea leaves

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon cinnamon

choc chip chai cookies

LET’S GET TO IT:

Preheat oven to 170C and grease and line a baking sheet with non-stick paper.

In bowl of electric mixer beat the sugar, butter, egg and vanilla together until creamy and smooth.

Stir in flour, bicarb, cinnamon, ginger and chai leaves and mix until combined. Using a silver spoon mix in the chocolate chips until just combined.

Roll into balls, place on tray and gently flatten.

Bake for 11-14 minutes, depending on size of your bickie. Cool on trays for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

The Hungry Mum  Choc chip chai cookies

Cinnamon sugar cookie cake

30 Oct

Cinnamon sugar cookie  cake

Cinnamon. That is all.

Not really! I don’t think a four-word blog post can really sum up the feelings I have for this most delicious spice.

I have a recipe on the blog for cinnamon teacake (see it here: https://thehungrymum.com/2012/10/02/classic-old-fashioned-cinnamon-teacake/) and it is such a simple cake but it is often requested by work colleagues as it is light and fluffy.

This recipe was based on one from bakeorbreak.com – I significantly reduced the sugar, and omitted the salt and baking powder.

I named it cinnamon sugar cookie cake because it has the taste and texture of all of these things, but better! If you love butter and cinnamon you will love this cake. As it is cut into squares it is great for feeding a crowd, taking to a picnic or packing into lunchboxes.

Cinnamon sugar cookie cake would also make an easy dessert when served with custard, ice-cream (or both) or alongside a warming apple crumble / apple crisp.

Don’t blame me if this cake tips your admiration for cinnamon into full-blown addiction J

GATHER:

115 grams of butter, diced, at room temperature

¾ cup caster sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups plain flour

topping: 3 tablespoons sugar mixed with three teaspoons cinnamon

Cinnamon  sugar  cookie  cake - The Hungry Mum

LET’S GET TO IT:

Preheat oven to 180C and grease and line a 20cm by 20cm square cake tin.

In bowl of lectric mixer beat together the butter, oil, eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla until combined. Pour in flour and beat until mixed.

Scrape into tin, level the top and sprinkle over the topping.

Bake for 25 minutes – you may need an extra five or so minutes depending on your oven. Cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.

The Hungry Mum  Cinnamon  sugar  cookie  cake

Pretzel chocolate brownies recipe

19 Oct

Pretzel chocolate brownie

For reasons yet to be fully understood I recently bought a huge packet of pretzels at the supermarket. I’m not a fan of pretzels at all so just chalk this purchase up to momentary madness. I don’t even think they were on sale. Every time I open the pantry they wink at me, taunt me, as if to say – now what?  Continue reading

Lemonade birthday cake with cinnamon buttercream recipe

17 Oct

Lemonade cake with cinnamon buttercream

It was my BFF’s birthday recently and a celebratory picnic was in order. Families and kids were rounded up, cheese was purchased, Pimms organised, rugs placed in cars. And a cake was baked. Continue reading

Nutella coconut bars / slice

15 Oct

nutella coconut bars

Sometimes you want to bake something technical, intricate and delicate. Other times you want something you can throw together with pantry staples in mere moments. Or your sugar craving needs to be address – stat. Or a child comes home with an until-this-moment forgotten about request for something sweet as a friend is coming over for a play. This is the recipe for you.

Nutella coconut bars  The Hungry Mum

This easy to bake Nutella coconut bars / slice/ squares recipe is so delicious – the crunch of the base contrasts so well with the lush chocolate filling. Make these and try and stop at just one piece!

GATHER:

125 grams butter, at room temperature, diced

100 grams brown sugar

1 teaspoon best vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups self-raising flour

½ cup Nutella

topping:

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups desiccated coconut

1/3 cup caster sugar

Nutella coconut squares

LET’S GET TO IT:

Preheat oven to 180C.

Grease and line a rectangular slice pan, allowing a 3cm overhang of paper.

In bowl of electric mixer beat sugar, butter and vanilla until pale, then using a spoon stir in flour.

Scrape into pan, distributing evenly, and cook for 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside until completely cool.

Meanwhile, mix all the topping ingredients together in a small bowl.

Spread Nutella over cold base, sprinkle over topping – ensure it is even.

Return to oven and cook for 20 minutes.

Leave in pan until cold, then cut into squares to serve.

Nutella coconut squares - the hungry mum