I am not a fan of fruit cake. There, I said it. I know it is a tradition, especially at Christmas time, but I find fruit cake heavy and cloying and overbearing. I once made a Christmas cake from scratch, spending the GDP of a small nation on pricey dried and glace fruit. It went pretty much untouched on Christmas Day, and after storing in the pantry for a month or so I ended up throwing it out.
Never again. Continue reading
I have found a fabulous cake for you to bake for this weekend! In Australia people will be celebrating/commiserating/trying to forget the Federal Election, while my American friends will be gearing up for their July 4th celebrations. This cake would be a perfect addition at any get-together you will be attending, from party to picnic to friends-over-for-pizza. Continue reading
I have been struck by a cold that is determined to get the better of me. I have been bedridden and feeling very sorry for myself for what seems like an eternity. Woe is me 😉 Continue reading
Despite winter being about six weeks away here in Australia it is still warm and sunny every day. And if you’re reading this from a town shivering in the cold due to blizzard/rain/wind/sleet you are probably completely envious. But I am so over the heat! Most days, such as today, are hot and I am still desperately waiting for autumn to make an appearance. Continue reading
I love an easy, no churn ice cream recipe! Even if you are living in a part of the world currently covered in snow and frost, I promise you that your guests would be thrilled to be served a bowl of home made chocolate, rum and raising ice cream. Continue reading
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 never used to like rum, and I certainly never used to drink it. Then the Hungry Dad went through a rum phase – which has now progressed to an obsession with whisky – and I was corrupted.
And it turns out that rum and cake is a wonderful marriage. I love baking with booze but chocolate and rum are just destined to be together. Continue reading
This post is a mash-up of two recipes from books currently sitting on my bench. Like many people reading cookbooks – specifically, baking books that consist mostly of sweet bakes, rather than bread – is my Thing. Continue reading
The Hungry Dad is a huge fan of black forest cake and it recently occurred to me that I had yet to make it for him.
We were headed out on a picnic with some friends and I decided to bake this cake. Let me interrupt myself here by saying that picnics for me are heaven, while The Hungry Dad treats them as something along the lines of purgatory. All that eating in the fresh air – pah, says he.
So this cake was a peace offering / bribe to encourage him to enjoy the day. And a good time was had by all. Hooray! Continue reading
the hungry mum 