From the Bakery Book

White chocolate and cranberry blondies.

2011-11-11T13:41:00.000-08:00

These are perfect for the holiday season. I had them in the UK last month and loved them. Have tried to make them a couple of times, my one tip - melt only half of the chocolate. I failed to read this first time around, but quite frankly they still turned out really well!

I know, for my American friends the recipe is in grams. DO NOT BE AFRAID. If you have a good kitchen scale you'll have no worries.

200g Butter

300g Quality White Chocolate

3 Medium eggs

150g caster sugar

1tsp vanilla extract

200g plain flour

100g dried cranberries

Pinch of salt

Oven 180c / gas mark 4

In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, melt the butter with 150g of the chocolate, whisking well until smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together until pale. Beat in the melted chocolate mixture.

Fold in the flour and salt. Pour into baking tin. Strew the cranberries and the other 150g white chocolate evenly over the batter. Poke down with the end of a teaspoon!

Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the top is firm but the inside is still a bit soft.

Leave to cool in the tin, cut into squares and dust with icing sugar.

Chocolate Meringue Roulade

2011-02-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

4 egg whites
8 oz sugar
1 tspn Corn starch
4 tspn cocoa
4 oz of 70% cocoa chocolate
1 pint of cream

Whip egg whites until soft peaks appear (and so you can turn the bowl upside down with out anything falling out)

Whip in the sugar and then sift in the cocoa and corn starch folding in with a metal spoon.

Place on a well greased cookie sheet and bake at 360F for 20 mins.

Allow to cool. Whip the cream and melt the chocolate and then fold the two together and line the meringue, then roll the roulade into shape. Drizzle chocolate on top.

Options

You could easily make this with out the chocolate and put in fresh fruit, i have also heard of puting crushed nuts in with the meringue instead of cocoa powder.

Buttercream frosting

2011-02-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Vanilla butter cream frosting

1/2 lb of powdered/icing sugar

1/2 stick of butter (2oz)

2 tbspn or 1/8 cup of milk

1 tspn of vanilla extract

Beat the butter with an electric mixer until pail then slowly add in the sifted sugar. Once combined, add in the milk and the essence.

Chocolate Butter cream

1 1/2 sticks/ 6 oz butter unsalted butter room temp
pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups/ 8oz powdered/icing sugar, sifted
1/4 tspn vanilla
3 oz 70% chocolate, melted and cooled to room temperature

Beat the butter and salt on medium speed with an electric mixer, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Reduce the speed to low, gradually add the sugar and beat until incorporated.

Add the vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy.

Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the chocolate and beat on medium speed until incorporated, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down sides.

Do not over mix or it will incorporate too much air.

Strawberry Butter cream

Ingredients

1/2 cup strawberries, chopped.
1 cup Butter
Pinch of Salt
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar.
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Beat the Butter, salt and sugar in a mixer. Beat until pale and white, then add vanilla and strawberries until well combine. It should be pretty thick, if it isn't add a little more sugar.

(if you don't like the pieces of strawberry in your frosting, puree before hand then add.)

peppermint bark

2010-12-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

I had never heard of this stuff till i came to America but i love it and it's easy to make.

12 oz of dark chocolate
12 oz of white chocolate
8 candy canes
a little oil
peppermint essence

Line a 13x9 pan with parchment paper or greaseproof paper.
Place the candy canes in a bag and crush them.
Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler.
Once melted mix in a 1/2 tspn of oil, this gives it a glossier look and makes it set better then pour in the base of the pan. Then place in the fridge.
Now Melt the white chocolate.
Mix 3/4 of the candy canes into the melted white chocolate along with 1/2 tspn of oil and a tspn of peppermint essence.
Pour on top of the dark chocolate then sprinkle the remainder of the crushed candy canes on top.
refrigerate for an hour or until set, then break into uneven pieces.

Mincemeat pies

2010-12-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

Mincemeat

8 oz apples, cored and chopped

4 oz suet (shortening) shredded

16 oz fruit - i use raisins, cherries, chopped dates, golden sultanas

6 oz brown sugar

juice and zest of 2 oranges and 2 lemons

2 tspn ground spice

1/2 tsp of ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg

3 tbspns of Brandy (i use whisky)

the recipe i have uses 4 oz of candied peel chopped but the one here is so hard i don't use it. I will add an ounce or two more raisins or sultanas.

it also has 1 oz of almonds chopped. not sure what your hubby thinks, but i am a not nut's in mincemeat person. if he likes them you can add them.

Mix them all in a oven proof bowl except the Brandy. Then cover with foil and place in a 225F oven for 3 hours.

When it comes out it will look really fatty just loosely stir it in and then allow it to cool. Stir it again then add in the Brandy.

Pastry

You can buy pie pastry and use that, i just make mine

16 oz flour

8 oz butter

1-2 oz sugar

water

Rub the butter into the flour, be patient it will combine eventually, then mix in the sugar. Add water 1 tspn at a time. mixing it in with a knife. eventually you will need to combine into a ball of dough with your hands.

Cut out a circle and place in the bottom and up the sides of the tin, spoon in the mincemeat and then top with a smaller disk of pastry.

Brush the top of the pies with an egg and milk wash and a sprinkle of sugar and place in oven at 375 F for 25 - 30 mins.

Homemade Waffles

2010-12-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tspn vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour
2 tbspn sugar
1 tbspn baking powder

Mix the wet ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.
Then whisk in the dry ingredients.
Let the mixture settle while you switch on and let the waffle maker warm up.
Should make around a dozen waffles

OPTIONS

mix in some cocoa powder to make chocolate waffles
make waffles with whole grain, whole wheat or gluten free flour.

Tiffin

2010-10-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well my version anyway. It is also known as refrigerator cake. This is a recipe i started making back in the days i worked in a tea room. The main ingredients of tiffin are condensed milk and digestive biscuits (graham crackers) Off course as you might have guessed it mines has other ingredients also!

Ingredients
200g of digestie biscuits or graham crackers crushed. (you may need a little extra)
3 tbspns of cocoa powder or hot chocolate powder.
4 tbspns of shredded coconut.
1 tspn vanilla extract.
1 tspn of rum extract. (optional)
2 tbspns of butter.
1 140z can of condensed milk.
1/4 cup of mini marshmallows
1/4 cup of chopped glace cherries.
1 cup of chocolate chips.

Grease a small pan 9x9 or 7x11
Place the digestives, cocoa, coconut in a bowl and mix.
Slowly heat up the milk and butter, until it starts to simmer, then mix in the extract(s).
Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until it forms a large bowl.
add in mini marshmallows and chopped cherries
if need be add in extra biscuit if too sticky.
Place in the tin and allow to cool in the fridge for 30 mins
Melt chocolate chips and spread over the top, allow to set then eat and enjoy.

Pumpkin bars

2010-10-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tspn Cinnamon
1/2 tspn of ginger
1 tspn baking soda
1/2 tspn salt
1 cup of butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbspn Molasses or treacle
1 egg
1 tspn vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree (if you can't get canned pumpkin you can puree a regular pumpkin)
1 cup chocolate chips
optional 1/2 cup of chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 13x9 pan.
In a small bowl place the flour, spices and salt and mix together, then move to one side.
In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar until pale and light and fluffy.
Add in the egg, treacle and vanilla along with a spoonful of the flour mixture to stop curdling.
then mix in the flour mixture, pumpkin and the chocolate chips (and nuts).
place ingredients in the pan and smooth over the top, then bake in the oven for 30 mins.

If you live in Colorado i'd lower the temp a little to 345F and cook for nearer 40 mins, mines came out like liquid after 30 mins.
Also because of the strong taste of pumpkin this is a good recipe for using gluten free flour.

Strawberry and coconut cookies

2010-08-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

Strawberry and coconut cookies

1/2 cup of butter
1/3 cup of sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tsp and 2 tbspn of strawberry jam
1 tsp of milk
1 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 cup of dried coconut
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 375 F (365 in Denver)
Cream butter and Sugar together.
Beat in 1 tsp of strawberry jam, the milk, the two egg yolks and a spoonful of flour. (this prevents the eggs from curdling)
Sift the flour and salt into the mixture and mix in, then add the coconut to form a dough.
Scoop tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls. you should get about 15-20 balls.
Dampen the end of a wooden spoon and use it to make a hole in the balls
Fill each hole with strawberry jam.
Bake int he oven for 12-15 mins.

Sangria

2010-05-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

OK a total curve ball here. So many people ask me for this recipe i feel it has a place on this page
Ingredients
A large Jug
Wine (preferably rose/blush or Red) 1 bottle, unless the jug is huge
Chambord (Raspberry liqueur)
Sprite
cranberry juice
Orange juice
Raspberries, just a few
1 orange
ice

Pour enough wine into your jug to fill it half full.
Add one shot of Chambord
Then fill the other half in 3 equal parts with the sprite, orange and cranberry juice
Top the jug off with the raspberries and slices of orange and allow to sit.
I try to make it the day before i serve it.
Place ice in glass, and serve with some of the fruit.

Butterscotch cookies

2010-05-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

I love this recipe, it's good to make as you can eat the cookie dough, especially when your pregnant without fear. Also if you open that egg box and they are out of date this recipe contains no eggs. It's also really easy to double in size or to add choc chips too.

Ingredients
3 oz Butter
2 oz Brown Sugar
4 oz Flour
1 oz custard powder

Preheat over to 350 F
Cream the Butter and sugar together.
Then mix in the Flour and Custard powder. If its too dry add a tiny bit milk.
roll a spoonful into a ball and place on a baking tray. Flatten down slightly with a fork.
Bake for 15 min. Allow to cool on tray before moving.

Chocolate Easter Nests

2010-03-28T10:49:00.001-07:00

Looking for a quick Easter treat anyone can make? Try these easter birds nests.
It's one of these recipes that can't really go wrong unless you don't have enough chocolate.

Ingredients - a rough guide!

12 weetabix biscuits (if you can't find weetabix, try whole foods, kingsoopers, then use shredded wheat.)
6 oz of shredded coconut
chocolate to cover - about 500g
eggs for the nest, cadury mini eggs are my favourite but if not any will do.
paper cups, we used mini muffin ones.

* Crush the weetabix into what looks like bread crumbs.
* mix in the coconut.
* Melt the chocolate following the instructions on the package
* mix together and then place in paper cups. you need to do this pretty quick especially in colorado as it sets quickly with the dry air
* press mixture down and then place 2 or 3 eggs on top.
* refrigerate for 30 mins then eat.
* they can be stored in a tin, but better stored in the fridge in case of melting.

Our finished product, not bad for a 2 and 6 year old!

more cupcakes!!

2010-03-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

Here is the second Martha Stewart recipe, these were also very good but didn't make that many unfortunately.

Mint filled brownie cupcakes

8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 c. sugar
1 stick butter
3/4 tspn salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
12 peppermint patties

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin with paper cups.
Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl, over a pan of boiling water.
Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, and salt until smooth then add the eggs.
Gently add in flour and cocoa until smooth Don't over mix.
Spoon one spoonful into the cup then press in the patty, then add another 1-2 spoonful on top. They do not rise much so they need to be pretty full.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Oreo Cheesecake cupcake.

2010-02-22T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well, this month is my favourite MOMS Club event - Chocolate Recipe club. I have lots of good chocolate recipes but i always like to try something different. I picked up one of my christmas presents - the Martha Stewart cupcake book

I searched through and came up with two cupcakes to try and make. The First is below, hoping to write about the second soon. These were by far one of my favourites. Enjoy

Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes
(suppose to make 30 but be prepared as i made over 40, which required extra oreos)

Ingredients:
42 oreos, 30 left whole, and 12 chopped
2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
Pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each lined cup.

2. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. I had to do this several times. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.

3. Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.

4. Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. They don't rise too much. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. (due to the altitude i had to cook them a bit longer about 25-30).

5. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.

Chocolate peppermint cookies

2009-12-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

Around this time of year i always seem to be baking, between holiday events, birthdays and cookie exchanges, there's a lot to be made.

Tomorrow is the MOMS club cookie exchange, thankfully there's not so many people taking part this time, last year there was 15 i think, and i felt like i made hundreds of cookies. The big decision is always what to make, then one morning i glanced at facebook and Denise had just made a post about "the best chocolate peppermint cookies ever" - well if they are that good i had just better make them!

Thought i would share the recipe, because after sampling they are that good. Enjoy.

Cookie Bars

2009-10-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

I always have a bag of cookie mix hanging around in case of emergencies. This morning i needed to take something along to a meeting so out came the mix. I did a little mixing up and came up with some cookie bars, as appose to the regular cookies.

Ingredients
1 pack of chocolate chip cookie mix
1 stick of butter (4 oz)
2 eggs
extra chocolate chips
1 oz oats

Mix all the ingredients together and spread over a 13x9 pan or an 8x8 if you want them thick.
TIP :The mixture is really sticky so to spread run the back of a spoon under hot water then spread. Keep doing this until it covers the whole pan.
Bake in a 365F oven for about 20 mins, or until golden brown on top.
Leave for 5 mins and cut and eat, or if you are my husband cut a square immediately and burn your mouth!

Lemon Raspberry cheesecake

2009-08-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Biscuit base - Either
One large pie case
or
18 mini pie cases

Filling
1 packet of lemon jelly
1 lemon
8oz cream cheese (room temperature)
12oz can of evaporated milk
1 cup bakers sugar
1 cup of boiling water
1 tsp of raspberry essence
some raspberries for the topping

1. Beat the cheese and sugar together and then add the milk until thick. You will need to keep scraping the bowl as the cheese sticks to it like glue!
2. Dissolve the jelly in the water and then add the juice of the lemon to it, allow to cool slightly.
3. Blend the jelly and cheese mixture together and then add in the essence.
4. Pour into bases, for the mini cups i used a soup ladle.
5. Top with some raspberries and place in the fridge and allow to cool for about an hour till set.

Scones

2009-08-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Just for you Dad!

Ingredients

8oz SR Flour
2 oz Butter
1 oz of sugar
1/4 pint of milk
raisins

Preheat oven to 425 F
Sift the flour and then mix together with the sugar.
Rub the butter into the mixture, then add the raisins.
Then slowly mix in the milk until a dough is made.
Roll out the dough to about an inch thick.
cut out scones
bake in the oven for 25 minutes

Tips

If your dough is to sticky add a bit more flour.
If it's not forming a dough add a little more milk
Don't have a cutter use a glass just line it with flour before use so it doesn't stick.
If you live in Denver it can be hard to get these things to rise. rather than cutting out individual scones make one giant scone and score with a knife before backing. Then just slice up to serve.

Raisin Pie

2009-08-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Pastry Shortcrust - make your own, or buy some store bought

Filling
3 cups of fruit
pinch of Cinnamon and ginger
1 cup sugar
1 cup of water
1 desert spoon of cornflour

Preheat oven to 180 C.
Take the filling ingredients and boil in a pan for 5 minutes.
Place the ingredients in a grease proofed tin and allow to cool.
Cover with pastry and then place in oven for 30 minutes.

Flapjacks

2009-08-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

OK first off flapjack in the US refers to pancakes, but in the UK it refers to an oaty cake/bar, as you can see from the picture below. This is a quick and easy recipe and very yummy. It works really well in Colorado as it is so dry here it keeps them crispy.

Ingredients
6 oz Butter
2oz Brown sugar, Dark Brown/Demerara sugar is best
8 oz oats
optionally 2 tbspn of honey

Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 7x7 square pan
Melt the butter, sugar and honey in a pot
take off the heat and mix in the oats.
Spoon into the greased pan and then press down
bake in the oven for 25 mins
Allow to cool, then score and cut when cold.

Meringues Shells

2009-07-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago i went into a local shop to pick up some meringues and was told by the staff that the were "not in season". I'm sorry i didn't realise there was a meringue season. To be quite honest if i was going to pick a season for meringues i would have said summer, but apparently I'd be wrong, no alas Christmas is meringue season - WHO KNEW, obviously not I!

Anyway in an effort to satisfy my wanting for meringues i thought I'd make some for my self. If you have a mixer and can separate an egg you can make meringues. Here's my effort and my recipe.

Ingredients

4 eggs
8 oz Caster/bakers sugar
pinch of salt

1. Pre heat oven to 225F. Separate eggs and place egg whites in a bowl.
2. Start whisking on a low speed until they get foamy, then increase speed and whisk until the whites look thick and white.

TOP TIP- If they are whisked correctly you should be able to tip the bowl upside down and nothing should fall out.

3. Slowly start adding the sugar and salt and whisk on a slow speed till it has all been added and the mixture appears shinny.
4. Spoon the mixture onto a non stick baking sheet about 1 inch apart. You can also put the mixture in a pipping bag and pipe them onto the sheet.
5. Bake in the oven for 2 hours until they become crispy.
6. If you like a sticky gooey centre then remove them after cooking straight away. If you want a crispier centre turn off the oven but leave the shells in there until the oven is cool.
7. once cooled fill with cream and serve.

Other Ideas

Fill with chocolate cream, just add a little cocoa powder to your cream.
Make chocolate meringues - again just add cocoa powder to your mixture. Just add a couple of teaspoons while adding the sugar.
take the mixture and use it to cover a pie. Cook at 350F for 30 mins.
Make one large meringue and cover with cream and fruit. Cook at 225F for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours till crisp. follow stage 6 above depending on the centre you want.

Summer Pudding

2009-07-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

I received a wonderful cookbook from the kids for Mothers Day this year. IT contained recipes form around the world. As i drooled through the book this recipe caught my eye.

I have since made it a few times and have to say the more you make it the better it gets....

Ingredients
I large loaf of bread
8 cups of summer fruits
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3 tablespoons of "liquid of choice" - can use water or a liqueur or wine.

1 - Wash and cut 8 cups of fruit, try to have at least 3 kinds, Strawberries, rasps, brambles/blackberries, blueberries and red and black currants all work really well
2. place them in a pot with the sugar and liquid and stir gentle then cover off and leave on a low heat for about 20 m ins. Only stir occasionally otherwise fruit will start to disintegrate.
3. Meanwhile cut of the crusts of the bread. Take a large bowl and line the bottom and sides of the bowl with the bread. Leave some bread over for a lid.
4. once the fruit is cooked, place in the bowl and then cover the top with the remaining bread.
5. Place a plate and some weight on top of the bowl. You may want a tray underneath to catch all that good juice....!
6. Leave for 24 hrs if you can then flip onto a plate and serve with cream.

Desert Panini's

2009-02-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

Just made these today for recipe club they were yummy.

Bread
Bananas
Marshmallows
Nutella spread, or chocolate chips
Butter

Spread each slice of bread with butter, then place one butter side on top of another butter side.
Spread the top with Nutella then add banana slices and roughly two sliced marshmallows.
Transfer top slice onto a grill then place the other buttered slice on top, buttered side up and cook both sides, or press if you have a grill press.

Oreo truffles

2009-02-14T21:27:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a while, but i still have lots of recipes to post. This is one i got from a friend through our MOMS Club. Very quick to make and they taste fantastic.

Oreo Truffles.

1 package of crushed Oreos
1 package of softened cream cheese
1 cup of melted milk chocolate

Put crushed Oreos into food processor or blender with softened cream cheese. Mix until well blended. Roll into small balls and chill for 15 minutes in freezer. Coat in milk chocolate and chill again for 15 minutes.

you can additionally put a little melted white chocolate on top, or decorate as you wish

Cake in 5 minutes

2008-11-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me this, haven't tried it yet but thought i would share - cake in 5 minutes, mmmmmm

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE.
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Scottish Pancakes

2008-09-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

There's lots of types of pancakes out there. Scottish pancakes are about the size of the palm of your hand and are not usually a breakfast pancake more of a snack with a cup of tea/coffee. they are best served with Butter and Jam.

4 0z Sr Flour
2 0z sugar
1 egg
milk to mix
optional to add in 1/2 oz of melted butter

mix flour and sugar together then add in egg and a little milk, mix well then add in more milk until you get a smooth consistency.

Spoon onto a pan turning after a few mins. Some like them burnt and some like them barely cooked. As you can see from the picture they were traditionally wrap in a dish towel until eaten, something i still do.

You can also add in raisins and Cinnamon or choc chips for a change.

Peanut butter toffee

2008-08-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

Holy moly i am going all out today on the calories. The first time i made this was when i was a kid, it is really easy and i can still taste it now, mmmm. this was the best picture i could find.

2 tbspn peanut butter
2 tbspn Butter ( yes more butter i know turning into Paula Dean here!)
2 tbspn Syrup (again golden if you can get it, see treacle tart recipe) i am sure corn syrup would work though.

Melt the butter and syrup in a pan on a medium heat.
Then Mix in the peanut butter
Place in a greased tin and allow to set in the fridge.

Try crunchy peanut butter for extra crunch.

Mars Bar cake

2008-08-13T21:05:00.001-07:00

Mars Bar cake(UK)/Milky way cake (America)

WARNING - this is probably the highest calorie recipe i have!

I use to make this every weekend when i worked in the tea room, a huge tin of it about 10 times this recipe, it is so good and so addictive.

4 Bars, chopped
2 tbspn Butter
2tbspn Syrup - i always use golden syrup (see treacle tart recipe) but i am told it works fine with corn syrup
Rice crispies
chocolate

grease a tin or line it with paper
Melt bars, syrup and butter in the microwave. comes out very bubbly and hot and sticky
Mix in rice crispies and place in the tin. Allow to cool then top with chocolate for even more calories!

Found this cute blog with some kids making it too, and some great pictures, the recipe is slightly different but gives you the same idea

Chocolate chip cookies

2008-08-13T20:56:00.001-07:00

God i use to make this recipe so much it is fantastic, i would double it up and have some in the freezer just in case....

8 oz SR Flour
4 oz Butter
4 oz Caster Sugar
2 oz Brown Sugar
1 egg, beaten
6 oz choc chips (although i never weighed them just went for it with a huge handful normally!)

rub together the butter and flour, then add in the sugars and the chocolate chips.
Add in the egg and a little milk if necessary to achieve cookie dough consistency.
Bake in oven at 350 F for 18 mins, or you can just eat the dough if you are that way inclined!

Shortbread

2008-07-06T19:57:00.001-07:00

9 oz Plain Flour
3 oz Caster Sugar
6 oz Butter

Mix the flour and sugar together and then start to rub in the butter.

You may think you'll never get it all mixed together but be patient.

Place in a tin and bake at 350F for 25 mins.

Sprinkle with sugar once baked and cooling.

Rock Buns

2008-07-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

5 oz Butter
5 oz Sugar
8 oz Flour, self raising
8 oz Raisins
1 egg
a little milk

Rub the flour and butter together then mix in the sugar and fruit.

Add the egg and enough milk until it is a soft doughy consistency.

Spoon mixture onto a baking tray and bake in a 400F oven for 12- 15 mins.

Raspberry crumb muffins

2008-06-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

MUFFIN INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup oil

1 egg

2 cups of flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tspn baking powder

1/2 tspn salt

1 cup fresh raspberries

TOPPING
1/4 cup of flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tspn Cinnamon

2 tbspn butter

Heat over to 400F

Mix the egg, oil and milk in a bowl. Stir in the flour, sugar baking powder and salt, then fold in the raspberries.

In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients and then rub in butter

Place batter in greased muffin tins and then add some of the crumb topping.

Bake for 20 mins.

Cranberry and oat cereal bars

2008-05-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

A great alternative to the plain rice crispie treats.

4 tbsp Butter
10 oz marshmallows
6 cups plain cheerios
1 cup of dried cranberries

grease well a large baking sheet
in a large saucepan melt butter, then add marshmallows.
stir occasionally until marshmallows melt. then remove from heat and stir in cereal and fruit.
transfer to baking sheet and press out quickly and firmly.
Allow to cool for 1 hour and then cut up

Tablet

2008-05-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tablet is a very sweet Scottish sweetie/candy. This makes good tablet, but if you live at altitude there is only a 50/50 chance of it setting. No matter what i do! At sea level there are no problems!

You do need a thermometer for it and preferably an old pan.

Tablet

2lbs of sugar

2 0z butter

1 cup whole milk

7oz can condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp syrup (see below!)

melt whole milk, sugar and butter in pan and bring to the boil.

add condensed milk stirring constantly and then add syrup after 5 mins.

Continue to boil until it reaches 116 C

Remove from heat, add essence and beat until it becomes grainy.

Place in a 9x13 tin and cool.

Easy Chocolate Raspberry Fondue

2008-05-08T10:05:00.000-07:00

This is so quick and easy and you can change the jam to any flavour.

2/3cup whipping cream
1/3cup seedless raspberry jam
1tablespoon honey
1bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

Assorted dippers

In fondue pot or pan, mix whipping cream, raspberry preserves and honey.

Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for 5 mins, do not let it boil.

Add chocolate; stir with wire whisk until melted.

Keep warm over warm/simmer setting.

Serve with dippers.

German chocolate brownies

2008-05-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

OK so i originally got this one of off the Betty crocker page.
It is so good and people love it. Just don't look at the calories. In fact you should take it as a rule for any of my baking - NEVER LOOK/THINK OF THE CALORIES just enjoy!

2/3 cup butter
1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tub of coconut pecan frosting
1/4 cup milk

Heat oven to 350°F and lightly grease or spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan.
In bowl, mix together the butter and cake mix until fine crumbs.Press half of the mixture in bottom of pan. I usually weigh it and half the amount. Then Bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over baked layer. Drop frosting by tablespoonfuls over chocolate chips and spread. Stir milk into remaining cake mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto frosting layer and spread over.
Bake for 24 to 28 minutes (about 5 mins longer if at altitude) cool completely before attempting to cut.

Peppermint Slice

2008-05-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

4 ounces (one stick) butter

4 ounces (one cup) self raising flour (All-purpose flour with baking powder)

3 ounces (½ cup) soft brown sugar

2½ ounces (one third cup) crushed cornflakes

1 ounce (one rounded table spoon) cocoa powder
1 pound (2½ cups) icing sugar (powdered sugar)

2 teaspoons peppermint essence

5 tablespoons water

A few drops of green colouring

4 ounces (125g or one stick) chocolate (more if you like thicker chocolate!)

Preheat the oven to 325F/170C/Gas Mark 3.

Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the sugar, crushed cornflakes, cocoa and flour.

Line a 9" (23 cm) square tin with baking parchment and spread the mixture into this.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin.

Mix the icing sugar , peppermint essence and colouring with water to create a thick paste and spread over the base. Allow this to set (preferably overnight).

Finally, spread with melted chocolate and allow to set. Cut into squares.

More cookies

2008-04-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Cookies

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup margarine or butter
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cups nuts (optional...I substitute choc chips!)

1. Heat oven to 350. Combine sugar, brown sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, vanilla and egg, blend. Add dry ingredients, mix. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.
2. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges

Cookies

2008-04-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

Suppose to be for xmas but cookies are good all year round!

Holiday Blossoms

½ cup of Butter
1 egg
4 oz cream cheese
½ tspn of vanilla
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 ½ cups of flour
½ tspn Baking Powder
Coloured Sugars

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat together the Butter and Cream cheese for 30 seconds. Then add the sugar, baking powder and salt and mix
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla and then mix in as much flour as you can, stirring in the rest.
3. Chill the dough for 1 hour.
4. Shape the dough into 1” balls and then roll in the coloured sugar.
5. Place on a baking sheet and snip balls in half and then into 1/3’s so that a 6 point flower is formed. Place coloured sugar in the center and bake for 8-10 mins. Makes around 30.

Microwavable cake!

2008-04-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

That got your attention didn't it!

SunShine Cake

1 lemon
1 Orange
1 carrot, grated
3 eggs
16 oz Sour Cream
1 box yellow cake mix
Powdered sugar

· Zest the Carrot and Lemon and place in a large bowl.
· Juice both the lemon and the Orange and set aside.
· Add grated carrot & eggs and combine.
· Then mix in the sour cream and then the cake mix.
· Place in a greased microwavable dish. Microwave on high for 11-14 mins.
· Let it stand in the microwave for 10 mins, then place cake on a serving plate.
· Brush the fruit juices over the top and then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Cranberry and white chocolate cookies

2008-04-19T14:17:00.001-07:00

½ cup (1stick) butter, softened
1 egg
1 tspn vanilla essence
1 cup and 3 tbspn all purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
¾ cup rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup white chocolate chips

Pre heat oven to 350° F.
Beat together the Egg, Vanilla and Butter till creamy.
Add all the dry ingredients and mix together until well combined.
Scoop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and cook for 12-15 minutes.
Allow to cook on baking sheet or on wire racks.

Treacle tart

2008-04-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

Treacle Tart

shortcrust pastry

1 cup golden syrup (can use corn syrup/honey but best with golden syrup *)

breadcrumbs - about 6 slices

grated rind and juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp ground ginger

Roll out pastry and use to line a pie tin

Warm the syrup over a gentle heat and add the breadcrumbs, lemon rind, juice and the ginger. Pour into the pastry case.

Bake in the oven at 190C/375F/Gas 5 for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden.

* Where ever possible best to use Tate and Lyle golden syrup. For those that live in the US a dark corn syrup will work but golden syrup is found in cost plus world market for around $4 a tin and is worth it

Coconut Macaroons

2008-04-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Coconut Macaroons

4 eggs, separated
8oz sugar
4tsp corn starch
8 oz shredded coconut

Pre heat oven to 350° F. (if your in Denver i usually put it at 325 and cook for 17 - 20 mins)

Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until they reach the soft peaks consistency. (They should be pure white in colour and you should be able to turn the bowl upside down without anything falling out.)

Slowly add in the sugar while whisking on slow. Then stir in the corn starch and then the coconut.Place scoopfuls of the mixture onto a baking tray and bake for 12-15 mins

Allow to cool off on tray for a couple of minutes before transferring to wire racks to finish cooling.