Dark Chocolate Rocky Road

Burnt Honey and Macadamia Semifreddo

1. Line a 2L freezer-safe container with baking paper.
2. In a small saucepan melt butter. Add honey and cook for a further 2 mins until foamy and golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
3. Combine all eggs, vanilla, sugar and salt in a heatproof bowl.  Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer,  place bowl over the top and constantly beat for 6-8 mins (using an electric beater) or until the mixture is thick and pale. Remove from heat, beat in the burnt honey mixture then allow to cool for 5 mins.
4. Beat thickened cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the burnt honey custard, fruit and macadamias through the whipped cream, then spoon into the prepared container and freezer overnight.
5. Serve generous scoops in waffle cones.

Pine nut, Sultana & Maple Tart

Place the maple syrup, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir to combine them. Add the butter, place the saucepan over med-high heat, and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl; add the sultanas & allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream, followed by the egg and egg yolk. 

Preheat the oven to 180 Degrees. 

Place the tart shell on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Distribute the pine nuts evenly over the bottom of the tart shell and pour the custard into the shell until it reaches the top of the crust. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until both the crust and the filling have turned light golden brown and the custard is set but still jiggly.  

Serve the tart while still slightly warm, or cool it and serve at room temperature. Leftovers will keep, wrapped in plastic, for a few days in the refrigerator.

Cherry Dark Choc Biscotti

Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan).  Line a large oven tray with baking paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine sugar and eggs.  Whisk until pale and fluffy.  Add both flours, nuts, sultanas and cherries and stir to combine. 

Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour.  Turn the dough out onto the surface, divide into two even portions then roll each into a 30cm long log.  Transfer to prepared tray, flatten the tops slightly then bake for 30 mins.  Remove tray from oven and allow logs to cool for 20 mins.  Reduce oven temperature to 140ºC.

Use a serrated knife to diagonally cut slices, about 5mm thick.  Arrange slices back onto the lined oven tray and bake for a further 15 mins, turning the biscuits half way, until they are crisp and dry.  Transfer biscuits to a wire baking rack to cool completely.

Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt according to packet instructions.  Pour melted chocolate into a small cup and dip the ends of the biscotti into the melted chocolate, tapping off any excess.  Sprinkle extra almonds over the chocolate to decorate.

Place dipped biscotti onto baking paper and stand at room temperature until the chocolate sets.

Spiced Lamb in Lettuce Cups

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and garlic, cooking for several minutes until tender. Add spices, cooking a further minute. Increase heat and add lamb mince, cooking until well browned.
2. Add dates, pomegranate molasses, herbs and pinenuts. Mix well and season to taste.
3. Spoon mixture between prepared lettuce cups. Drizzle with yoghurt and lemon juice, finishing with additional mint leaves.

Hot Cross Buns

In a small saucepan, heat the milk until just boiling. Pour ¼ cup of the hot milk into a small bowl. Set aside remaining milk.

Add 1 tsp of the caster sugar to the ¼ cup of milk. Sprinkle the yeast of the top and stir. Sit at room temperature until bubbly and doubled in size, approx. 10 min.

Meanwhile, add the butter to remaining reserved hot milk and stir to combine. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, place flour, bicarb, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the milk and butter mix. Stir. Then add the yeast mix. Stir to combine. Add the egg. Continue to stir until a sticky dough forms.

Tip onto a lightly floured clean surface, and knead until it becomes a smooth dough, about 5 mins.

Place the dough into a large oiled bowl. Cover with cling film, sprayed with oil and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. Add the sultanas, mix again, and recover. Rest again in a warm place for another hour.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200C. Grease and line a baking tray with baking paper.

Divide the dough into 12 pieces and roll into balls on a lightly floured surface.

Arrange onto prepared tray, leaving a 2cm space between each ball. Spray with oil, cover and rest for 30-60 mins, or until dough has risen again.

For the paste:

In a small bowl, combine flour and icing sugar. Gradually add water, 1 tbspn at a time, until a paste forms.

Using a piping bag with a small nozzle (or a small snap lock bag with the corner snipped) fill with the paste and pipe along the centre of each row of rolls. Turn the tray and repeat this across the centre of the rolls to form a cross.

Bake on the middle rack in the oven for 20 mins or until golden.

Gently heat the jam to melt to a syrupy consistency. Brush the tops of the warm buns to glaze.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cinnamon Scrolls

Transfer warm milk to the bowl of an electric mixer and sprinkle yeast on top. Add in sugar, egg, egg yolk and melted butter. Mix until well combined.  

Stir in flour, salt, currants and sultanas until a dough begins to form. 

Place dough hook on stand mixer and knead dough on medium speed for 8 minutes. Dough should form into a nice ball. 

Transfer dough ball into an oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Allow dough to rise for approximately an hour, or until doubled in size.  

After dough has doubled in size, transfer dough to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 35x22cm rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough. 

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to sprinkle mixture over the buttered dough followed by the currants, then press into the butter. 

Tightly roll dough up, starting from the shorter side and place seam-side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough as best you can.  

Cut into 1 inch sections with a serrated knife. You should get 9 large pieces. 

Place cinnamon scrolls in a greased 23x23cm baking pan or round 23cm cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel and let rise again for 30-45 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Remove clingwrap and bake for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting.

Makes 9 cinnamon scrolls. 

To make the frosting:  

In the bowl using electric mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, light and fluffy.