Spiced Currant Biscuits

Preparation 10 Minutes

Cook 20 Minutes

Serves 15

Method

  1. Sift the flour and spices into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric beaters until thick and pale, then add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold ii the flour mixture slowly, then stir in currants and lemon zest. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours.
  2. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Roll out dough 4-5mm thick then cut with a round biscuit cutter and place on the trays. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling the trimmings.
  3. Sprinkle biscuits with extra sugar. Bake for 10 minutes until firm to touch but still pale. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Ingredients

3 cups plain flour

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

225g salted butter, at room temperature

1 cup caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp extra to sprinkle

2 eggs

3/4 cup Sunbeam currants

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Recipe Collection

Zucchini Salad

Cut the zucchini into long, thin ribbons using a mandolin or vegetable peeler.

Whisk together lemon juice and olive oil, season.  Pour over the zucchini, gently toss to combine then allow to sit for 10 mins to marinate.

Drain zucchini and arrange on a serving platter.  Sprinkle over pine nuts, sultanas, raisins and feta.  Scatter over mint leaves just before serving.

Muesli Bar Slice

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 28cm x 18cm x 3cm tin

  1. In a large bowl mix together the oats, oat bran, bran, sunflower kernels, flour, apricots and sultanas.
  2. Melt the butter, honey and brown sugar in the microwave for 1 minute and add to the dry ingredients. Stir in the egg and milk until well combined.
  3. Press into greased and lined tin and bake for 15 minutes. Cut into slices when cooled.

Sticky Date Christmas Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

TO MAKE THE PUDDING

1. Combine dates, mixed fruit, 280ml water, sugars, salt and butter in large saucepan. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 8 mins.

2. Add bicarbonate of soda, stir well and allow to cool completely (preferably overnight).

3. Once completely cool, add eggs, flours, spices and rum. Mix well.

4. Generously grease inside the pudding bowl. Pour the mixture into tin then cover with a layer of baking paper and a layer of foil and secure tightly with kitchen string.

5. Place a small cooling rack or an upturned oven-safe dish into the base of a large saucepan. Place pudding bowl on top so that it is not directly touching the bottom of the pan. Fill saucepan with boiling water to come half way up the sides of the pudding bowl. Bring water to the boil then reduce heat to low, cover and allow to simmer for 3 hours.  Remove pudding from water, allow to cool completely before removing pudding from tin.

TO MAKE SAUCE

1. Combine cream, butter and sugar in a saucepan. Stir over a low heat until all ingredients combined.
2. Stir in salt.

Crispy Chocolate Slice

  1. Combine rice puffs, coconut, cacao, raisins and seeds in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Place coconut oil, honey and vanilla in a small saucepan and gently heat until melted. Pour onto the dry ingredients and mix well. Press into a 20 x 20cm slice pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into pieces.

Notes:
If you’d like crispier rice puffs, place them in a slow oven for 10 minutes to crisp up slightly. If you don’t have rice puffs, replace with rice bubbles.

Sultana & Date Scones

Preheat oven to 220°C (210°C fan-forced).
Line scone tray with non-stick baking paper. Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Add butter and rub in lightly with fingertips.
Add sugar, sultanas & dates and stir to combine. Make a well in the centre of the mixture. Add beaten egg and almost all of the milk. Mix quickly with a flat bladed knife to a soft dough, adding more milk if necessary. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Press or roll out to form a round about 2cm thick.
Cut dough into rounds using a floured plain 5cm cutter. Place scones together, without touching, on prepared tray and brush with extra milk. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Almond & Cranberry Bark

In 160 degree oven. Toast the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet until fragrant and turning lightly golden on the edges, about 6 minutes.

Transfer the nuts to a cutting board and roughly chop them.

Place the chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water. Cook until the chocolate is almost entirely melted, stirring frequently.

Cover a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to spread chocolate evenly over the centre area of the baking sheet—aim for about ¼″ thickness

Sprinkle the nuts evenly over the chocolate, followed by the cranberries. Lightly use your palms to press the toppings into the chocolate.

Place the pan on a flat surface in the refrigerator to set.

Once the chocolate is completely hardened, use your hands to break it into about 25 pieces. Serve immediately, or cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 week

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