Sweet Treats

 Old Fashioned Apple Pie

 

Here's a lovely old fashioned apple pie recipe, 

just the like one your grandma used to make!

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 1 3/4 cups (260g) plain flour
• 1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour
• 185g unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbs milk
• Demerara or caster sugar, to sprinkle

·         Filling

• 8 large Granny Smith apples
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 45g unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Method

1.      Sift flours and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Add butter and rub lightly into flour with your fingertips. Lift mixture high above the bowl as you rub, to incorporate air into the pastry and make it lighter. Continue until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then stir through sugar. Lightly beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon chilled water, then drizzle over flour mixture. Start to bring the dough together by cutting the liquid into the dough with a blunt knife, then form into a smooth ball with your hands, adding a little more water if necessary. Divide dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.

2.      To make the filling, peel and core the apples, and cut each into 8 pieces. Toss immediately with lemon juice in a large bowl, to prevent apples from discolouring. Place the butter and sugar in a large frypan over medium-low heat. When butter has melted, add apples and spices, then stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until apples have softened. Set aside to cool.

3.      Roll out the larger pastry ball on a floured workbench to a 30cm circle (about 2mm thick). Roll pastry around rolling pin, then unroll over a 22cm metal pie dish. Gently press into corners and allow excess to overhang. Place filling in base with a slotted spoon. Roll the small pastry piece to a 25cm circle. Beat remaining egg with milk, brushing some on rim of the base. Top with small pastry.

4.      Lift the pie dish and cut excess pastry from edges with a sharp knife. Crimp edges of pastry together with your fingers. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 180°C, place pie dish on a baking tray. Brush top of pie with more beaten egg, sprinkle with demerara or caster sugar. Cut four small air vents in the centre of the pie and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Image,  recipe via Taste


 Cupcake Love

You can't go wrong with a batch of homemade cupcakes for afternoon tea - 
 these are sure to be a winner with big kids and little kids alike!

       Ingredients

• 200g butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups (370g) caster sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 4 eggs
• 2 3/4 cups (405g) self-raising flour
• 1 cup (250ml) milk

·         Butter frosting

• 200g butter, softened
• 6 cups (900g) icing sugar mixture
• 1/2 cup (125ml) milk

Method

1.      Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 24 1/3 cup (80ml) muffin pans with patty cases.

2.      Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla bean paste with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until just combined. Add the flour and milk in alternate batches and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.

3.      Spoon mixture evenly among the patty cases. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4.      For the frosting, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until very pale. Gradually add the icing sugar while beating. Add the milk and beat until well combined.

5.      Divide frosting into small bowls and colour. Use a small palette knife or round-bladed knife to spread the icing.

Makes

24

Image, recipe via Taste

  Strawberry Jam & Cream

  

Afternoon Tea is the sweetest part of the day, when nothing is more enticing than a cup of freshly brewed tea and a slice of homemade cake. I am dreaming of pretty angel cakes and sponges cakes, light as a feather, layered with fresh cream and dusted with icing sugar. And who can resist scones straight out of the oven, dolloped with cream and strawberry jam. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! 

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 Dreaming of Blueberry Pie

How delicious is a piece of warm homemade fruit pie? Made with hand picked berries or fruit ripe from the tree. The pastry should be rich, buttery and golden and the filling should be full of firm, plump fruit sprinkled with a dash of sugar and a pinch of spice. Use fruit that it's season for a dessert that's sure to keep your guests coming back for a second slice!

Images via 1-2, 3, 4, 5-6

 Berry Delight 

 

In tarts, pies and jams, tossed through a fruit salad, served Wimbledon-style with whipped cream, or simply heaped into a big bowl for a sweet, healthy treat, berries are as delightful 'au natural' as they are when used in cooking or baking. These pretty, glossy fruits also make for the perfect garnish for cakes and desserts. Best enjoyed in season, in spring and summer.

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-7, 8

  Home Baking

 

 

 

I love flicking though 'foodie magazines' and cookbooks and I couldn't be happier than spending an afternoon in the kitchen cooking up a storm for family and friends. My family loves their food and they have a great appreciation for a home cooked meal, especially if it's something new and different. I love entertaining and enjoy everything from the planning to the table settings, to the music and flowers. I'm just as happy with an intimate dinner for six as I am with casual buffet for friends or a barbeque for the entire street! I am a great believer that good food brings people together!

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4-5