4 Goodness Cake!

Zazie's Wedding Samples

2011-01-16T14:43:00.006+13:00

Molly's Fairy

2010-11-27T22:36:00.004+13:00

Cupcake topper made for my little niece Molly who turned 5 today.

She had a fairy party and instead of a cake this year we went with a cupcake tower of teeny tiny mini cupcakes. The toadstool is made out of carved polystyrene and covered in fondant.

Happy Birthday Gorgeous Girl xxx

Ivory

2010-11-14T17:34:00.003+13:00

I had good intentions of making a start on my niece’s 5th birthday topper today. But after brunch out with some girlfriends and seeing Tracey’s post and then reading Glory’s cream cheese frosting recipe my day just ‘turned to custard’.

It’s the first time I’ve baked since a month away in Europe, I am sure my poor oven has forgotten my name! A work colleague is getting married in Feb and as I will be making her cupcake flowers, it was a good excuse to try out a few combinations. The brief is ivory and black..... Not an easy combination. On mass I think these will look quite stunning. I love the elegance of the black cases too.

Kelcey's Cat Cake

2010-09-21T06:59:00.003+12:00

Kelcey turns 10 today. She was so excited to receive the parcel from Jo in the UK (purchased by the funds raised by buying her shoe template!). Kelcey got her Mum Tracey to scribble out the customs form so she would have no idea what was in it and is saving it to open today, her actual birthday.

The cats represent (well sort of!!) her two beloved cats Garfield & Missy.

Have THE most fabulous day Miss Kelcey, you certainly deserve it!

Charlie’s Enchanted Garden

2010-09-19T20:36:00.009+12:00

Ten more sleeps and I am off on my UK/Europe/USA trip with my husband. Sadly while I am away I will miss Princess Charlie's 1st birthday. I promised her Mummy a cake topper, so at least I will feel like I have shared in some of her special day. I am sure I can make it up to her next year!!!!

I have been getting really interested in polymer clay lately (although this is made from icing) and the birds were inspired by some fabulous polymer clay artists from Flickr and Etsy

I had so much fun doing this. It is teeny tiny and is sitting on a 6 inch cake card. I only wish I had more space to create. It is going to the other end of the country, let’s hope it gets there in one piece!

Have a great weekend everyone x

A Hot Tub, Blow Up Doll and a Mobility Scooter!

2010-09-11T07:48:00.010+12:00

It sure is a weird and wonderful combination to fit onto one cake!

I’ve been down for the count this week after my dear son passed on a flu virus. I’d been planning this cake for weeks, and luckily had pre-made the ‘mobility scooter’ last weekend.

As with most of my cakes, this was a marathon effort. Well worth it though as it sure put a smile on the birthday boys face!

Happy 50th birthday Scotty!

The Ride

Thumbs Up!

"Suzie"

Scotty with his cake

The Ruffle

2010-08-28T16:28:00.003+12:00

Super Princess

2010-08-22T18:53:00.003+12:00

For Ava

Baby Shoe Template

2010-08-18T08:09:00.007+12:00

Want to be able to make these gorgeous ‘Mary Jane’ baby shoes??? My fabulous friend Jo Ranson in the UK is selling the template with all proceeds going towards buying little Kelcey a birthday present!! Kelcey will be 10yrs old on Sept 21st so this will be available for the next couple of weeks.

For the price of a decent coffee.... you will be emailed full instructions as well as your own template!

Even if you are not a ‘cake maker’ maybe you could head over to Jo’s blog and donate the £2.50 ($5nz) ($3.50us) ($3.90au) so we can send her something nice for her big day!

If you would also like to send her a birthday card from your corner of the world, post to:

Card for Kelcey
C/o Kathryn Harris
PO Box 2384
Auckland 1140
New Zealand

(Let her know what country you are from)

And I will pass it onto her. Let’s show her she has a HUGE support network thinking about her all over the globe!

Thank you!!

Click Here to order your TEMPLATE or to Donate

Sweetie Bear

2010-08-15T15:42:00.003+12:00

Brave little Kelcey is doing it tough at present. She is in her 5th week of an extended hospital stay as she continues to fight an infection.

I sent these cupcakes up to the hospital today hoping it might brighten her day, I can’t imagine how stressful this is for not only Kelcey but her family as well.

We are all thinking of you Kelcey and sending love & hugs your way x

Amazing Blog with a Fabulous Giveaway!

2010-07-28T20:12:00.006+12:00

The Prize

Some of Tracey's work!

Tracey Lau from ‘Art and Soul’ is celebrating the launch of her business by having a GIVEAWAY!

CLICK HERE to pop over to her blog and read how you can go into the draw to win!

If you love beautiful things..... be prepared to be blown away by this woman’s talent!

M is for Missing......

2010-06-21T06:45:00.003+12:00

Just to let you know I am still alive! Now I am back working full time it leaves little or no time for all the creative things I love to do. My camera hasn't seen the light of day in months :(

My daughter turned 16 a couple of weeks ago and cupcakes were all I could rustle up. I snapped this picture 2 mins before the first guest arrived. Her theme was purple & silver and half the cupcakes had cute little bows on them – didn’t even get a shot of them!

Hope everyone is well x

Linny's Baby Cake

2010-05-07T21:05:00.005+12:00

Made for the Gorgeous Linny who sits at the desk next to me at work. She left today to go on maternity leave.

We arranged a fake meeting for her this morning and while she was away we covered her desk in cupcakes, balloons & this cake I made for her.

I was quite attached to this little sugar figurine and was quite sad to see her go..... just about as much as I’ll miss Linny!

Miss Kelcey

2010-04-25T19:38:00.007+12:00

Kelcey... seriously stunning!

Jakob & Kelcey

Kelcey & Jakob (they were approx 2 years old here!)

Maclain (Kelcey's brother) Jakob & Kelcey

Today was a very special day, as we got to go and visit with Kelcey and her family. Jakob handed over the $2,160.00 he managed to raise from his post on this blog.

Kelcey is back in hospital next week for another round of treatment. She has spent the last 5 months either in hospital or in isolation at home, so being able to spend some time with her today was pretty awesome!

If you were one of the many people who donated.... Jakob & I thank you from the bottom of our hearts xxx

Lexi's 1st Birthday & Thank You!

2010-04-05T09:13:00.005+12:00

A week ago my son Jakob began his quest to raise money for his friend Kelcey who has cancer. Your response has been fantastic and to watch the donations roll in was just amazing! Jakob and I would love to be able to contact you all personally but that just isn’t possible so please accept our sincere thanks for opening up your hearts.... and your wallets :O)

Jakob is a little disappointed that he didn’t reach his target of $5,000 but everyone keeps telling him how amazingly well he has done! He even sent an email to Ellen DeGeneres (her show is on here after school and he likes the part where she rings people who are in need of help) to ask her to send out a “tweet” to her fans to boost his fundraising efforts! I did explain to him she would get a gazillion emails and it was highly unlikely that she would actually ever get to read his email, but he wanted to try.

With all this going on last weekend I still had finish my niece’s 1st birthday cake. We had a Teddy Bear themed birthday party and enjoyed a lovely warm day out in my Brother & Sister-in-laws back yard.

I will take down the donate button next week so I can then hand over the $$$ to Kelcey & her family. There is still time to push that total a little higher!

Hope everyone had a great Easter :O)

Auckland Police Dog Section - Shave Off for Kelcey

2010-04-05T09:12:00.000+12:00

Auckland Police Dog Section - Shave Off for Kelcey

While you are here checking out the photos why not reach across and push the donate button? :O)

Jakob needs 1000 people from around the world to donate $5 each to get to his target. That's about $4us or $4au or about 2 pounds to my UK friends.

Small donations CAN do BIG things!

Give Me 5! - For Kelcey

2010-03-27T07:15:00.007+13:00

Kelcey

Jakob

For many of us Christmas is that moment in time when we focus on the people we love and we do everything in our power to make sure they feel it. We even extend part of that love and kindness to people who we don’t really know just in case they don’t have someone giving them that support.

Anyway, that ‘s how it should normally go but in the moments before Christmas 09 my friend Tracey was told that her daughter Kelcey aged 9 years had a disease known as T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. You don’t need Wikipedia to work out that this is a damned serious disease that has no right to be in anybody’s life especially someone so young and hungry for life like, Kelcey.

As you can expect this was devastating news for Tracey, her husband Kelvin and all their family and friends. The road ahead for Kelcey is a constant barrage of invasive treatments that will challenge every physical and mental part of her being. She is a child with a whole bunch of dreams and wishes that have now been cruelly wrenched from her. It’s not fair.

Tracey and Kelvin are determined to see their precious Kelcey overcome this disease and begin to enjoy the things that children are designed to enjoy.

I will be fully supporting Tracey and her family in this campaign because she has done so much for me, my family and many other people who know her. I am confident she probably has no appreciation whatsoever of how much she has inspired and strengthened those around her.

Tracey has unwittingly done this as she waged her own battle against breast cancer a few years ago. Yes, it’s hard to believe that while she still has her own fight to finish she has found the reserves of courage to fight for Kelcey. That’s too remarkable for words.

My 9 year old son Jakob has developed a strong relationship with Kelcey through this time. Perhaps this had its beginnings when Tracey and I were two friends with three months between our pregnancies. Jakob has seen and understood how very different Kelcey’s situation is from his own so when he talks about her you can feel the powerful strength in his belief that she will be cured.

He wants to help Kelcey so tomorrow he’s joining a “shave off” that will be staged by the Auckland Police Dog Section. Yes, my son is going to shave his head to raise funds for Kelcey. He made this decision himself and he already has set himself a target figure. Jakob’s theory is that if a 1000 people amongst the billions who live in this world sponsored him $5.00 each then he would have $5000 to give to Kelcey and her family. The mother in me wants to say to him “Son let’s keep it real. You don’t want to be disappointed” but he believes he can do it so I’m going to believe with him.

So this is where YOU come in.....

Please donate $5 to Kelcey’s fund and then PLEASE forward on to everyone and anyone you can think of! We have about a week to get this thing ‘global’ and I will be updating his progress as the figure climbs and adding photos of the ‘Shave Off’ Fundraiser..... with the new look Jakob!

If you made it this far then I thank you..... now PLEASE go press that Donate button :O)

Lana's Birthday Cupcakes

2010-03-14T20:22:00.003+13:00

My daughter came to me at lunchtime today and said she needed a plate to take to a birthday BBQ tonight for one of her friends..... I had some overripe bananas in the fruit bowl, so some (quickly put together) blossoms, a few sprinkles and some milk chocolate buttercream later we have a rather pretty addition to the dessert table :O)

Princess Charlie 4.5 months

2010-03-13T11:54:00.008+13:00

Last weekend I flew to the other end of the country to spend the day with my BFF and baby Charlie. You may remember this wee cherub from this visit. Hasn't she grown!

Everytime I leave, a teeny bit of my heart remains behind :(
I wish they lived A LOT closer.

PS: I am back working full time, which is why I have been MIA. No time for baking or sweet treats at the moment. Although I am working on my niece's 1st birthday, which is in a couple of weeks so stay tuned!

Hope everyone is well & happy x

Lemon Bars Plus

2010-02-16T18:50:00.003+13:00

They are actually not as good as they look! I tried a new recipe but it is nothing on my Favourite Lemon Bar Recipe

I have to say though the addition of the marshmallow topping is rather yummmmmmmy

Lonesome

2010-01-29T13:45:00.005+13:00

One left if you hurry....

So while cooking for my Mum's birthday BBQ on Sunday my oven blew up.... and I seriously mean BLEW UP. I heard a noise that sounded like a car backfiring and looked outside... but saw nothing. When I went to get my potato dish out of the oven it was covered in what looked like sand (turned out to be small ground bits of metal!).... there was white powder everywhere and a little bit of some sort of weird looking smoke. I looked and found that one of the elements had just *exploded*.

Me without an oven to bake in is a bit like wine without cheese.... cookies without cream..... Captain without Tennille!

I prepared these this morning and drove them up to my Mum's to bake in her oven. I am sitting waiting for the oven repairman.... hopefully normal (baking) business shall resume shortly!

Jam Shortcake Recipe

PS: To 'anonymous' no I don't work for Chelsea Sugar... but I DO love their website :O)

Ring-O-Roses

2010-01-24T16:48:00.004+13:00

My Mum turns 70 on Tuesday. Today we had a family BBQ to celebrate.

Handmade edible ribbon roses and pearls.

Chocolate fudge cake layered with ganache... thought I'd add an 'inside' shot for you to see :O)

Happy birthday Mum

Ginger Pear Baby Cakes

2010-01-21T12:32:00.002+13:00

Happy New Year, I hope you all had a great time over the holidays.

This gingerbread and pear loaf arrived in my inbox a while ago but I just cooked them in a greased muffin/cupcake pan (for about 20mins).

Nice on their own... or a yummy dessert slightly warmed with some custard or ice-cream (or if you are a piggy like me maybe both?).

Pear and Ginger Loaf (Chelsea Sugar Recipe)

Ingredients

1 egg
1/3 cup Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar
95g butter
1/3 cup Chelsea Golden Syrup
1 1/4 cups self-raising flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup boiling water
1 small tin pears, drained thoroughly

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C, grease and line a loaf tin (22cm x 11cm) with baking paper.

In a large bowl beat egg and sugar together until blended. Melt butter and golden syrup over a low heat, combine with egg and sugar, beat well. Sift dry ingredients into mix and stir thoroughly.

Stir in boiling water (mixture will thicken at this point), pour into prepared tin. Slice pears lengthwise into eighths and place on top of the loaf (they will sink slightly).

Bake for approx. 45 minutes until cooked.

PS: Don't fill them more than *just* above halfway as they rise quite a bit.

Christmas Pudding Cupcakes

2009-12-21T13:24:00.003+13:00

I think I might use these as next years Christmas cards.... seeing as my family won't co-operate with Xmas pics!

Chocolate fudge cupcakes topped with fondant

Christmas Baby Cakes

2009-12-20T15:16:00.003+13:00

Christmas is happening a little late this year in my house. I have been away on a photography course in Australia and haven't even begun my usual Christmas prep! No time for my regular Christmas cakes this year so I made little baby ones.... just as yummy!

Molly's Mermaid

2009-11-28T17:29:00.007+13:00

My little niece turned 4 today and we had an "Under the Sea" party with mermaid/pirate fancy dress. Molly told me the mermaid HAD to have a pink tail and asked for a shark coming out of the water.

I modelled the mermaid to match the image I used when I designed her invites. I wish I got more pictures of the party but sadly the lighting wasn't the best in the hall where the party was held.

Originally I had planned to make these pirate cookies for the "loot bags" but the cake took longer than I thought and I ran out of time so instead I went with starfish. Each child also got a personalised sweetie bag full of sea/pirate candies.

Happy birthday you gorgeous girl xx

Wine Bottle 40th

2009-11-14T15:32:00.007+13:00

This is for one of my husband's best friends (obviously a Police Dog Handler too). I'm not even going to tell you how long this took.... more for the fact that I kept having 'issues' (with the cake that is) at various stages!!!

I had many ideas given to me by his work colleague but most were just down right mean, wrong or involved the word "hooters"

"Git" is part of his nickname..... they are such a nice bunch really LOL

The label reads "Full bodied and slightly fruity"

Happy birthday.... Steve.... Pikey... The French Git..... whatever name your presently going with.

**Everything is handmade, handpainted & edible**

Marg's Rose Cake

2009-11-04T15:09:00.004+13:00

My sister-in-law is having a surprise dinner party for her Mum who is turning 70. She wanted something floral (I don't normally 'do' flowers as I am not talented in that area!). As this was to feed only 12 people I was quite limited in the design as I didn't want too much left over cake. As it was going to be the centerpiece of the table I wanted it to be fresh and striking. My sister-in-law is setting the table in black and silver so I think this will go well in the middle.

I am really pleased how this turned out. As I only make cakes for my family & close friends I just want to add a wee note....

To any family members who are thinking of requesting this cake..... think again... this is a one off.... never again type of deal!

The stripes alone took me 5 and a half (non-stop) hours. I can't even imagine the hours in the roses.... but lets just say there are about 70 roses on the top.... each rose has 15 petals..... each petal is individually frilled and curled and then applied...... THAT IS 1050 PETALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went through a very similar type of feeling when I last did a half marathon.... it was like there was just no end.

:O)

Princess Charlie

2009-11-03T06:48:00.003+13:00

THE SWEETEST THING ON MY BLOG!

My passion for photography is just as about as strong as my passion for all things sugar! And while this is indeed a cake blog I just HAD to share this with you all.

When one of my oldest and dearest friends had a baby recently I knew I wanted to try my hand at a newborn session.

Here is this little angel at 2 and a half weeks old. She so well behaved and just slept and feed all day long letting her Mummy and I do all sorts of things to her!

How I love her so :O)

The Baker

2009-10-16T14:01:00.007+13:00

All edible except the wires coming out of the 'wedding cake'

Lexi's Christening Cake

2009-09-20T20:37:00.004+12:00

Well..........

For three years I have been wanting to do a cake I fell in love with on a website. Lexi (my niece) gets Christened today so for the past three months I have been so excited about doing the cake. I even spent an extra $50 on cutters from Canada.... and the day I went to put it all together I TOTALLY went off the idea!!!!!!!!!!!

This has never happened to me before. I am a PLANNER!!!!!!!!!!

So with less than a day to come up with a new design.... an extra 5 kilos of fondant as I changed colours of this cake halfway through.... here she is. LOL

Shoes, ribbon and bow handmade by me and they are edible :O)

Colin's Racing Car Cake

2009-09-12T18:38:00.006+12:00

Our favourite Great Uncle Colin turns 77 today. He is a race car fanatic. I based the cake from a design out of the Planet Cake book. I added my children into the other cars to race their GREAT GREAT Uncle who they adore :O)

For The Super Princess

2009-08-22T14:27:00.008+12:00

Read about Ava HERE

For Georgie

2009-08-20T15:51:00.004+12:00

So today I am a cake maker to The Stars ... well a star's mother-in-law :O)

Three years ago when I started 'getting into cakes' I remember showing a photo of my latest (photos I have since hidden as they were soooo bad!) creation to my darling friend Georgie (we met through work). She made the usual ooooh's and aahhhh's that supportive friends do and then casually dropped it into the conversation that her soon-to-be daughter-in-law also 'did' cakes. She told me that she had a website and when she got back to her desk she sent me the link.

When I opened it up I nearly fainted on the floor.... there before me on the screen was the one and only Peggy Porschen

Quite funny when I look back on it now. When I went to the UK on holiday in 2007 Georgie organised for me to go and spend the morning with Peggy at her studio in London.... what a thrill!!!! I even got to eat one of her cupcakes.... secretly I wanted to put it in by bag and take it home and keep it in a locked cabinet LOL

Georgie to this day remains one of my biggest supporters and it still drives her a little insane that I don't and won't do this for a living. I am meeting up with her for lunch today to celebrate her birthday and these are made especially for her.

Happy birthday my gorgeous friend xxx

Red Velvet

2009-08-04T20:53:00.003+12:00

I have seen and read so much about Red Velvet over the past couple of years but I've never tried it!

One of the things I love about the 'Cake World' is the fantastic bunch of friends I have made! One of those super talented people Louisa shared this recipe for Red Velvet.

I made a quarter of the recipe and made my own cake flour (1 3/4 cups flour & 1/4cup cornflour). I often cut a recipe in quarters if I want to make a small amount (like for after school treats) cupcakes work really well for this. Halving her recipe will give you 18-20 cupcakes and I baked at 180c for 20mins.

The texture was really lovely and perfect with cream cheese frosting. Can't say it will become my all time favourite cupcake flavour but I am glad I have now tried them and this recipe is a keeper!

Louisa's recipe....

Recipe:
200 g butter, soft
460g caster sugar (fine sugar)
4 55g eggs at room temp (In Aust they are sold as 700g cartons)
45 ml red liquid food colouring
400 ml luke warm butter milk (heat in microwave)
500g plain flour (I didnt use cake flour)
25g cocoa powder (I used 22% cocoa solids)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
Pre heat oven to 160 degrees fan
Line base & sides of 7.5cm (3") high 22.5 (9") cm round cake tin with heavy duty greese proof paper. I used one layer of paper.
Mix red food colour, vinegar,& luke warm butter milk.
Cream the butter first for approx 1 min
Slowly add the sugar, cream for approx 5 min. Add vanilla essence.
Add eggs one at a time, scraping down bowl after each addition.
Sift flour, salt, bicarb soda, cocoa & baking powder
Add sifted flour mix to creamed mixture alternating with the warm butter milk. Have mixer on low speed.
Remove bowl from stand & with a spatular make sure its all combined.
Pour batter into lined cake pans
Bake at 160 degrees for approx 50 min or until skewer comes out clean, turn cakes half way through cooking.
Remove from oven, stand for 15 min then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
Trim the layers, slice in half & fill with your fav icing.
Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Note: 1 tsp is 5ml
eggs are 55g out of the shell
liquid food colour was used not paste.

Ruby's "Boots" Cake (Dora)

2009-06-28T17:03:00.005+12:00

My gorgeous niece Ruby turned 2 today. She requested a "Boots" cake. For those of you without children or kiddos older than 5, Boots is a character from Dora The Explorer. I myself had to do some research!

Happy birthday sweet Ruby xxx

The World's Best Brownie?

2009-06-19T15:58:00.003+12:00

Yeah I know BIG call!

Who doesn't love a Brownie!? Most people have clear preferences to how they like their brownies. I like mine fudgy and chewy... not moist and cakey. I have a REALLY sweet tooth and I came across this recipe a while ago and haven't found one I like better (although that doesn't stop me trying new recipes).

Be warned, it is not for the faint hearted..... or calorie counters!

(Recipe comes from a well known bakery here in NZ)

Pandoro's Chocolate Brownie recipe

100 g cocoa
200 g butter, melted
400g or 2 cups caster sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
90 g flour
1 tsp baking powder
200 g chocolate chips

Sift cocoa into a large mixing bowl. Add melted butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix to a smooth paste. Sift in flour and baking powder, and then add chocolate chips. Pour mixture into a 20cm x 30 cm Swiss Roll pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 150 degrees C for 65 minutes.

Cool in pan

"Mum I forgot to tell you....

2009-06-05T13:52:00.002+12:00

There is a bake sale at school."

I am thankful for

- over-ripe bananas sitting in the fruit bowl
- the last 2 eggs in the carton
- and left over flowers sitting in my cupboard!

Hello Kitty

2009-05-29T17:36:00.009+12:00

It's my 'little' girls birthday next week. Tomorrow we are having a family get-together so we will celebrate and eat cake!

She asked for Hello Kitty, bright green & pink.

The photo above was taken about 13 years ago.... she will be turning 15 on 2nd June *sob* ... my baby girl is all grown up.

Happy birthday Mikayla xxx

Roses & Dots

2009-05-28T16:28:00.004+12:00

Chris's Hunting Cake

2009-05-15T16:59:00.009+12:00

It's been 6 months since I have decorated a cake. I get quite a few emails asking for tips and advice on cake decorating.... the biggest trick in my opinion is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! Cake decorating (for me) isn't like riding a bike.... I was rusty and this cake kicked my butt LOL

This is for my lovely (hunting mad) husband who turns 39 tomorrow. Made with loads of love (a few swear words).

x

Daisy Cupcakes

2009-05-08T09:18:00.005+12:00

These were ordered by my Mum and have now been delivered to the District Nurses who used to visit my Dad on a daily basis over the past three years.

District Nurses do the work that none of us could or would ever dream of doing. The care and compassion shown to my Dad was amazing. I am so thankful that there are individuals out there who respond to this type of calling in life.... they are truly special and remarkable people.

Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-05-06T14:45:00.003+12:00

Today was a housework catch-up day... until I got an email from Chelsea (a New Zealand sugar company). Thought the idea of adding a pudding mix into a cookie sounded interesting! http://www.chelsea.co.nz/

I either need to go on a baking ban, or hire a maid...

Instant Pudding Biscuits

***Please note: the recipe on their website didn't mention the egg in the method so I added it after creaming the butter & sugar.

Ingredients
150 g butter
3/4 cup Chelsea White Sugar
1 egg
1 packet (70 g) instant pudding - any flavour will do but our favourite is butterscotch
1 1/2 cups flour
3 tablespoons cornflour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sultanas or chocolate chips

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.

Beat butter and sugar together in a bowl. (*I beat in the egg here). Add the dry ingredients and sultanas or chocolate chips. Roll into balls and flatten with a wet fork on the prepared tray. Make sure they do not touch each other and allow a little room for expansion. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

* I got 36 cookies

Anzac Cookies

2009-04-25T13:31:00.002+12:00

Anzac Biscuits/Cookies

New Zealand and Australia share a tradition of Anzac Biscuits. Both countries claim to have invented them, but Anzac Biscuits are similar to many other older biscuit recipes that are designed to produce crisp, hard and nutritious biscuits that keep well.

One of the food items that women in both countries sent to soldiers during the First World War was a hard, long-keeping biscuit that could survive the journey by sea, and still remain edible. These were known as Soldiers' Biscuits, but after the Gallipoli landings in 1915, they became known as Anzac Biscuits. Soldiers themselves may have made a similar form of biscuit from ingredients they had on hand: water, sugar, rolled oats and flour.

The traditional Anzac Biscuit is hard and flat - ideal for dunking in tea and then eating. During the First World War, some soldiers used broken biscuits to make a form of porridge to add some variety to their diet.

Over the years, softer and chewier versions of the biscuit have appeared. There are many recipes for Anzac Biscuits. Common to most is the inclusion of rolled oats, coconut, butter and golden syrup. Eggs almost never feature. This may be because eggs were in short supply during the First World War. Many varieties of biscuit do not have eggs, however, and like Anzac Biscuits rely instead on chemical rising agents such as bicarbonate of soda (baking soda).

GIANT Anzac Biscuits (Cookies)

Recipe from Taste Au

Makes 8

Ingredients
1 cup plain flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup desiccated coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar
125g butter, chopped
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Sift flour into a large bowl. Stir in oats, coconut and sugar.

Place butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted. Remove from heat. Combine bicarbonate of soda and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Stir into golden syrup mixture (mixture might become frothy). Add immediately to flour mixture and stir until well combined.

Roll mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, into balls. Place 4 biscuits on each baking tray. Flatten to about 12cm (diameter) round, allowing room for biscuits to spread. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, swapping trays after 10 minutes, or until biscuits are golden. Allow biscuits to cool completely on trays.

These are crisp Anzac biscuits. If you prefer them chewy, flatten biscuits to 10cm (diameter) rounds and reduce cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes.

**I halved most of the mixture and made smaller cookies, which I baked for about 12mins.

***My husband rated these as the best EVER.

Lest We Forget

2009-04-24T09:01:00.005+12:00

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

The date, April 25th, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

In 1915, in World War I, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, with the objective of removing Turkey from the war.

However, the bold plan failed, and troops were withdrawn after eight months of stalemate, heavy casualties suffered by both sides. Over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died.

News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

The Poppy

Poppies have an enduring association with Anzac Day, dating back to the 1920s. Throughout New Zealand, people of all ages wear a red poppy as a mark of remembrance for the men and women who have died in the course of service for their country. Poppies made of light cloth or paper are also woven together to form wreathes which are laid at war memorials up and down the country.

The poppies are a vivid reminder of the sacrifice - the blood lost - in war. The connection between red poppies and fallen service personnel has its origins in the Napoleonic Wars of the early nineteenth century; red or Flanders poppies were the first flowers to bloom over the graves of soldiers in northern France and Belgium.

It was in the same region - the Western Front - a century later that red poppies were once more associated with those who died in war. Canadian medical officer John McCrae penned the famous and moving lines

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

Decorating Cupcakes Has Never Been Easier!

2009-04-23T08:35:00.011+12:00

A few weeks back I posted this picture of cupcakes I had made, decorated with the gorgeous cupcake toppers my friend Glory in the USA had sent me.

Glory has finally buckled under the considerable pressure to start up an online store so we can purchase her wonderful creations.

Australasian customers can go here: The Cupcake Courier AU (Loads of other cupcake goodies to tempt you too!)

For the USA & Rest of the World, check out her Etsy store: Glory's Store

For Natalie

2009-04-17T19:20:00.003+12:00

Crystallised Violas

2009-04-05T16:53:00.002+12:00

It was my Father-in-Law's birthday today. My Chocolate fudge cupcakes are a family favourite. I have been wanting to crystallise some flowers for cupcake toppers for a while now. I think they look quite sweet.

I now have about 24 plants in my garden to give me a good supply. These are Violas and they come in the most stunning array of colours.

Make sure you get the spray-free variety from your local plant shop, brush with egg white, sprinkle with a little caster sugar (I added a tiny bit of edible glitter to my sugar) and leave to dry.

Love Buns :O)

2009-04-03T21:02:00.003+13:00

Straight out of the oven, still steaming, just glazed.... first time making hot crossed buns. Did half with hearts for the kiddos after school treat.

Recipe from Taste.AU

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (375ml) warm milk
2 tsp (7g/1 sachet) dried yeast
1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
60g butter, melted
1 egg, lightly whisked
4 1/2 cups (675g) plain 00 flour
1 tsp salt
3 tsp mixed spice
1 cup (170g) sultanas
1/4 cup (45g) currants
1/4 cup (50g) mixed peel
1/3 cup (80ml) cold water
1/2 cup (170g) apricot jam

Method

Combine the milk, yeast and 1 tbs of sugar in a small bowl. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 10 minutes or until frothy.

Combine the milk mixture, butter and egg in a jug and whisk to combine. Combine 4 cups (600g) of flour, salt, mixed spice and remaining sugar in a bowl. Add the sultanas, currants and mixed peel and stir to combine. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the milk mixture and use a wooden spoon to stir until just combined, then use your hands to bring the dough together.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a bowl and cover with a damp tea towel and place in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until dough doubles in size.

Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 23cm square cake pan. Punch the dough down with your fist. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2-3 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Divide dough into 16 even pieces and shape each portion into a ball. Arrange dough portions, side by side, in the prepared pan. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 30 minutes or until dough has risen 2cm.

Meanwhile, mix the remaining flour and water together in a small bowl until a smooth paste forms. Place in a small plastic bag and snip off the end. Pipe a continuous line down the centre of each row of buns, lengthways and widthways, to form crosses. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 180°C and bake for a further 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through (buns are ready when they sound hollow when tapped on the base).

Turn onto a wire rack. Place the jam in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until jam melts. Strain through a fine sieve. Brush hot jam over the buns. Serve warm with butter, or toasted.

Notes & tips
Note: Also known as baker's flour or strong flour, 00 flour is a super-fine grade flour, traditionally used to make pasta or bread. The gluten content is higher, giving bread its chewy texture. It is available from supermarkets and delicatessens.
Variation: To make chocolate hot cross buns, replace 1/4 cup of flour with 1/4 cup of cocoa, and replace the sultanas, currants and mixed peel with 250g of chocolate chips.

Glorious Cupcakes

2009-03-20T13:35:00.003+13:00

These gorgeous cupcake toppers where made by my friend Glory who lives in the USA. I have been pleading with her to open her own online store, she makes THE most amazing creations... and the prettiest cards I have EVER seen!

Bakers’ Best Friends

2009-03-12T08:10:00.006+13:00

I get loads of emails asking advice on baking, recipes and equipment. While working, baking and looking after my family I don't always get time to answer in detail so I have decided to try and make a regular post on my blog to share some of my favourite tips/recipes with you.....

Equipment & Tools

Whether you’re an avid baker or just enjoy having homemade treats on hand for your friends and family, there’s no harm in making sure you have the appropriate cookware sets and bakeware available to you at a moment’s notice. As baking is considered more of a science than cooking, it’s helpful to keep a great set of measuring cups and spoons on hand to ensure your baked dish has the correct proportions and will cook through evenly. Furthermore, you can never have too many mixing bowls for complex recipes that require special blending instructions or indicate that specific ingredients need to be kept separate.

Depending on your experience, dough may be one of your most basic ingredients that you have to prepare for each dish. Whether you roll out mounds of dough once per day or as little as once per month, it’s never an easy task if you aren’t equipped with a quality rolling pin that does a great job every time. In addition, it’s a smart idea to splurge on a hand or stand mixer from KitchenAid that ensures a good blend every time you use it. Investing in low-quality baking basics will leave your oven running for more time than you wish as you’ll be spending extra time rolling, blending, and mixing.

To add versatility to your baking experience, consider purchasing a variety of different shaped baking pans that include the basic shaped pans like rectangular, square and round. This will give you the versatility you need in the kitchen to keep up with all of your delicious recipes whether you’re making a side of cornbread, a pie for dessert, or breakfast muffins. If you’re a cookie connoisseur, the top bakeware items on your list should be a reliable baking sheet and durable cookie cutters that will make clean cuts in your baking designs. Plastic baking sheets typically are more expensive than dishwasher-safe aluminum ones but are easier to roll on and are less sticky when coming in contact with cookie dough. In contrast, shop for metal cookie cutters as this sharper material provides a cleaner cut and truly defines the shape of your cookie.

Happy Baking :O)

Jammy Dodgers

(Taste NZ Magazine)
Makes 16-20

250g butter, softened
125g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
375g plain flour, sieved

200g raspberry jam
juice of 1 lemon

Beat butter and sugar until pale & creamy.

Add vanilla and egg yolk and beat until just combined, then gradually stir in flour until the mixture comes together.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in fridge for 30mins.

Preheat oven to 180c fanbake

On lightly floured surface roll the dough out to about 3-4mm thick and cut into 8cm rounds. Use a small cutter to remove the centre of half the rounds. Re-roll and cut out trimmings.

Bake in preheated oven for 10-12mins or until lightly golden. Transfer to cooling rack and leave to cool.

While the cookies are cooling, put the jam and lemon juice into a saucepan and heat it until it just comes to the boil, reduce and simmer for 2-3mins, then remove from the heat. Spoon about 1 tsp of jam over each of the whole cookies and top with cookies who have had the centre removed.

Store in an airtight container. Dust with icing sugar to serve.

Butterfly Cupcakes

2009-02-28T14:43:00.002+13:00

Little sponge cupcakes filled with the most delicious lemon curd, whipped cream & topped with 'butterfly wings' and a dollop of jam.

Thank You Cupcakes

2009-02-25T11:48:00.004+13:00

Mocha Fudge Cupcakes

Sweet Valentine

2009-02-13T16:55:00.003+13:00

I guess these guys got to give chocolate & roses all in one go! :O)

"Mwah Mwah!"

2009-02-11T15:44:00.004+13:00

Wishing you a happy Valentines Day xx

Baby Shower Cupcakes

2009-02-01T12:46:00.003+13:00

Cupcakes made for my lovely neighbour Odette who is having a baby shower for her daughter Rachael today.

Chocolate fudge cupcakes topped with milk chocolate frosting

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T07:44:00.009+13:00

All my cakes & cupcakes are finished for 2008. Once again my family and friends have kept me busy this year!!!

I have been flat out in the last month putting together Christmas Baskets. This year they contain Christmas cakes, relish, cookies, preserves, baby Christmas mince pies and my homemade vanilla extract.

I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas... hope it is a very happy and safe one for you all.

Kathryn :O)

Little 6 inch fruit cakes

Homemade Vanilla extract

Rhubarb & Vanilla bean Christmas mince

Christmas mince gift boxes

Homemade relish

Homemade Chilli Jam

Christmas Chocolate Cookies

Ben 10

2008-11-22T17:52:00.005+13:00

Happy 5th birthday Mclain!

Molly's 'Barbie' Doll Cake

2008-11-15T16:28:00.005+13:00

Chanel Makeup Bag #2

2008-10-30T10:59:00.002+13:00

A 'Grown-Up' version of the last Chanel Makeup Bag Cake.... for a 60th birthday

Again all accessories are handmade and edible

Penrhyn's Chanel Makeup Bag

2008-10-24T15:11:00.007+13:00

All Make up is hand made and edible

Custom Made Kiwiana Cookies

2008-10-22T07:27:00.008+13:00

These wonderful cookies were made by Bex from "Consumed by Cake". They are so special that I wanted them to grace my blog for all of you to see.

Bex lives in the UK and runs her own cake business. I was fortunate to connect with her through a cake group.

Over time she has put together some wonderful cake and cupcake creations that you can't help but admire. However, for me, it has been her cookies that have proved to be one of those rare, irresistable art treasures that fascinate you with their detail.

My brother and his family live in the UK which is such a long, long way from NZ so I don't get to spoil them with personalised cakes and goodies on their special days. As a way to do something very special for them, I approached Bex to create some custom cookies based on a Kiwiana (things special to us New Zealanders) theme.

What she has put together is nothing short of incredulous!!! I'm thrilled with the cookies. I know my brother, sister-in-law and my gorgeous wee nephews will be blown away with this gift. My brother’s a chef so he'll definitely appreciate the workmanship and technical skill involved in making these gems.

Although my brother is not one to openly express emotions I expect his eyes to moisten a little as he stares at these cookies thinking about family and New Zealand.

Every New Zealander living overseas feels very special and hugely homesick when someone sends them a piece of New Zealand in the form of Kiwiana.

Thank you Bex for this wonderful way to tell my brother and his family that we love and miss them.

You can see more of her work and place orders through her website. www.consumedbycake.co.uk

Brooke's Farm Cake

2008-10-18T15:45:00.006+13:00

Tramping Hiking Cake

2008-10-17T15:39:00.004+13:00

Happy 60th Birthday to Brian... owner of Bushline Lodge http://www.bushlinelodge.co.nz/

Kirstin's Birthday

2008-10-11T18:04:00.003+13:00

Birthday Gift:

Boxed cupcakes
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Cupcake Card

All made with love by little old ME :O)

Coconut Ice

2008-10-02T15:54:00.003+13:00

Nana's Gift Box

2008-09-20T10:58:00.005+12:00

Barry's Western Cake

2008-09-17T10:17:00.003+12:00

Natalya's Ballerina

2008-09-13T16:23:00.002+12:00

Uncle Colin

2008-09-11T08:10:00.002+12:00

Fleur

2008-08-28T16:25:00.002+12:00

Sports Cupcakes

2008-08-28T12:36:00.003+12:00

Georgia's 5th Birthday

2008-08-25T19:12:00.003+12:00

My darling little niece Georgia turned 5 on the weekend. Georgia lives in Ballina NSW so I wasn't there to celebrate with her and make her cake :O(

Georgia's Mummy (my SIL) came and saw me when I was in Sydney last week. We made these little 'funky figures' on my Planet Cake course so this went home with my SIL with strict instructions on how to put the cake together. I think I made my poor SIL sick with nerves with all my 'do's and don'ts'... but I think she did a fabulous job... maybe we have another cake decorator in the family!?

Happy Birthday Georgia... with loads of love from Aunty Kathryn xxxxx

Emma's Birthday Cupcakes

2008-08-23T19:23:00.004+12:00

Mini vanilla cupcakes with a standard size customised cupcake for the birthday girl.

VW Car Cake

2008-08-18T12:55:00.003+12:00

Just got back from a week in Sydney. While there I attended the Novelty Masters Course at Planet Cake. Planet Cake car cakes are a minimum of $1,000au.... I now know why!!!!

It was so incredibly technical as this had to be to scale of the real thing. I learnt heaps... especially NEVER to take a car order LOL

Great bunch on the course too, look forward to staying in touch with them :O)

Chocolate mud cake, with chocolate ganache covered in fondant. All edible.

First Up Best Dressed

2008-08-07T17:06:00.002+12:00

Cappuccino Dream

2008-08-02T16:27:00.002+12:00

Customised Cupcakes

2008-07-25T17:22:00.002+12:00

Welcome Baby S

2008-07-24T16:53:00.003+12:00

Ruby's Cupcake Cake

2008-06-28T21:33:00.003+12:00

Fairy Teacups

2008-06-28T21:32:00.002+12:00

Herceptin Fundraiser

2008-06-21T20:08:00.002+12:00

Sarvs needs to raise nearly $100,000 for her cancer treatment.

Please check out her blog, forward the blog to your friends and give if you can :O)

http://fundraiser4sarvs.blogspot.com/

Tri Colour Cupcakes

2008-06-16T20:44:00.003+12:00

Balloon & Frangipani Cupcakes

2008-06-02T16:57:00.003+12:00

Roxy Jeans Cake

2008-06-02T16:55:00.003+12:00

Dogwood Cupcakes

2008-05-28T18:57:00.003+12:00

Dogwood 80th

2008-05-10T22:47:00.003+12:00

Cupcakes For Sarvs

2008-05-02T19:08:00.004+12:00

Sarvs is fundraising for her Cancer treatment. Please visit her blog, offer support and donate if you can. :O)

http://fundraiser4sarvs.blogspot.com/

Glen & Claudine's Wedding

2008-03-30T09:51:00.001+13:00

Tayla's Mermaid Cake

2008-03-29T10:26:00.003+13:00

Max's Pirate Cake

2008-03-29T10:23:00.002+13:00

Tracey's Boob Cake

2008-03-26T06:48:00.001+13:00

Space Cake

2007-11-30T20:36:00.002+13:00

My New Cupcake Blog

2007-10-15T16:22:00.000+13:00

www.babycakesnz.blogspot.com

Winnie The Pooh & Tigger

2007-10-15T16:01:00.001+13:00

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-06T20:52:00.000+13:00

$93,000 has now been raised to pay for Maara's Cancer Treatment

Time to celebrate!

Georgia's Train Cake

2007-10-06T09:50:00.002+13:00

For a little girl who loves trains.

Handbag Cupcakes

2007-10-04T17:53:00.002+13:00

Kelcey's Lolly Cake

2007-09-24T19:56:00.001+12:00

Rugby 21st Cake

2007-09-22T14:23:00.002+12:00