Prep 40min (+1hr 45min-2hr 15min proving and 1 hour cooling time) Bake 55-60 minMakes about 50 slices

These crackers are based on one of my favourite bread recipes. Baked in small loaf tins then sliced and double baked they make the perfect cracker for a cheese plate. They are perfect to serve alongside a creamy ripe brie, a soft goat’s cheese, or a more robust blue vein cheese.

Ingredients

Method

1. Combine the flours, yeast, salt, cinnamon and orange zest in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. Heat the water and honey a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until lukewarm and combined. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
2. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured bench top and knead for 8-10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic and springs back when you push your finger into it. Add the figs, raisins and walnuts and knead until evenly distributed through the dough.
3. Brush a large bowl with melted butter. Add the dough, turning it to coat lightly with the butter. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draught-free place for 1-1½ hours or until doubled in size.
4. Meanwhile, brush two 7.5cm x 22cm or 9cm x 19cm loaf tins (or one of each) with butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
5. When the dough has doubled in size, knock it back by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured bench top and knead for 2-3 minutes or until reduced to its original size. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a log about the length of each tin. Place a dough log into each of the tins. Brush the tops of the loaves with a little water and sprinkle with some more poppy seeds. Cover with a light tea towel and set aside in a warm draught-free place for 45 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Bake the loaves in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until they sound hollow when tapped on the top. Stand in the tins for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Line two large baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Reduce oven to 150°C (130°C fan-forced).
8. Once cool, cut the loaves into very thin slices and place in a single layer on the lined trays. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, turn the slices over and bake for a further 10-15 minutes or until crisp around the edges (they will become crisper as they cool). Cool on the trays.
   

Prep 45min (+ 20min chilling + 1.5hr cooling time)Bake 55minMakes 8-10 serves

The combination of fig, honey and almonds is a well-loved one. I’ve added the gentle pungency of fresh sage to this and the result is sublime. This tart is something special to reserve for autumn lunches when figs are at their best.

Ingredients

1 x quantity sweet sage shortcrust pastry, shaped into a rectangle before wrapping and chilling as directed
8 medium firm ripe figs (about 50g each), quartered
2 tablespoons honey, warmed, to brush
20 small sage leaves (optional), to serve
Icing sugar (optional), to dust
Honey ice cream or whipped cream, to serve

Frangipane

80g unsalted butter, at room temperature
75g (⅓ cup) caster sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 orange, rind finely grated
2 eggs, at room temperature
50g (⅓ cup) plain flour
120g ground almonds (meal)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).
2. Unwrap the pastry and place on a lightly floured, cool work surface. Gently pat the pastry with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the pastry into a rectangle about 4mm thick. Line a 11.5cm x 35cm (base measurement) tart tin, with a removable base, with the pastry. Roll the rolling pin over the top of the tart tin to trim any overhanging pastry.
3. Place tart case on a baking tray. Prick the pastry base with a fork (about 12 times). Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper or foil and fill with pastry weights, dried beans or raw rice, making sure to press into the corners. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and use the paper to lift the weights out of the case. Return the pastry case to the oven and cook for a further 5-10 minutes or until the pastry case is lightly golden and just cooked through. Remove the tart case from the oven and set aside to cool.
5. Reduce the oven temperature to 170°C (150°C fan-forced).
6. To make the Frangipane, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar, honey and orange rind until pale and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, until well combined. Combine the flour with the ground almonds and mix evenly. Add to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Spoon the frangipane into the cooled tart case and spread evenly. Press the fig quarters, cut side up, randomly into the frangipane.
7. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the frangipane is just set and the pastry is golden and crisp. Remove the tart from the oven and place, still in the tin, on a wire rack.
8. Brush the warm tart with the honey and set aside to cool (this will take about 1 hour). Sprinkle with the small sage leaves and icing sugar, and serve slices accompanied with ice cream or cream.

This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Autumn Fruits. CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.

Photography by Alan Benson.

Prep 40min (+1.5hr proving and 20min standing time)Bake 25minMakes about 12

Prep 30min (+ 1hr cooling and pastry making time)Bake 45minMakes 4 serves

Prep 20minBake 55minMakes 8-10 serves

This cake is a favourite of mine – it is rich but light all at the same time. The chocolate, egg yolks and hazelnut meal provide the richness while the egg whites account for the light texture. It is indulgent without being overwhelmingly rich – my sort of chocolate cake. It makes a perfect dessert when served with thick cream or ice cream but don’t underestimate how blissfully suitable a slice with afternoon coffee can be.

Ingredients

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan-forced). Grease a 22cm (base measurement) springform tin with the melted butter, then line the base and side with baking paper.
2. Combine the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (don’t allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally until the chocolate and butter melt and the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan.
3. Add the egg yolks, sugar, hazelnut meal and sherry to the chocolate mixture and use a balloon whisk to stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
4. Place the egg whites in a clean, dry medium bowl and use electric beaters with a whisk attachment to whisk until firm peaks form. Add a spoonful of egg white to the chocolate mixture and use a large metal spoon or spatula to fold in – this will ‘loosen’ the mixture. Add the remaining egg white and fold in until just combined.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Bake in preheated oven for 55 minutes or until the top of the cake feels set and crumbs cling to a skewer inserted into the centre. Remove the cake from the oven, place on a wire rack and cool completely in the tin.
6. Remove the cake from the ti and serve dusted with cocoa powder or icing sugar.

Prep 25minBake 30-35minMakes 12

Drizzled with an oozing chocolate ganache, these cupcakes are wickedly rich (but light in texture) and have a surprise of intense raspberry tartness hidden right in the middle!
Don't worry, you haven't done anything wrong – these cupcakes are meant to have a hole in the centre... Because the mixture is flourless, the raspberry jam sinks during baking creating a crater of sorts, giving them their name. 

Ingredients

180g good-quality dark chocolate (45% or 70% cocoa), chopped (see Baker's Tips)
125g butter, cubed
60ml (1/4 cup) water
220g (1 cup) brown sugar, plus 2 tablespoons extra
85g (3/4 cup) hazelnut meal
25g (1/4 cup) desiccated coconut
3 eggs, at room temperature, separated
85g (1/4 cup) raspberry jam

Chocolate ganache
180g good-quality dark chocolate (45% cocoa), finely chopped
60ml (1/4 cup) pure (pouring) cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole 80ml (⅓ cup) muffin tin with paper cases.
2. Combine the chocolate, butter and water in a medium saucepan and stir over a low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat, add the sugar, hazelnut meal, coconut and egg yolks and stir well with a wooden spoon until well combined and any lumps have broken up. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
3. Place the egg whites in a clean, dry medium bowl and use electric beaters with a whisk attachment to whisk until soft peaks form. Add the extra 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and whisk until thick and glossy. Add a large spoonful of egg white mixture to the chocolate mixture and use a large metal spoon or spatula to fold in – this will ‘loosen’ the mixture. Add the remaining egg white mixture and fold in until just combined.
4. Divide the mixture among the prepared muffin holes. Place a teaspoon of raspberry jam in the centre of each cupcake and press down gently until the jam is in line with the top the cupcake mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top of the cupcakes feels set and crumbs cling to a skewer inserted into the side of a cupcake. Remove the cupcakes from the oven, and stand in the tray for at least 5 minutes before transferring to place a wire rack and cool completely.
5. To make the Chocolate Ganache, place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Place the cream in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cream almost comes to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and set aside to stand for 3 minutes. Stir the chocolate and cream mixture until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Set aside, stirring occaiosnally until thickened to a thick pouring consistency (see Baker's Tips).
6. Drizzle a generous spoonful of ganache on the tops of the cupcakes around the hole in the centre, allowing it to dribble over the sides and down into the hole. Set aside for about 30 minutes or until the ganache sets before serving. 

Prep 25min(+ pastry making and chilling time)Bake 50-55minMakes 8-10 serves

This tart is simplicity at its best – a selection of gorgeous summer stone fruit encased in a sweet, easy-peasy pastry. There's no real structure, it's slightly rustic and lets seasonal stone fruits shine. Serve with toffee ice-cream if you can – the combination is sublime.

Ingredients

1 quantity of Sweet Shortcrust Pastry (see Variations)
25g (¼ cup/¾oz) almond meal
700g (1lb 8oz) firm but ripe stone fruit of your choice (such as peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots), halved and pitted
2 tablespoons raw sugar
Icing sugar, to dust (optional)
Good-quality toffee or vanilla ice-cream, to serve

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C/350°F fan-forced).
2. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the pastry on a piece of non-stick baking paper to a rough rectangle about 3mm/⅛in thick. Use the paper to transfer the pastry to a large baking tray. Sprinkle the pastry with the almond meal, leaving a 5cm/2in-wide border around the edge. Arrange the fruit over the almond meal and then fold the pastry border up over the fruit. Sprinkle the upturned border and fruit with the sugar. Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp.
3. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with icing sugar, if desired, cut into wedges and accompanied by ice-cream.

Prep 50min (+20min chilling and 50min cooling time)Bake 35minMakes about 20

According to a Middle Ages custom, if you eat a mince pie every day from Christmas day until Twelfth Night (6 January) you will have happiness for the whole year – what a wonderful excuse to indulge in these spiced, fruit-filled pies. Eat them at room temperature or straight from the oven with ice-cream, cream or brandy sauce.

You will need two 12-hole 80 ml (⅓ cup) muffin tins for this recipe.

Ingredients

Granulated sugar, to sprinkle

Fruit mince
2 small (about 150g each) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and coarsely grated
130 g (¾ cup) sultanas
115g (¾ cup) currants
130g (¾ cup) seedless raisins
75g (½ cup) mixed peel or chopped glace apricots
50g (⅓ cup) chopped blanched almonds
125ml (½ cup) brandy or apple cider
1 orange, zest finely grated and juiced
1 lemon, zest finely grated and juiced
2 teaspoons mixed spice
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
100g (½ cup, loosely packed) dark brown sugar
60g unsalted butter, coarsely grated

Sweet shortcrust pastry
600g (4 cups) plain flour
125g (1 cup) icing sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
300g chilled unsalted butter, diced
2 egg yolks
80-100ml iced water

Method

1. To make the fruit mince, combine the grated apple, dried fruit, mixed peel, almonds, brandy or cider, orange and lemon zest and juice, and the spices in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes or until the excess liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and set aside for 40 minutes or until cooled to room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, to make the pastry, place the flour, icing sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the chilled butter. With your palms facing upwards, use your fingertips to rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Use a fork to whisk together the egg yolks and 80 ml (⅓ cup) of the iced water and then sprinkle over the flour and butter mixture. Use a round-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly combined and the mixture starts holding together. Press a little of the mixture between your fingers: if it holds together easily, there is no need to add more water. If it doesn’t, add the remaining 1 tbsp (20 ml) water and combine. The pastry should be soft but not sticky. Bring the pastry together with your hands and transfer to a lightly floured, cool bench top. Lightly knead the pastry with your fingertips for about 30 seconds or until smooth and soft. Divide pastry into three portions. Shape each into a disc, wrap separately in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 20 minutes to rest.
3. Preheat oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced). Stir the sugar and butter through the cooled fruit mince.
4. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out one portion of the pastry to 3 mm thick. Use a 9 cm plain round cutter to cut out 10 rounds, re-rolling the offcuts if needed and line 10 x 80ml (⅓ cup) muffin tin holes, pressing into the sides and base with your fingertips (the pastry won’t reach to the top of the holes). Repeat with another portion of pastry to make another 10 pastry shells. Divide the fruit mince evenly among the pastry shells. Roll out the remaining pastry portion until 5 mm thick and use a 6.5 cm fluted round cutter to make the pie tops, re-rolling the off-cuts if needed. Use the end of a 7 mm piping nozzle to cut out a circle in the centre of each lid. Place a lid on top of each pie, and use your fingertips to gently ease the pastry out to meet the pastry case bases. Sprinkle each pie with a little granulated sugar.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the pastry is deep golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and stand in the tin for 10 minutes to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle with a little more granulated sugar, if desired.

This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Traditional Christmas Baking. CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.

Photography by Alan Benson.

Prep 30min (+ 15min cooling and 30min chilling time)Bake 25-30minMakes about 15

This recipe is part of Anneka's SBS Food Bakeproof: Festive Cookies online column. For more Bakeproof columns and recipes, click here.

Photography by China Squirrel.

Prep 40min(+30min standing and 1hr 45 min proving time)Bake 1hr-1hr10minMakes 12-15 serves

Hot cross bun meets cinnamon scroll! With all the flavours of Easter plus cinnamon richness, this brings together two all-time favourites… Once you’ve tried it, it will be hard to go back to one without the other.

Ingredients

¼ cup (60ml/2fl oz) maple syrup
3 teaspoons pure icing sugar, sifted
Salted butter, to serve

Dough
60g (⅓ cup/2oz) seedless raisins
60g (⅓ cup/2oz) sultanas
55g (⅓ cup/2oz) currants
560g (3¾ cups/1lb 4oz) strong bread or pizza flour, plus extra for dusting
55g (¼ cup/2oz) caster sugar
1½ x 7g/¼oz sachets (3 teaspoons) instant dried yeast
2½ teaspoons mixed spice
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon fine salt
45g (1½oz) unsalted butter, diced and softened, plus extra to grease
1 egg, at room temperature, plus 1 extra, whisked, to glaze
1½ teaspoons natural vanilla extract or essence
310ml (1¼ cups/10½fl oz) lukewarm milk

Filling
60g (oz) unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup (75g/2¾oz) brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine salt

Method

1. Place the raisins, sultanas and currants in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside to soak for 20 minutes until the fruit is plump. Drain well.
2. Place the flour, sugar, yeast, mixed spice, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the butter. Whisk the egg and vanilla into the lukewarm milk. Add to the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured bench top. Knead for 8-10 minutes or until smooth, elastic and springs back when you poke your finger into it (see notes).
4. Lightly grease a clean large bowl with extra butter. Add the dough and well-drained fruit and use your hands to mix through (the fruit doesn’t need to me evenly distributed at this stage). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
5. Grease a 24cm/9½in (base measurement) springform tin with extra butter. Remove the side from the base and then place a square of non-stick baking paper over the base of the pan, allowing it to overhang the edge of the base (do not reattach side of tin at this stage). Set aside.
6. For the Filling, place the butter, sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl and use a wooden spoon to beat until evenly combined and soft.
7. Knock back the dough by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and elastic, the dough has reduced to its original size and the fruit is evenly distributed. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the dough to a 30cmx40cm (12inx16in) rectangle, about 1.5cm (5/8in) thick.
8. Spread the filling as evenly as possible over the dough. Use a large sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough lengthways into 6 even strips. Roll one of the strips into a scroll and place in centre of prepared tin. Wrap another strip around the centre scroll. Repeat with remaining strips to make one large scroll. Clamp side of tin around base to secure. Clamp the side of the pan around the base to secure (there will be about 2cm/¾in between the outside of the scroll and the side of the pan).
9. Brush the top of the scroll with the whisked egg and cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 45 minutes or until well risen, puffy and has increased in volume by about 50 percent.
10. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C/315°F).
11. Bake the scroll in preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until deep golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the top.
12. Meanwhile, place maple syrup and icing sugar in a small jug and whisk until combined and smooth. Remove the scroll from oven and immediately brush top with maple syrup mixture. Stand in tin for 10 minutes before removing. Cut scroll into wedges, and serve warm with salted butter.

Photography: Nigel Lough
Styling: David Morgan

This recipe first appeared in delicious. Australia's April 2023 edition.

Prep 30min (+2hr chilling and decorating time)Bake 20-25minMakes about 25 cookies

Use this recipe as the base for cookies decorated with either royal icing (like these gorgeous Iced Heart Cookies) or fondant. The sweetness of the icing complements the spicy gingerbread base perfectly and lays down a canvas for you to create something extra special for customers, friends and family.

Ingredients

125g salted butter, softened
90g (½ cup, lightly packed) brown sugar
235g (160ml/⅔ cup) golden syrup
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract or essence
375g (2½ cups) plain flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Method

1. Use an electric mixer with a paddle beater attachment to beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and vanilla and beat to combine evenly. Sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda. Add to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined evenly and a soft dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 equal portions. Shape each portion into a disc about 2cm thick, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 2 hours or until firm enough to roll easily.
   
2. Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Line two large oven trays with baking paper.
   
3. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out one portion of the dough (leave the remaining portion in the fridge) on a lightly floured benchtop to 6mm thick. Use cutter/s of your choice, approximately 7.5cm across at the widest part, to cut out shapes and then use a palette knife to carefully transfer the shapes to the prepared oven trays, leaving a little room between each for
   spreading. Reroll any dough scraps to make more shapes. Discard any offcuts from the second rolling. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread dough portion.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, swapping the trays halfway through baking, or until the cookies are just starting to colour and are cooked through. Stand the cookies on the trays for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired.

Prep 25min (+ 2hr chilling, cooling and standing time)Bake 12-15minMakes about 35

Based on a deliciously spiced gingerbread, these fun biscuits are given their personalities through simple decorations... Make them into cheeky gingerbread men or turn them upside down and decorate them as cute, Christmas-themed reindeer.

Ingredients

125g (4½oz) unsalted butter, softened
90g (½ cup, lightly packed/3oz) brown sugar
235g (⅔ cup/8¼oz) golden syrup
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract or essence
375g (2½ cups/13¼oz) plain flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Icing

185g (1½ cups/6½oz) pure icing sugar
35ml (7 teaspoons) boiling water
Red food colouring  

Method

1. Use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and vanilla and beat to combine. Sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda. Add to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined and a dough forms. Divide the dough into 2 portions. Shape each into a disc about 2cm/¾in thick, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 2 hours to chill.
   
2. Preheat the oven to 160ºC/315°F(140°C/285°F fan-forced). Line two large oven trays with baking paper.
   
3. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out one portion of dough (leave the remaining portion in the fridge) on a lightly floured bench top to 4mm/⅛in thick. Use an 8cm/3¼in tall gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes and then carefully transfer the shapes to the prepared oven trays using a palette knife, leaving a little room between each for spreading. Reroll any scraps to make more shapes. Discard any off cuts from the second rolling. 
   
4. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are just starting to colour and are cooked through. Stand on the trays for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread dough portion.
   
5. To make the Icing, sift the icing sugar into a medium bowl. Gradually add 30ml (6 teaspoons) of the boiling water and mix until smooth. The icing should be a piping consistency (see Baker’s Tips). If it is too thick stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon of boiling water and then test the consistency again. Spoon ¾ of the icing into a piping bag fitted with a 3mm/⅛in nozzle (see Baker’s Tips) and set aside. Stir a couple of drops of red food colouring into the remaining icing to reach the desired colour. Spoon into a separate piping bag fitted with a 3mm/⅛in nozzle.
   
6. Use the icing to decorate the cooled biscuits to make men and/or reindeer as desired (using the photograph as a guide). Set aside for about 20 minutes or until the icing sets completely.