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A collection of café-favourites so you can bring the café experience to your home
Prep 40min (+1hr 15min proving time)Bake 25minMakes about 16
The Swedes love their sweet buns so much they have even declared 4 October National Cinnamon Bun Day! These more-ish cinnamon-almond filled buns are the quintessential accompaniment to a fika (or coffee). The traditional twisting and shaping of them may seem a little tricky to start with but follow my instructions and watch this quick video and you’ll have it mastered in no time.
Ingredients
melted butter, to grease1 egg, lightly whisked, to glaze
flaked almonds or pearl sugar (see Baker's Tips), to sprinkle
Dough
450g (3 cups) strong bread or pizza flour, plus extra to dust55g (¼ cup) caster sugar
7g (1 sachet) dried yeast
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon salt
300ml milk
100g butter, diced
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
Almond filling
80g butter, at room temperature50g (½ cup) almond meal
50g marzipan
55g (¼ cup) caster sugar
1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method
- To make the dough, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, cardamom and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan and heat over low heat for 3–5 minutes or until the milk is lukewarm. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and set aside for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a fork, until the butter melts. Add to the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic and springs back when you push your finger into it (see Baker's Tips).
- Brush a large bowl with melted butter to grease. 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 hour or until doubled in size. (See Baker's Tips).
- To make the almond filling, place all the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth and well combined, scraping down the side of the bowl when necessary. Set aside.
- Line two large baking trays with baking paper.
- When the dough has doubled in size knock it back by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2–3 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the dough into a 30 cm x 50 cm rectangle, about 0.5cm thick. Place the dough on the benchtop so that a long side is closest to you.
- Use a palette knife to spread the almond filling evenly over the lower half of the dough. Fold the top third down to cover the filling and then the bottom third up, pressing down firmly.
- Use a large, sharp knife to cut the dough into 16 strips, each about 3.5cm wide. Use the knife to cut each strip in half three-quarters of the way up towards the folded end to make two 'legs'. Hold a strip at opposite ends and pull gently to stretch slightly. Then twist the two 'legs' separately about three times. Tie the two 'legs' together in a simple knot and then tuck the opposite end under the knot.
- Repeat with the remaining dough strips, placing them about 5cm apart on the lined trays as they are shaped. Cover with a damp tea towel and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 25–30 minutes or until risen and the dough no longer springs back when you poke it gently with a finger.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced).
- Brush the rolls with the whisked egg to glaze and sprinkle with flaked almonds or pearl sugar. Bake the rolls in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden and sound hollow when tapped on the base. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Baker's Tips
- Pearl sugar (also known as hail or nib sugar) is a coarse white sugar used extensively in European baking. Because it retains its shape (it doesn’t melt during cooking) it adds a lovely textural sweet crunch to pastries, sweet breads and biscuits. Pearl sugar is available at specialty food stores and European-style delicatessens.
- The dough can be kneaded with an electric mixer, fitted with a dough hook, on low speed for 5–8 minutes or until smooth and elastic and comes away from the side of the bowl.
- The dough can be proved in the fridge overnight (in the greased, covered bowl). Stand in a warm, draught-free place for 1–2 hours, or until the dough reaches room temperature, before continuing with the recipe.
- These rolls are best eaten the day they are baked, however they do freeze well. To freeze, wrap individually in plastic wrap, seal them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature. To reheat, place on a lined baking tray in an oven preheated to 160°C (140°C fan-forced) for 10 minutes or until heated through.
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Scandi Baking.
CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 25min (+ 1hr cooling and 3hr chilling time)Bake 1hr 10minMakes 10 serves
Bringing together sweet blueberries and sour lemons, this simple cheesecake is light but luscious. It's the perfect end to a lazy summer meal.
Ingredients
Melted butter, extra, to grease
375g cream cheese, at room temperature, cubed (see Baker's Tips)
3 eggs, at room temperature
185g (¾ cup) sour cream
125ml (½ cup) thin (pouring) cream
165g (¾ cup) caster (superfine) sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
200g fresh or frozen blueberries (see Baker's tips)
Icing sugar, to dust
- 100g plain sweet biscuits
- 60g butter, melted
Method
- Preheat the oven to 150°C. Line the base of a 20cm (8 in) spring-form cake tin with baking paper. Brush the side of the tin with a little melted butter to grease.
- To make the Biscuit base, process the biscuits in a food processor until finely crushed. Add the butter and process until well combined. Sprinkle the mixture over the base of the tin and use the back of a metal spoon or the base of a glass to press down to cover evenly. Put the tin on a baking tray and place in the fridge.
- Clean the food processor bowl and process the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs and process until smooth. Add the sour cream, thin cream, sugar, lemon zest and juice and process until well combined and smooth, scraping down the side and base of the bowl when necessary. Pour into the tin over the base. Scatter the blueberries over the top.
- Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until the cheesecake is just set but the centre trembles slightly when the tin is shaken gently. Turn off the oven, use a wooden spoon to keep the oven door ajar and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 1 hour (this helps prevent the cheesecake from cracking). Transfer the cheesecake, still in the tin, to the fridge and chill for at least 3 hours or until well chilled. Dust with icing sugar and serve.
Variations
- Orange & Raspberry Cheesecake – Replace the lemon zest and juice with orange zest and juice. Replace the blueberries with fresh or frozen raspberries.
- Blueberry & White Chocolate Cheesecake – Replace the lemon zest and juice with 1½ teaspoons natural vanilla extract or essence. Melt 180g good-quality white chocolate and cool to room temperature. Add to the bowl of the food processor just before transferring the mixture to the tin and process until just combined.
- Individual Lemon & Blueberry Cheesecakes – Line a 12-hole 80ml (⅓ cup) capacity muffin tin with paper cases. Divide the biscuit base, cream cheese mixture and blueberries evenly among the cases. Bake at 160°C for 30 minutes. Cool as per the recipe, then chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before removing the paper cases and serving.
Baker's Tips
- Having the cream cheese at room temperature means it will easily become smooth and creamy in the food processor. If you use it straight from the fridge it will take longer and you’ll need to scrape the side and base of the food processor frequently so that no lumps are left after processing.
- If using frozen blueberries, use them straight from the freezer – do not thaw.
Prep 35min (+1hr cooling time)
Bake 25minMakes 12 serves
Layer upon layer, this impressive cake is deceptively simple to make. What’s more, you could call it a hazelnut hummingbird cake with the added bonus of lashings of caramel. Now what’s not to love about that!
Ingredients
Banana and hazelnut cake layers
melted butter, to brush
300g (2 cups) plain flour
3½ teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
220g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
100g hazelnut meal
60g (⅔ cup) desiccated coconut
150g butter, melted and cooled
3 eggs, lightly whisked
4 ripe medium bananas (about 200g each), mashed
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract or essence
Caramel
165g (¾ cup) caster sugar
60ml (¼ cup) water
150ml pouring cream
30g butter, cubed
Cream cheese frosting
250g cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
80g butter, cubed, at room temperature
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
185g (1½ cups) icing sugar
Method
- To make the cake layers, preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Brush three shallow 20cm round cake tins with melted butter and line the bases with non-stick baking paper.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and cardamom into a large bowl. Stir in the brown sugar, hazelnut meal and coconut and stir with a wooden spoon to combine, breaking up any lumps. Make a well in the centre. Use a fork to whisk together the butter, eggs, banana and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and use a spatula or large metal spoon to fold together until just combined.
- Divide the cake mixture evenly among the prepared cake tins, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, swapping the tins around halfway through baking, until pale golden and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Stand the cakes in the tins for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.
- Meanwhile, to make the caramel, combine the caster sugar and water in a small saucepan and use a wooden spoon to stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and bring to the boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, brushing down the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to dissolve any sugar crystals, until the mixture turns a deep caramel. Remove immediately from the heat and carefully add the cream and butter. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined and the caramel is smooth. Brush a little of the hot caramel over the warm cakes.
- Pour the caramel into a heatproof bowl or jug and set aside to cool, stirring occasionally, with the cakes (this will take about 1 hour).
- Meanwhile to make the cream cheese frosting, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until well combined and creamy. With the mixer running, gradually beat in the icing sugar until well combined and smooth. Cover and set aside in a cool spot (but not in the fridge).
- To assemble the cake, spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese frosting over the top of one of the cake layers. Top with another cake layer, another ½ cup frosting and the remaining cake layer. Spread a thin layer of frosting around the outside of the cake so that the cake layers show through. Spread the remaining frosting on top. Pour a generous amount of the caramel over the top of the cake, allowing it to drizzle down the sides. Serve in wedges with the remaining caramel passed separately, if desired.
Baker's Tips
- This cake will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 20min (+ 30-60min simmering, cooling and 20min standing time)Bake 15-18minMakes 12
These cakes are a play on the original (and wonderful) Middle Eastern Orange Cake from the one and only Elizabeth David. Making use of seasonal mandarins and with the addition of coconut and polenta, this version is also flourless and gluten-free.
Ingredients
2 large mandarins (about 110g)
Melted butter, to grease
100g (1 cup) almond meal
95g (½ cup) instant polenta
45g (½ cup) desiccated coconut
½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
3 eggs, at room temperature
165g (¾ cup) caster (superfine) sugar
1½ teaspoons natural vanilla extract or essence
250g (2 cups) pure icing (confectioners') sugar
1½–2 tablespoons mandarin juice
Method
- Put the whole mandarins in a small saucepan, cover with water and set over high heat. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30–60 minutes, or until very soft when tested with a skewer. (You may need to place a small saucer over the mandarins to keep them submerged.) Remove the mandarins from the water and set aside to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Brush a 12-hole 80ml (⅓ cup) capacity silicone or metal muffin tin with melted butter to grease. Quarter the mandarins and remove and discard the centre core and any seeds. Purée the skin and flesh in a small food processor or blender until smooth.
- Put the almond meal, polenta, coconut and baking powder in a medium bowl and mix well to combine.
- Put the eggs, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl and use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk on high speed until very thick and pale and a ribbon trail forms when the whisk is lifted (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add the mandarin purée to the egg mixture and use a spatula or large metal spoon to fold in until just combined. Add the polenta mixture and fold together until combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin holes (you can pour it from a jug or use a ladle).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the cakes comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the tin for 5 minutes. Use a palette knife to ease the cakes out and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- To make the Mandarin icing, sift the icing sugar into a medium bowl. Gradually stir in the juice until the mixture is smooth and has a thick coating consistency, adding a little more juice if too thick. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until ready to use.
- Spread the tops of the cooled cakes with the icing. Set aside for 20 minutes or until set.
Baker's Tips
- These cakes will keep in an airtight container in a cool place (but not in the fridge) for up to 2 days.
Prep 20min (+2hr cooling time)
Bake 30-35minMakes 15
Brownie lovers, take note: with every portion holding its very own generous dollop of dulce de leche, this is the brownie you have been searching for all your life! For a particularly wicked dessert, serve it drizzled with warmed extra dulce de leche and topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream.
Ingredients
Melted butter, to grease
250g good-quality dark chocolate (45-54% cocoa), chopped
200g butter, cubed
3 eggs, at room temperature, lightly whisked
165g (¾ cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
1½ teaspoons natural vanilla essence or extract
110g (¾ cup) plain flour
30g (¼ cup) cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
250g jar dulce de leche
cocoa powder or icing sugar (optional), to sprinkle
Method
- Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Grease a 16cm x 26cm shallow slice tin with melted butter and line the base and long sides with one piece of baking paper.
- Place the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water (don't let the base of the bowl touch the water). Stir occasionally until chocolate and butter melt and the mixture is smooth. Remove bowl from saucepan and set aside.
- Use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk the eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Sift together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Add to chocolate mixture and whisk on low speed until just combined. Pour mixture into prepared tin and spread evenly with the back of a spoon.
- Dot the brownie mixture with spoonfuls of the dulche de leche, dividing evenly. Tap the tin on the benchtop to settle the mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35-minutes or until moist crumbs cling to a skewer inserted in the brownie part. Remove from the oven and cool in tin on a wire rack (this will take about 2 hours).
- Remove brownie from the tin using the baking paper to lift it out. Cut into portions and sprinkle with cocoa powder or icing sugar to serve, if desired.
Baker's Tips
- These brownies will keep in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 5 days. Serve at room temperature.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 15min (+ 30min cooling time)Bake 20minMakes about 30
These good old-fashioned cookies are simple to make and even easier to devour! Either dark or milk chocolate (or a combination of the two) will work well – just take your pick. Eat them with a glass of cold milk.
Ingredients
125g butter, at room temperature, cubed
220g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract or essence
2 eggs, at room temperature
300g (2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
200g good-quality dark or milk chocolate, chopped, or chocolate chips
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C or (160°C fan-forced). Line two large baking trays with baking paper.
- Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together the flour and baking powder, add to the butter mixture and use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix until well combined. Mix in the chocolate.
- Roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture into balls and place on the oven trays, leaving about 5cm between each for spreading. Flatten each ball to about 5 cm in diameter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, swapping the trays around halfway through baking, or until light golden and cooked through. Leave the cookies on the trays until cool (about 30 minutes).
Baker's Tips
- These cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Prep 25min (+1hr 10min cooling time)Bake 40-45minMakes 8-10 serves
One of Scandinavia’s most loved cakes, both Sweden and Denmark have their own version of this wonderful cake (and, like all great cakes, the origins are unclear). A rich, buttery, moist cake topped with a crisp caramel-almond Florentine-like topping it is simply too good to care too much about its origins!
Ingredients
Melted butter, to grease
50g (5¼oz) butter, at room temperature
110g (½ cup/4oz) caster sugar
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract or essence
2 eggs, at room temperature
150g (1 cup/5¼oz) plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
80ml (⅓ cup/2½fl oz) milk
Vanilla ice-cream or thick cream, to serve
Caramel almond topping
70g (2½oz) butter, cubed
75g (⅓ cup/2½oz) caster sugar
70g (⅔ cup/2½oz) flaked almonds
2½ tablespoons (50ml/1¾fl oz) pure cream
1½ tablespoons plain flour
Method
- Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F (150°C/300°F fan-forced). Grease a 22cm/8¾in springform tin with melted butter and line the base with non-stick baking paper.
- Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together the flour and baking powder. Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on lowest possible speed until just combined. Add the milk and beat on lowest possible speed until just combined. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat on lowest possible speed until just combined.
- Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin and smooth with the back of a spoon. Place the tin on a baking tray and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until almost cooked.
- Meanwhile, when the cake has been in the oven for about 20 minutes, make the topping. Combine the butter, sugar, almonds, cream and flour in a medium saucepan. Use a wooden spoon to stir over medium heat until well combined and the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes or until thickened slightly.
- Remove the cake from the oven and increase the temperature to 200°C/400°F (180°C/350°F fan-forced). Quickly pour the caramel almond topping evenly over the top of the cake and then use the back of a metal spoon to spread evenly to cover the top. Return the cake immediately to the oven and bake for a further 10–15 minutes or until the cake is cooked through and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a spatula around the outside of the cake to release the topping from the pan. Carefully remove the sides of the pan and set the cake aside for 1 hour or until cooled completely.
- Serve in wedges with ice-cream or cream.
Baker's Tip
- This cake will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Scandi Baking. CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 25min (+ 1hr cooling time)Bake 45minMakes 12 serves
This cake falls into that category of "less is more". The cake itself is a simple one-bowl mix whipped up in the food processor, but when baked in a decorative Bundt cake tin and infused with a flavoursome, and almost fluorescent, saffron syrup, it is one that will definitely impress.
Ingredients
15g butter, melted
1 teaspoon plain flour
2 tablespoons unsalted pistachio kernels, toasted and chopped, to sprinkle
Orange and pistachio cake
100g unsalted pistachio kernels, toasted
1 orange (about 240g), quartered, cored and seeds removed
220g (1 cup) caster sugar
125g butter, melted and cooled
2 eggs, at room temperature
185g (1¼ cups) self-raising flour
Saffron syrup
1 large pinch saffron threads
125ml (½ cup) boiling water
125ml (½ cup) strained freshly squeezed orange juice
110g (½ cup) caster sugar
Method
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Combine the 15g melted butter with the 1 teaspoon plain flour and use a pastry brush to grease a 2 litre (8 cup) Bundt tin (see Baker's Tips).
- Place the pistachios in a food processor and process until very finely ground. Add the whole orange, sugar, butter and eggs to the food processor and process until the orange rind is finely chopped and the mixture is almost smooth. Add the self-raising flour and process briefly until just combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Tap the tin firmly on the benchtop 3 times to settle the mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Stand the cake in the tin for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the saffron in a small dish and add about 1 tablespoon of the boiling water. Set aside to infuse. Combine the remaining boiling water, orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Add the saffron mixture, bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced slightly.
- Turn the cake onto a serving plate or cake stand with a lip. Gradually pour the hot saffron syrup over the cake, allowing it to soak in. Set aside and allow to cool (this will take about 1 hour). Serve sprinkled with the chopped pistachios.
Baker's Tips
- This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- I baked this cake in a Nordic Ware Heritage Bundt pan.
- You can also bake this cake as eight individual Bundts. Combine 30g butter, melted, with 2 teaspoons plain flour and grease eight individual 250ml (1 cup) Bundt tins. Divide the mixture evenly among the tins and then tap them firmly on the benchtop 3 times to settle the mixture. Bake at 190°C (170°C) for 18-20 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Stand in the tins for 5 minutes before turning onto a serving plate and pouring the syrup over. I used the Nordic Ware Heritage Bundtlette pans for these smaller Bundt cakes – each tray has 6 holes so you will have to bake the remaining two cakes separately.
This recipe is part of Anneka's SBS Food Bakeproof: Bundt Cakes online column. For more Bakeproof columns and recipes, click here.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 40min (+ pastry making time)Bake 35minMakes 10
Italian meringue makes an elegant topping for these classic tarts. You can caramelize the meringue lightly with a blow torch to add a delicate, slightly burnt caramel flavour to complement the sweetness of the meringue and sourness of the lemon filling if you wish.
Ingredients
1 quantity Sweet Shortcrust Pastry, rolled into a log about 15cm long before wrapping and chilling as directed
Icing sugar (optional), to sprinkle
Cream or ice cream, to serve
Filling
2 eggs110g (½ cup) caster sugar
125ml (½ cup) pouring (thin) cream
100ml strained fresh lemon juice
Italian Meringue
4 egg whites, at room temperature220g (1 cup) caster sugar
60ml (¼ cup) water
Method
-
Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).
-
Remove the pastry from the fridge and cut into 10 even slices. Gently pat a pastry portion on a lightly floured benchtop with the palm of your hand to fatten slightly. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out to a disc about 3mm thick. Line a 6.5cm (base measurement), 2cm deep, tart tin with removable base, with the pastry, pressing it into the side and corners with your thumb and/or fingertips. Roll the rolling pin over the top of the tart tin to trim any excess pastry. Repeat with the remaining pastry portions to make 10 tart cases in total.
-
Place the tart cases on an oven tray. Use a fork to prick the pastry base of each about 4 times. Line the pastry cases with squares of greaseproof paper or foil and fill with pastry weights, dried beans or raw rice, making sure they press into the corners and fill the cases. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
-
Remove the tart cases from the oven and use the paper or the foil to remove the weights from the cases. Return the cases to the oven and bake for a further 5-10 minutes or until the pastry is just cooked through and looks dry.
-
Meanwhile, to make the filling, use a fork to whisk the eggs, sugar, cream and lemon juice together until well combined. Strain the mixture into a jug. Pour the filling into the hot pastry cases while still in the oven (see Baker's Tips), dividing evenly. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (140°C fan-forced) and bake for a further 10 minutes or until the filling has just set in the centre but still wobbles slightly when shaken. Cool the tarts in the tins.
-
To make the Italian Meringue, put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and bring to the boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, occasionally brushing down the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to dissolve any sugar crystals, until the syrup reaches hard ball stage (120°C on a sugar thermometer).
-
Meanwhile, just before the syrup is ready, whisk the egg whites on high speed until firm peaks form. Remove the syrup from the heat and stand for a bout 1 minute or until the bubble subside. With the motor running on high speed, gradually add the sugar syrup in a thin steady stream until all the syrup has been incorporated. Continue to whisk on medium speed for another 10 minutes or until the meringue has cooled to room temperature.
-
Spoon the meringue mixture into a large piping bag fitted with a #13 (1.3cm) plain or #11 (1.1cm) star nozzle. Pipe small rounds of meringue over the surface of the tarts to cover. Use a blow torch to lightly caramelize the meringue if desired.
-
Dust with icing sugar, if desired and serve with cream or ice cream.
Baker's Tips
- Adding the filling to the pastry cases while still sitting in the oven will mean you can fill the tarts completely and minimise the chance of it spilling when transferring it to the oven.
- These tarts will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days (although the pastry will soften slightly on keeping). Bring to room temperature to serve.
Prep 25min (+1hr cooling time)Bake 40minMakes 16 serves
More a slice than a cake, I can’t believe I have only just discovered this gem from the land of the long white cloud. I can completely understand why it features fondly in the childhood memories for anyone who grew up in rural New Zealand!
Ingredients
Melted butter, to grease
Biscuit Base
100g (3½oz) salted butter, at room temperature
110g (½ cup/4oz) caster sugar
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
3 egg yolks
225g (1½ cups/8oz) plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
320g (1 cup/11¼oz) good-quality raspberry jam
Coconut Meringue Topping
4 egg whites, at room temperature
220g (1 cup/7¾oz) caster sugar
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract or essence
135g (1½ cups/4¾oz) desiccated coconut
1 tablespoon good-quality raspberry jam (see Baker's Tips)
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C/215°F fan-forced). Grease a 20cm x 30cm (8inx12in) slice tin with melted butter to grease and line the base and sides with one piece of non-stick baking paper, cutting into the corners to fit and allowing the paper to overhang the sides.
- To make the Biscuit Base, use an electric mixer fitted with a paddle beater to beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Beat in the egg yolks until well combined. Sift together the flour and baking powder, add to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.
- Press the biscuit base mixture into the prepared tin to cover evenly. Bake for 10 minutes or until starting to colour (the base won’t be cooked through at this stage). Remove from the oven and spread evenly with the raspberry jam. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk the egg whites in a large clean, dry mixing bowl on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add the sugar, a spoonful at a time, whisking well on medium-high speed after each addition. Continue to whisk until the mixture is thick and glossy, the sugar has dissolved and a trailing peak forms when the whisk is lifted. Whisk in the vanilla and then use a spatula or large metal spoon to fold in the coconut until evenly combined. Spread the meringue mixture over the raspberry jam to cover. Dot the 1 tablespoon of jam over the top of the meringue and then use a tooth pick or skewer to swirl it through the meringue mixture.
- Return the slice to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and crisp to touch on top. Place on a wire rack and allow the slice to cool in the tin (about 1 hour).
- Use the paper to transfer the slice from the tin to a cutting board. Cut into portions to serve.
Baker's Tips
- Although raspberry jam is traditionally used in this slice, any berry jam can be used - mixed berry, strawberry and blackberry all work well.
- This slice will keep in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool spot for up to 4 days.
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column Bakeproof: Meringue. Click here for more Bakeproof columns and recipes.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 15min (+35min cooling time)Bake 20-25minMakes 12
A good basic vanilla cupcake recipe is a must in anyone's repertoire. This one is not only super simple but also incredibly reliable – just make sure your butter is at room temperature and soft enough to make an indent when you press your finger into it lightly. The Vanilla Buttercream quantity will make enough for piping it onto your cupcakes, but if you prefer to spread it you only need to make half the quantity.
Ingredients
185g (1¼ cups) self-raising flour
165g (⅔ cup) caster sugar
125g butter, softened
80ml (⅓ cup) milk
2 eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Queen Natural Vanilla Extract or Essence
Edible sprinkles of your choice (optional)
Vanilla Buttercream
250g salted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Queen Natural Vanilla Extract or Essence
60ml (¼ cup) thickened cream, plus extra if required
350g icing sugar mixture, sifted
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole 80ml (⅓ cup) muffin tin with paper cases.
- Place the flour, sugar, butter, milk, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to high and beat for 3 minutes or until the mixture is well combined, creamy and very pale in colour. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, dividing evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cupcakes are golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the tin, then transfer to a rack to cool completely (this will take about 30 minutes).
- To make the Vanilla buttercream, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and vanilla , scraping down the side of the bowl when necessary, until very pale and creamy. Add the cream and beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until very creamy. Add the icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes or until light, creamy and a good spreading or piping consistency. Beat in another tablespoon of cream if the buttercream needs thinning slightly.
- Pipe or spread the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes and decorate, if desired.
Baker's Tip
- These cupcakes will keep in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool spot for up to 2 days.
Photography by Julie Renouf.
Prep 25min (+ lemon curd making time)Bake 50minMakes 10-12 serves
This wonderful cake was created by one of our Make Me a Baker graduates, Lisa Frost, for her graduation ceremony. Mor-ish with a lovely 'wholesomeness', the secret to this wonderful cake is that a layer of Lisa's vegan lemon curd is baked into the cake giving it a fabulously tangy, moist centre.
Ingredients
1 quantity Vegan Lemon Curd, chilled
Double / thick cream, to serve
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped pistachios, to serve
Cake
Cooking oil spray, to grease
160g (1¼ cups) finely chopped pistachios kernels
125g unsalted butter, at room temperature
150g (¾ cup) organic coconut sugar
1½ tablespoons finely grated lemon rind
50g (¼ cup) apple puree
3 eggs, at room temperature
100g (⅔ cup) plain cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease a 22cm round springform tin then line base and sides with 2 layers of baking paper. Spray the side lining paper with oil, avoiding the base of the pan. Place ¼ cup of the pistachios in the pan and rotate pan on its side to coat the side with nuts.
- Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar and lemon rind until pale and creamy, scraping down the side of the bowl when necessary. Mix in the apple puree on low speed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until well combined.
- Sift together the flour and baking powder. Add ⅔ cup of the remaining pistachios and stir to combine. Use a large metal spoon or spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined.
- Spoon the cake mixture into tin, spreading evenly. Drop the tin on the bench to settle the mixture. Spread 1 cup of the chilled curd over batter, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining pistachios. Cover the surface of the remaining curd with plastic wrap and return to the fridge.
- Bake for 40 minutes. Cover the surface of the cake lightly with a round of baking paper to prevent the nuts from burning and return to the oven for another 10 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean (the top of the cake will still be slightly wobbly).
- Allow the cake to stand in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing the side. Serve warm or at room temperature with the cream, remaining lemon curd and pistachios.
