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Prep 1hr (+ 2hr cooling and pastry making time)Bake 45-50minMakes 12 small pies
Meat pies are the quintessential Aussie bakery favourite... But they are even better when homemade!
Ingredients
3 quantities Basic Shortcrust Pastry, each quantity shaped into a disc before wrapping and chilling as directed
1 egg, lightly whisked
Sesame seeds, to sprinkle (optional)
Filling
35g (1¼ oz/¼ cup) plain flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1kg (2lb 3oz) trimmed chuck steak, cut into 2cm (¾in) pieces (see Baker's Tips)
60ml (2fl oz/¼ cup) olive oil
1 large brown onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, trimmed and diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
250ml (9fl oz/1 cup) good-quality beef stock
500ml (17fl oz/2 cups) water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Method
- Season the flour with salt and pepper. Place in a large bowl with the diced steak and toss to coat.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over a high heat and cook half the diced steak, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until sealed. Remove from the pan, scraping any cooked-on bits from the base, and set aside. Repeat with another tablespoon oil and the remaining steak.
- Clean the pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, onion, celery and carrot and cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the onion starts to soften. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1 minute, stirring occasionally, or until aromatic. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Return the steak to the pan with the stock, water and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low, cover with a piece of baking paper and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover and then simmer for a further 1 hour, stirring frequently or until the meat is tender and the liquid has reduced to a thick sauce consistency. Transfer the mixture to a heatproof bowl, cover loosely and place in the fridge, stirring occasionally, until cooled to room temperature (this will take about 2 hours).
- When ready to assemble the pies, preheat oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C/350°C fan-forced). Unwrap one of the pastry discs and place on a lightly floured, cool bench top. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the pastry disc until about 3mm (1⁄8 in) thick. Use a 14cm (5½in) pastry cutter, saucer or upturned bowl as a guide to cut out 6 rounds, re-rolling any leftover pastry if necessary. Gently ease the pastry discs into the holes of an ungreased 12-hole 80ml (2¾fl oz/1⁄3 cup) muffin tray to line six holes. Use your fingertips to press it gently into the corners without stretching it – the pastry will reach above the top of the muffin pans and buckle slighlty. Repeat with another pastry disc to make 12 pastry cases in total. Divide the steak mixture between the pastry cases to fill (you may have a little mixture left over).
- Roll out the remaining pastry to about 3mm (1⁄8in) thick and use a 7cm (2¾in) round pastry cutter to cut out 12 lids. Use a small sharp knife to cut a small steam hole in the centre of each round (see Baker’s Tips). Place a lid over the mixture to cover each pie, brush each lid with the whisked egg and then fold the excess pastry from the bases over the top of the lids, crimping and pressing together to seal. Brush the top of each pie with some more of the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
- Bake the pies in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the pastry is cooked through and golden. Stand the pies in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out and serving.
Baker's Tips
- You will need about 1.5kg untrimmed chuck steak for this recipe.
- You can also make the steam holes in the pastry lids by using a 1cm piping nozzle to cut a hole in the centre of each lid before placing it on top of the pies.
- These pies will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven preheated to 160°C/315°F (140°C/285°F fan-forced) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- To freeze, wrap individually in plastic wrap and then seal in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating (see above tip).
Prep 50minBake 35-40minMakes about 40
When the French profiteroles arrived in Brazil, a bakery in Sao Paulo created its own version – the Carolinas. Instead of filling the profiteroles with vanilla custard, they used pure dulce de leche then it became one of the staples in Sao Paulo bakeries.
This version, created by Make Me a Baker student Ana Moreno for her graduation, includes cream to make them less sweet than the ones you find in Sao Paulo, but still with plenty of dulce de leche to give the authentic taste.
Ingredients
1 quantity Basic Choux Pastry
150g good-quality dark chocolate (45-54% cocoa), chopped into small pieces
Edible gold leaf flakes, to decorate
Dulce de Leche Cream
250ml (1 cup) thickened cream
30g (¼ cup) icing sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
320g (1 cup) dulce de leche
Method
- To make the profiteroles, preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line 2 large oven trays with non-stick baking paper.
- Spoon the choux pastry into a large piping bag fitted with a 0.9cm (#9) round piping tip. Pipe 3cm rounds onto the lined trays, about 2cm apart. Use a damp fingertip to smooth any peaks on each of the rounds. Sprinkle the lined tray with a little water.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until well puffed and golden. Reduce the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and bake for a further 15-20 minutes or until golden and crisp on the outside. Remove from the oven and use a 0.7cm (#7) star piping tip to make a hole in the base of each of the hot profiteroles for the steam to escape. Place hole side up on a wire rack and allow to cool completely
- To make the Dulce de Leche Cream, combine the cream, icing sugar and vanilla bean paste in a mixing bowl and use a balloon whisk or hand held beaters with a whisk attachment to whisk on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
- Spoon dulce de leche into a medium bowl. Add a third of the whipped cream mixture and use a large metal spoon or spatula to fold gently through the dulce de leche to retain as much air as possible until just combined evenly. Add the remaining cream in two more batches folding gently until just combined.
- Place the Dulce de Leche Cream into a pastry bag fitted with a 0.7cm (#7) star or round piping tip. Insert the tip into the hole in the base of a profiterole and fill with the Dulce de Leche Cream.
- To decorate the profiteroles, place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the water doesn’t touch the base of the bowl). Stir occasionally until the chocolate melts and is smooth.
- Dip the tops of each of the filled profiteroles in the melted chocolate to coat and set aside on a wire rack to stand for 10 minutes. Carefully decorate each profiterole with a little edible gold leaf before the chocolate is fully set.
Baker's Tip
- The unfilled profiteroles will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. They are best eaten the day they are filled with the Dulce de Leche Cream.
Prep 1hr45min (+ preparation time for Lemon Drizzle Pound Cakes, Swiss Meringue Buttercream and Striped Meringue Kisses)Bake 20minMakes about 20 serves
Created by Make Me a Baker student Janet Jackson for her graduation, this gorgeous cake brings together a selection of the techniques that she learnt during the 6-month program.
Janet said, "I love to bake cakes and have always admired decorated cakes but have never had the confidence to try one for myself. For my graduation bake, I wanted to bake and decorate a cake using produce from my garden at home and techniques I had learnt through the MMAB program. I trialled many different versions of lemon cake, some with poppy seeds and others with sour cream and Greek yoghurt, before settling on this delicious lemon drizzle cake which is lusciously moist and filled with the zing of freshly picked lemons."
Ingredients
Edible flowers, to decorate (optional)
3 Lemon Drizzle Pound Cakes
2 quantities Swiss Meringue Buttercream
5-15 yellow Striped Meringue Kisses
Lemon Curd
2 eggs, at room temperature
2 egg yolks, at room temperature
165g (¾ cup) caster sugar
80g unsalted butter, diced
2 tablespoons strained freshly squeezed lemon juice
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
Lemon Crumb
60g unsalted butter, chilled, diced
80g plain flour
50g caster sugar
1 tablespoon strained fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Candied Lemon Curls
220g (1 cup) caster sugar
250ml (1 cup) water
½ lemon
Method
- To make the Lemon Curd, use a balloon whisk to whisk the whole egg, egg yolk and sugar in a medium saucepan until smooth. Add the butter, juice and zest and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (if you run your finger across the back of the spoon through the curd a line should remain when ready and the mixture should be 70°C on a sugar thermometer). Do not boil. Stain through a sieve into a bowl (see Baker’s Tips). Cover the surface of the curd with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours before using.
- To make the Lemon Crumb, preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and line a baking tray with baking paper. Place all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture just comes together in a dough. Use your fingers to press the dough onto the lined baking tray until about 3mm thick and bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until pale golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely on the tray. Once cooled, break up the biscuit and process in the food processor again using the pulse button until a coarse crumb forms. Transfer the crumbs back to the lined tray and bake for a further 8 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool on the tray (see Baker’s Tips).
- To make the Candied Lemon Curls, line a baking tray with baking paper. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the rind from the lemon in long strips. Use a small sharp knife to remove any white pitch from the rind and then cut the rind into long, thin strips. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the lemon rind, bring to a simmer and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes or until the rind is translucent. Remove the saucepan from the heat and use a skewer to remove the lemon strips, one at a time, from the syrup and twist around the round handle of a wooden spoon to make the curls. Allow to stand for about 5 seconds and then remove carefully from the wooden spoon by sliding off the end of the handle, using the skewer to help carefully release them if necessary. Set aside on the lined tray. Repeat with the remaining lemon rind strips.
- To assemble the cake, use a large sharp serrated knife to level the tops of the Lemon Drizzle Pound Cakes if necessary. Place one of the cakes on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon about a quarter of the Swiss Meringue Buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a #11 (1.1cm) round piping nozzle and pipe a border of buttercream around the top outside edge of the cake. Spoon about ⅓ cup of the chilled lemon curd into the centre of the cake and spread evenly to the buttercream. Spoon about ⅓ cup of the remaining buttercream in small dollops over the lemon curd and use a small palette knife or the back of a metal spoon to spread gently to cover the curd. Continue to layer the cake, curd and buttercream finishing with a cake layer.
- Spread the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream creating a semi-naked look. Decorate with the Striped Meringue Kisses, Lemon Crumb and Candied Lemon Curls and embellish with fresh flowers if desired.
Baker's Tips
- This recipe will make about 1½ cups of Lemon Curd, but you will only need about 1 cup of the lemon curd for this cake. The leftover curd will keep in a sealed sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- The Lemon Crumb will keep in an airtight container or jar at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- The Lemon Curls will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
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Janet baked the cakes the day before and let them stand overnight allowing the lemon drizzle to soak in. The Lemon Curd was made a couple of days ahead of time and stored in the fridge to thicken and develop flavour. She also made the Candied Lemon Curls and Lemon Crumb well ahead of time so she could concentrate on the assembly and decoration of the cake on the day of Graduation.
Prep 20min (+ cooling time)Bake 50-55minMakes 10 serves
Simple yet sublime. This pound cake is infused with a tangy lemon syrup and is perfect to serve on its own with a cuppa or used as a base for a more elaborate celebration cake. This recipe was originally published in BakeClass.
Ingredients
- Melted butter, to grease
250g unsalted butter at room temperature, cubed
220g (1 cup) caster sugar
Finely grated lemon zest of 1 lemon
4 eggs, at room temperature
250g (1⅔ cups) plain flour
2½ teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons strained freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon Syrup
55g (¼ cup) caster sugar
2 tablespoons strained freshly squeezed lemon juice
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease a 20cm (base measurement) round cake tin or springform pan with melted butter and line the base with baking paper.
- Using an electric mixer beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest 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. Use a spatula to fold half of the flour mixture through the batter mixture. Fold in the lemon juice and then the remaining flour mixture until just combined.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
- Meanwhile, to make the Lemon Syrup, combine the caster sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and set aside until the cake is cooked.
- Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, brush the top with a little of the syrup. Leave the cake to stand in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Brush the top of the cake with the remaining syrup and set aside to cool.
Baker's Tips
- This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Prep 35-40minMakes about 3 cups
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites (from 59g eggs), at room temperature
220g (1 cup) caster sugar
250g unsalted butter, cut into 8 equal portions, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
Food colouring gel of your choice (optional)
Method
- Combine the egg whites and sugar in a large heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of barely simmering water (make sure the bowl does not touch the water). Stir with a whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches 60°C on a sugar thermometer.
- Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk on medium-high speed with the whisk attachment for 10-15 minutes or until very thick and glossy and the mixture has cooled completely to room temperature.
- Replace the whisk attachment with the paddle beater. Beat on medium-high speed using the paddle beater for about 10 minutes adding a portion of butter one at a time and beating well after each addition until completely incorporated and smooth before adding the next portion of butter. If the mixture becomes lumpy or looks slightly curdled at any stage increase the speed to high and beat until smooth before adding the next portion of butter.
- Reduce speed to medium-low and beat for 3-4 minutes and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the salt and vanilla. Tint with gel colour to desired colour if using.
Baker's Tips
- This buttercream will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months. Before using bring to room temperature/thaw and then beat with the paddle attachment on low speed for 4-5 minutes or until smooth again.
Prep 25minBake 18-20minMakes 8 serves
There are two main tricks when making a sponge: don’t over whisk the mixture once you have added the flour, and keep a close eye on your sponge in the oven – it will be dry if over baked.
Ingredients
15g butter, melted and combined with 1½ teaspoons plain flour
4 x 59g eggs, at room temperature
165g (¾ cup) caster sugar
60ml (¼ cup) milk
30g butter, room temperature, diced
110g (¾ cup) self-raising flour, plus extra to dust
30g (¼ cup) cornflour
125ml (½ cup) pure cream, chilled
225g (⅔ cup) strawberry or raspberry jam
Icing sugar, to dust
Method
- To make the Sponge Layers, place the oven rack in the oven so that the cake tins will sit in the middle of the oven and then preheat it to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Brush two shallow 20cm/8in round cake tins with the melted butter mixture to grease and line the base of each with a round of non-stick baking paper. Brush the bases again with the melted butter mixture.
- Use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed to whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Add the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking well after each addition, until the mixture is very thick and pale (this will take about 8 minutes). Lift the whisk out of the mixture and draw a figure eight, if the trail stays on the surface long enough to finish drawing, then the mixture is ready. If not, continue to whisk for a further minute.
- Meanwhile, heat milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until almost simmering. Remove from heat and pour down the side of the mixing bowl. Quickly sift the flour and cornflour together over the egg mixture and then immediately whisk again with the electric mixer on low speed briefly until the flour mixture is just incorporated (be careful not to overmix). Scrape the base of the bowl and then whisk briefly again, if necessary.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the cake tins (see Baker’s Tips) and gently tap the tins on the bench top three times to settle the mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the cakes are a pale golden colour, spring back when lightly touched in the centre and start pulling away from the sides of the tins. Remove from the oven and immediately use a small palette knife to loosen the top of the sponges from the tins and turn onto a wire rack (see Baker’s Tips), top side up, to cool completely.
- When ready to fill, use a hand-held electric mixer with a whisk attachment or a balloon whisk to whisk the cream until soft-firm peaks form. Spread one cake with the jam and then the whipped cream. Top with the remaining cake and dust with icing sugar.
Baker's Tips
- To divide the mixture evenly between the tins, weigh the tins with the mixture in them to make sure they are the same weight.
- When removing the cakes from the tins, turn them onto a wire rack covered with a tea towel before inverting onto another rack. The tea towel will prevent the rack marking the tops of the cakes.
- Sponge cakes are best eaten the day they are baked. Sandwich them together just before serving.
Photography by Julie Renouf.
Prep 20min (+cooling time)Bake 35-40minMakes 8-10 serves
I love this tart – a no-fuss, slice-like affair of buttery shortbread layers filled with jam and nuts. Research has revealed no reason why this tart is Belgian, but it brings back vivid childhood memories of my mum, Jocelyn, making it in two enamel plates, throwing them in the oven and then, once cool, covering them with foil to take to a picnic or tennis day. I remember it so clearly when I make the tart now (with a few small alterations) in my own kitchen.
Ingredients
185g butter, softened slightly
150g caster sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
260g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
165g mixed berry jam (see Baker’s Tips)
70g (½ cup) unsalted raw peanuts (or nuts of your choice)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced).
- Put the butter and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and process until well combined. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and process to combine, scraping down the side of the bowl if necessary. Sift together the flour and baking powder. Add to the butter mixture and use the pulse butter to process until just combined and a soft dough forms.
- Press half of the mixture evenly over the base of an ungreased 23cm tart tin with removable base. Spread evenly with the jam, leaving a 2cm border. Press portions of the remaining dough between your hands to flatten and press over the jam to cover, patching where necessary. Sprinkle with the peanuts and press into the dough.
- Place the tart tin on a baking tray and bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Leave the tart to cool in the tin and then serve in wedges.
Baker's Tips
- Mum used to make this tart with apricot jam instead of the mixed berry I have used in this recipe but any jam variety works well – fig, blackberry, raspberry - just pick your favourite.
- This tart will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Prep 15min (+chilling time)
Shortcrust pastry, when you have a good recipe, is one of the simplest and quickest pastries to make. This sweet vanilla variety is great with a Classic Apple Pie.
Ingredients
200g (1⅓ cups) plain flour
2 tablespoons almond meal
2 tablespoons caster sugar
150g chilled salted butter, cubed
3 tablespoons iced water
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Method
- Combine the flour, almond meal and caster sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and use the pulse button to pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Remove the lid of the food processor and sprinkle the water over the flour mixture and then add the vanilla bean paste. Continue to process using the pulse button until the mixture is evenly combined and just starts to come together (but hasn’t as yet formed a ball). The pastry should be soft but not sticky.
- Turn the pastry out onto a lightly floured, cool bench top. Knead lightly with your fingertips for about 10 seconds or until it comes together but isn’t completely smooth. Shape the pastry into a disc, wrap well in plastic wrap, and chill and use as directed.
Prep 30min (+pastry making time)Bake 1hr15minMakes 8-10 serves
Everyone loves a classic apple pie – it is the ultimate comfort food... Especially when teamed with some good vanilla ice cream!
Ingredients
2 quantities Sweet Vanilla Shortcrust Pastry (combine ¼ of one pastry quantity with the other, and then shape each into a separate disc before wrapping and chilling for 30 minutes)
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons milk
1 tablespoon demerara sugar
Vanilla ice-cream, to serve
Apple Filling
2½ tablespoons caster sugar
1½ tablespoons plain flour
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 medium (about 140g each) pink lady or granny smith apples
1 orange, rind finely grated and juiced
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
25g (¼ cup) almond meal
20g salted butter, finely diced
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).
- Unwrap the larger portion of pastry and place on a lightly floured, cool benchtop. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the pastry into a round, about 5mm thick and about 35cm in diameter.
- Carefully drape the pastry loosely around the rolling pin, place it over an ungreased 20cm (top measurement) metal or ceramic pie dish (see Baker’s Tips) then unroll the pastry being careful not to stretch it. Gently lift the edges of the pastry and ease it into the pie dish to line the base and the sides and settle it into the corners without stretching it, allowing the excess pastry to overhang the edges. Place the lined pie dish on an oven tray and then place in the fridge to rest for while making the filling.
- To make the apple filling, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl. Peel, core and quarter each apple. Cut each apple quarter into 4 wedges and place in a separate large bowl with the orange rind, 1 tablespoon of the orange juice and the vanilla bean paste. Use your hands or spatula to toss gently to evenly coat the apple slices. Add the sugar mixture and toss gently to combine evenly.
- Sprinkle the almond meal over the base of the chilled pastry case, spoon the apple mixture over the top and dot with the diced butter. Whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush the edge of the pastry with the egg wash. Roll out the remaining smaller disc of pastry into a round, about 5mm thick and about 25cm in diameter. Use a 2cm fluted or plain round cutter to cut out a circle from the centre of the pastry. Carefully drape the pastry loosely around the rolling pin and roll over the top of the pie. Use your fingertips to press the pie pastry top and bottom together around the edge of the pie to seal. Use a small sharp knife to trim the excess pastry from around the edge. Use your fingertips to pinch the edge of the pastry to decorate. Brush the top of the pie with some of the remaining egg wash and then sprinkle with demerara sugar.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (140°C fan-forced) and bake for a further 40 minutes or until the pastry is golden and cooked through and the apples are tender (see Baker’s Tips). Remove the pie from the oven and stand for 5 minutes before serving warm with ice cream.
Baker's Tips
- For this recipe you will need a ceramic or metal pie dish measuring about 20cm across the top, 17cm across the base and 4.5cm deep.
- To check if the apples are tender, insert a skewer into the centre of the pie.
Prep 20min(+ 1hr cooling time)Bake 35-40minMakes 10 serves
Inspired by the wild rosemary found growing on the Gallipoli peninsula and the symbolic wearing of sprigs as a sign of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, this cake is the perfect way to pay your respects through your baking on Anzac Day. It's a simple cake, made special by the rosemary-infused syrup and is equally good accompanied by a cup of tea or lashings of cream or vanilla ice-cream for dessert (particularly when served while still warm)!
Ingredients
Olive oil, to grease
150g (5¼oz) caster sugar
125g (4½oz) almond meal
75g (½ cup/2¾oz) self-raising flour
180ml (¾ cup/6fl oz) olive oil
3 eggs, at room temperature
2 lemons, rind finely grated
40g (1½oz) flaked almonds
Fresh rosemary flowers (optional), to decorate
Lemon & Rosemary Syrup
60ml (¼ cup/2fl oz) strained fresh lemon juice
60ml (¼ cup/2fl oz) water
110g (½ cup/4oz) caster sugar
4 x 10cm sprigs fresh rosemary
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C/315°F fan-forced). Brush a 20cm/8in spring form tin with olive oil and line the base with non-stick baking paper.
- Combine the sugar, almond meal and flour in a large bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, eggs and lemon rind until well combined. Add to the almond meal mixture and use a balloon whisk or spatula to stir until just evenly combined.
- Pour into the prepared tin and spread with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle evenly with the flaked almonds. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Stand the cake in the tin for 5 minutes before turning transferring to a wire rack sitting over a tray.
- Meanwhile, to make the Lemon & Rosemary Syrup, combine the lemon juice, water and sugar in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Add the rosemary sprigs, bring to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced by about half.
- Slowly pour the hot syrup over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in as much as possible. Cool to room temperature (this will take about 1 hour). Decorate with the rosemary flowers (if using) and serve in slices.
Baker's Tip
- This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool spot for up to 3 days.
Prep 30min (+ 1hr proving time)Bake 15-18minMakes 4 serves
This is a terrific pizza recipe and it's particularly fun to make with kids. It has become a favourite in our house and when the kids were younger it was a regular fixture for Friday night dinner, when their friends would come for a play and early dinner. Together we would knead and roll the dough, then top it, bake it and eat it. They loved it and I'm sure you will too!
Ingredients
Dough
450g (3 cups) strong bread or pizza flour, plus extra to dust
1 x 7g sachet instant dried yeast
1½ teaspoons salt
310ml (1¼ cups) lukewarm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pizza Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ brown onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ teaspoon dried oregano
400g tin diced tomatoes
½ teaspoon sugar, or to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
270g bocconcini, cut into 1cm-thick slices or torn into chunks
160g semi-dried tomatoes or 200g cherry or grape tomatoes (halved or quartered if large)
8 think slices prosciutto
50g rocket leaves
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle
Method
-
To make the dough, combine the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the water and oil, then add to the flour mixture. Use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
-
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured bench top and knead for 8-10 minutes, adding as little extra flour as possible, or until it is smooth and elastic and springs back when you push your finger into it.
-
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it to coat lightly with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
-
Meanwhile, to make the Pizza sauce, put the olive oil and onion in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until the onion is tender. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add the tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thickened to a thick sauce consistency. Remove from the heat and season with sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Set aside to cool.
-
Preheat the oven to 230°C (210°C fan-forced).
-
Knock back the dough by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured bench top and knead briefly until reduced to its original size. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Roll out one portion on a piece of non-stick baking paper large enough to line a large heavy oven tray to a rectangle about 3mm thick. Transfer to the tray and prick all over with a fork. Repeat with the remaining dough and another piece of non-stick baking paper and large oven tray.
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Spread the pizza bases with the pizza sauce leaving a border around the edge. Top with the bocconcini and semi-dried tomatoes (if using), dividing evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, swapping the trays after 8 minutes, until the bases are crisp, golden and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, cut into portions and serve topped with the fresh tomatoes (if using), prosciutto and rocket, sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper and drizzled with a little olive oil.
Photography by Julie Renouf.
Prep 40min (+1-2hr cooling time)Bake 1hrMakes about 50
Ingredients
2 egg whites
110g (½ cup) caster sugar
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
2 teaspoons gluten-free cornflour, sifted
Method
- Preheat oven to 110°C. Line an oven tray with non-stick baking paper.
- Combine the egg whites and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl (preferably metal) and place over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir with a spatula or small whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot to touch (about 55-60°C on a sugar thermometer). Be careful not to allow the egg whites to cook.
- Transfer the egg white mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer (see Baker’s Tips). Whisk the egg white mixture with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until very thick and glossy and the mixture has cooled to room temperature. Whisk in the vanilla and cornflour.
- Fill a large piping bag fitted with a 4B (or #11/1.1cm round) piping nozzle with the meringue mixture. Holding the piping nozzle about 1cm above the tray, pipe small rosettes (or 'kisses') about 2.5cm in diameter and 2cm apart on the lined tray.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour or until the meringues are crisp, hard to touch and peel away from the tray easily, but are not coloured.
- Turn off the oven, leave the door slightly ajar and leave meringues to cool completely in the oven for 1-2 hours or overnight.
Variations
- Striped Meringue Kisses: Use a paintbrush to lightly brush evenly spaced vertical lines of food colouring gel on the inside of the large piping bag before spooning the meringue mixture into the piping bag. continue as per the recipe.
Baker's Tips
- Allowing the egg white mixture to come to room temperature before whisking will reduce the time it will take to whisk it to a meringue.
- Use the convection setting on your oven to bake the meringues as fan-forced is often too intense and will cause meringues to crack. However, if the meringues do crack when using the convention setting, next time reduce the temperature by 5-10°C as this will often help prevent them from cracking.
- These meringues will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.