Sweet Baking

ORANGE AND LEMON POLENTA CAKE

ORANGE AND LEMON POLENTA CAKE

Over the years Rosie, Caren and I, between us, have accumulated lots of wonderful gluten-free cake recipes, many of which are already included in the Sweet Baking category here on our blog. A chance conversation we had recently highlighted the fact that it’s often nut flours that make the best substitute for wheat flour in cake-baking. But what if you want to avoid gluten and nuts? Well, this one’s for you. Or anyone else who doesn’t mind a moist, citrusy cake with a nice texture and a moreish flavour. Anyone? ....

CHOP CHOP

CHOP CHOP

Yes, it’s time to get on with the Christmas baking. The koels are waking us at 4 am, the channel-bill cuckoos are causing havoc amongst the local birds and the cicadas are drumming. Tinsel is appearing in the shops and gift catalogues in our letterboxes. All signifiers of summer and the approaching festive and holiday season ....

A REVEALING TART

A REVEALING TART

As our seasons here in Sydney are not absolutely defined, we segue from cool to warm to hot and back again before a new season is in full swing.  To be able to declare the change we take our cue from the appearance of new season’s fruit and vegetables in the market. We now know that spring has sprung and summer’s nearly here because our markets and shops are filling up with delicious stone and berry fruits .... 

HAZELNUT AND HALVA PLUMPIES

HAZELNUT AND HALVA PLUMPIES

These plump (hence the name) little biscuits are perfect with a cup of tea or a coffee.  They are mixed very quickly in the food processor or by hand and although we've filled them with halva you can just as easily and deliciously fill them with jam or bake them empty and, when you're ready to serve, fill with lemon or lime curd, chocolate ganache or even nutella (sshhh).