Showing category "cookies" (Show all posts)

Jam drops

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, December 15, 2022, In : cookies 


Jam drops are so cute-looking and easy to whip up. I used raspberry jam, apricot jam and lemon curd as fillings. If you're not going gluten-free you can replace the Gf flour and ground almonds with 1 1/2 c plain flour.


Makes 32

125 g butter

1/3 c sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 c gluten-free flour

1 c ground almonds

1/2 tsp baking powder

jam of choice or lemon curd


Cream butter and sugar until pale. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.

Sift in flour and almonds and mix together. 

Shape into a...


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Pumpkin seed oat shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, September 30, 2022, In : cookies 

Peter Gordon suggests to serve these nutty biscuits with hard cheese, with stewed fruit and mascarpone or with his sticky melon jelly. I think any kind of jelly or jam would go well too. I just ate these with my cuppa; a delish crisp little bite.


Makes around 32

250 g butter, room temperature

180 g caster sugar

150 g cornflour

50 g fine oatmeal

70 g pumpkin seeds, toasted


In a food processor mix the butter and sugar for 20 seconds. Scrape down the bowl and blitz in the rest of the ingredients for 10...


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Poppyseed orange palmiers

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, In : cookies 

These palmiers were devoured in a flash - best eaten the same day. Peter Gordon's flavours are top notch.


250 g puff pastry (get the 100% butter)

1 tbsp poppy seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

5 tbsp icing sugar

zest of 1 orange

1 tbsp milk

2 tsp caster sugar


Let the pastry defrost on their plastic undersheets. This recipe is enough for 2 large square sheets.

Grind the poppy seeds in a coffee grinder for 10 seconds then mix well in a bowl with the cinnamon, icing sugar and zest.

Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the...


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Fennel sesame biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, In : cookies 

Another spicy bite from A World in My Kitchen by Peter Gordon (Hodder Moa, 2003). If you don't have fennel you could use caraway seeds,


200 g butter, room temperature

80 g icing sugar

1 tsp fine lemon zest

140 g flour (I used spelt)

80 g cornflour

40 g polenta

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground fennel seeds

3 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

50 g brown sugar


In a bowl cream the butter with the sugar and zest. Sift in flours, polenta, paprika and baking powder and add in fennel and sesame seeds. ...


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Chocolate ginger macadamia chilli cookies

Posted by Frances Chan on Sunday, September 25, 2022, In : cookies 

I'm having a biscuit week in my house, inspired by A World in My Kitchen by Peter Gordon (Hodder Moa, 2003). He often has interesting flavour combinations with modern takes on classics. Elevate your average biscuit in style. This one's all done in a food processor so not much effort needed. The chocolate, ginger and chilli really complement each other, and the nut is ideal to offset the ginger sweetness and add texture.


Makes 24-30

125 g butter, room temperature

120 b demerara sugar

1 egg

1/2 fres...


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Chocolate marshmallow cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, September 10, 2022, In : cookies 

Who doesn't like a dark fudgy cookie bursting with oozy marshmallow? Not many, if any. No creaming involved, just melt and mix.


Makes around 16

1 1/4 c flour

1/2 c cocoa

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

115 g butter, melted

2/3 c brown sugar

1/4 c granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

About 16 marshmallows or a cup of mini marshmallows


In a large bowl sift in the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and mix to combine.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan or bowl in the microwave. Stir in the suga...


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Cornflake kisses

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 5, 2022, In : cookies 

This is a genius way to get more crunch in your cookies - coat them in cornflakes! It's a lovely old-fashioned biscuit with dates and walnuts - the kind grandmas used to make. This is Dulcie May Booker's recipe from Love & Food at Gran's Table (PQ Blackwell, 2009) by Natalie Oldfield (Dulcie's granddaughter).


Makes 24

1 1/2 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

pinch salt

1/2 c walnuts, chopped

1 c dates, diced

115 g butter

1 c sugar

1 egg

2 c cornflakes, crushed


Preheat oven to 160C. Line 2 baking trays with bak...


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Chocolate nut biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, September 3, 2022, In : cookies 

Use any nut you have on hand - pistachios, macadamias, almonds... they will all add flavour and protein to a very snackable biscuit. 


Makes 12-16 

120 g flour (I used wholemeal)

1/2 tsp baking powder

3 tsp cocoa powder

75 g sugar (I used coconut, finely ground)

25 g butter, chilled and cut into cubes

1 egg

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

40 g nuts

50 g dark chocolate, chopped


Preheat oven to 160C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Sift flour, baking powder and cocoa into a bowl, then stir in the sugar.

Rub in th...


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Mexican spice cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 14, 2022, In : cookies 

You know chilli and chocolate go so well together. This soft batter can be made two ways: as cookies or brownies. Why not do both like I did?

2 c icing sugar
1/3 c cocoa powder
1/2 tsp each of ground cinnamon and allspice (or nutmeg and clove mix)
pinch cayenne pepper
1 c ground almonds
1/2 tsp sea salt
150 g dark chocolate chips/melts/pieces
1 egg
2 egg whites or 60 ml aquafaba
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 150C.
In a large bowl mix together the icing sugar, cocoa, spices, almonds, salt and choc...
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Chai melting moments

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, In : cookies 


Spice up your melting moments with chai flavours. Another easy recipe from Ripe Deli. I make my own chai spice mix to keep on hand for tea or flavouring cakes, muffins, porridge. Just mix a Tbsp of each spice and store in an airtight jar.


Makes 15 sandwiched biscuits

1 c flour

1 c cornflour

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp chai spice (mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, nutmeg, mixed spice)

200 g softened butter

100 g icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp milk, optional


Icing:

80 g softened b...


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Viennese hearts

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, May 20, 2022, In : cookies 

I don't have great piping skills so I tend to avoid doing it. But I made an effort with these biscuits and they turned out alright. Icing and sprinkles will cover all manner of sins. I made mine gluten free and vegan.


Makes 10-15

125 g butter or dairy-free spread, softened

125 g / 1 c flour (if using gluten-free , add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum)

40 g / 1/4 c icing sugar

25 g ground almonds

25 g cornflour

1 tsp vanilla extract, or lemon zest if doing lemon version

1-2 tsp milk


Icing:

1/2 c icing sugar

few Tbsp ...


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Chocolate orangey cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, In : cookies 

A delightfuly easy one-bowl recipe. No creaming, just mix!


Makes 24

2 1/4 c flour

1/3 c granulated sugar (I used coconut)

1/2 c soft brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

zest and juice of 2 oranges - juice simmered until reduced by half

170 g butter or dairy-free spread, at room temperature

2 eggs

200 g dark chocolate bar, broken into small squares


In a large bowl or food processor whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda and zest. Add the juice, butter and eggs and be...


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Amaretti

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 3, 2022, In : cookies 

A lovely chewy bite, ideal with coffee. Fika your heart out.

Makes 24

2 egg whites

1 c caster sugar

1 1/2 tsp honey

1 tsp vanilla paste

zest of a lemon, orange or grapefruit

3 c ground almonds

1/2 tsp sea salt flakes

1/2 c icing sugar


Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Beat egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Add sugar and beat until thick and glossy. Mix in honey, vanilla and zest.

Stir in the almonds and salt with a spoon or spatula until just combined. It will be a soft ...


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Ginger biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, March 28, 2022, In : cookies 

Another easy ginger biscuit with crystallised ginger for extra chewiness and sweetness. Mary Berry's recipe doesn't disappoint.


50 g butter or non-dairy spread

1 Tbsp golden syrup (or rice syrup, maple, agave)

175 g self-raising flour or normal flour with 1 tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp ground ginger

75 g crystallised ginger, chopped

1 tsp baking soda

50 g demerara sugar

50 g light brown sugar or coconut sugar

1 egg, beaten


Preheat the oven to 160C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Heat the butter and ...


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White chocolate & macadamia cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 18, 2022, In : cookies 

Very straightforward recipe to make these crowd pleasers. I quickly whipped up a batch to have for after school. White chocolate - the kid's favourite; macadamias - mine.


Makes 12

110 g butter or non-dairy spread

1/2 c caster sugar

1/4 c soft brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

180 g flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp milk of choice

50 g white chocolate, roughly chopped (use dairy-free if going vegan), plus 2 Tbsp for topping

50 g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped (or cashews), plus 1 Tbsp for topping


Preheat o...


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Chestnut kisses

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, February 21, 2022, In : cookies 

Baking with chestnuts is not a common practice in the Antipodes, it's more a European or Asian thing. I love boiled chestnuts though, and have fond memories of picking them in my childhood. The whole family used to go on a day trip to Cambridge to pick them in the big parks. We wore gumboots and would scrounge around for the perfect stick to help prize open their prickly shells, then stuff the deep brown nuggets into specially made fabric chestnut-picking bags. I don't know if those huge ches...


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Cashew coconut cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, In : cookies 

So nutty and crunchy! My niece suggested to sandwich them with ice cream and that was a winner after dinner. This is adapted from Better Baking by Genevieve Ko (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016). She uses peanuts, which would be tasty too. Feel free to experiment with whatever nuts you have on hand.

1 c roasted, salted cashews
1/2 c desiccated coconut
1/2 toasted sesame seeds
3/4 c icing sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Add all the ingredients except oil a...

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Mocha chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, January 23, 2022, In : cookies 

One of the best flavour combos - chocolate and coffee - in one biscuit! It's from Better Baking by Genevieve Ko (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016). I have a few favourites from this book that utilises wholesome ingredients. It's important to chill the dough for several hours so make it in the morning or the night before.

Makes around 36
2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c coconut sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/3 c neutral oil
2/3 c cold espresso coff...
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Raw apple raisin cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, December 16, 2021, In : cookies 

With the oven still bung I made these wholesome raw cookies in the dehydrator. Dehydrated food sometimes doesn't look the most appetising so I tszujed these up with some white chocolate decoration. This recipe is adapted from The Complete Book of Raw Food (Hatherleigh Press, 2005).

Makes around 30 small cookies
2 c sunflower seeds, soaked for 6-8 hours and rinsed
2 apples, cored
2 bananas
1/2 c dates
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c raisins or cranberries
1 c walnuts, soaked for 6-8 hours and ...
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Raw chocolate thumbprint cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, In : cookies 

My oven broke down a week before Xmas! So I've turned to my trusty dehydrator to whip up some raw treats (not quickly though). This is a basic recipe for a raw cookies. You can substitute any nuts or dried fruit if you wish, add spices or essences such as peppermint or orange.

Makes 25-30 small cookies
1 1/2 c cashews
1 c almonds
1 c dates
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp coconut oil 
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 c cocoa powder
Pinch sea salt
1/2 c jam (I used berry chia jam)

Blitz the nuts in a food processor u...

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Chocolate toffee toothpullers

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 29, 2021, In : cookies 

I didn't realise the chewiness factor of toffee increases by a hundred-fold once melted! The caramel oozed out of my cookies, which wasn't a bad thing. However, I will try and enclose them better in the cookie dough next time. Instead of toffees, you can add different stir-ins to this dough, such as nuts, choc chips, dried fruit or candies.


Makes 12

1 c flour

1/2 c cocoa

1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch sea salt

110 g butter

1/4 c brown sugar

1/2 c granulated sugar (I used coconut)

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extra...


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Chocolate chip pan cookie

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, In : cookies 

This looked so impressive on Nadiya Hussain's Time to Eat show that I had to try it. What's not to love about a giant cookie in a pan! I must admit I burned the bottom at bit because the top wasn't cooking, and I left it on the heat too long. You can put a lid on the pan for 5-10 minutes to help cook the top. Never mind, a bit of scrapeage and all was forgiven. I topped it with white and dark choc bits I had in my pantry but you can sprinkle on anything, such as smarties, 100s and 1000s, toff...
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Chocolate sugar cookies with royal icing for Halloween

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, October 30, 2021, In : cookies 

Auckland is in lockdown during Halloween 2021 but I made a token effort with these sugar cookies and had a go at flooding royal icing to frost my ghosts. Cookie dough is great to store in the freezer so make a double batch and keep some for a rainy day bake. It's adapted from Preppy Kitchen.

Makes 24 large cookies

2 c flour (I used wholemeal and white spelt)

2 Tbsp cornflour

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 c cocoa powder

225 g butter

1 c granulated sugar (I used coconut)

1 egg

1 Tbsp vanilla extract


Royal icing:

2 egg...


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Snickerdoodles

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, October 29, 2021, In : cookies 

A snickerdoodle is a crisp and chewy cookie originating from New England. It's basically a plain cookie rolled in cinnamon sugar but the inclusion of cream of tartar gives it a sourness that is quite endearing. 

Most recipes use butter and refined sugar and flour but this one is gluten- and dairy-free. You can also use an egg replacer if you are vegan. It makes a lot of dough so you can freeze some for later use. The dough needs to chill in the fridge for a few hours so prepare ahead!


3 1/2 c f...


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Belgian biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 7, 2021, In : cookies 

I've never bought Belgian biscuits myself but making my own sounded like fun so here they are. I made mini versions, sandwiched with St Dalfour 100% fruit jam (to contrast the !00% icing sugar topping). A satisfying bite combining the flavours of a spiced biscuit and raspberry jam.


Makes 46 mini biscuits (23 sandwiched biscuits)

125 g butter
1/4 c brown sugar (or coconut sugar)

1 egg

1 3/4 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cocoa

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp mixed spice (or a mix of nutmeg, ...


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Butter pecan cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, October 2, 2021, In : cookies 

The key word in these cookies is the butter! It's a 3-part process and it's best to start the night before, but the result is a butty, rich biscuit for non-dieters. I've used less sugar than Baker by Nature.

Makes around 20
1 1/2 c chopped pecans (about 150g with 20 halves reserved for topping)
3 Tbsp butter

225 g butter
2 1/2 c flour
1 Tbsp cornflour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 c brown sugar
1/3 c granulated sugar (I used coconut)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, plus 1 egg yolk

Firs...
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Gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 27, 2021, In : cookies 

Gingernuts are a favourite in our house and I am always up for trying different recipes to get the perfect gingery crunch. This one has been adapted from @kitchenoftreats (I used brown rice syrup instead of golden syrup). The 9-year-old declared "this is the best gingernut you've ever made"! The recipe makes quite a lot of dough it's a good idea to keep some in the freezer to make later at your convenience.


Makes 30+

3/4 c brown sugar

1/2 c brown rice syrup (or golden syrup or maple)

1/2 c neutra...


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Chocolate mint thins

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, September 17, 2021, In : cookies 

Better than store-bought for sure! It's a three-part process but definitely worth the delight in biting into your own fancy chocolate and mint biscuit. The recipe from @kitchenoftreats can be easily adapted to be gluten and dairy free. These store well in the freezer.

Makes 24-28

1 c flour of choice

1/3 c cocoa

60 g butter or non-dairy spread

1/2 c  sugar

1 egg


Filling:

1 1/2 c icing sugar

4 tsp milk of choice

1/2 tsp peppermint essence


1 Tbsp jam mixed with a little hot water


Coating:

250 g dark chocolat...


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Citrus peel cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 16, 2021, In : cookies 

Needed a quick bake to use up some mixed peel that's been sitting in the pantry for too long! It's worth the extra effort to add the tangy drizzle icing. You can swap out the butter for a non-dairy spread and use whatever flour you like.

125 g butter or non-dairy spread

1/3 c sugar

1 c flour (I used gluten free)

pinch salt

fine zest of 1 lemon, lime or orange

1/2 c mixed peel


For the icing mix 1/2 c icing sugar with the juice of 1 lemon, lime or orange to make a drizzling consistency.


In a bowl cream...


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Banana bread cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, September 11, 2021, In : cookies 

This is adapted from Donna Hay's ingenious 4-ingredient recipe. I just used less banana to more flour ratio so the mixture wouldn't be so soft. They are not very good-looking cookies so you can jazz them up to look more appealing. The cookies have a crispy shell and a soft banana bread middle - a real wholesome treat.

Makes about 15
3/4 c mashed banana (about 2 medium)
3 c almond flour or almond meal (I grind almonds in a coffee grinder then sieve)
1/2 c coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
To sprinkle: 1 ...
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Ginger pine cones

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, August 30, 2021, In : cookies 

These are the cutest little bites! They are usually made for Christmastime in Scandinavia. A bit of effort to shape into pine cones but if you've got the time in lockdown... As long as you chill the dough you can roll out and cut into any cookie cutter shapes you have. This batch makes a lot of little pine cones, however, you can freeze half the dough and bake later. To save more time later cut into your desired shapes before freezing.


Makes 70 pine cones

125 g butter, cut into cubes

1/2 c sugar...


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Chickpea shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 26, 2021, In : cookies 

Usually used in pakora and savoury pancakes, you can bake with chickpea flour but it needs a bit of work as there is no gluten to hold it together.


1 c icing sugar

160ml neutral oil

2 c chickpea/besan/gram flour

1/2 tsp xanthan gum, optional

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

pinch salt

1 tsp rose water

1 egg yolk

2/3 c chopped nuts (eg pistachios, almonds)


Line a brownie tin with baking paper.

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz until a dough forms. You can also just mix by hand. If the mixture ...


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Chessboard cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, August 21, 2021, In : cookies 

I have made checkerboard cookies before, but this recipe from The Nordic Baking Book by Magnus Nilsson has a different method and doesn't use egg. Both turned out well. I was a bit lazy in my food colouring skills, just squirted red and yellow food gel into the dough without measuring, hence the dough became more red than orange. The orange taste comes through though - all good!


Makes about 50

200g butter, cold and diced

300g / 2 1/2 c flour (I used a mix of rice, tapioca and gluten-free leftove...


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Chocolate cuts

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, In : cookies 

200g coconut oil or butter, softened

1 c sugar

2 1/2 c /300g flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)

6 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder


Egg wash:

1 egg lightly beaten with 1/2 quantity of milk (2-3 Tbsp)


Sprinkles or pearl sugar


Preheat oven to 175C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a bowl mix the coconut oil and sugar until well combined. If using butter, cream until pale and fluffy. Sift in remaining ingredients and mix together until just combined into a dough. If it's too crumbly ad...


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White chocolate almond cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 12, 2021, In : cookies 

Coconut oil not only helps make a crisp biscuit, it's also easy to soften and there's no creaming required. Soft brown sugar dissolves and mixes in quickly too. You can use any chopped nuts you prefer but I like flaked almonds as they're easier to bite into. Mix and match whatever chocolate and nut or dried fruit variety you like. It's a good way to use up what's in your pantry.

Makes 16

1/4 c coconut oil, softened (it's already soft at room temperature in summer or microwave for 20 sec)

1 c bro...


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Espresso shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 6, 2021, In : cookies 

Coffee cookies for The Other Crate Record Fair

225g butter, softened
pinch salt
115g sugar
2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 2 tsp hot water
1 Tbsp milk
285g flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)
60g cornflour or rice flour
1 tsp instant coffee

Cream butter and salt in a large bowl. Add sugar, coffee mixture and milk and cream until fluffy. Add flour and cornflour and mix until just combined then mix in instant coffee granules.
Roll out dough in between 2 sheets of baking paper to 1cm thick. Place o...
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Lemon shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 6, 2021, In : cookies 

The first of my music-themed treats to sell at The Other Crate Record Fair! These lemony notes are crisp as.

250g butter, softened
1 1/2 c cornflour
1/2 c rice or tapioca flour
3/4 c icing sugar
1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
1-2 Tbsp milk

Chuck everything in the food processor and blitz till just combined to make a soft dough. Place in between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out to 1cm thick. Place on tray and refrigerate until firm.
Preheat oven to 150C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. R...
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Chocolate molasses cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, July 11, 2021, In : cookies 

With our impending trip to the snow upon us, I wanted a sturdy, robust cookie that would provide tasty sustenance on the slopes. So I made a spicy molasses cookie and added chocolate chunks - how good?!


Makes 24-26

1 1/2 c flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)

1/2 c oat flour (oats ground in a coffee grinder)

1 1/2 c sugar (I used a mix of coconut and cane)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

ground spices:

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger (double the ginger if you want a gingernut!)

1/2 ts...


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Date & cinnamon cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, June 26, 2021, In : cookies 

Using dates in these cookies gives them a chewy texture - a good dunking candidate.

Makes around 32
55g white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
200g dates, chopped or date paste
1 tsp vanilla extract
200g brown sugar
100g butter, softened
1 egg
260g flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 beaten egg for egg wash

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
If you're using whole dates, put them in a food processor with 1 Tbsp boiling water, vanilla and 50g of the brown sugar and blitz until a paste forms.
Put paste, brown ...
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Cherry choc cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 11, 2021, In : cookies 

I made up this recipe to use some glacē cherries that had been at the back of the fridge for too long. Almonds match well with cherries, as does chocolate.


Makes 12 big cookies

1tbsp ground flaxseed

2 1/2 tbsp water

150g butter, at room temperature

3/4 c coconut sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 c flour (I used spelt)

1 tsp baking powder.

1/2 c glace cherries

1/2 c chopped almonds

1/2 c dark chocolate chunks/melts/buttons


Mix flaxseed and water together in a cup.

In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar un...


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Chocolate cinnamon tree cookies

Posted by Frances Chan on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, In : cookies 

These lovely bites are upmarket versions of cinnamon swirls. Making the dough as thin as possible before rolling will give youThis recipe is from Bakeland: Nordic Treats Inspired by Nature by Marit Hovland (Greystone Books, 2018). She makes stunning cookies and cakes that look like flowers, snowflakes, etc, and these chocolate rocks, which truly rock.


Makes about 44

Filling:

75g butter, at room temperature

1/3 c sugar

3 tbsp cinnamon


Dough:

3 c (375g) flour

3 tsp ground cardamom

1/2 tsp salt

225g butte...


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Brown sugar shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, January 22, 2021, In : cookies 

This is one of the easiest biscuits you'll ever make - just 3 ingredients. I added jam for variety, and makes a sticky top crunch.


1/2 c / 110 g butter at room temperature

1/4 c / 50g brown sugar

1 1/3 c / 160g flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)

few tbsp jam (i used strawberry and apricot)


Lightly grease a 20cm round or square cake tin.

Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until soft and pale. Add the flour and mix until just combined.

Press dough evenly in...


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Cinnamon cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, December 7, 2020, In : cookies 

Scandinavians love to make these cookies at Christmas time but they will go down well any time of year.

375g flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp lemon zest
125g brown sugar
250 cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg, beaten

Topping: 
Mix 2 tsp cinnamon and 50g demerara or granulated sugar in a small bowl
1 egg, beaten

Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Mix in zest and sugar then rub in butter until dough resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Mix in egg and knead on a floured surface for a couple...
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Afghan biscuits aka chocolate roughs

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 12, 2020, In : cookies 


The etymology of these classic New Zealand cookies may be considered controversial in these modern times, so much so that Griffins renamed them 'roughs' in their packaging. Either way, they're still a yummy chocolate biscuit with added crunch from cornflakes. I added cocoa rice puffs too. I made a double batch for World Kindness Day to give to our daughter's teachers and classmates. In lieu of the traditional chocolate icing and walnut topping I opted for chocolate ganache and a single silver...


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Ginger citrus shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 2, 2020, In : cookies 

If you need to, any recipe can be made dairy and gluten free. In this case, it's easy shortbread that can be done in the food processor, adapted from Bluebells Cakery (Random House, 2013) by Karla Goodwin.

2 1/3 c + 1 tbsp flour (I used a GF mix)
1/3 c cornflour
250g butter or non-dairy spread (I used Olivani)
1/2 c + 1 tbsp caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
2/3 g crystallised ginger, finely chopped
zest of 1 lemon
zest of 1 orange

Sift flours together in a large bowl or food processor. Rub in ...
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Ghost vanilla biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 2, 2020, In : cookies 

I refuse to buy sweets for trick or treaters on Halloween night so I make something instead. This year was ghost biscuits from a very simple recipe from Marian Keyes' Saved by Cake (Penguin, 2012).

200g butter or non-dairy spread
200g caster sugar (or any fine granulated sugar)
2 tsp vanilla paste or extract or 1 vanilla pod
1 egg
400g flour of choice

Icing:
300g icing sugar
lemon juice 

giant black cachous

In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and egg...
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Coffee cardamom cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, In : cookies 

The flavours here are very popular in the Scandinavian countries - it's a sophisticated biscuit. I was surprised that our 8-year-old liked them too; I used decaf coffee to mitigate any caffeine effects!


Makes about 24

2 c flour

1 tbsp ground espresso or 2 tsp instant coffee

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cardamom

pinch sea salt

115g butter

1/2 c soft brown sugar

1/4 c sugar (I used coconut)

1 egg

1 1/2 tbsp molasses

1 tsp vanilla extract


Glaze:

1/2 egg white (15g)

3/4 c icing sugar

1 1/2 tsp melted butter

1-2 tsp war...


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Lavender and white chocolate sables

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, September 6, 2020, In : cookies 

Sablés are just French versions of shortbread, i.e. very buttery and sugary! The lavender here is a subtle fragrance that complements the white chocolate well. A lovely crisp biscuit perfect with a cuppa.

Makes about 40
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp ground culinary lavender
2 1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
225 g unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into pieces (omit salt if you use salted butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
115g white chocolate, finely chopped

Put sugar and lavender in a bowl of a stand mixer or foo...
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Choconutty popcorn cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, August 29, 2020, In : cookies 

Heidi Swanson calls these carnival cookies, not the sickly sweet artificial-coloured kind, but wholesome sugar-free bites packed with nutrients. The popcorn and chocolate chips bring to mind amusement park snacks.


Makes 22-24

1 1/2 c rolled oats

1/2 c almond meal or ground almonds

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 c mashed bananas (about 3 or 4)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c coconut oil, softened or just melted

1 1/2 c popcorn

1 c chocolate of choice (chopped, chips, buttons or b...


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Lemon poppy seed shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, August 10, 2020, In : cookies 


You can make this versatile mix into any-shaped shortbread. I doubled the recipe to fit into a 33cm x 23cm slice tin, as I wanted rectangular pieces to fit into our daughter's lunchbox. One batch will fit a 20cm round pan to make 12 triangle pieces.

1/3 c granulated sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
zest of a lemon
115 g butter at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp lemon oil or extract (I used some lemon juice)
1 cup plus 2 tbsp (150g) flour
1 tbsp poppy seeds, plus extra for sprinkling

Lemon drizzle...
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Cornflake haystacks

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 6, 2020, In : cookies 

A very satisfying caramely crunch that uses up cornflakes that have been sitting around for too long. It's from a 517-page tome called Dorie's Cookies by Dorie Greenspan (Houghton MIfflin Harcourt, 2016).

Makes about 36
2 eggs
1/2 c natural liquid sweetener, eg brown rice syrup, maple syrup, honey
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 c desiccated or shredded coconut
1 c chopped nuts (I used almonds)
1 c raisins (I plumped mine up by placing them in a small bowl and soaking in boiled water for 5 min, then drain)
170g m...
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Churros cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, In : cookies 

Churros as cookies? Yes please! A light biscuit with cinnamon and brown sugar - an exact crispy version of churros doughnuts. They're ideal for ice cream sandwiches too! I saw this recipe on one of Haylie Duff's cooking programmes. Toasting the flour first adds a nutty depth to the dough. I used coconut sugar to give a dark, caramel taste and look.

Makes about 36
2 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
225g butter, room temperature
1 c sugar (I used coconut)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp milk (I used rice)
1 t...
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Happy apricot cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 2, 2020, In : cookies 

These cookies have such sunny dispositions! Decorate them with any nuts, seeds or coconut.

Makes 16
2/3 c (100g) dried apricots
200g pitted dates, soaked for 5 min in boiling water then drained (or use fresh medjool dates)
1/4 c (30g) desiccated coconut
1/4 c (40g) pumpkin seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
For decoration: cashew nuts and sunflower seeds, or macadamias or almonds, whatever you fancy

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
Blitz all the ingredients except the toppings in a foo...
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Chocolate nut cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 2, 2020, In : cookies 


A basic chocolate chip cookie recipe can be made more nutritious with nuts.

Makes 24

125g butter or non-dairy spread
3/4 c sugar of choice (I used organic golden)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 c self-raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 c chocolate chips (I used white)
1/2 c chopped nuts (I used peanuts and toasted them first)
glace cherries to decorate if desired

Preheat oven to 190C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.
Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat...

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Ginger nougat cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, In : cookies 

Let the food processor do all the work for these chewy ginger cookies, made extra decadent with gooey nougat on top!

100g butter
2 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 1/2 c unrefined sugar (I used a mix of muscovado and coconut)
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cardamom
1 1/2 cm fresh ginger root, grated
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs (I think you can get away with 1)
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
150g nougat, chopped

Preheat oven to 150C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
In...
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Afghans

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, June 20, 2020, In : cookies 

A classic crunch and a good little lunchbox filler that will please most!


125g butter

1/3 c granulated sugar (I used coconut)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

1/2 c self-raising flour (if you don't have self-raising use 1 c flour and 1 tsp baking powder)

1/2 c plain flour

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 1/2 c cornflakes. lightly crushed

1/4 c desiccated coconut


Icing:

125g dark chocolate

1 tbsp butter or vegetable shortening

sprinkles to decorate or walnut halves


Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking pap...


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Honey & cardamom biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, May 21, 2020, In : cookies 


First time I've iced cookies before I put them in the oven, but it works!


Makes about 60

125g butter or non-dairy spread, softened

1/2 c brown sugar or coconut sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 c honey

2 c flour

1 c wholemeal flour


Icing:

1/4 c butter or non-dairy spread, softened

1/4 c flour

2 tsp water


In a bowl beat the butter for 30 seconds. ADd the brown sugar, baking powder and cardamom and beat until combined. Beat in egg and honey. Sift in flours and mix un...


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Chocolate wheaten cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, May 18, 2020, In : cookies 

Just like the ones you can buy in the shops but better cos they're homemade! Very similar to chocolate digestives or the vegan digestives.


Makes 20-30

125 g butter, softened

1/2 c brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 c wholemeal flour

1/3 c self-raising flour

1/4 c wheatgerm or bran, optional

1/4 c desiccated coconut

60g dark chocolate, finely chopped

1/4 c milk of choice


Icing:

100g dark chocolate

1 tbsp butter or vegetable shortening



In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg. Sift i...


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Dried fruit cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, May 18, 2020, In : cookies 

This batch makes so many cookies! You can freeze some of the dough for later use.


Makes about 50

185g butter, softened

1/2 c granulated sugar (I used organic golden but coconut sugar would work well)

1/2 c brown sugar

2 eggs

2 or 3 mashed bananas

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp all spice (or a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger)

1 1/2 c oats

1 c mixed dried fruit, chopped

3/4 c desiccated or shredded coconut

3/4 c chopped nuts (I used walnuts and almonds)


Prehe...


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Alfajores

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, In : cookies 

I made my own dulce de leche for these banoffee cupcakes - dairy and refined sugar-free! I used the rest in these classic Spanish/South American sandwich cookies.

Makes about 15 sandwiched cookies

1 c cornflour

3/4 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

110 g butter at room temperature

1/3 c granulated sugar

2 egg yolks

1 tbsp brandy (or pisco, cognac or sherry)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract


180g melted chocolate for dipping

1/2 c desiccated coconut


1 c dulce de leche at room temperature


Mix...


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Anzac cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 26, 2020, In : cookies 

My Anzac cookies turned out huge this year! They spread out quite wide that's that aaaaall good. Using coconut sugar gives the cookies a darker appearance and a deep caramel flavour.


1 c flour

3/4 c coconut sugar

1 c rolled oats

1 c desiccated coconut

100g butter

1 tbsp rice syrup

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp boiling water


Optional extras: chocolate chips, dried fruit


Preheat oven to 170C. Line or grease 2 baking sheets.

In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, oats and coconut. You can add your optional ext...


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Pea flour cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, April 16, 2020, In : cookies 

You can make cookies from any flour, really. Yellow pea flour makes a wholesome cookie and the molasses gives them a dark brown caramelly chewiness. The dough is quite soft and sticky so best to refrigerate for an hour before shaping. Thanks Ginny for her flour leftovers!

Makes around 20
Mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl:
2 tbsp flaxmeal mixed with 3 tbsp water
1 tbsp molasses
2 tbsp maple syrup (or rice syrup or honey)
1/3 c coconut sugar (or brown)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c vegetable or rice...
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Checkerboard cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, In : cookies 

These lil checkerboard cookies are quite fun to make and are fun to eat too. You get a hint of chocolate and a hint of coconut in every bite. The aim is to get a crisp biscuit that does not spread. You can also freeze the dough for baking at a later date. This is from The Everyday Baker by Abigail Johnson Dodge (The Taunton Press, 2015).

Makes 50-60 cookies
2 1/4 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
170g butter, softened
2/3 c sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c desiccated coconut
1/2 tsp...
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Oat lace cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, April 3, 2020, In : cookies 

These are very fragile cookies! But lovely for a dainty afternoon tea. Drizzling with chocolate is completely optional; I think they are tasty without.

Makes about 20 cookies

1/2 c rolled oats

1/4 c almonds

90g butter or non-dairy spread

1/3 c crystallised sugar

1/3 c brown sugar

1 tbsp rice flour/tapioca/cornflour/arrowroot

2 tsp orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt


100g melted chocolate, if desired


Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a food processor or coffee gri...


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Almond ginger cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, In : cookies 

I'm rationing my flour supplies in Covid-19 lockdown so trying out some gluten-free recipes. This is a super easy one-pot, one-spoon wonder - you'll be munching in less than 30 minutes.

Makes about 20 cookies

1 c almond butter

3/4 c brown sugar or coconut sugar

1/3 c crystallised ginger, finely chopped

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt

1 egg


Preheat oven to 165C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a wooden s...


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Chocolate ginger meringues

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 27, 2020, In : cookies 

We are day 2 of Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand but the baking doesn't stop. Our daughter chose these for me to make - and I happily obliged. We had all the ingredients in the pantry waiting to be used. It's from Gluten-Free Baking by Kristine Kidd (Weldon Owen, 2014).

Makes about 20 meringues

100g dark chocolate
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt
3/4 c toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
1/3 c crystallised ginger, roughly chopped

Preheat ovent o 165...
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White chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, In : cookies 

With an hour to go before our 7-year-old daughter arrives back home with a play date (first boy from school!) I whipped up these white chocolate chip cookies. Add some fancy sprinkles and it's an afternoon delight!


Makes around 24 small or 18 large cookies

2 c flour (I used half white spelt and half wholemeal spelt, you can use GF flour if you like)

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 c sugar-free chocolate chips or drops, plus extra for topping

1/2 c fine coconut sugar or rapad...


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Chocolate almond biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, March 15, 2020, In : cookies 

These chocolate biscotti have a coffee-tinged flavour - perfect with coffee!

1 1/2 c ground almonds

2 tbsp arrowroot or cornflour

3 tbsp cacao powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 c brown rice syrup or maple syrup


Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in vanilla and rice syrup until a firm dough forms.

Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Shape each one into a log about 10cm long, 5cm high and 4cm wid...


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Banana coconut cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, In : cookies 

Just two ingredients to make these delicious cookies. I like them very thin to produce a crispiness and caramelisation on the edges. You can go crazy with your extras and add your favourite flavourings.

Makes 12-16 

1 ripe banana
3/4 c desiccated coconut

Optional:
1/4 c chocolate chips
pinch sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped dried fruit

Preheat oven to 180C. Link a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mash the banana in a bowl and mix in coconut. Add your extras. Scoop out...


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Coconut macaroons

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 13, 2020, In : cookies 

Such a wholesome healthy version of macaroons! But dipping in chocolate makes them extra special. This is adapted from Caroline Du Pont's The New Enlightened Eating (Book Publishing Company, 2012).

Makes 16

3/4 c ground almonds
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 c desiccated or shredded coconut
pinch salt
1/2 c maple syrup
1/4 c tahini
1 tsp vanilla extract

For dipping:
100g chocolate of choice

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Grind the almonds and flaxseed in a coffee grin...


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Lavender biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 13, 2020, In : cookies 

These biscuits are perfectly fine without icing, as our 7-year-old informed me, but I think the icing adds a zing, and lavender and lemon go well together. Being free of sugar and dairy, you can add a couple more to your lunchbox.

You'll need a tray that will fit into your freezer.

1 1/2 tbsp dried lavender flowers
165g flour of choice
1 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp coconut oil or butter, melted
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c honey
1 tsp stevia

Icing:
1/2 c powder...


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Tortas de aciete

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, In : cookies 


I love the crispiness of these Spanish olive oil biscuits. A yeasted dough that requires no kneading.

90g warm water
10g dried yeast
1 tsp salt
25g / 1/8 cup caster sugar
75g olive oil
300g flour
granulated sugar for topping
caraway seeds for topping (or you could use anise or fennel or cardamom)

In a bowl mix the water, yeast, salt, sugar and olive oil. Gradually add in the flour and mix until a dough forms. If it's too dry sprinkle in a bit more water.
Cover the bowl with a tea towel and leave in a w...
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Chocolate peanut butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 9, 2020, In : cookies 

These a nice little chewy bites, great for lunchboxes.

90g oat flour
80g ground almonds
2 tbsp cacao powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
50g coconut sugar (or another unrefined sugar)
4 tbsp stevia
2 eggs
120g peanut butter (or any nut butter)
100g coconut oil, melted
100g cacao nibs or chocolate buttons

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 trays with baking paper.

In a bowl mix the flour, almonds, cacao, baking soda, sugar and stevia. In another bowl mix the eggs, peanut butter and coconut oil.

Mix the wet ing...


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Gingerbread cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, In : cookies 

Even though I'm not a Christmassy person, I do like to make gingerbread and have a go at icing. I don't have much flair, as you can see, but the biscuits taste fine anyway.

3 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch sea salt
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp allspice (or 1/2 tsp each cloves, nutmeg)
250g butter at room temperature
1 1/4 c brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger

Royal icing:
1 egg white
250 g icing sugar
1 tsp lemon juice

Sift the dry...
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Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 28, 2019, In : cookies 

This will be the 14th chocolate chip cookies recipe on Bake Club! And it's a good variation - adding oats and being free of gluten, sugar and dairy if you need to bake for special dietary requirements. Thanks to Minimalist Baker for the inspo.

3/4 c rolled oats, or quick cook oats
3/4 c ground almonds
1/4 c desiccated coconut
3/4 tsp baking powder
14 tsp salt
1/4 c dark chocolate chips
1/4 c chopped dried fruit, optional (I used apricots but I've also used prunes and freeze-dried blueberries)
1/4 c a...
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Coffee biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, In : cookies 

A solid biscuit for grown-ups! Perfect for dunking in coffee, of course.

1 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp ground coffee
1/4 c soft brown sugar
pinch sea salt
1 or 2 eggs
1/4 c dark chocolate drops or chips
1/4 c lightly toasted hazelnuts (pistachios, macadamias or pecans are also nice)

Preheat oven to 160C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a bowl mix the flour, baking powder, coffee, sugar and salt. Break in 1 egg and mix in with the chocolate bits and nuts. If dough is still...
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Marmalade biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, November 9, 2019, In : cookies 

An easy bake from Rachel Khoo from her Little Swedish Kitchen (Michael Joseph, 2018). A great way to use up marmalade, as I don't eat it very often. The biscuit is not too sweet, and with a citrus tang.

100g soft butter
80g caster sugar
100g marmalade of choice
zest of a lemon
225g flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Beat the butter, sugar, marmalade and zest in a bowl until creamy. Sift in flour, baking powder and salt and...


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Lemon coconut cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 19, 2019, In : cookies 


This recipe called these biscuits 'washboards', which I love, but you can shape the dough into circles too. You can replace the lemon with lime or orange. All citrus flavours go well with coconut.

Makes 32
2 tbsp non-dairy milk
1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c coconut oil, room temperature
1 c unrefined sugar
1 egg or flax egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c desiccated coconut
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 c flour (I used spelt)
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt

Preheat o...


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Havreflarn (oat thins)

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 25, 2019, In : cookies 

Here's a healthy twist on a classic Swedish havreflarn (thin oat biscuits). I've used banana instead of sugar and added toppings for variety. Sometimes chocolate is sandwiched in between 2 biscuits; I've just spread one side with chocolate, like a chocolate digestive.

Makes around 20
2 c rolled oats
2 bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted (optional)
toppings if desired: threaded coconut, black sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds
125g dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 175...
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Jam & coconut thumbprints

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 18, 2019, In : cookies 

Good ol' jam thumbprints! I think a lemon curd would also work well in the biscuit.

115g butter or non-dairy spread, softened
1/4 c coconut sugar or rapadura
1 egg, separated
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 c flour (I sued spelt)
1/2 c desiccated coconut
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
3/4 c desiccated coconut for coating
2 tbsp jam

Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl. Mix in egg yolk, orange juice and zest, and extracts. Sift in flour,...


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Orange spelt biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, July 15, 2019, In : cookies 

A healthyish biscuit!

50g rolled oats
250g wholemeal spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
juice and grated zest of 1 orange
60ml extra virgin olive oil
50g unrefined sugar (I used coconut)
2 tbsp honey
pinch salt

Icing:
150g icing sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp orange zest

Grind oats in a coffee grinder or food processor until fine. Mix with flour and baking powder in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl whisk together orange juice and zest, oil, sugar, honey and salt. Pour into flour bowl and mix unti...


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Date & hazelnut pinwheels

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, July 7, 2019, In : cookies 

A fancy-looking biscuit! You can use any nuts you prefer for this recipe - pecans, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, whatever you have handy.

Makes 60
Filling:
1 1/3 c pitted dates, cut into pieces
1/2 c water
1/2 c toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped

Cookies:
115g butter or non-dairy spread
1 c brown sugar (or coconut or rapadura)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch salt

Make the filling by putting the dates and water in a saucepan on medium heat. Bring to a simm...


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Bonfire cracklers

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, In : cookies 

What a great name for these delicious chocolate morsels with a hint of chilli. The recipe is from Miranda Gore Browne's Biscuit. You can make these without the chilli too and you could use almond flour instead of hazelnut.

Makes 30+
175g 70% dark chocolate (I use Whittaker's)
50g butter or non-dairy spread
1 tsp coffee essence (I didn't have any so used 1 tbsp strong espresso)
100g toasted hazelnuts
175g flour (I used spelt)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder or flakes, finely chopped
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/...
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Cinnamon scrolls

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 30, 2019, In : cookies 

I am amazed that the little bit of sour cream in this dough produces a flaky pastry that melts in your mouth. You can freeze this dough to slice and bake when you feel like it.

Makes 36
1/4 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 c flour
145g cold butter, cut into pieces
1/3 c sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
Use an electric mixer to mix the flour and butter in a bowl until the butter is in small pieces. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until the dough ...
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Slice and bake cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 28, 2019, In : cookies 

This is a great basic recipe from which to make any kind of slice and bake cookie - add your favourite flavours and coatings then freeze the dough until you need it. This is adapted from Bake Me Home by Alice Arndell (HarperCollins, 2015).

Makes 60
250g butter, softened
1 1/4 c sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3 eggs
4 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Flavouring examples
1/2 c each cranberries and pistachios
1/2 c each dark and white chocolate chunks
2/3 c chopped almonds and 1/3 c crystallised gin...
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Gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 23, 2019, In : cookies 

The beauty of these cookies is that you can bake them so they're crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle or if you prefer gingernuts just bake them for a few minutes more. Thanks to Elinor Klivans and her book Slice & Bake Cookies.

Makes 24
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/4 c molasses
1 c brown sugar
1 egg
2 c flour (I used wholmeal and white spelt)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 crystallised ginger, finely c...


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Neapolitan cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 21, 2019, In : cookies 

This is my second attempt at these cookies. My first lot were too big and the strawberry dough was too soft, as I added too much jam to the mix. Now I've fine-tuned my technique I can share it with you! It's another recipe from Elinor Klivans' Slice & Bake Cookies.

Makes 40
225g butter, softened
1 c sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
55g dark chocolate, melted
1 tbsp cocoa
3 tbsp strawberry jam or 1tsp strawberry essence and few drops red food c...


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Chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, June 10, 2019, In : cookies 

What to do when the child is home sick - bake, of course! Here's another version of a healthy choc chip cookie. This one uses a flaxseed egg.

Makes 16-20 cookies
1 tbsp flaxseed
3 tbsp water
2 c ground almonds
1/2 c brown rice flour (or another gluten free flour or almond flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 c maple syrup (or rice syrup or honey)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c melted coconut oil
3/4 c dark chocolate chips or chunks

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Mix flaxseed a...
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Fully loaded gingerbread

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 6, 2019, In : cookies 

Miranda Gore Browne calls this rainy day gingerbread in her book Biscuit. It is certainly good for that, and any kind of weather really. it is a hearty biscuit that will warm you up with a good cuppa.

1 c wholemeal spelt
1 c ground oats
3/4 c demerara sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
150g butter at room temperature
1/3 c crystallised ginger, chopped
1/3 c mixed peel, chopped
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp treacle or molasses

Topping:
1 tbsp wholemeal spelt
3 tbsp ground oats
1 tsp groun...
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Chocolate shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 2, 2019, In : cookies 

Here's an easy way to make cute wedges of shortbread - in a cake tin! From one of my favourite baking books at the moment, Bake Me Home by Alice Arndell (HarperCollins, 2015)

150g butter
1/2 c brown sugar or ground coconut/rapadura sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/3 c cocoa
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 150C. Line a 23cm round cake tin with baking paper.

Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until sugar has dissolved. Beat in vanilla. Sift in flour, cocoa and salt. Mix to combine....


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Olive oil shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, In : cookies 

This recipe is adapted from an Italian vegetarian cookbook. They called it a crisp olive oil cake, which is it, but I'd say it would be more commonly known as a shortbread. The Italians don't cut the biscuit into shapes, they just break it off in pieces, but I decided to cut before baking using a pizza cutter. I like that you don't even need a bowl for this recipe, just work straight off your kitchen counter.

4 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 c sugar
finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1/4 c vermouth or...
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Baci di dama (lady's kisses)

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, In : cookies 

Oh so cute! These little Italian kisses can be made with hazelnuts or almonds. You can fill with plain melted chocolate or chocolate ganache (chocolate mixed with coconut cream). This is from Biscuit by Miranda Gore Browne (Ebury Publishing, 2012).

Makes about 25 sandwiched biscuits
75g ground almonds
50g whole almonds, toasted
125g caster sugar
125g butter, softened and chopped (or non-dairy spread)
125g flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
200g dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 180C. Li...
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Hazelnut thins

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 28, 2019, In : cookies 

This is a sophisticated biscuit for grown-ups. The thins are lovely as they are but you can take it to the next level by sandwiching them with a hazelnut chocolate ganache! This is from Biscuit by Miranda Gore Browne (Ebury Press, 2012).

Makes 32 singles or 16 sandwich cookies
110g butter or non-dairy spread, softened
55g soft brown sugar
170g flour (I used wholemeal and white spelt)
120g hazelnuts, toasted and ground

Chocolate hazelnut ganache
150ml coconut cream
150g dark chocolate, broken into pie...
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Fully loaded chocolate chunk cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 29, 2019, In : cookies 

These cookies are pretty serious about themselves and they are seriously good cookies!

Makes 24 cookies

185g butter or non-dairy spread
3/4 c coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 c flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c activated buckwheat groats
1/2 c cranberries
1/2 c chopped hazelnuts
1 c dark chocolate chips or chunks

Preheat oven to 180V. Line 2 bnaking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl cream the non-dairy spread/butter and sugar until ...


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Mini chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 15, 2019, In : cookies 

A special request from the 6-year-old for the school picnic.

125g butter or dairy-free spread
1/2 c unrefined sugar (I used panela)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c choc chips (I used dark and white)

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy, Beat in egg and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.

Rol...


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Jaffa thins

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, March 4, 2019, In : cookies 

Unlike my husband, I'm a big fan of orange and chocolate. So this batch is just for me! 

Makes around 45
250g butter or dairy-free spread, softened
1/2 c fine granulated sugar (I used panela)
zest from 1 orange
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp orange extract or essence
2 1/2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
200g dark chocolate, melted (I used Whittaker's 72%)

In a large bowl beat the butter with an electric whisk (or by hand) until soft. Add sugar, zest, baking powder and salt and bea...


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Vegan gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, In : cookies 

I've made a few gingernuts in my time but I wanted to use molasses in these ones to add a depth of flavour. I also think to get the best crispiness in a biscuit you need to cream your butter and sugar first. Vegan butter and unrefined sugar work just as well as your bog-standard alternative, and are much healthier of course.

Makes 24
60g dairy-free spread (I used Olivani)
3/4 c coconut or brown sugar
1/4 c molasses
1/2 tsp vanilla extract, optional
2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking...


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Amaretti

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, January 25, 2019, In : cookies 

Crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle - the perfect amaretti. To get the crispiness you need to use granulated sugar. You could use coconut sugar for a darker colour, or at least use organic. And to get that lovely crackle look, roll in icing sugar before baking.

Makes 32
3 egg whites or aquafaba from a can of drained chickpeas
2 1/2 c ground almonds
1 c sugar (if I have to use granulated sugar I use organic golden sugar from Ceres)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
20ml a...


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Chocolate mint sandwich cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, January 17, 2019, In : cookies 

Like oreo cookies but better! These cookies don't use butter. You can easily use gluten-free flour too.

Makes 12-14 sandwiched cookies
1/2 c/90g dark chocolate or chocolate chips
40ml hot water
1 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 c icing sugar
1 egg 

Peppermint filling:
1 c icing sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
1-2 tbsp water

Melt the chocolate and hot water in a double boiler or in a microwave. Stir until smooth and let cool.
In a medium bowl sift the flour, sugar and baking powder. Mix the e...
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Vegan chocolate biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, In : cookies 

1/4 c ground chia seeds
1 c hot water
1/2 c coconut sugar or raw sugar
1/4 c brown rice syrup or maple syrup
1/2 c olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 c flour (I use spelt)
3/4 c cocoa or cacao powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c desiccated coconut
100g dark chocolate for dipping

Preheat oven to 160C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.

Put chia seeds and hot water in a blender and let soak for 5 minutes. Add sweeteners, oil, vanilla and salt and blitz until smooth.

Sift flour, cacao...


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Espresso sables

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, November 4, 2018, In : cookies 

Biscuits for grown-ups! And a sturdy bite for dunking.

Makes 20-24
1 tbsp espresso powder
1 tbsp boiling water
225g butter
3/4 c sugar (I used organic golden)
1 1/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 c cornflour
1/2 c ground almonds
1/2 tsp ground coffee beans
2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tbsp icing sugar

Mix coffee powder and water, set aside.

Beat butter and sugar. Add cooled espresso. Sift in flour, cornflour and almonds and ground coffee beans. Wrap dough in cling film and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour....


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Chocolate chip cranberry cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 2, 2018, In : cookies 

Only 4 basic ingredients in these cookies! Inspired by Wholefood Simply, you can swap out nut butters, sweeteners and flour and add spices or dried fruit if you like too.

Makes 16-20
4 tbsp almond butter (or peanut butter or cashew butter)
3 tbsp brown rice syrup (or maple syrup or honey)
1 1/4c almond meal
1/4 c dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
1/4 c cranberries (this is my favourite combo to give the cookie some tartness)

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a ba...


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Witch fingers

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, In : cookies 

Happy halloween! I was determined to make something vaguely healthy for the school's Freaky Friday bake sale and for the trick or treaters. This is free of sugar, gluten and dairy. You can also make it paleo by using almond meal instead of flour.

Makes 16
1/2 c coconut oil, softened to the consistency of butter
1/3 c maple syrup (or rice syrup)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
pinch salt
1 1/4 c flour (I use spelt)
16 blanched almonds
black food colouring (if desired)

Strawberry...


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Almond crescents

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 25, 2018, In : cookies 

Great to make if you have any leftover egg whites or you can make with a can of aquafaba too.

3/4 c chopped (or flaked) almonds
2 c ground almonds
1 c sugar (I used coconut)
zest of an orange
2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 160C. Link a baking tray with baking paper.
Whisk egg whites until stiff peaks. Whisk in sugar and fold in ground almonds and zest. Take small balls of the mixture and roll into a little log. Roll int the chopped almonds and place on your baking tray in a crescent shape.
Ba...


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Chocolate yoyos

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 15, 2018, In : cookies 

Y is for yoyos! Those classic filled shortbread cookies with a chocolate twist, aka melting moments. It is easy to make them vegan, as I have done.

Makes 40
250g non-dairy spread, or butter
100g coconut sugar or cane sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
200g flour (I used a gluten-free mix)
1/2 tsp guar or xanthan gum (if you're using g-f flour)
65g cornflour
40g cocoa powder

Buttercream filling:
50g non-dairy spread or butter
85g icing sugar
few drops of lemon juice

Ganache filling:
1/2 c coconut cream
50g dark cho...
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Quinoa carrot breakfast cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 2, 2018, In : cookies 


Cooking 1 cup of quinoa 'seeds' yields a lot of quinoa! Enough to make 2 different batches of sweet cookies. These full-o-goodness chunky breakfast cookies are adapted from Healthful Pursuit. It's a bonus bake in my list of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 18 cookies
1 1/2 c cooked quinoa
1 c flour (I used oat)
1/2 c ground flaxseed
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch salt
1/2 c liquid natural sweetener (I used rice syrup and a bit of date syrup. Maple syrup is also g...


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Quinoa cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 2, 2018, In : cookies 

Quinoa is actually a seed not a grain but that doesn't matter - it is a highly nutritious food with double the protein of rice and barley, plus calcium, manganese, magnesium, B vitamins and fibre. I've never used quinoa in sweet recipes before so I tried quinoa cookies 2 ways.
It's no.17 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 24 small cookies
1 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 c desiccated coconut
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
4 egg whites at room temperature (make some custard or lemon curd with t...


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Palmiers

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, In : cookies 

Palmiers are super easy with store-bought puff pastry sheets. Get the better quality butter pastry - you'll taste the difference. I made a savoury version with parmesan and sweet with brown and caster sugars. This is a bonus 'P' recipe in my list of alphabetical bakes!

2 sheets puff pastry (made with butter)
1 c grated parmesan
1/2 c brown or coconut sugar
caster sugar to sprinkle

Defrost the puff pastry but keep it on the plastic sheet it comes on. Sprinkle liberally with grated parmesan cheese. ...
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Graham crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, In : cookies 

Fran Costigan makes a mean oat cinnamon graham cracker, as they call them in the US - very similar to these digestives, which is what we call them in NZ, Australia and the UK. For me, the key is the thinner the better, and coconut sugar adds a lovely caramely crunchiness.

To make ginger snaps, just swap out the cinnamon for ground ginger.

Makes around 30 biscuits

1 1/2 c oat flour, toasted in a 175C oven for 10 min
1/4 c ground coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp se...


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Forgotten cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, May 10, 2018, In : cookies 

Forgotten cookies are actually super easy meringues - you just leave in a turned-off oven overnight and they should be crisp by the morning. Mine weren't unfortunately, I think I preheated the oven too low. If this happens you can just bake at 60-70C for an hour or so until meringues are dried or put in a dehydrator. The recipe is adapted from Healthy Food Guide. You can leave plain or flavour with mint and strawberry. It's my no. 6 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 20-15
2 egg whites, r...


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Cranberry pistachio biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, In : cookies 

No. 3 of 26 alphabetical bakes! Very easy to mix and bake and experiment with different flours and sugars. I stuck to spelt and caster sugar this time as I wanted the berry and nut colours to come through.

1/4 c olive oil
3/4 c caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond essence
2 eggs
2 c flour (I use spelt)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c cranberries
1/2 - 1 c pistachios

Preheat oven to 150C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

In a bowl whisk the oil and sugar until well comb...


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Anzac biscuits 2018

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, In : cookies 

Can't help making Anzac biscuits on Anzac Day. This is the third version to appear on Bake Club. I'm aiming for less and less ingredients each year. This one is all done in the food processor. Takes less than a minute to mix and less than 10 min to bake. You'll be dunking in no time.
This is no.1 of 26 alphabetical bakes! I'm setting myself a challenge to bake something for every letter of the alphabet.

1 c rolled oats
3/4 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c chopped almonds
2 1/2 tbsp honey
2 1/2 tbsp olive...
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Berry pinwheel cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, In : cookies 

These make a nice change from the usual chocolate/vanilla pinwheels. It was a special request from the 5-year-old. I used raspberry powder as that's what I had in the pantry, but any berry flavour will work well - strawberry, cherry, blueberry.

250g butter or vegan butter
1 c caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp raspberry/strawberry Fresh As powder
few drops red food colouring or beetroot juice

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until pale a...


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Raw afghans

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, In : cookies 


A wholesome chocolatey hit.

1 c dates, soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes
1 c sunflower seeds
1 c nuts or activated buckwheat
2 tbsp ground chia seeds
1 tbsp psyllium
1/2 c cacao powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c cacao butter, melted

Icing:
1/4 c cacao butter, melted
1/3 c cacao powder
1/3 c rice syrup (or maple syrup)

Whole walnuts, pecans or almonds for decoration

Blitz the seeds and nuts in a food processor until crumbly. You can leave chunks in there if you w...


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Ginger and pistachio cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 15, 2018, In : cookies 

A little bit spicy and a little bit nutty! Just what you need for your afternoon dunk. This is a variation on my very easy vegan digestives. You can experiment with any nut or seed flours, add zest or other spices. Go crazy.

1/2 c sunflower seeds, ground in a coffee grinder
1 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 c chopped pistachios
1/2 c coconut sugar, ground in a coffee grinder
1/4 c coconut oil
5-8 tbsp non-dairy milk

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a ...


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Double chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 6, 2017, In : cookies 

160g butter or non-dairy spread (I used Olivani)
3/4 c coconut sugar or brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c oats, ground in a coffee grinder to make flour
2 c buckwheat flour
2 tbsp cacao powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 c dark chocolate chips or 150g dark chocolate cut into chunks

Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add in egg. Then mix in flours and dry ingredients. Lastly mix in the chocolate chips.

Wrap dough in cling film and chill in freezer for half...


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Chocolate thins

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, October 27, 2017, In : cookies 

If you make anything heart-shaped with icing it's a guaranteed winner with the kids. This is a very basic but easy chocolate biscuit. The key is to chill the dough and roll out to an even 3mm thickness.

125 g chilled butter or non-dairy spread (I used Olivani this time and it worked well)
2/3 c coconut/brown/rapadura sugar (I used organic golden sugar that I put in a spice grinder first)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 c cornflour
1/2 c cacao or cocoa powder
1 1/2 c flour

Cream t...


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Healthy Shrewsbury biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 19, 2017, In : cookies 

Shrewsburys, also known as Jammie Dodgers in England, are two shortbread-style biscuits with jam in the middle. I found this healthy version from Niomi Smart's Eat Smart (HarperCollins, 2016). The biscuits are not too sweet, however, they don't have a super crunch, as they use a liquid sweetener, not sugar. I would make these again a little thinner and maybe add some coconut sugar for crunch.
Makes 25
1 1/2 c ground almonds
2 c buckwheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinna...
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Coconut almond macaroons

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, October 15, 2017, In : cookies 

Whenever I make hummus with canned chickpeas it's an excuse to make something with the aquafaba as well. It's a perfect vegan alternative to egg whites. I've been experimenting to make macaroons with the least amount of ingredients possible.

Makes about 16
1/2 c aquafaba
1 tsp cream or tartar or 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 c brown rice syrup
1 1/2 c desiccated coconut
1 1/2 c ground almonds
150g dark/bittersweet chocolate

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Simmer the aquafaba in a...
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Chocolate biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, In : cookies 

Our 5-year-old had some fancy biscotti at a cafe this week and asked me to make some. Always up for a baking challenge, I duly produced these. Easy to overbake biscotti, so keep an eye on it.

Makes 12-14 sticks
1/2 c spelt flour
1/2 c buckwheat flour
1/3 c coconut sugar
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For dipping: 50g chocolate, 50g white chocolate

Preheat oven to 190C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
In a bowl mix the flours, sugar, cocoa, bakin...
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Healthy afghans

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 31, 2017, In : cookies 

It's easy to substitute the ubiquitous refined ingredients for more wholesome options that make equally yummy and healthy afghans.

Makes 16
1 c almond meal
1 c buckwheat flour
4 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
1/3 c coconut oil
1/4 c honey, rice syrup or maple syrup
3 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 c gluten-free cornflakes (no added sugar)

For the icing:
60g dark chocolate (I used Whittaker's 72%)
3 tbsp non-dairy milk
1 tbsp honey, rice syrup or maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
desiccated...
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Wookie cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, April 27, 2017, In : cookies 

I made these chocolate thins for a Star Wars kids' party. Low in sugar and no gluten, eggs, dairy or nuts, if you're avoiding such things.
1c buckwheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs cocoa powder
1/4 c coconut sugar/rapadura - ground into a powder using a coffee grinder
1/4 c coconut oil
5-8 tbs nondairy milk

Whisk all the dry ingredients in a food processor. Add coconut oil and mix. With the motor running add the milk one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms. Wrap in cling film a...
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Hazelnut carrot cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, In : cookies 

Hazelnuts! Yummy but expensive little things, aren't they? That's why I don't often bake with them, but I had half a cup in the cupboard for some such occasion. I added some diced dried fruit to the mix to sweeten the package for the 4-year-old. She turned her nose up at them, however. Oh well, more for me. These fall into the brutti ma buoni style of biscuit - ugly but good.

Makes about 20

1 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c rice syrup
1/4 c almond butter (...
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Lace biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 9, 2017, In : cookies 

These remind me of brandy snaps. Easy to make and bake in a few minutes. Virpi Mikkonen from Vanelja.com has a super book called It's a Pleasure (Weldon Owen, 2015). Everything is free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar, although this recipe has some butter. I accidentally baked these at a higher temperature, hence they're a bit too brown but still awfully moreish.

1/4 c butter (by all means use vegan butter if you can find it)
1/4 c honey
1/4 g ground oats
1/4 c ground almonds
3 tbsp rapadura or ...
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Vegan gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, February 17, 2017, In : cookies 

After the success of my vegan digestives I decided to use the same method to make these crispy healthy gingernuts. Just a couple of adjustments.

1 1/2 c buckwheat flour
1/2 c rolled oats, ground first in a coffee grinder
1/4 c + 1 tbsp rapadura sugar, ground first in a coffee grinder
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp treacle (I used Kokonati's organic wild kithul treacle)
1/4 c + 2 tbsp coconut oil
5-8 tbsp non-dairy milk

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking tray...
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Vegan digestives

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, In : cookies 

Healthy digestive biscuits for my two valentines - my husband and our daughter. You can also make them pure gluten-free by using buckwheat flour or a general gluten-free flour. Variation on a theme of lil digestives and digestives (with butter).

1/2 c rolled oats, ground in a coffee grinder
1 1/2 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon if desired
1/4 c + 1 tbsp rapadura sugar, or coconut sugar (you can grind these granules too if you wish)
1/4 c + 2 tbsp coconut oil
5-8 tbsp n...
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Vegan chocolate chunk cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, In : cookies 

This is adapted from Eleanor Ozich's My Family Table (Murdoch Books, 2015) but I used less sugar and a bit of spelt flour to help bind. The oats add a texture and the sugar helps to make a crispy cookie. You could replace the sugar with a natural liquid sweetener to make a chewy cookie.

2 1/2 c oats (or use any gluten free flour)
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
2/3 c muscovado, rapadura or coconut sugar
1/3 c melted coconut oil
1 linseed egg (1Tbs linseed mixed with 3 Tbs water)
1 tsp vanilla extract
15...
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Gingerbread cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, December 19, 2016, In : cookies 

A good one for Christmas, this is a mixture of recipes from Annabel Langbein and Nigel Slater.

150g butter, cubed
1/4 c muscovado or brown sugar
3 Tbs golden syrup (or replace 1 Tbs with treacle)
1 egg yolk
1 Tbs ginger, generous
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 c flour (I use spelt)
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 1/2 tsp boiling water

Cream the butter, sugar and syrup until pale and fluffy. Lightly mix in egg yolk then add the spices, baking soda and flour. Mix till it forms a ...
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Walnut jam drops

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, In : cookies 

These healthy jam drops combine walnuts, coconut and your favourite jam to make a cute cookie reminiscent of a Louise slice. Another one from 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015).

Make about 18
2 c walnuts halves
1/2 tsp salt
1 c dates
1/4 c water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c desiccated or shredded coconut
strawberry or raspberry jam or any other favourite

Preheat oven to 175C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. In a food processor blitz the walnuts ...
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Oatmeal raisin cookies (vegan, gluten-free)

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 3, 2016, In : cookies 

I'm really liking 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015). Like her chocolate chip cookies, these oatmeal cookies are sugar-free and gluten-free. I've experimented with cashew nuts, buckwheat and spelt flour and they've all come out well. Everything is done in the food processor - you basically blitz the dry ingredients then add the wet. Dates are a great sweetener.
Makes 18 small cookies
1 2/3 rolled oats
1/2 c almonds
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon...

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Chocolate chip cookies (vegan, gluten-free)

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, In : cookies 

A really easy recipe from 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015). The recipe is also refined sugar-free (I used dark choc chips that weren't sugar-free though as I didn't have 85% dark chocolate on hand). You could do many variations on this recipe - raisins or other dried fruit instead of chocolate, add coconut, use hazelnuts, oats, add cinnamon.
Makes about 20
2 c almonds (I used 1 c almonds and 1 c oats)
1 c dates (or about 10 medjool dates)
2 ...
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Lil digestives

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, In : cookies 

I've been dying to try out my new Kilo cookie cutters and they worked a treat on this digestive dough. Always good to add some extra fibre in a biscuit. I've done these digestives before but here's a reprise.
90g rolled oats finely ground in a coffee/herb grinder
100g cold butter, cubed
100g spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
50g rapadura sugar, finely ground
1-2 tbsp milk if needed (I use homemade almond) 

Blitz oats, butter and flour in a food processor until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. ...
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Chocolate apricot cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, In : cookies 

This easy recipe is adapted from Healthy Food Guide. From this base you can make many variations of cookie – plain, with nuts, with coconut, oats, other dried fruit, spices. I like that it adds LSA to sneak in an extra nutrient punch.

100g butter
½ c natural sweetener (I used rapadura sugar and honey)
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 egg
1 ¼ c flour (I used spelt)
¼ c Dutch cocoa powder (Dutch process cocoa gives a fudgier, denser flavour but natural is fine too. Here's an...


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Healthy Anzac biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 1, 2016, In : cookies 

Here's a healthy, low-sugar, vegan version of the classic Anzac biscuit. Thanks to Be Good Organics for the recipe and inspiration.
3/4 c rolled oats
2/3 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c spelt flour (or almond meal or any flour you wish)
2 Tbs non-refined sugar, such as coconut, rapadura
1 tsp baking powder
pinch sea salt
3 Tbs coconut oil
2 Tbs liquid sweetener (I use rice malt syrup)
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbs water

Preheat oven to 175C. Line baking trays with baking paper.
Combine all dry ingredients in a ...
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Breakfast cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, March 5, 2016, In : cookies 

One of my new favourite blogs is My New Roots by Sarah Britton. In her book of the same name (Clarkson Potter, 2015) is a recipe called Fully Loaded Breakfast Bars. I'm always on the hunt for a healthy cookie I can give my 3-year-old in the morning when she's not fussed by porridge or toast, or if I'm pressed for time.
Makes 12-14
1 Tbs chia seeds
3 1/4 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 c cooked white beans such as cannellini, butter, navy ...

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Orange and cardamom shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 4, 2016, In : cookies 

I used Lorraine Pascal's recipe for inspiration but added a touch of orange and used xanthan gum instead of egg white.
100g butter, softened
80g soft brown sugar
200g spelt flour
1 tsp ground cardamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbs orange zest
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
pinch salt
2 Tbs milk

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Cream butter and sugar by hand or with an electric beater. Add rest of ingreds with 1 Tbs cold water if needed and mix well till it forms a ball. Refriger...


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Coconut macaroons with aquafaba

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, In : cookies 

So easy to make these vegan treats. Instead of egg whites you use the brine from a chickpea can.

1 c aquafaba from 400g can drained chickpeas
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 c golden sugar
1/2 c rice malt syrup
2 c desiccated coconut
2 c almond meal

Preheat oven to 150C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Whip up the aquafaba and salt in a food processor until thick and frothy. Add vanilla and xanthan to combine. Add sweeteners slowly. Transfer mixture to a bowl a...


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Peanut butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 21, 2016, In : cookies 

Another easy one from Lorraine Pascal's A Lighter Way to Bake (HarperColins, 2013). Uses far less sugar than this previous peanut butter cookie.

175g crunchy peanut butter
50g rice malt syrup
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
50g wholemeal spelt
50g oats

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Beat peanut butter and rice malt syrup in a large bowl until combined. Beat in egg and vanilla then add flour and oats and mix until a soft ball forms.

Divide mixture into 12 equal-size...


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Chocolate and almond cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 21, 2016, In : cookies 

A real quick recipe to make for 3 o'clock munchies. It's from Lorraine Pascal's A Lighter Way to Bake (HarperColins, 2013).

50g butter, softened
50g brown sugar
1 egg
100g spelt flour
50g ground almonds
50g cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
flaked almonds

Preheat the oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mix butter and sugar well in a bowl until smooth and well combined. Add egg and mix. Then add rest of ingreds and mix together to form a c...


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Digestives

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, February 19, 2016, In : cookies 

Ooh don't you love a good digestive for a dunking. I've never made my own, but they are so easy and satisfying to make. I think I'll add a few raisins next time. This is from Homemade Memories (Orion, 2015) by Kate Doran of thelittleloaf.com

Makes 16

65g rolled oats
100g spelt flour
100g cold butter, cubed
35g wheatgerm (or substitute with more ground or whole oats)
50g light muscovado sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1-2 Tbs milk if needed

Blitz oats to a fine powder in a food processor...


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Raw apple cinnamon crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, In : cookies 

Great little heatlhy naturally sweetened crackers for a seriously moreish snack.
1/2 c flaxseeds (golden or brown)
1/2 c flaxmeal (just blitz in a coffee or spice grinder)
3 apples - 2 chopped into small pieces, 1 grated (leave skin on)
1 Tbs cinnamon
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp orange zest
juice of an orange
1/4 c water

In a blender put in the flaxmeal, chopped apple, spices, juice and enough water to blend into a paste. Transfer into a bowl and stir in the flax seeds and grated apple. Let sit ...
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Lemon sugar cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, In : cookies 

These are quite interesting, from Erin McKenna's Bread & Butter (Clarkson Potter, 2015). She of BabyCakes fame. She's done a whole lotta experimenting with her gluten-free, vegan recipes and is quite firm on using her certain favourite brands of flour and other ingreds, which of course we can't get here in New Zealand. But I get the gist of her style. Note: xanthan gum needs to be used sparingly, too much and it all becomes too gummy!
1 1/2 c gluten-free flour (Erin prefers Bob's Red Mill)
1/2 ...
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Bran biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, In : cookies 

An old favourite when I was a kid so I thought our daughter would like them too. This is a tried and true recipe too, from Tui Flower in The Great New Zealand Cookbook (PQ Blackwell, 2014). I added some currants to my version.
Makes around 16
100g butter
1/3 c brown sugar
1/4 c rice milk
1 1/4 c flour (I used spelt)
3 tsp baking powder
1 c bran flakes
1/2 c currants
Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Sift in flour, baking...

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Gingersnaps

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, In : cookies 

I've discovered BabyCakes NYC! Happy new year to me. Erin McKenna opened her BabyCakes bakery in New York in 2005, now renamed Erin McKenna's Bakery. It's vegan and mostly gluten- and sugar-free. I am not vegan or gluten-free but I love to experiment with these recipes especially if baking for friends with these preferences. These gingersnaps turned out really well. I did not have evaporated cane juice so just used some rice malt syrup and decided to sprinkle a bit of muscovado sugar on top. ...
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Chickpea s'mores cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, In : cookies 

I had some leftover chickpea cookie dough from my kumara brownies so I decided to make s'mores cookies, finally succumbing to our 3-year-old requests for marshmallows. We don't indulge her marshmallows but I consider this a wee Christmas treat. 
400g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 egg
1/2 c rice malt syrup
1/2 c almond butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c flour, more or less (I used gluten-free and brown rice mix)
1/2 c dark chocolate chips
mini marshmallows
Preheat oven to 180C. Line ...
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Caraway crisps

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, December 6, 2015, In : cookies 

Caraway seeds. Acquired taste. Caraway crisps. Not my best work. I think these biscuits have an identity crisis. They are in the Savoury chapter of High Tea (Viking, 2014) but the recipe included 1/4 c sugar, salt and a sprinkling of salt and caraway. The butter and cream cheese makes a very rich combination. The sweet-savoury taste would not be to everyone's liking, but my husband gobbled quite a few after being wary at first!
120g softened butter
1 c cream cheese
1/4 c cup sugar
1 c self-raisin...
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Chocolate tuiles

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 23, 2015, In : cookies 

Gee, French pastry can be really fussy. These took a while to make and we ate them in nanoseconds! Lovely crisp bites though and I'll make them again and try other varieties. Perfect for a dainty afternoon tea occasion. 

Makes around 24

1 egg white
1/4 c light brown sugar
2 Tbs flour
2 tsp cocoa powder
30g melted butter
1 tsp milk
1 Tbs ground hazelnuts or almonds

Preheat oven to 180C. Draw 6 x 8cm diameter circles on a sheet of baking paper about 4cm apart.

Beat egg white with an electric ...


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Italian jam drops

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 19, 2015, In : cookies 

These biscuits sound so much more exotic when you put 'Italian' in front of them. In his book Italian Home Baking (Kyle Books, 2011) Gino D'Acampo makes these egg cookies with jam. I've never used boiled egg yolk in baking before so I wanted to see what kind of biscuit it would make instead of creaming the butter and sugar.
Makes 20-25 cookies
3 medium eggs
150g flour
80g caster sugar
50g salted butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbs milk
5 Tbs apricot jam
Boil the eggs for 10 minutes. Cool unde...
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Chocolate & almond butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, In : cookies 

I made these after attending Kelly Gibney's wholefood cooking class from Bonnie Delicious. It was lovely to meet her and see her prepare several recipes. She made sauerkraut and almond butter look easy so I tried them myself and they worked! You can use different nuts or dried fruit in these cookies and their cute size are perfect for little hands.

3/4 c dried dates soaked for 10 min in hot water and drained
1 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c almond butter (homemade in 5 min in the Omniblend!)
1/2 c wa...
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Double chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, In : cookies 

This is adapted from I Quit Sugar. She uses buckwheat flour but I just used a gluten-free mix and added cocoa as well for double the fun!

1 1/2 c flour (I used a gluten-free mix)
1 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
125g softened butter
1/2 c rice malt syrup
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence or powder
100g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used 72% Whitaker's Dark Ghana)

Preheat oven to 160C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa and s...


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Spelt and rye spiced biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 30, 2015, In : cookies 

This is a European Christmassy recipe from Pease Pudding. The thinner you can roll the dough the better I think. Makes an excellent dunking biscuit. The rye and cardamom add a nice crunchy nutty bite. If you like spicy cookies, check out John's speculaas and Ginny's ninjabread men.
Makes 24-30
150g butter
100g brown sugar
200g spelt flour
100g rye
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 Tbs water
nuts to garnish such as pine nuts or slivered almonds
Prehe...
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Nutty choc chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, In : cookies 

I adapted these beauties from I Quit Sugar. I added a bit more quantity of chia seeds and an egg at the end to help bind it all together as the mixture seemed very crumbly. Result: perfectly crunchy and healthy bikkies!

1 1/2 c almond meal
1/2 c walnut meal (I used 1 c almond meal, 1 c spelt flour)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground chia seeds
1/2 c ground cinnamon
pinch salt
3 1/2 Tbs coconut oil
1 1/2 Tbs rice malt syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa, chips or chopped
1/...
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Orange and lemon shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, July 27, 2015, In : cookies 

My orange journey continues with some citrus shortbread also from The Cookie Book (Fog City Press, 2001).

1 c flour (I used white spelt)
1/3 c white sugar (yes, white death, to retain the 'whiteness', I used a bit less)
pinch salt
2 tsp orange and/or lemon rind
125g cold butter
1/2 tsp orange or lemon extract

Preheat oven to 165C. In a bowl mix flour, sugar, salt and zest. Cut in the butter and rub in until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Sprinkle with extract. Form into a ball and knead gently and b...
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Banana and chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, In : cookies 

An easy gluten-free cookie that especially kids will love! Not too much sweetener and full of good fibre. This is by Nadia Lim from Sunday magazine.
2 eggs
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c sweetener (coconut sugar or brown sugar ok, I used rice malt syrup)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 c ground almonds
1 c rolled oats
1 c mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
1/2 c dark choc chips

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a large bowl mix eggs, milk and vanilla. Add...
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Shrewsbury biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, In : cookies 

Sophie made these for a special farewell morning tea - gluten-free too and SO much better than bought ones!
Makes 15 pairs

125g butter, softened 
1/2 cup caster sugar 
1 tsp vanilla essence 
1 egg
1 3/4 cups gluten free flour + 1/4 cup for rolling 
Pinch of salt 
1 tsp gluten free baking powder 
1/2 cup raspberry jam

1. Heat oven to 180 Celcius. Line two baking trays with nonstick baking paper. Place butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat until thick and pale, then beat in egg.

2. Sift gluten ...


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Sugar-free Anzac biscuits

Posted by Frances Chan on Thursday, April 23, 2015, In : cookies 

It's the Anzac Centenary tomorrow so I made these sugar-free Anzac biscuits. A combination of recipes from Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar and Dean Brettschneider from A Treasury of New Zealand Baking.
130g butter
1/2 c rice syrup or honey
pinch salt
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tbs boiling water
1 c rolled oat
3/4 c desiccated or threaded coconut
3/4 c sunflower seeds, slightly toasted
1 c flour

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper.
In a small saucepan melt the butter and rice syrup. ...
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Double chocolate peanut butter honey cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, In : cookies 

This is my entry into the NZ Airborne National Honey Week competition. I wanted to create a recipe that only uses a few ingredients so the honey could shine through. A no-flour, one-bowl wonder - VERY easy to make and scrummy!

Makes 16-20 cookies

1/3 c New Zealand honey (I used clover)
1 c peanut butter (Pic's is my preferred brand but any organic, salt-free, all natural one is good)
2 tbs cocoa powder
3/4 c chocolate drops

Preheat the oven to 180C. Soften or slightly melt the honey in a saucepan o...
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Spiced biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, In : cookies 

A really nice crunchy biscuit from Good Housekeeping Wheat Free (Anova, 2008). You can add as much or as little spice as you like. This time omitted the cloves but added extra ginger.
2 tbs honey
25g butter
50g muscovado sugar
grated zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange
225g flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch ground cloves
pinch salt
1 tbs finely chopped candied peel (didn't have)
50g ground almonds
1 egg, beaten
2-3 tbs milk or water

Put honey, butter, sugar and citru...
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Nut butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, February 13, 2015, In : cookies 

Another simple recipe from Petite Kitchen. Next time I will add more nut butter so the mixture isn't so crumbly.

1 c almond meal
1/2 c nut butter (I used peanut but almond is good)
1/2 c seeds
1 c dates
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 160C and prepare a baking tray.
Put everything in the food processor and process until it forms a dough. Knead for a little bit, add more nut butter to bind if necessary. Roll into a log and divide into 16 or 20 even sections. Roll each int...
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Easy peasy sugar-free cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, January 3, 2015, In : cookies 

Probably the easiest cookies I've ever made! Found on sugarfreekids.com.

1/2 c dates
1/2 c dessicated coconut
1/2 c oats
1/2 c almonds (I used almond pulp from making almond milk)
3 Tbs butter or coconut oil
orange juice to bind

Process the dates, oats, coconut and almonds in a food processor until a crumb like texture.
Add cold butter and juice of a small orange and process further to combine. The dough will hold its shape when formed together.
Roll into a log, wrap in cling film and place in fridge ...
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Fig, chocolate, chai, almond biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, In : cookies 

By Sophie
  • 100 g chopped almonds
    200 g gluten-free plain flour, plus extra for dusting (I used Doves Farm)
    1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
    ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    200 g brown sugar
    30 g dark chocolate (over 70% cocoa solids), optional

    1 large free-range egg
    1/2 cup chopped dried figs
    1 teaspoon chai spices or 1 chai tea bag (cut open the bag and use loose spices)
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    Almond milk or any other type of milk- optional

Spread out the almonds on a baking tray, then place in the hot oven ...

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Almond butter cookies for Santa

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, In : cookies 

I made these with our 2 year old to put under the tree for Santa tonight. Super easy recipe from Ceres:
1 c almond butter
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 sea salt
chopped or slivered almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 180C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until smooth. Scoop out tablespoon portions onto the baking sheet, allowing room for spreading. Flatten slightly with moistened fingers. Sprinkle almonds on top.
Bak...
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Super spread cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, May 23, 2014, In : cookies 

By Frances
Wow - some reaaaaaally healthy oat cookies with no sugar, dairy or wheat and very delish. I've discovered wholesome-cook.com. She has a whole bunch of stuff I want to try.
Dry ingredients:
  • 1¼ cups rolled oats
  • ½ cup wholemeal flour (I used spelt)
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar* (I used organic golden sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon flax seeds
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
  • 2 tablespoons dried organic blueberries, optional
Wet ingredients:

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Lime shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, April 11, 2014, In : cookies 

By Frances
I wanted to use my stevia powder again so I found this recipe at I Quit Sugar. I must admit I still haven't likened to the taste of stevia so I'll just use agave or maple or rice syrup if I want a sugar-free treat.

150g
unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 tablespoon
granulated stevia (I used 1 tsp powder)
2 teaspoons
good quality vanilla extract, or vanilla bean paste
1 1/4 cups
plain flour
1 teaspoon
finely grated lemon rind (or lime)
2-3 tablespoons
...
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Coconut oatmeal cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, March 2, 2014, In : cookies 

By Frances

This is from The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife (Avery, 2005). It explains all the amazing benefits of coconut oil and includes recipes. I do a lot of raw baking with it and usually put a bit on my porridge. I made these cookies for our 21-month-old mainly, so she can have a sugar-free treat.

 

½ c melted coconut oil

¾ c sweetener (I used honey and agave syrup)

2 eggs

½ tsp vanilla extract

1½ c flour

1 c oats

½ c dried coconut (shredded, grated, d...


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Sesame honey kisses

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 11, 2013, In : cookies 

By Frances
These use a lot of sesame seeds! But they make a tasty crunch in the chewy biscuit. The recipe is from Annabel Langbein.
  • 2¼ cups flour
  • 2 cups sesame seeds, toasted
  • ½ cup desiccated coconut, toasted
  • ½ cup soft brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup neutral oil
  • ½ cup light honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with ...


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Coconut lime cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 30, 2013, In : cookies 

By Frances

I've been making 'healthy' cookies for my 15-month-old so I can freeze them and have them on hand. This is another great sugar-free, gluten-free recipe by Dr Libby.

24ml coconut oil
1/4 c honey
juice and zest of a lime
1 c almond meal
12 c spelt flour (or any flour)
1/2 c dessicated coconut
2 tsp baking powder

Heat oven to 180C. Gently melt oil, honey and lime juice in a saucepan. Place all dry ingreds and lime zest in a bowl and mix well. Heap tablespoons onto a lined baking tray and bake ...
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Frances's chocolate chip, cranberry & almond cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, July 21, 2013, In : cookies 

The cranberries add a welcome tartness to these cookies. Quite a stiff mixture so flatten the cookies how you like, they won’t change shape much.

 

125g butter
¾ c sugar (I used a mix of demuera and golden)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 ¾ c flour (I used mix of spelt and plain)
½ tsp salt
1 c dark chocolate chips
½ c cranberries
½ c flaked almonds

Preheat oven to 190C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a  medium bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and va...
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Triple chocolate cookies by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, May 19, 2013, In : cookies 

This is Nigella's evily good recipe for her Totally chocolate chocolate chip cookies. I have never made anything with three types of chocolate before. Seems so indulgent but just what the mental health doctor ordered on a rainy day with a hot cuppa and a lie down.
I always use less sugar than Nigella in all her recipes.

125 grams ...
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Chocolate and pistachio biscotti by Amy

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, January 24, 2013, In : cookies 


Adapted from an Annabel Langbein recipe. Goes down a treat with espresso.

2 + ¼ cup flour

2 + ½ tsp baking powder

¼ cup cocoa

1 + 1/3 cup caster sugar

3 eggs

½ cup chopped pistachios

½ cup chopped chocolate

Preheat oven to 180 deg C (fanbake) and line baking tray with paper.

Mix all ingredients together trying not to overmix (seems very dry at first but becomes very soft once sugar mixes into eggs).  As soon as it comes together pat into a log shape about 23cm x 7cm on the tray then flatten t...


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Molasses spice cookies by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, January 24, 2013, In : cookies 

Just the word 'molasses' conjures up deep, hearty flavour, and I really felt like a spiced biscuit with my coffee so I looked it up in the index of The Cookie Book and there was the recipe.

1/2 c / 250g butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1/4 c molasses
2 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground cloves
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 190C. Line baking sheets with baking paper.
Beat together the butter, sugar, egg and molasses>
Sift together the flour, soda, spices and salt. Add to...
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Tash's chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 31, 2012, In : cookies 

Welcome to Bake Club, Tash! She brought these along to coffee group and they were delicious - crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle. She also make a GIANT cookie with her stepdaughter - big and bad enough for Cookie Monster!


 



 



 


2 cups plain flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

185g butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 egg

1 to 1 ½ cups chocolate chips (I used a whole bar Whittaker’s 70% dark chocolate instead)

 

Preheat oven...


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John's speculaas cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 12, 2012, In : cookies 

John made these fantastic dutch spice cookies for Dave and Ginny's farewell drinks. They're going to New York, hence the DGNY decoration. Very creative.

John's recipe below:
Speculaas spice mix 6.5 g ground cinnamon 2g ground cloves 1.5 g grated nutmeg 1 g ground white pepper 2 g ground aniseed (from star anise) 1g ginger powder 1/2 g cardamon powder these quantities are critical and should be interfered with and changed at will in a wildly uncontrolled manner

Specu...
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Ginny's Belgian biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, July 6, 2012, In : cookies 

I made these with some left-over gingerbread men dough... this is a basic recipe from taste.com.
I iced them with an icing made with plum powder (natural colour, and nice flavour!)
  • Melted butter, to grease
  • 125g butter, at room temperature
  • 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
  • 125ml (1/2 cup) golden syrup
  • 1 egg, separated
  • 375g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour
  • 1 tbs ground ginger
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • Plain flour, to dust
  • 1 cup pure icing sugar, sifted
  • Plum p...

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Frances makes apricot and chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 14, 2012, In : cookies 

 

This is my first batch of baking since our daughter Tui was born 3 weeks ago. Feels great to get back in the kitchen; baking relaxes me.

I have also recently formed a co-op with some friends to order Ceres organic products wholesale. A 3kg bag of sulphur-free apricots was in my first order so it was a good chance to use some! Apricots and chocolate are always a tasty combination.

 

Makes about 20

100g butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla ess...


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Frances makes chocolate chip and spice orange cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, May 21, 2012, In : cookies 


Another recipe from Healthy Food Guide, May issue.

 

1 cup oats

½ cup flour

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ c brown sugar

115g reduced-fat spread or butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp mixed spice

1 orange, zested

½ c dark choc chips

 

Preheat oven to 190C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Mix oats, flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl.

In another bowl beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, spice and zest together.

Stir egg mixture into flour...


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Frances's gluten-free shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, In : cookies 

I can't remember which US website I got this recipe. Has some handy tips at the end for GF baking.


1 1/3 cups white rice flour

1/2 cup sweet rice flour (I just used the same rice flour)

1/2 cup cornflour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (this prevents the cookies from spreading)

7 ounces (14 tablespoons) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Preheat oven to 150°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In sma...


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Frances's lemon polenta cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, May 14, 2012, In : cookies 

These cookies feature on the cover of May's Healthy Food Guide.

100g reduced-fat spread (I used regular butter)
75g caster sugar
1 lemon, zest finely grated
2 egg yolks
1 cup flouro (I used gluten free)
1/2 cup polenta
4 Tbs icing sugar

Beat butter, sugar and zest until light and creamy. Add yolks one at a time. Beat well. Sift flour and pinch of salt into a bowl. Stir in polenta. Add dry ingreds to egg mixture and combine well. Knead lightly for 1-2 min, shape into a ball, cover with plastic wrap an...
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Frances's gingery cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, April 16, 2012, In : cookies 


These cookies are adapted from the coffee snaps recipe. They're not gingernuts, but gingery.

125g butter, softened
1 cup (275g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
3/4 cup (110g) plain flour
3/4 cup (110g) self-raising flour
3 teaspoons powdered ginger
walnut halves

Preheat oven to 180°C (350° F). Line cookie/oven tray with baking paper.
In a bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla extract until pale and fluffy.
Add egg and beat until just combined.
Stir in ...


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Oat biscuits with chocolate by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 8, 2012, In : cookies 

These are a lot like Anzac biscuits but the butter and sugar are creamed.
Makes about 20 sandwiched biscuits

65g rolled oats
160g softened butter
160g raw caster sugar
55g golden syrup
150g (1 c) plain flour
75g dessicated coconut
400g chocolate, chopped (I always use dark)

Preheat oven to 160C. Process oats in a food processor or coffee grinder until finely ground.
Beat butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add golden syrup, stir, then add flour, coconut and oats. Form heaped teaspoons into balls an...
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Frances’s amaretti morbidi

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 16, 2012, In : cookies 

After I made the chocolate fudge sandwiches I had 2 egg whites to use so I quickly made this batch of amaretti to bake after the chocolate biscuits came out of the oven.

The recipe is from Gino D’Acampo’s book Italian Home Baking (Kyle Books, 2011). Gino says the D’Acampo family always have freshly made amaretti biscuits when having tea or coffee. They’re also good crumbled on top of ice cream.

I used half portions in his recipe:

 

4 egg whites

350g caster sug...


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Chocolate fudge sandwiches by Frances aka homemade Tim Tams

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 15, 2012, In : cookies 


This is from Recipes From the Baker (Murdoch Books, 2009). Thanks to Michelle who gave this sweet little book to me. She reviewed the baking and said: “Buttery, shorty and a hit of dark cocoa - they're better than TimTams, which I find too sweet!” Aw, thanks. I’ll be trying the two-seed crackers next!

This is my entry into March's Sweet New Zealand monthly blogging event, hosted by www.mydarlinglemonthyme.com -  check out Emma's lovely blog with loads of gluten and dair...


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Coffee snaps by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, In : cookies 


Coffee and snaps. Two lovely words that go together. So when I saw this recipe on Shirleen’s Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice blog I had to make it (
http://sugarandspice-and-allthingsnice.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/coffee-snaps_11.html). Shirleen said she had a ‘hankering’ for some cookies – I know exactly how she feels!

125g butter, softened
1 1/4 cups (275g) firmly packed brown sugar [next time I would just use 1 c]
3 teaspoon instant coffee, the stro...


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Ginny's chocolate crinkles

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, January 7, 2012, In : cookies 

Oh my these are died-and-gone-to-heaven delicious for the chocolate lover... easy peasy to make (just don't plan on cooking after mixing; read recipe to end before setting out on this adventure...). I really don't know how I lived without these in my life!
They don't spread that much so they can be placed relatively close together on the tray.
Again, another recipe from simplyrecipes.com
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla ex...

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Ginny's ninjabread men!

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, December 18, 2011, In : cookies 

I made my ninjabread men (and yes, men, not women, I am informed... ) using a recipe from Simplyrecipes (with adaptations indicated). I found the dough to be quite sticky (even with a bit of extra flour) and that it worked best if frozen. in future, I would freeze the rolled cookie dough, and then cut the cookies out... ginn
  • 3 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour (I used a bit more)
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 170g butter (room temperature, softened)
  • 1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed (I used a m...

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Ginny's Persian rice cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 9, 2011, In : cookies 

Ginny made these to accompany her Iranian slide show, mixing two of her favourite flavours - rose water and cardamom. They have a strange dryish texture but surprisingly moreish, and good with tea. Also easily breakable because of the rice flour.

1/3 cup canola oil
2/3 cup ...

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Chocolate-dipped ginger biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 14, 2011, In : cookies 

Almost like shortbread, these biscuits are crisp and buttery.

Makes about 24

175 g butter (or spread)
50 g icing sugar
225 g flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 190C. Beat butter and sugar until creamy and pale. Add flour, bp and ginger and mix to a dough. Turn out onto a clean surface and knead until mixed.
Roll out to 3-5 mm thick and cut into shapes. I roll inbetween 2 sheets of baking paper.
Bake for 10-12 min until pale golden. Remove from tr...


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Coconut shortbread by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 4, 2011, In : cookies 

Makes 18
1 c all-purpose flour
¼ c rice flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 c granulated sugar
¼ c desiccated coconut
½ c/125 g chilled unsalted butter cut into pieces (I used olive oil spread)
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (didn’t have any)

Preheat oven to 180C and lightly butter a baking sheet or line sheet with baking paper.
Sift together flours, salt and sugar into a bowl, then sift together into another bowl. Add coconut and butter and mix in until crumbly. Add the extr...


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Frances hearts cinnamon hearts

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 26, 2011, In : cookies 


Bake Club is one year old! To celebrate I made some cinnamon crisps.


2/3 c (155 g) butter

1/3 c caster sugar

1 ½ c self-raising flour

½ c ground almonds

1 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch salt

 

Preheat oven to 180 C. Lightly grease baking sheets or line them with baking paper.
Cream butter and sugar. Sift together flour, almonds, cinnamon and salt and add to creamed mixture. Use wooden spoon to mix well.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface and roll out between 2 sheets o...


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Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies by Alex

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 28, 2011, In : cookies 

Pumpkin and chocolate chip - who woulda thunk it!
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1.   Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking s...


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Frances makes mocha shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, July 3, 2011, In : cookies 

Great to try a different kind of shortbread. The coffee/chocolate flavour came through really well. Took them to a function and they went like hot cakes.


1 c butter, softened
2/3 c icing sugar
2 c flour
1 tbs cocoa
1 tsp instant coffee granules
½ c chocolate bits

 

Preheat oven to 160 C. Line or lightly grease a baking sheet.
Using electric beaters, cream butter and sugar until light and creamy. Sift together flour, cocoa and coffee. Use a metal spoon to fold four mixtu...


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Frances's lime shortbread with feijoa zest

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 31, 2011, In : cookies 


What a surprise it was to find an email in the Bake Club mail box from Christoph Vogel from The Aucklander saying he would like to do a story about Bake Club! It was the day before I was going to the US for a month so I quickly answered some questions via email. Christophe also wanted a pic. I thought it would look much better if I actually had some baking in front of me so after dinner that night I made the quickest batch of shortbread ever. But because I was going away ...


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Peter's magical melting moments

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 27, 2011, In : cookies 

Peter is our first official male baker on Bake Club! Not only is he a baker, he is also a musician,
and these melting moments are not only delicious, but they also contribute to a special
sound art piece. On Mon Feb 28 Peter is conducting the Melting Moments (7 other likeminded
improv likers) at the first Vitamin-S event of 2011, at the Wine Cellar, St Kevin's Arcade,
K' Rd, from 8.30pm, $5.
The Melting Moments (of which I am one) will be performing Peter's Ritual Recipe, a
meditative improvi...
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Frances makes perfect peanut butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, February 25, 2011, In : cookies 

Well, I only call them 'perfect' cos that's what the recipe was called. But they did come out really, really well. Thanks to Jo from Dublin who gave me her jar of peanut butter before she left Auckland. I've used less sugar than the recipe I found.

1 1/2 cups flour (I used rice and spelt)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 c creamy or chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup brown sugar or raw sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium bowl sift to combine flour, baking powd...
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Carly's chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 20, 2011, In : cookies 


Welcome to Bake Club, Carly! Here is her cookie recipe.

Makes 24.

200g softened butter plus extra for greasing

200g caster sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla essence

1 large egg

225grams flour

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

200grams dark chocolate buttons roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 180ºC. Grease two baking trays with butter.

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla essence together until light and fluffy.

Add the egg and beat well. Sift the flour, salt and bakin...


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Frances makes ugly but good - brutti ma buoni

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 24, 2010, In : cookies 

I made these GF cookies for our Bake Club meet. The recipe is from my friend Sarah, via Ray McVinnie in the NZ Herald, thank you, and I used a technique from another recipe re heating up the egg whites. I bought bulk ground almonds from Davis Trading in Mt Wellington - very reasonable price for 1kg. I forgot to dust icing sugar on top. I think that's why they became sticky by the end of the day. But still tasted great.

1 c ground almonds (or hazelnuts. You can also finely chop instead of using...
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Frances satisfies craving for gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 19, 2010, In : cookies 


Contentment is: blogging on Bake Club while dunking homemade gingernuts into a big mug of peppermint tea. Don’t they look cute in my kilt-shaped biscuit tin?! I feel like a decidedly flat-chested Asian version of Nigella Dawson tapping away at my laptop, extolling the virtues of homebaking with a smug look on my face.

But there is a genuine reason for my domestic bliss – our oven has finally been fixed, six months after moving into our house! I have been surviving with ...


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Frances takes the easy road and makes gluten-free cookies from a packet

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, In : cookies 

These cookies using Sway's GF cookie mix are quick to make - just add some oil and an egg to the premixed organic ingredients and Robert is your father's brother. The packet made 17 little chocolate chip cookies. I tried it out because it was on special for $6.50. Not a cheap afternoon tea, considering you can get a packet of GF gingernuts for under 5 bucks, but you get a kick out of shaping the mixture and baking it yourself.



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Mama Chan classic: melting moments aka yo yos

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 11, 2010, In : cookies 

300g butter, softened
1/2 c icing sugar
1 c cornflour
2 c flour

Preheat oven to 160 C. Beat butter and icing sugar with a wooden spoon for 3 mins. Mix in dry ingredients. Knead until smooth. If dough is too sticky, add a little flour.
Form dough into a large ball. Divide dough into 8 wedges. Form each wedge into a sausage. Cut each sausage into 6 pieces. Roll into a small ball. Place on ungreased cold trays. Flatten with a fork.
Bake for 30-35 mins.

Make lemon icing by mixing 1 Tb soft butter, 1 c ...
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Frances makes Ginny's cardamom and cashew shortbread gluten free

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 27, 2010, In : cookies 

This is what Bake Club is all about: getting inspired by what your friends have baked, and customising the recipe to suit what you have available. I only have a bench-top oven at the moment so the only baking tin that can fit is 28 x 22 cm.

I adapted GInny's original recipe a little:

250g butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup cornflour
1/2 cup rice flour flour
1 cup gluten free flour mix
1/2 cup cashews, roasted and finely chopped
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground pepper (I only had black...
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Cardamom, cashew and white pepper shortbread made by Ginny

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 16, 2010, In : cookies 


Ginny made these for a work do. But she let us taste one from her neat stack.

1 tsp cardamom seeds
8 white peppercorns
250g butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup cornflour
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup cashews, roasted and finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 150C. Put the cardamom and peppercorns into a mortar and pestle or an electric spice grinder and grind until fine.

2. Cream the butter and icing sugar until pale. Sift the cornflour and flour together and add to the creamed mixture with...


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Ruth H's fancy walnut biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, In : cookies 

Ruth brought these tasty little numbers into work - what a treat. AND she personally shelled the walnuts herself!

2/3 cup of sugar
½ cup of vegetable oil

1 tablespoon of grated orange peel (I change ingredients depending on what’s available – favourites are dates,
walnuts, almonds, apricots)
1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla
2 medium eggs
2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
¼ teaspoon of baking soda
¼ teaspoon of salt
4 oz of semisweet chocolate, melted (I use Valrh...


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Ben's radical rocket ship cookie-tower for his Flynn's 2nd birthday

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 12, 2010, In : cookies 

Check it out, dude!

Former grip extraordinaire Ben designed and manufactured this rocket ship cookie-cake for his two-year-old son Flynn in Nov 08. Constructed from state of the art, space age materials, including gingerbread & shortbread, it was such a hit that Flynn Kahurangi is still talking about it almost two years later. 

 
Cookie recipes adapted from Edmonds Cookbook.
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Ginny made these chocolate cookies with cacao nibs and lime on the same night the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 20-10 to retain the Bledisloe Cup

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, In : cookies 

1 cup of butter
3/4 cup of brown sugar
3/4 cup of white granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 1/2 teaspoons of heavy cream or yoghurt
1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
3/4 cup of cocoa nibs
Zest of one large lime

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat the butter and sugars together for about two minutes at me...


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WELCOME 2 BAKE CLUB -
MAY THE CAKE B WITH U

EST. 2010

Frances C loves to bake. She's also a freelance editor and DJ. She shares some of her adventures, culinary or otherwise, on Instagram.


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CAKE — THE FINAL FRONTIER

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