Whatever you want to call it, this double-storey cake is a double-win. The tangy cheesecake layer melds so well with the rich, fudgey brownie. You can make this in a round or straight-sided tin, depending on what shaped pieces you prefer on the day. The coffee is optional but it adds a depth of flavour to the brownie.

Cheesecake:

250g cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 c yoghurt

1/2 c icing sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Brownie:

250g dark chocolate

100g butter

1/2 c yoghurt

1 c sugar

1/3 c cocoa po...

Continue reading...

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...

Continue reading...

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...
Continue reading...

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...
Continue reading...

These are the easiest savoury biscuit you'll every make. Jamie Oliver's recipe uses just three main ingredients. You can shape them however you like - cheese straws are quick but I cut mine into notes to offer at a DJ gig!

150g butter, cold and cut into cubes
225g flour
75g finely grated parmesan
1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 c cold water

Preheat oven to 200C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
In a bowl rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in cheese and s...
Continue reading...

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...

Continue reading...

Now I know, cottage cheese makes a lovely addition to a pastry. The butter and cheese combine to produce a crispy, flaky bite with a nice chew in the middle.

Makes 36

225 g butter, softened

1 c cottage cheese

2 c flour

pinch salt

3/4 c brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Icing:

1 c icing sugar

1 Tbsp butter, melted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

4 Tbsp milk or more

Cream the butter and cottage cheese in a bowl. Sift in flour and salt and mix until a dough forms. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Mix ...

Continue reading...

Bliss balls are the easiest thing to make. Basically chuck everything in the food processor and blitz. To fancy them up you can coat them in melted chocolate. You can use anything you have available in your pantry and swap out different nuts, seeds and dried fruit and sweetener to create different versions. Here's another 3 versions here.

Peanut butter, makes about 30

1 c oats

1/2 c peanut butter

1/2 c dates

1/4 c toasted peanuts

Chocolate prune, makes about 30

1 c cashews

1 1/2 c prunes

1/4 c ground ...

Continue reading...

For you lovers of chocolate and orange, here's a quick bliss ball. You can leave them uncoated but I think coating them in chocolate makes them extra special.

Makes about 18

1 1/2 c walnuts

8 medjool dates, pitted

1/3 c almond butter

1/4 c cacao powder

zest of 1 orange

t tsp orange essence or 3 drops orange essential oil

coating:

1/2 c cacao butter

1/2 c cacao powder

1/4 c maple syrup to taste

1/2 tsp orange essence

pinch sea salt

Blitz all the ingredients in a food processor. Roll into balls and refrigera...

Continue reading...