White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients .

½ cup butter, softened
1½ cups packed brown sugar
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup white sugar
1 ½ tsp baking soda
¾ cup white chocolate chips
1 egg
1 cup dried cranberries
1 tbsp brandy

.Preparation.

1. Preheat oven to 190ºC. Grease baking trays.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop heaped spoonfuls onto prepared baking trays.

3. Bake for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the baking trays

roshu - 2013-11-18 16:13:00

Cinnamon-spiced Pavlova with vanilla mascarpone & butterscotch sauce

This heavenly layered meringue cake is so much more than a Pavlova. Bring it out for your next special occasion or family celebration. As the Pav does require quite a bit of prep, I usually make the meringue the day before I plan to serve it.

Ingredients
MERINGUE:
• 1 teaspoon cornflour
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 6 egg whites
• 1½ cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
MASCARPONE FILLING:
• 500 grams mascarpone
• 2 tablespoons cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE:
• 1 cup cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 50 grams butter
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
DECORATION:
1 cup cream, whipped
½ cup toasted flaked almonds
Grated chocolate to garnish

Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, line three baking trays with baking paper and draw an 18cm circle on each.
2. Sift the cornflour, cream of tartar, cinnamon and nutmeg together. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric beater until foamy then slowly add the sugar one tablespoon at a time constantly beating and allowing the sugar to be incorporated before adding the next amount.
4. When the mixture is thick, stiff and glossy, fold in the sifted spice mixture and the vinegar.
5. Divide the mixture evenly among your three circles, smoothing the tops with a spatula and place in the oven evenly spaced.
6. Bake for 5 minutes then lower the oven temperature to 140°C and bake a further 1 hour 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave meringues to completely cool. (You may have to circulate the position of the meringues layers in the oven depending on the consistency of the heat in the oven).
7. Meanwhile, place the mascarpone, cream and vanilla in a bowl and beat together until smooth.
8. For the butterscotch sauce, place all the ingredients in a saucepan over a medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Gently simmer for 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly then cool.
9. To assemble: Place one meringue layer on a serving platter, top with half the mascarpone filling and drizzle over one-third of the sauce. Repeat this process once more and sprinkle half the almonds over the top. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 1 hour before you serve. Finish the top with the whipped cream, drizzles of caramel, remaining almonds and a light grating of grated chocolate.

roshu - 2013-11-18 16:14:00

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elliehen - 2013-11-18 18:45:00

Berry Cloud Cake.
A no-bake chilled dessert to wow them on Christmas Day (or any other occasion)
Also it can be easily Gluten Free by using GF biscuits in the base

Base
150g sweet biscuits
Half cup desiccated coconut
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
100 g melted butter

Filling
2 egg whites
1 cup sugar
250g sliced strawberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Garnish
Fresh berries
Line the base of a 28cm spring form cake tin with baking paper. Crush the biscuits into crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a bowl and add coconut, cinnamon and butter to combine. Press firmly into the base of the prepared tin and refrigerate.
Place egg whites, sugar, strawberries, lemon juice and vanilla in a clean dry bowl of and electric mixer. Beat on high speed for about 8 minutes until the mixture is very thick and fluffy and the sugar has dissolved. Spoon the filling over the chilled biscuit base. Cover with a sheet of baking paper and freeze for at least 4 hours. To serve, garnish with fresh berries.

Can be made days ahead which helps take the pressure off special occasion catering.

Edited by roshu at 8:50 pm, Fri 22 Nov

roshu - 2013-11-22 20:48:00

Bump for pre Christmas

roshu - 2013-12-02 14:39:00

EASY PEASY POMMEY PAV (with Pomegranate syrup)
•2 large egg whites, at room temperature
•1½ cup caster sugar
•½ tsp vanilla essence
•1 tsp white vinegar
•1 tsp cornflour
•4 tbsp boiling water
•250ml pouring cream
•100ml pomegranate syrup
•1 punnet fresh raspberries

1 Preheat the oven to 180ºC with the rack in the centre of the oven. Draw a 23cm circle on a large piece of baking paper. Cut this out and put it on a tray.

2 Clean and dry the beater and bowl of your mixer. Put the egg whites, sugar, vanilla, vinegar, cornflour, and finally the water into the bowl. Beat the mixture on high speed for 10-12 minutes until shiny and stiff. Spoon into your circle and spread it out evenly with a plastic spatula.

3 Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the heat to 150ºC and bake for 45 minutes. Turn the oven off and allow the pav to cool in the oven for at least 1 hour – preferably longer.

4 Whip the cream to form soft peaks and stir in the pomegranate syrup. Spoon the cream mix onto the top of the pavlova and decorate with the fresh raspberries.

roshu - 2013-12-02 14:54:00

Bumping for new additions

nauru - 2013-12-05 22:53:00

http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/christmas/christmas-recipe/c
hristmas-recipes/

The link above is from Woman's Weekly online. Lots of ideas for Mains, salads, cakes and desserts.

roshu - 2013-12-10 15:49:00

Bump for weekend

roshu - 2013-12-14 21:23:00

Bumping for narla6

nauru - 2013-12-14 22:17:00

Bumping, coz just a week to go!

roshu - 2013-12-17 17:30:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-11 21:01:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-12 12:27:00

I am so angry as there were recipes here that I was going to use for catering for my son's wedding.

Time for some karma...................

maynard9 - 2014-05-12 13:03:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-12 13:06:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-12 14:48:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-14 13:08:00

found this one for you. Its an oldie but a goodie

Xmas cake.
melt 1 tin of sweetened condensed milk, 125 grams of butter, 2 Tbsp golden syrup...
mix in another large bowl, 1 and 1/2 KG of mixed fruit with 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon each, nutmeg,cinnamon, mixed spice...
now add to that bowl the milk - butter mix, 4 beaten eggs, 1/2 teaspoon each almond, lemon, vanilla, rum essences...
lastly add 1/4 cup of milk with 1 teaspoon of baking soda added... Bake 3-4 hours at 125 %c
I line my tins with corrugated cardboard, newspaper, finally non stick baking paper.

pickles7 - 2014-05-14 13:16:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-15 09:38:00

Just bumping this one so l can get organised

griffo4 - 2014-09-28 10:49:00

Wow, where has this year gone, I can't believe that we are almost preparing for another Christmas. I've just come back from an extended overseas holiday in the UK so not in Christmas preparing mode yet.

Edited by nauru at 4:42 pm, Sun 28 Sep

nauru - 2014-09-28 16:41:00

Getting closer :)

unknowndisorder - 2014-11-01 21:35:00

Just bumping , Christmas baking coming up soon.
It would be nice if any one has new recipes.

miffycat1 - 2014-11-07 18:52:00

love the reciepes

mysterious.one - 2014-11-11 11:12:00

Bump back to front

griffo4 - 2014-11-16 20:20:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-12-02 08:58:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-12-15 13:59:00

Bump

kaddiew - 2015-09-17 14:55:00

Lets keep this thread alive, some great recipes here and a lot of hard work from cookessentials.

nauru - 2015-09-17 20:22:00

prep well underway at ours already........all christmas puds done and in the freezer............first lot of christmas fruit mince in the fridge peculating.........and christmas cookies baking starts on sat......... yes the wonderful season is coming closer!!

timetable - 2015-09-17 20:25:00

I've just had a look at the following website. Some great Christmas recipes in there for anyone who is interested.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday---celebration-rec
ipes/christmas-recipes

nauru - 2015-09-17 20:29:00

timetable wrote:

prep well underway at ours already........all christmas puds done and in the freezer............first lot of christmas fruit mince in the fridge peculating.........and christmas cookies baking starts on sat......... yes the wonderful season is coming closer!!

Wow timetable, you are on the ball. I have just put my Christmas cake fruit to marinate this week. Got all the ingredients for the mince and puddings so will make a start with that tomorrow.

nauru - 2015-09-17 20:33:00

bump for countrygirl

nauru - 2015-09-21 15:25:00

Now you wonderful knowledgeable(spell) people will let me know - can i use port to soak fruit in for my Xmas cake?

kay34 - 2015-09-21 18:19:00

kay34 wrote:

Now you wonderful knowledgeable(spell) people will let me know - can i use port to soak fruit in for my Xmas cake?

Don't see why not, you can use whatever you have on hand or takes your fancy. I have in the past mixed port with some rum (just to finish the bottle) when marinating my fruit, the end result was good. This year it's mix of rum and brandy, as that is what I had on hand and it smells really good when I turn it with the spoon every day.

Edited by nauru at 6:51 pm, Mon 21 Sep

nauru - 2015-09-21 18:50:00

nauru wrote:

Don't see why not, you can use whatever you have on hand or takes your fancy. I have in the past mixed port with some rum (just to finish the bottle) when marinating my fruit, the end result was good. This year it's mix of rum and brandy, as that is what I had on hand and it smells really good when I turn it with the spoon every day.

Thanks so much for that, i will do port - have 3/4 bottle left, so might fill it up with bacardi if i need more.

kay34 - 2015-09-22 18:56:00

kay34 wrote:

Thanks so much for that, i will do port - have 3/4 bottle left, so might fill it up with bacardi if i need more.

Kay, anything seems to go, my mix is looking/smelling very good this year. A bit heady to stir first thing in the morning so I now leave it until later in the day, lol.

Edited by nauru at 11:26 pm, Tue 22 Sep

nauru - 2015-09-22 23:25:00

Thought I'd share this recipe as it's great to make as a sweet treat to have with coffee or as gifts for Christmas. It makes about 20 mini muffin size cups. Best to use a silicone muffin tray for the mould as they pop out easily, I use silicone mini muffin cases for mine, they give a nice fluted finish.
Peanut Butter Cups
1 cup lightly roasted nuts of your choice (I use a mix of peanuts/almonds)
1 cup oatbran
2½ tablsp peanut butter
1 teasp vanilla
Pinch salt
Pinch cinnamon
1-2 tablsp maple syrup
2-3 tablsp coconut oil (or you can use melted butter)
Topping
Melted chocolate 200g
Place nuts into a processor and process until a powder. Add rest of ingredients (except chocolate) and process until combined & sticky. Spoon mix into each silicone mould (about ¾ full) and press well. Chill in freezer for 10 minutes, meanwhile melt chocolate. Top each cup with chocolate and sprinkle with chocolate hail or coconut. Put in fridge until chocolate is set. Turn out each cup and put into mini paper patty cases to serve.

Edited by nauru at 11:48 pm, Tue 22 Sep

nauru - 2015-09-22 23:42:00

Christmas pudding jelly

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/cuisine/72255193
/recipe-christmas-pudding-jelly

uli - 2015-09-24 12:05:00

Bumping for those making Christmas goodies this long weekend. Yes the time is nigh folks.

gr8stuf4me - 2015-10-17 16:01:00

Could someone please explain this 'bumped' or 'bumping' term frequently used on here. Was hoping not to air my ignorance, but simply haven't been able to learn what this means. Many thanks in advance.

strowan1 - 2015-10-18 20:29:00

Sure, folks on here say bump or bumping when a thread has got a ways down the lists and they want to bring it to the top but don't have anything to add to the thread. Hope this explains it.

gr8stuf4me - 2015-10-27 14:27:00

Was just reading Cuisine and watching Downton....

CHRISTMAS SPICED FUDGE
2 cups white sugar, 2 cups brown sugar, 1/2 cup blackstrap molasses, 1/4 cup glucose syrup, 1 cup milk, 150 grms butter, 2 teasp ground mixed spice, 2 teasp ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teasp ground cardamom, 1/2 teasp salt, 1 tbspn vanilla.

Butter a 20cm by 20 cm tin and line with baking paper. Put all ingredients except vanilla in a pot and stir continuously until sugar has dissolved then increase heat to medium and bring to the boil. Do not stir. Boil until the soft ball stage is reached. It is almost ready when it stops rising up the sides of the pot and starts to sink back down. Remove from heat and sprinkle vanilla over the top. Don't stir. Cool for 5 minutes. Beat until it starts to set on the sides. It is ready to pour when it starts to set as soon as you stop beating. Pour into the tin immediately, smooth and refrigerate before cutting. Keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.

Quote
greerg (258 258 positive feedback) 9:20 pm, Thu 30 Oct #2

bev00 - 2015-11-01 10:59:00

Looking for something to bake for Xmas? There are definitely some lovely recipes here, so thanks Cooks for starting it :) (not sure how many years ago) :)

unknowndisorder - 2015-11-24 19:37:00

bump for Xmas

uli - 2016-11-13 12:26:00

And another bump for Xmas

uli - 2017-11-06 15:33:00

** Bumping for Home Made gift-making season... **

autumnwinds - 2018-11-01 09:34:00

** Bumping for Home Made gift-making season... for another year **

autumnwinds - 2019-10-24 21:01:00

Sherry Balls
250g pkt sweet plain biscuits crushed
1 1/2 tbs cocoa
2 tbs coconut

4 tbs sherry
2 Tblspns Currants
125 g butter melted
185 g icing sugar
Method
Mix melted butter and sherry together.
In a medium bowl, combine the butter mixture with the crushed biscuits, cocoa and icing sugar.
Mix well, form into balls.
Roll in coconut and set in the fridge.

Edited by willman at 8:09 am, Fri 25 Oct

willman - 2019-10-25 08:08:00