With a busy day ahead here yesterday, the Custard Club had to miss out on the custard component of their morning tea today (sorry guys). Bit of a shame as I was gifted some lovely new custard jugs, as seen on the shelf behind. Never mind, hopefully they will still enjoy these old fashioned favourites … Continue reading Date Slice – an old fashioned favourite

Apples picked, Apple Day done (such fun) and the time had arrived for the cider to be bottled. The kegs stand forlornly empty, waiting for the process to begin again next year. It was such a wonderful crop this season - and many thanks to the generous people who gave us the apple gleanings and … Continue reading The apple circle of life completed – cider time

On a platter in the car on the way to a get together with friends in the Valley yesterday. Portuguese/Spanish custard tarts, as the theme of the party was Spanish. First time I've ever made these but don't think it will be the last. I've had several requests for the recipe since I put the … Continue reading Portuguese Custard Tarts

I'm always wanting something quick and easy to bake, one that can serve a number of purposes is also a bonus. This past week I've put together this quick, go-to recipe for choc cherry cupcakes. I made some for the Custard Club, which is where it began, then a double batch for friends we visited … Continue reading Quick and Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

Last Saturday was our annual Apple Day here. It's always a fun day, with friends, family and neighbours coming along to help with processing the apples we picked a couple of weeks beforehand. No one has to help. It's really just an opportunity to get together and celebrate the apple harvest. Nevertheless they do, with … Continue reading Apple Day 2025

Oh dear, almost forgot it was Wednesday! Come 9.30am yesterday and I suddenly remembered I needed to make something for the Custard Club's morning tea. I hastily prepared lemon cupcakes with a dollops of some leftover thickened stewed apple in the centre. I thought that was pretty clever. I planned a swirl of whipped cream … Continue reading Apple Cupcake first aid

What a perfect day for picking apples with friends near Bushy Park last week. Soon they will be converted to cider, preserved juice and diced and preserved in a light syrup. All year round, there's always something to preserve and these apples are the best of the autumn/winter season.

I love winter when the wood heater's burning, keeping the house cosy and warm. Bonus - its oven bakes like a dream in the oven under the firebox. Today it was egg and bacon tarts and sausage rolls for visiting family, as well as the usual bread for the day (smaller loaves were cut into … Continue reading Winter Baking in the Wood Stove

Just sent a plate of these to the Custard Club's morning tea. (I couldn't go, much baking to do). What are they? Remember those 3 curds - white currant, red currant and blackcurrant? So ..... I quickly made patty cakes, split and filled them with a spoonful of curd, a swirl of whipped cream and … Continue reading Currant Curd Cupcakes

From the discussion with Renee Krosch this evening (ABC radio Sydney and Canberra), here is the recipe for my sausage rolls. Sausage rolls This is a large mixture, enough for at least a couple of dozen sausage rolls.  I tend to make this amount and then freeze half for another time or use half to … Continue reading Sausage Roll recipe