Spiced apple slices

Earlier this year we had a few days away with friends in the lovely little town of Montagu. On the drive back to Cape Town my daughter wanted to see where all the apples are grown, but got more than she bargained for when we drove past orchard after orchard full of trees bursting with thousands of apples. She was absolutely delighted (and it was a beautiful drive)!

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Millionaire’s shortbread with ganache topping

This is a fully loaded treat if ever I saw one. Utter decadence on a plate – I must admit that I only make these occasionally due to their richness and for fear that gobbling too many might induce a sugar coma!

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Ginger toffee puddings

Delicious baked puddings.
Years ago whilst I was living in the U.K. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go on some skiing trips. Or was I? Learning to ski the first time was terrifying, the second time it was slightly better but not great, and needless to say there was no third time! Dear husband took to it straight away and still pines for the slopes, but on the contrary – whizzing and zig zagging over the slippery ice while feeling that at any moment I might become imprinted onto the nearest tree is not for me as it turns out, and I am quite happy to keep my feet on solid ground!

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Chocolate sandwich biscuits

 
So today I am grateful for two things. 1.) That I managed to get a blog post together for this week, and 2.) that I am able to string a coherent sentence together. It has been a rough couple of days you see, with the entire family being struck down with an assortment of germs and lurgies. Currently my kitchen counter looks more like a pharmacy than anything else and we are all lacking in the sleep department which is less than ideal. The timing was also unlucky as we had planned to go away this past weekend for a wedding. We did manage one night away in the end but we were not on best form. Never mind, grumble grumble.
 

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The lightest lemon squares (with video)

An iced lemon tray cake cut into squares

 

The other day my daughter came home from school and (after proudly showing me the red autumn leaves she had found in the playground that day as well as an energetic, full length rendition of “The Farmer in the Dell” – oh to be four again!) told me that her class had celebrated a birthday that day and that the birthday boy had brought a lemon cake to school for everyone to share. It made me think of this recipe which is one of those that I have had for years, scribbled on a piece of paper and unceremoniously shoved inside a notebook. It is a fantastic recipe and worthy of a more permanent home here on the web and not just on a scrap of paper!

 

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Classic chocolate chip cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies

So how were the holidays everyone? Did you have fun? Did the Easter bunny come to visit? The last two weeks have gone quickly – holiday outings and play dates, the build up to Easter and of course lots of egg hunting fun and family time over the long Easter weekend made for a busy time. Then last week we went on a family holiday with friends where we headed to Montagu for a few days. (Can you believe that in all my thirty five years this was the first time I had ever visited Montagu Springs?) We love a good road trip, although sadly the littlest of our troupe decided that he was not enjoying the long drive and expressed his disapproval in a rather loud and shouty manner for much of the way! Other than that little hiccup the trip was loads of fun and turned out to be a perfect spot to take the family. All in all it was a very special holiday and I can’t help feeling a bit sad that it is over. For now, it is back to school runs, packed lunches and the regular term time routine – onward and forward!

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Double chocolate peanut butter fridge cake – and a surprise!

This surprise has been a long time coming – a thought that became an idea that I have been stewing over for many, many months that then turned into a project that became a labour of love. This month the blog turned 3 and as a big, huge thank you to everyone who has followed my kitchen adventures I decided to put together a little gift for each reader. Yes, you get one! And you get one! Everybody gets one!

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Sugar free banana cake (with video)

It is March and in my house that equals birthdays and lots of baking! I made this cake earlier in the month for my daughter’s school birthday and wanted to avoid added sugar but still make something delicious that the children would love. This cake has a soft, light texture and a delicate banana flavour. Rather than cover the cake with icing I drizzled it with delicious melted carob. This is a great alternative to chocolate!

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