Last-Minute Fruitcake

Recipe and image by Julie Le Clerc This dairy-free fruitcake has wonderful flavour and is extra moist due to the use of oil instead of butter. The oil also gives the cake good texture which means, unlike classic fruitcakes, it cuts well, even when freshly made, making this a good last-minute option if you didn’t […]
Christmas Cake – the best things take time

Recipe and images by Julie Le Clerc For me, there’s something undeniably special about the time-honoured tradition of making a Christmas fruitcake. While it’s advisable to do this as early as October – or even late September – it’s not just about getting ahead; it’s about giving the cake time to mature and develop deep, […]
FRUIT & NUT ANZAC SLICE

Recipe and images by Julie LeClerc This loaded ANZAC slice, which is like one giant biscuit packed with extras of dried fruit and nuts, and topped with a drizzle of chocolate is a more decadent, modern twist on the traditional ANZAC biscuit recipe. Makes 16–32 squares, depending on size 100g butter 2 tbsp (50g) golden syrup ½ cup (100g) caster […]
ANZAC Biscuits

WORDS AND IMAGES JULIE LE CLERC For the Love of ANZACs For any Kiwi, ANZAC biscuits are more than just a recipe; they’re a valued piece of our heritage. As we know, they got their name when they were originally created to send to soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), who […]
Bunny Buns

Recipe Vicki Ravlich-Horan, Images Brydie Thompson These are super cute! I made the bunny tales from white chocolate ganache but you could use a marshmallow or a small Easter egg. The dough makes about 24 bunnies. You might not want that many, and if that’s the case the unused dough can be frozen or you […]
A Twist on Easter Buns

Recipe Vicki Ravlich-Horan, Images Brydie Thompson While I am a believer that hot cross buns should hit the supermarket shelves from New Years Day, I do understand that spice-ladened fruit buns are not everyone’s cup of tea. These Easter twists could be the answer. Instead of fruit and spice, they are filled with chocolate. 3½ […]
Easter Cupcakes

These cute cupcakes are Easter Bunny approved. They’re chocolate. They’re bright and fun. And they have a carrot piped on top! 200g butter, softened ¾ cup sugar ¾ cup brown sugar 3 eggs ¾ cups cocoa 1 cup self-raising flour 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup hot water Cream the butter and sugars until light […]
Clarence Banana Bread

Start the Day the Clarence Way Clarence in Tauranga is not just the perfect spot for an evening aperitivo or delightful meal, they now also serve breakfast Monday through to Friday from 7am until 11.30am. The menu includes Mediterranean morning essentials like freshly baked pastries and great coffee as well as the Kiwi must-haves of […]
Pavlova with L&P Jelly and Kiwifruit

Recipe by Vicki Ravlich-Horan There is not a more classic dessert than a pav! Growing up, neighbourhood BBQs were a regular occurrence in our street and Shirley Morrison was the Pav Queen. I remember them coming in one of two ways, topped with Kiwifruit or jelly crystals. This was well before freeze dried fruit powders […]
APÉRITIF – Cocktail Hour the Fiona Way

Words and images by Fiona Hugues I recently tragically lost my little terrier buddy Whinny. She’d been my faithful companion for 11 years and was my preferred company to spend apéritif hour with. At the end of the day we’d wander our grounds and ponder changes in the garden, and she’d flush out and promptly […]