Daring Bakers Baklava Challenge!

Erica of Erica’s Edibles was our host for the Daring Baker’s June challenge. Erica challenged us to be truly DARING by making homemade phyllo dough and then to use that homemade dough to make Baklava.

 

I decided to use a bread maker to mix the dough

This was an interesting challenge for me as id never made my own pastry before, let alone 18 incredibly thin layers of filo(as we call it in Australia) pastry and id never attempted making baklava either! But it was definitely an enjoyable challenge and worked out pretty well, and by the limited pieces of baklava remaining im fairly sure my family enjoyed it too!



I made a filling of brown sugar, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, dates, cranberries and all spice



My syrup was a combination of golden syrup, maple syrup, all spice, a cinnamon stick, lemon juice and water.

Warm out of the oven!

 

Thanks Erica for a great challenge!!

Daring Bakers First Challenge!! Marquise on Meringue!

The May 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Emma of CookCraftGrow and Jenny of Purple House Dirt. They chose to challenge everyone to make a Chocolate Marquise. The inspiration for this recipe comes from a dessert they prepared at a restaurant in Seattle.

As it was my first Daring Bakers challenge, i was a little nervous. Seeing the quality of other members' creations was quite intimidating, but i had fun :D  My Variation to the recipe was I made a dark choc marquise with a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and brandy, a vanilla bean meringue, brandy caramel(which was too delicious for words!), cinnamon and nutmeg toasted macadamia's and added some chunks of roast pumpkin tossed in cinnamon and nutmeg to give it a pumpkin pie type flavour. All in all it was pretty tasty and i was happy with my first challenge :D

the oven roasted macadamias

dee-licious!!



using a lighter to caramelise my meringue, the lengths you go to when you cant be bothered to buy a blowtorch!


 

my finished product :)



Kitchen Tea Baking Time!

So my best friend got married last month and as her maid of honour i was in charge of planning her kitchen tea, meaning loads of baking :D
I decided to try out a Red Velvet Cake and also a Dulce De Leche Cheesecake - Delish!

Some of the spread!

The beautiful bride to be with the Red Velvet

Me putting the final touches on the cheesecake

Dulce De Leche Cheesecake with toffee shards!

I've been told both were very tasty and enjoyed by all!