Polymer Clay Sweets

My latest hobby is making charms out of polymer clay. I've watched many tutorials on youtube because I had no idea how they made such tiny treats with incredible detail. Some of these I attached magnets to and the others have eye screws for hanging. So much fun!

Afghan Biscuits

A favourite of New Zealanders. But why is it called an Afghan biscuit? Some theories are that they are similar to the craggy landscape of Afghanistan or  that a New Zealand woman sent it to her beau who was posted in Afghanistan during the war. There are many other theories but really, no one knows. These cookies are crunchy because they are made with cornflakes and oh so chocolatey.  I love the walnut in the middle. Yes, that was me, hunched over the walnut bin at the grocery store hunting for the whole ones.

Ginger Crunch

 Ginger crunch is another favourite here in New Zealand. There is a shortbread crust topped with ginger icing. I drizzled some dark chocolate over the top because I had a chocolate craving. These were delivered to the Wellington City Mission for this month's baking with the Good Baking Bitches organization.

Cornbread

Caramel Slice

Caramel slice also known as Millionaire's Shortbread is another Kiwi favourite. The bottom is a shortbread crust. In the middle is a caramel layer made from condensed milk and the top is dark chocolate. It was a bit too sweet for my taste. Perhaps next time I will make half the recipe for the caramel layer.

Coconut Custard Buns

I was influenced by the buns they sell in the Asian bakeries. These buns have a sweet coconut custard filling hidden inside.

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

 Hokey pokey is a candy made from sugar and golden syrup. Baking soda is added to the boiling mixture and it bubbles up creating a honeycomb- like candy which is broken into shards. I chopped it up and added it to vanilla no churn ice cream. Hokey pokey ice cream is a New Zealand favourite.

Chocolate and Raspberry Lamingtons

Are Lamingtons from New Zealand or Australia? Australians believe it was created by a maid to Lord Lamington of Queensland. New Zealanders believe it was originally called a Wellington and was created to imitate the snow capped mountains and that Lord Lamington fell in love with them when he visited Wellington Harbour. Either way, these cubes of vanilla cake coated in icing and then rolled in shredded coconut are delicious! I brought a box of them to the Wellington Mission in Newtown this month as a member of the Good Baking Bitches.

Lemon Marble Cheesecake Squares

Mmmm. Cheesecake. But no springform pan? No problem. We will make bars instead! I used the last of the graham cracker crumbs my parents brought me from Hawaii over the Christmas break. The lemon curd added just the right touch of zing. My favorite part is creating the marbled effect.

Anzac Biscuits

I'm excited to bake yummy treats that are classics here in New Zealand. These Anzac biscuits are chewy oatmeal cookies with coconut and golden syrup. They are popular in Australia and New Zealand and commemorate the service men and women killed in the war on the Gallipoli Penninsula in 1915.

Pear Almond Ginger Crumble

Winter is here. Brrr. Nice warm crumble and spicy ginger  are  perfect for warming up after coming in from the cold.