Winter's not quiet over yet

There are so many delicious things people usually save for Winter. Thick, hearty casseroles, rich saucy dishes, sticky caramelized puddings! So so many mouth watering delights. One dessert I usually save for Winter is apple pie. I have no idea why though, as it is so good hot or cold. I really should make it more, as it seems simple, but you can create so many varieties of the simple apple pie. Like infusing the stewed apples with cinnamon, or other spices, or adding other fruits - not just sultanas, I like to mix pear in with the apples sometimes. I also sometimes caramelized the apples and make a type of toffee apple pie. This time though I have gone traditionally. I made a super crumbly shortcrust pastry, lined it in a tall pan, added heaps of apples and served it with cream and custard. There were no complaints (actually very few words as it was hard to focus on anything but eating it).

I recommend trying a few varieties of apple pie, and seeing how to turn it into a summer favourite also. Possibly a tart or turnover style pie instead of the warm high pie. Enjoy!
 

Last minute chocolate pie

My sister and her boyfriend have been living in Canada for the past 18+ months and have recently come home for a whirlwind visit for a family wedding. Since they left, I have done a few fun things with my baking and created some pretty tasty treats for my family and friends. So, upon their recent return, there were a few demands. Unfortunately, my weekends have been pretty busy. The first weekend they were back in town I was making a big 30th birthday cake for a friend, then this weekend just past I was out and about too much to plan anything special. My sister organised dinner at my parent's last night. I had a small window of baking opportunity before dinner and decided to quickly whip something up. It's winter in Brisbane at the moment and I really wanted to make a pie. After a quick search online, I found a pretty quick and easy chocolate pie recipe. I fancied it up a little with a meringue topping, then wha-lah, my surprise dessert was ready! Phew!

I know I'm not off the hook for something else before they leave, but at least I've done something chocolate for them, might have to try something caramel or fruity for next weekend!

A confession and chocolate

A small confession to start with - I use to work at The Cheesecake Shop. This was my first job and it was much better then working behind a counter of a greasy fast food chain. I got to decorate cakes and write messages for special occasions. Instead of smelling like chicken fat at the end of the day (like some of my friends did), I smelt like cream and sugar. This was my first introduction to baking and working with food. It was a few more years before I started my own baking and getting excited about food, but I will always remember my time there as a nice introduction.

The reason I bring this up, is I got to try many different flavours and types of cake while working at the Cheesecake Shop. I have never been much of a nut fan, so I always surprised myself when I tried the pecan pie and then want more and more. The gooey filling with the crunch of the pecans lured me in and was even more amazing when heated up in the microwave for a bit. I haven't worked at the Cheesecake Shop for about 7 years, and since then rarely gone in and had their cakes. A few weeks ago I was given a slice of caramel pecan pie (not from the Cheesecake Shop) and the memories of eating pecan pie and all the cakey goodness came back to me. I decided to make my own pie, which of course meant adding chocolate. So here it is, my homage to my days at The Cheesecake Shop and Pecan Pie!

Mixing ideas to make pie

I remember going to school fetes as a child and always wanting to get either fairy floss or toffee apples. If I ever did get the fairy floss, it wasn't until I started eating it that I realised I didn't like it. If I ever got the toffee apple, I would lick all the toffee off and then have a soggy apple on a stick. Not amazing, should have had the caramel popcorn.

With this in mind, I thought I'd have a play with the ideas of toffee and apples (as I am no where near advanced enough to make fairy floss). I was given a Maggie Beer cookbook for Christmas (I LOVE Maggie!) and have been wanting to try her sour cream pastry. This little pie seemed like the perfect excuse. 

After making the pastry, I can tell you I love Maggie even more. It was a delicious buttery pastry which had the perfect crumble to it. And, best of all, it stayed crumbly even after having apples in it for a day.

Something sweet to end the week

Whoopie pie, Moon Pie, little cakes with a cream filling... whatever they're called, they are cakey and delicious.

I have been wanting to try Whoopie Pies again for a while, after my last attempt resulted in flat pancake like things.

I also thought it was about time I baked for my work mates again, as the past few weeks have been exceptionally stressful and hard. I asked one of the girls what flavour she felt like and she immediately yelled back at me "SALTED CARAMEL". The challenge was set. I started looking through my favourite blogs for salted caramel posts and found a recipe for Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Buttercream. YUM.