Showing posts with label western power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label western power. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

wpc goodie trays 2021


nailed it! i felt so uninspired making the goodie plates this christmas and honestly was at the point where i wondered if i should even bother, but of course i was not going to miss a year. heck no. this tradition will be carried on proudly year after year. 

for those who came in late - each year my mother would do christmas baking and then send all the boys that worked at western power a goodie plate to enjoy with their families. when doug started there when madeline was a baby, i felt like it was a good idea too and i've been baking every christmas since.

this years boxes included:

milk chocolate rocky road
caramilk rocky road
santé choc chip cookies
caramel fudge
melting moments
chocolate truffles
brownies
rice krispy squares
white chocolate gingerbread rocky road
salted caramilk squares


i was obsessed with how these turned out - melting moments done with christmas sprinkles in the icing used for the middle. it looked so cute!


and it was rocky road central, with all these pretty looking trays set and ready to cut


i mean seriously, how nice does this look?


the caramilk rocky road was a clear winner, i have the recipe saved to use again next year


and i loooved how these rice krispy treats turned out once i had thrown some snowflake sprinkles on top to make them christmassy


time to pack - this year made the easiest it's ever been thanks to my best friend jen sending some of her cookie boxes my way. they have their own closure tabs and all i had to do was tie some festive curling ribbon around the boxes.


so, merry christmas to our wpc boys and thanks for another year of power. 

**************************************

recipes:

MILK CHOCOLATE ROCKY ROAD

 

2 x bags milk chocolate melts

1 x packet broken up oreos

1 x packet broken up plain sweet biscuits

Bag assorted jelly lollies

2 x bags marshmallows cut into pieces

1 cup desiccated coconut

 

Melt chocolate on medium high in microwave checking every 30 secs until runny. Mixed all chopped ingredients through then leave in fridge to set. Bring to room temperature then chop into chunks.

 

CARAMILK ROCKY ROAD

 

Ingredients

2 x 180g pkts Cadbury Caramilk chocolate, broken into small pieces

150g pkt jersey caramels, chopped

140g bag Caramel Popcorn

3 x 50g Mars Twix chocolate bars, coarsely chopped (I actually used another 150g of jersey caramels as I couldn’t get these when I went shopping)

100g white marshmallows, halved

1/3 cup (45g) unsalted roasted peanuts (I left these out – as we are dealing with a bunch of nut allergies around us)

 

Method

1.      Grease a 19cm x 29cm (base measurement) slice pan and line the base and sides with baking paper, allowing the sides to overhang. Place chocolate pieces in a heat safe bowl and microwave, checking every 30 secs until melted and runny.

2.      Combine other ingredients in a large bowl. Add the melted chocolate and gently fold until just combined. Spoon into the prepared pan. Set aside for 1 hour to set. Cut into pieces to serve.

 

SANTÉ CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

 

125g softened butter

¼ cup brown sugar

3 Tbsp condensed milk

Few drops vanilla essence

¾ cup plain flour

¾ cup desiccated coconut

1 tsp baking powder

250g bag coles dark compound choc chips

 

1.      Preheat oven to 160C (fan forced)

2.      Cream butter and sugar until soft and fluffy, then add milk and vanilla and beat until combined.

3.      Stir in the flour, coconut and baking powder until combined, then add choc chips and combine a final time.

4.      Roll teaspoons of mixture into balls then place on prepared tray, flattening with a fork.

5.      Bake for 12 minutes, or until slightly golden on top. Leave on trays for 1-2 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool

 

CARAMEL FUDGE

 

125g butter

395g can condensed milk

2 tbsp golden syrup

1 cup brown sugar

110g white chocolate

 

1.      Grease and line slice tray

2.      Combine butter, condensed milk, golden syrup and sugar together in a saucepan, then bring to a simmer. Raise heat a little for bigger bubbles and stir constantly for 10 minutes until slightly thickened and golden brown.

3.      Remove from heat, add white chocolate pieces and stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

4.      Pour into prepared pan, then refrigerate until set (overnight is best). Use a hot knife to cut into squares.

 

MELTING MOMENTS


250 g butter (softened)
3/4 Cup Icing sugar
1/2 Cup Cornflour
3/4 Cup Custard powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 Cups plain flour
1 Cup of Icing sugar extra to join biscuits.

Pre-heat oven to 170 degrees celcius (fan forced)
Cream butter, icing sugar and cornflour until smooth and light.
Add custard powder and vanilla essence. Mix well. Add flour to make a soft dough .
If your mixture is too dry add a little water.
Line a baking tray with baking paper
Using a teaspoon roll teaspoon size balls of dough and place on the baking tray.
Press tops down with a fork.
Repeat until all the mixture is used.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Allow to cool on the tray.

To join together:
Mix icing sugar with a little water to form a thick paste.
Spoon a little onto the base of a biscuit the join to another.
Note: you can also join with jam

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

 

 

2 tbsp cocoa

395g can condensed milk

1 packet finely crushed milk arrowroot biscuits

2 cups desiccated coconut

 

1.      Combine biscuits, cocoa and condensed milk and mix well

2.      Roll small balls from mixture, then roll in coconut

3.      Place on a tray and refrigerate to firm up

 

BROWNIES

 

200g butter

2 cups packed brown sugar

½ cup cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 cup plain flour

2 eggs

 

1.      Grease and line a slice tin and preheat oven to 160C (fan forced)

2.      Melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan on low heat. DO NOT BOIL.

3.      Add cocoa and vanilla, stir well.

4.      Take off heat, stir in flour until completely combined.

5.      Add eggs and mix really well.

6.      Spread mixture evenly into prepared tin and bake for (20-25 mins – I find 22 is perfect!)

 

RICE KRISPIE TREATS

 

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

280g Marshmallows (standard Pascal pack size)

6 cups Rice Bubbles

 

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add Rice Bubbles cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into A greased and lined tray. Cool. Cut into squares.

(I topped mine with a layer of melted chocolate and snowflake sprinkles)

 

WHITE CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD ROCKY ROAD

 

2 x bags white chocolate melts

Pack broken gingernut biscuits

1 bag white marshmallows

Bag lolly bananas

Small bag jersey caramels

Melt chocolate on medium high in microwave checking every 30 secs until runny. Mixed all chopped ingredients through then leave in fridge to set. Bring to room temperature then chop into chunks.

 

SALED CARAMILK SQUARES

 

225g pkt plain savoury crackers (I used plain Jatz)

85g butter, melted

1 tbsp golden syrup

1/2 tsp cooking salt

 

CARAMEL FILLING

395g can condensed milk

2 tbsp golden syrup

60g butter, melted

 

CARAMILK TOPPING

180g block Caramilk chocolate, chopped

1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil

 

1.      Preheat oven to 160C fan forced. Grease and line a slice pan.

2.      Break the crackers into a food processor. Process until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a bowl. Add buttergolden syrup and salt. Stir to combine. Evenly press the mixture over the base of the prepared pan. Place in the fridge until required.

3.      To make the filling, combine the condensed milkgolden syrup and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking, for 8 minutes or until golden. Pour over base. Bake for 12 minutes or until firm. Cool completely. Place in the fridge for 4 hours or until set.

4.      To make the topping, place the Caramilk and oil in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave with 30 second bursts. Pour the chocolate mixture over the filling and smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the chocolate mixture is set.

5.      Use a warmed knife to cut the slice into squares, to serve.

 

 

 

 




 

Friday, December 18, 2020

wpc christmas goodie plates


it's that time again - and i have slaved away for countless hours in the kitchen in order to plate up the western power good trays for 2020.

this year i did a few new ones - including a licorice allsort slice, a white chocolate and cranberry slice, a timtam hedgehog slice and a caramilk rocky road - along with my standard chocolate truffles, choc chip (santé) cookies (this is the standard edmonds recipe, but mine are a little different as below), chocolate rocky road, brownies, caramel fudge, salted cracker toffee (and peanut butter pretzels and kisses to boot, but i can't take credit for those.)

Licorice Allsort Slice 


Ingredients

125 grams Butter, diced

½ Cup Brown Sugar, Packed

½ Tin Sweetened Condensed Milk (180ml)

1 Cup Licorice Allsorts, sliced in half

1 x 250g Packet of Milk Arrowroot Biscuits (crushed) 


Icing

1 1/2 Cups Icing Sugar

1 Tablespoon Butter, Melted

1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence

2-4 teaspoons Water

(If making Lemon Icing, add zest of one lemon and use the lemon juice in place of the water.)


Instructions

Lightly grease a 25 x 25 cm slice tin, or prepare with baking paper, and set aside.

Using a food processor, crush the biscuits to a fine crumb and set aside.

Slice the licorice allsorts and set aside.

In a large sauce pan add the butter, brown sugar and condensed milk and heat gently until the butter has melted but do not boil, remove from the heat.

Add the crushed biscuits and licorice allsorts to the saucepan and combine well with a large wooden spoon.

Pour into the prepared tin, press mixture down firmly and smooth with the back of the spoon and then aside and prepare the icing

 

Icing

In a medium bowl add the icing sugar, melted butter and vanilla and stir to blend.

Add water a teaspoon at a time, stirring well, until you have a thick but pour-able consistency.

Spread this over the prepared slice, give it a jiggle to settle the icing.

Place in the fridge to set, or overnight, then slice and store in the fridge until needed.

____________________________________________________________

White Chocolate and Cranberry Slice

 

Ingredients

1x pkt 250g milk arrowroot biscuits, crushed

3/4 Cup (75g) Desiccated Coconut

½ Cup (75g) Dried Cranberries

155g White Chocolate

100g Butter, cubed

395g Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

 

Chocolate Topping

190g White Chocolate

1 tsp Vegetable Oil

 

Instructions

Prepare a 25cm square slice dish or baking tin with baking paper

Using a food processor crush the biscuits to a fine crumb

Add the biscuits to a large bowl and add the coconut and cranberries.

Use your fingers to mix to ensure no lumps of con-joined cranberries are in the mixture and set aside.

In a large saucepan slowly melt together the first measure of white chocolate, butter and condensed milk, stirring often to ensure it does not catch until butter completely melted and ingredients blended together.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add to this the crushed biscuits, coconut, cranberries and mix thoroughly.

Pour mixture into the prepared pan and using the back of a large spoon or damp hands spread it around and flatten mixture until it is completely smooth and packed tight.

Put the biscuit base in the fridge to cool for 30 minutes while you prepare the topping

Place the chocolate in a medium sized microwave proof bowl. Heat for 30 second bursts, stirring in between until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Add the oil to the chocolate and combine well, then pour over the cooled biscuit base. (The Oil is to prevent the topping from cracking!)

Place back in the fridge for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight until set

Bring the slice to almost room temperature before slicing to ensure it does not crack.

Slice using a sharp knife & store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

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 TimTam Hedgehog Slice

Ingredients

250 g milk arrowroot biscuits

2 x 200 g packs Tim Tam biscuits

200 g butter

3 tbsp cocoa powder

⅓ cup desiccated coconut

395 g tin sweetened condensed milk

200 g milk chocolate

Method

Line a 20cm x 20cm square baking tin (which has high sides) with baking paper.

Roughly chop 6 of the Tim Tams into large pieces and set aside until needed.

Place the plain biscuits into a food processor and blitz until they have just broken up. Add the remaining whole Tim Tams and blitz for 5 seconds or until they have broken into large chunks. Place the crushed biscuits into a large bowl and set aside.

Pour the condensed milk into a small saucepan and add the butter and cocoa. Cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted and the ingredients have combined.

Pour the condensed milk mixture into the bowl with the crushed biscuits and add the coconut. Working quickly, use a large metal spoon to mix the ingredients together.

Pour the mixture into your prepared tin and flatten the surface with the back of a spoon.

Break the milk chocolate into squares and place it into a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave on high for 30 second spurts (mixing in between), until it's just melted. Pour over the top of the slice and sprinkle the Tim Tams you set aside earlier over the top. Place the slice into the fridge for 6 hours (preferably overnight) to set.

Once set, remove the slice from the tin and cut into pieces.

____________________________________________________________

Caramilk Rocky Road

 

Ingredients

2 x 180g bars Caramilk chocolate

100g roasted almonds (I used the 190g chocolate coated almonds from Woolworths)

100g white marshmallows

100g Maltesers

 

Instructions

Melt the Caramilk chocolate in the microwave in a large glass bowl in 20 second bursts. 

Pour in the almonds, marshmallows and Maltesers then mix together with the chocolate. 

Line a 20 x 20 cm tray with baking paper and pour in the chocolate mixture.

Push the mixture right to the edges.

Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or until set. 

Remove from the fridge 20 minutes before you want to cut into bite sized pieces.

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Chocolate truffles

 

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 pkt (250g) milk arrowroot biscuits

2 cups desiccated coconut

 

1. Crush biscuits finely in a food processor

2. Add to milk and cocoa and mix well

3. Take teaspoon sized amounts and roll into balls

4. Roll in coconut

5. Place on baking paper in fridge to set

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Santé cookies

 

​125g butter, softened

¼ cup brown sugar

3 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk

¾ cup desiccated coconut

¾ cup plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup mini chocolate chips

Few drops of vanilla essence

 

Method

Preheat the oven to 160ºC (Fan Forced). Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Cream together the butter, sugar, condensed milk and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour and baking powder and mix into the creamed mixture, followed by the chocolate chips.

Roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture into balls, place on the prepared tray and flatten with a fork.

Bake for 12 minutes until golden. Leave on the tray for 1–2 minutes then place on a wire rack to cool. 

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Milk chocolate rocky road

 

500g melted milk chocolate

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup chopped peanuts

1 bag pink and white marshmallows (halved)

1pkt coles honeycomb squiggle biscuits (chopped)

1 pkt party mix lollies

 

1. Melt chocolate on a low heat in microwave for short intervals until completely melted and smooth.

2. Mix all ingredients into melted chocolate and pour into prepared tray, refrigerate until just set and then cut into bite sized pieces. 

(really the sky is the limit, you can add pretty much anything you want... glace cherries, any kind of nuts, honeycomb, biscuit chunks... let your imagination run wild!)

____________________________________________________________

Brownies

 

200g butter

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 cup plain flour

2 eggs

 

1. grease a 20 x 30cm tin, pre-heat oven to 180 deg cel

2. melt butter in a big saucepan on a very low heat, add brown sugar, allow to melt a bit and mix together. do not boil!!

3. add cocoa and vanilla, stir very well

4. take off heat, sift in flour, stir it in

5. add eggs, beat in really well

6. spread mixture evenly in tin, bake for 20 - 25 mins

____________________________________________________________

Caramel fudge

 

125g chopped butter

395g can sweetened condensed milk

2 tbsp golden syrup

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white choc chips


1. grease and line metal dish

2. in a saucepan, stir butter, condensed milk, golden syrup and sugar together over a low heat until simmering (and sugar is melted!) stir constantly for 10 minutes until slightly thickened and golden brown

3. remove from heat, add choc chips and until mixture is smooth and chocolate is completely melted

4. pour into dish and refrigerate until set. slice with a hot knife into small squares.

____________________________________________________________

Salted cracker toffee slice

 

1 cup salted butter

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups choc chips

premium crackers

unsalted peanuts

 

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg celcius, line a baking dish (I used a lasagne sized one...) with baking paper then grease the inside of the paper well.

2. Lay a flat layer of crackers on the paper

3. Melt sugar and butter in a saucepan until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes, until it thickens and sugar is dissolved. Pour this mixture over the crackers and spread to coat evenly.

4. Bake for 8-10 mins, until toffee is bubbly, then remove pan from oven and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes.

5. Sprinkle choc chips over, allow them to soften and melt and then spread them into an even layer. Sprinkle peanuts (optional!) over top and top with ground salt to create a sweet salty flavour.

6. Set in fridge then cut into slices.


top - salted caramel cracker slice (with christmas sprinkles this year haha)
and brownies below.


white chocolate and cranberry slice

i got photos of these two newbies when they were cooling, but forgot to get one with the topping on, which is probably better anyway, considering they would have just been white then, they look much better when you can see the fillings.


licorice allsort slice


edmonds sante biscuits


chocolate truffles


caramilk rocky road (omgosh, this was amazing, i will absolutely be making this again and i may eat the whole lot on my own!)


milk chocolate rocky road


plating/ packaging in process... 


and ready for delivery!


my first one went to clackline and was plastered on the internet by a very grateful bestie who was busy making her christmas cookies.


we had so many this year (totally becoming famous) that we filled up the esky and worked out the shortest route through ellenbrook to drop them all off. worth the effort though, we are always met with so much love... i'll keep going just for that!

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

christmas baking


it's lucky this baking got done this year to be honest... i have delayed it over and over, dougs dad is in hospital - and it just felt like it was all too much to actually get it done... but i persisted and pushed through and the western power boys got their treats! yay!


it's been a while since i have shared all the recipes on one post - so stay tuned, they are all following...


merry christmas boys! 


top left: brownies
top right: peanut choc chip cookies
second row: mars bar slice
third row left: fudge 
third row right: salted cracker toffee slice
fourth row: apricot and white chocolate slice
fifth row: chocolate rocky road
sixth row: chocolate truffles
bottom row: white chocolate rocky road

Brownies

200g butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 cup plain flour
2 eggs

1. grease a 20 x 30cm tin, pre-heat oven to 180 deg cel
2. melt butter in a big saucepan on a very low heat, add brown sugar, allow to melt a bit and mix together. do not boil!!
3. add cocoa and vanilla, stir very well
4. take off heat, sift in flour, stir it in
5. add eggs, beat in really well
6. spread mixture evenly in tin, bake for 20 - 25 mins

Peanut choc chip cookies

125g softened butter
1/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth doesn't matter...)
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bi-carb soda
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup choc chips

1. preheat oven to 180 deg celcius, cover oven trays with baking paper
2. beat butter, peanut butter, sugar and egg in bowl with electric mixer until smooth. stir in flour and soda, then nuts and choc chips
3. roll small balls of mixture and place on trays, flatten slightly with fork
4. bake for 12 minutes, then cool on trays

Mars bar slice

50g butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
200g (ish) Mars bars (use the fake ones! They totally work) finely chopped 
3 cups rice bubbles
200g milk chocolate
20g copha

1. Grease and line the base and side of a slice tray
2. Combine the butter, golden syrup and 3/4 of the Mars bars in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes or until Mars bars and butter melt and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
3. Place the rice bubbles and remaining Mars bar in a large bowl. Add the Mars bar mixture and stir until well combined. Spoon into the prepared pan and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Set aside to cool completely.
4. Place the chocolate and copha in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan half-filled with simmering water, stir until chocolate melts. Pour chocolate over the top of the slice to evenly coat. Set aside until to set. Cut into squares to serve.

Caramel fudge

125g chopped butter
395g can sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white choc chips

1. grease and line metal dish
2. in a saucepan, stir butter, condensed milk, golden syrup and sugar together over a low heat until simmering (and sugar is melted!) stir constantly for 10 minutes until slightly thickened and golden brown
3. remove from heat, add choc chips and until mixture is smooth and chocolate is completely melted
4. pour into dish and refrigerate until set. slice with a hot knife into small squares.

Salted cracker toffee slice

1 cup salted butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups choc chips
premium crackers
unsalted peanuts

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg celcius, line a baking dish (i used a lasagne sized one...) with baking paper then grease the inside of the paper well.
2. Lay a flat layer of crackers on the paper
3. Melt sugar and butter in a saucepan until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes, until it thickens and sugar is dissolved. Pour this mixture over the crackers and spread to coat evenly.
4. Bake for 8-10 mins, until toffee is bubbly, then remove pan from oven and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes.
5. Sprinkle choc chips over, allow them to soften and melt and then spread them into an even layer. Sprinkle peanuts (optional!) over top and top with ground salt to create a sweet salty flavour.
6. Set in fridge then cut into slices.

Apricot and white chocolate slice

250g packet scotch finger biscuits (crushed in a food processor)
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup desiccated coconut
395g can condensed milk
100g chopped butter
1/2 packet white chocolate chips
50g melted white chocolate

1. Lightly grease and line an 18 x 28cm slice pan with baking paper. 
2. In a large bowl, combine biscuit crumbs, white chocolate chips, apricots and coconut. 
3. Combine condensed milk and butter in a medium saucepan. 
4. Stir over low heat for 4-5 minutes, until smooth. 
5. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well. 
6. Press mixture firmly into prepared pan. 
7. Chill until firm. 
8. Drizzle top with cholate, then chill again until set.

Milk chocolate rocky road

500g melted milk chocolate
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped peanuts
1 bag pink and white marshmallows (halved)
1pkt coles honeycomb squiggle biscuits (chopped)
1 pkt party mix lollies

1. Melt chocolate on a low heat in microwave for short intervals until completely melted and smooth.
2. Mix all ingredients into melted chocolate and pour into prepared tray, refrigerate until just set and then cut into bite sized pieces. 
(really the sky is the limit, you can add pretty much anything you want... glace cherries, any kind of nuts, honeycomb, biscuit chunks... let your imagination run wild!)

Chocolate truffles

1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 pkt (250g) milk arrowroot biscuits
2 cups desiccated coconut

1. Crush biscuits finely in a food processor
2. Add to milk and cocoa and mix well
3. Take teaspoon sized amounts and roll into balls
4. Roll in coconut
5. Place on baking paper in fridge to set

White chocolate rocky road

2 x bags white chocolate melts
1 x bag  marshmallows (cut into pieces)
1 x bag lolly bananas
1 x bag lolly raspberries (cut into pieces)
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 packet gingernut biscuits (chopped into pieces)

1. Melt chocolate melts in low in microwave
2. Add chopped lollies, biscuits and coconut, stir well to mix
3. Pour into greased lined pan and place in fridge to set

(As with the other rocky road recipe, this is totally a make it up as you go recipe, add anything you want (within reason) and it works!)