Recipes

Comforting Glazed Marble Loaf Cake

21 September 20262 min read

An easy afternoon sweet by Kirsten Tibballs, serving 8, featuring a marbled vanilla and chocolate loaf cake finished with a simple butter glaze.

Ingredients

Marble Cake:
200 g unsalted butter, softened
350 g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
200 g whole eggs, at room temperature
195 g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
90 ml full cream milk
25 g dutch-processed cocoa powder
Glaze:
30 g unsalted butter
60 g caster sugar
60 ml water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

Marble Cake:
Heat the oven to 160°C, fan forced.
Grease a 21 x 11cm loaf tin and line the base with baking paper.
In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy, starting on medium speed and gradually building up to high speed. Scrape the side of the bowl as required.
In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the eggs.
Gradually add the egg to the mixer, starting with just a dessertspoonful at a time. Mix well after each addition to prevent the cake mixture separating.
Weigh 180g of the mixture and set aside to create the chocolate batter. The remaining mixture will be used to create the vanilla batter.
Sift 160g of the flour with 3/4 teaspoon of the baking powder, then gradually fold them through the vanilla portion of the butter mixture, alternating with 70ml of the milk and ending with the final flour addition. This helps prevent the mixture separating. Once the flour is incorporated, stop mixing to prevent the cake becoming tough once baked.
Sift the remaining flour with the cocoa powder and remaining baking powder, then fold it through the reserved chocolate portion of the butter mixture, alternating with the remaining milk.
Alternate spooning the two mixtures into the prepared loaf tin and zigzag the handle of a dessertspoon from one end of the batter to the other, to create marbled layers.
Bake for 55-60 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Notes:
– Before starting the cake, warm the eggs to body temperature by placing them in a bowl over a water bath, gently moving them around while they warm.
– Beat the butter and sugar really well, ensuring they are light and fluffy and the sugar is dissolved.
– When alternating adding flour and milk, always start with a bit of flour.
Glaze:
Combine the butter, sugar, water and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to the boil.
Simmer for 1 minute before brushing the glaze over the warm cake while it is still in the tin.
Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the tin.
Note: The loaf can be frozen for up to 4 weeks, or stored at room temperature for no more than 5 days.

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Lamb Pie

A hearty and flavourful dish that combines tender, succulent lamb with the robust sweetness of maple syrup, creating a rich and savoury filling that’s perfectly complemented by the deep, full-bodied flavour of red wine. Ingredients 3 tbsp olive oil 500g diced lamb 1 red onion, chopped 1 glass red wine 3 tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust taste) 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 500g potatoes, peeled, cubed 2 carrots, peeled, sliced 3 tbsp tomato paste 4 tbsp gravy powder 1 beef stock cube 4 cups water 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped 2 tbsp cornflour 1 puff pastry sheet, ready rolled 1 egg, lightly beaten Salt and pepper, to season Method TO MAKE THE FILLING Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the lamb. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a plate. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes or until soft. Add the potatoes, carrots, rosemary and thyme. Cook for 5 minutes or until browned. Add the wine, maple syrup, tomato paste and gravy powder. Return lamb to pan then add stock cube, water and Worcestershire sauce. Increase heat to high. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer, covered, and stir occasionally for 2 hours or until the lamb is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine cornflour and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Add to the mixture. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool. FOR THE EASY VERSION Preheat oven 180°C. Grease a 4 to 5cm deep, 20cm (base) pie dish. Pour the lamb mixture into the dish then line the puff pastry on the top. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg then bake for 20 minutes. FOR THE HARD VERSION Preheat oven 180°C. Place one circle of puff pastry dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the lamb filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border bare. Moisten the border with cold water, position the second circle of dough over the filling and press around the border with your fingertips to seal well. Using the back of a table knife, scallop the edges by pushing into the dough (about ¼- to ½-inch deep) every ½ inch or so. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Bake for 40 minutes.

Recipes

Sticky Mocha Buns

Sweet, sticky mocha buns that are naturally enriched with pure maple syrup. They may take a little effort but are well worth it! Serve with a cuppa and enjoy on the go or as a weekend brunch treat. Ingredients FOR THE DOUGH: ½ cup whole milk 3 cups bread flour, plus extra for rolling the pastry dough 3 eggs 2 tbsp vegetable oil ⅓ cup pure maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich taste) 2 tsp salt 2 tsp active dry yeast ½ cup unsalted butter ¼ cup pure maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich taste), for glazing FOR THE FILLING: ½ cup unsalted soft butter ½ cup maple sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cardamom Method TO MAKE THE DOUGH: Place all the ingredients for the dough in an electric stand mixer, except the butter. You will need the dough hook attachment. Knead on the lowest speed for two minutes and start gradually adding the softened butter. Increase to a medium speed for five minutes while gradually adding the remaining butter. The dough should now be very soft and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to remove any excess, then move the dough to a larger bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise. This should take around one hour. After the dough has doubled in size, transfer to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 20/10-inch rectangle. TO MAKE THE FILLING: In a small bowl mix the butter, maple sugar, ground cardamom and ground cinnamon. TO MAKE MAPLE BUNS: Use a palette knife to spread the mixture over the dough. Tightly roll the dough, starting from the long side. Cut into 1½-inch sections with a sharp knife. You should get about 15 pieces. Place cinnamon rolls in a circular, greased baking tray, leaving a gap of 2cm around each bun. Cover the tray with cling wrap and let the buns rise again for 30–45 minutes. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Remove cling wrap and bake the buns for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. When the buns are baked, glaze them straight away with maple syrup. Serve warm, sticky-side-up.

Recipes

Roasted Potato Salad with Warrigal Greens and Caramelised Macadamia Pesto

A delicious sharing side that makes use of native ingredients. Maple-roasted potatoes with warrigal greens are a mouthwatering combination of crispy, sweet, and nutty flavours. If you can’t get warrigal greens, other leafy greens like kale, spinach or chard work equally well. Ingredients FOR THE MAPLE-ROASTED POTATOES: 3.3 lbs baby red potatoes, skin on 3 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust flavour) Salt and pepper, to taste FOR THE PESTO: ¾ cup warrigal greens (or other leafy greens), roughly chopped ½ cup parmesan ¾ cup macadamia nuts 2 garlic cloves, peeled 3 tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust flavour) 1 cup extra virgin olive oil Squeeze of lemon Black pepper Method FOR THE MAPLE-ROASTED POTATOES: Preheat oven to 200°C and line a large baking tray with parchment. Wash the potatoes, scrubbing off any dirt and chop any larger potatoes in half. Par boil (boil until partially cooked) the potatoes, drain and pat dry to enable them to be extra crispy. Place in the baking tray, season with salt and pepper and drizzle over the olive oil. Use your hands to mix the potatoes, oil and seasoning, then spread evenly over the baking tray. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through. Remove from the oven, drizzle with the maple syrup and roast for 5-6 additional minutes or until golden and caramelised. FOR THE WARRIGAL GREENS AND MAPLE-CARAMELISED MACADAMIA PESTO: In the same oven, roast the macadamia nuts for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, drizzle with maple syrup and roast for a further 10 minutes or until golden and caramelised. Leave to cool and set 20g aside to garnish later. In a food processor, add the warrigal greens and blitz until broken down. Add all the remaining pesto ingredients into the food processor and blitz until you’ve reached your desired consistency, making sure to scrape the sides with a spatula. Taste and season as required. TO SERVE: In a large bowl, add the maple-roasted potatoes and 1 cup of pesto. Stir to coat all the potatoes evenly. Crush the reserved macadamia nuts, sprinkle over the salad and serve.

Recipes

Vegan Thai Green Curry

Healthy, flavoursome and entirely plant-based, this vegan Thai green curry is great for adding to your regular rotation of meals. Sweet potatoes are cooked in a fragrant curry sauce and joined by roasted asparagus and cashew nuts. Best of all, this Thai green curry comes together in around 30 minutes! Ingredients FOR THE RICE: 1 cup jasmine rice 3/4 cups water FOR THE VEGAN THAI GREEN CURRY: 1 1/2 cups water 3 tsp grated fresh ginger 2 cups peeled sweet potatoes, chopped into 2cm pieces 1 3/5 cups low-fat coconut milk 3 tbs vegan green Thai curry paste 1 tsp maple sugar 3 tbs pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably amber for its rich taste) 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp chilli flakes 2 tbs lime juice 10 fresh asparagus (washed and ends cut off) 1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts Handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped Method TO MAKE THE RICE: Put the rice and water in a pan. Stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce to low and simmer until all the water is gone. This should take about 15 minutes. TO MAKE THE VEGAN THAI GREEN CURRY: Preheat oven to 180°C. Put the asparagus onto a baking tray then drizzle maple syrup on top. Roast the asparagus for 10 minutes, until tender but still firm. Put to one side. In a large pan, add the water, ginger and sweet potatoes over medium heat. Bring to a simmer then cover with a lid and cook for 8 minutes. While the potatoes are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix the coconut milk, curry paste, maple sugar and chilli flakes until smooth. Once the 8 minutes are up, add the coconut milk mixture and stir well in the pan. Bring it back to a simmer and cook another 5 minutes. Add the lime juice, stir and heat through for about 30 seconds. TO SERVE: Plate a portion of rice and then add the curry sauce. Top with the roasted asparagus and the cashew nuts. Sprinkle the chopped fresh coriander on the top to serve.