Easy Classic Trifle

Everyone probably has their own 'family recipe' for the classic trifle! However, my family doesn't! My husband loooves trifle, this is my take on the classic trifle!

 

 

I used a 6 in 1 cake stand from Kmart which has a huuuuuge capacity!  http://www.kmart.com.au/product/6-function-cake-stand/708323

 

This is a hit everytime I make it and there are never any leftovers! I find it not too sweet and quite light compared to some trifle's I have tasted. I use orange juice so it is kid friendly, but you could use Cointreau or any other type of liquor if you want for an 'adult' friendly dessert!

 

EASY CLASSIC TRIFLE

 

Serves 12 - 16

 

Ingredients:

 

2 x packets Jam Rollettes (cut in half) 

1 x 820g tin Fruit Salad in Juice 

1/2 cup fresh orange juice (kid friendly) or Cointreau  

2 x pre-made Aeroplane Jelly as per instructions (I use red and green, but you could use any colour/flavour)

1 x batch thick vanilla custard (http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/desserts-sweets-recipes/thick-vanilla-custard-thermomumma/282103 with 60g sugar) or if you don't have a thermomix, you can buy the pre-made chilled custard or make custard from Custard Powder

1 x 600ml thickened cream (Speed 3 with butterfly until whipped and fluffy)

1 x punnet raspberries

1 x punnet blueberries

Approx. 100gm flaked almonds

 

 

Method:

 

**Pre-prepare a few hours/overnight beforehand - 2 x jelly as per instructions on packet, and custard to leave chilling in fridge.

 

**Pre-prepare just before assembly - whip thickened cream

 

1. Cut the Jam Rollettes in half and place at the bottom of the glass bowl.

 

 

 2. Pour the tinned fruit salad with juice over the jam rollettes and spread evenly.

 

 

 3. Pour orange juice evenly over the mixture.

 

 

4. Mush up 1 colour of the pre-prepared jelly with a fork, and spread an even layer in bowl.

 

 

 

5. Spread an even layer of custard in bowl.

 

  

6. Mush up the other colour of the pre-prepared jelly with a fork, and spread an even layer in bowl.

 

 

 

7. Spread whipped cream evenly over the mixture, and top evenly with raspberries, blueberries and flaked almonds.

You can serve immediately after assembly, but this is best served after a few hours/the day after so that all the layers sit and 'marinade' together - so this is great to bring to a party or to whip up beforehand for a dinner party.

 

I place the fruit evenly so that when serving, each scoop will get an even amount of fruit. I also add the flaked almonds on top for some crunch.

 

 

 

 

Coconut Rough Fudge

Yep, I'm going through a zillion fudge recipes! They are just so easy to make and great to take in for office treats!! This was my contribution to an office farewell afternoon tea :) 

 

 

Coconut Rough Fudge

 

This is a much stickier/fudgey fudge and best served right out of the fridge, so if you're going to make fudge for Christmas gifts, I wouldn't make this as it is to melty (I would make a fudge recipe cooked with glucose which holds it together more), however it is great to bring to a party for your dessert contribution, and this was a massive hit in the office, with lots of people go in for several pieces after they had the first one! 

 

And, this has only 3 ingredients!!! Milk Chocolate + Condensed Milk + Shredded Coconut!

 

Coconut Rough Fudge Recipe:

 

http://thermobliss.com/easy-coconut-rough-fudge/

 

 

Add milk chocolate and condensed milk

 

 

Melt 10 minutes/100 degrees/Speed 3

 

Add coconut

 

 

Recipe says to mix on reverse, however it didn't work so I just mixed it through with a spatula - easy enough!

 

 

Pour into square silicon baking pan

 

 

Sprinkle with shredded coconut and refrigerate overnight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reindeer Cupcakes

These reindeer cupcakes are so cute and easy to make for the kids, or for  an activity for kids in the kitchen!



 

 

12 reindeer including Rudolph with his red nose!

 

 

What you need:

 

• Chocolate cupcakes (x 12) - base
• Chocolate buttercream icing - face background
• Vanilla buttercream icing - eyes background
• Mini pretzels (x 24) - horns
• White Chocolate melts (x 12) - mouth background
• Mini M & M's (11 x brown ones, 1 x red one for Rudolph) - noses
• Chocolate Chips (x 24) - eyes
• Melted chocolate - melt a handful of chocolate chips in a ziplock bag placed in the microwave in 20 second intervals on high, squishing the chocolate together between your fingers in between microwaving, until all melted, then cut a small hole in the corner and pipe the mouth





Assemble to look as the photo above and enjoy!!

 

This can be made with any cupcake and buttercream icing recipe or packet mix (kids will probably pick off the top chocolate bits and give their parents the rest to finish!). If you're short on time in the past I have also used Betty Crocker's ready to go frosting available from the baking section in the supermarket :)

 

 

Christmas Cupcake Wreath

This is a very simple and easy Christmas dessert or edible centrepiece idea! I was running short of time and just used Aldi's Vanilla Cake packet mix and spooned them into normal and mini sized muffin patties (this was non Thermomix days!).

 

 

I then made buttercream with a few drops of green food colouring and piped them onto the cupcakes with a star shaped frosting tip (I used the plastic ones that you can get in a kit in the baking section at Coles/Woolies). I topped the cupcakes off with Holly shaped sprinkles available around this time of year, however you can top it off with any type of sprinkles, edible glitter, grated chocolate, festive lollies, chocolates etc.

 

The decorating part of this is to place the muffins in the round shape of a wreath on a large round platter, and add a decorative festive ribbon at the bottom :)

 

If you have to travel with this dessert, I would bring the cupcakes un-iced in a plastic container, and pre make the buttercream icing, placing it straight into your icing bag, or ziplock bag, then assemble and ice the cupcakes at the party when you get there!

 

I recommend Wilton's Buttercream Icing recipe (non Thermomix and Thermomix methods) for these cupcakes as they hold up really well being displayed on hot summer days:

 

http://thermotwinning.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/wiltons-buttercream-icing.html

 

 

 



 

 

Choc Mint Slice

I love mint slice biscuits and have come across this recipe before, but I waited to make it for the office since it's such a huuuuuge amount! 

 

Choc Mint Slice 

Choc Mint Slice Recipe (Thermomix and Non Thermomix Methods!):

 



 http://www.themotherhubbardscupboard.com/chocolate-peppermint-slice/

 

There are 3 layers - a base layer which is a spongey chocolate cake type layer which needs to be baked, then an oozy peppermint layer, and a chocolate top layer. It is best served and eaten right out of the fridge and is really refreshing on a summer's day. I left it at room temperature in the office and the peppermint middle section melted really quickly and oozed out, so had to quickly put it back in the fridge to firm up again!

 

The recipe suggests 2 - 4 teaspoons peppermint essence. I used 4 as I wanted it to be a strong and obvious peppermint taste, and I thought it was a perfect amount, similar to the mintiness from a mint slice!

 

I don't have a huge slice tin as I usually use square silicon baking tins for my slices, so I used my Scanpan non stick roasting tray with baking paper.

 

 

Chocolate sponge batter base ready to bake

 

 

Chocolate sponge base out of the oven

 

 

Peppermint layer poured over the base and left to cool

 

 

Chocolate top layer poured on and left to cool at room temp, then placed in the fridge to chill

 

 

Once set in the fridge, I cut the sides off to create a sharp edge so that all of the pieces would be even in shape. I cut 40 large pieces (10 x 4) with offcuts to snack on ;)

 This is a great summery refreshing snack or dessert, or to bring to a party (just needs to be kept in the fridge until serving!)

 

Christmas Icecream Cake

This is a super easy Christmas dessert on a hot summers day which can be made way beforehand and kept in the freezer until serving.

 



 

Christmas Icecream Cake

 

Ice Cream Crunch Cake Recipe:

 

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/18492/easy+ice+cream+crunch+cake

 

The apple and strawberry liquorice in this looks really festive and it is a perfect dessert for an Aussie summer Christmas!

 

I used a round silicon mould from Ikea - http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/80256624/ (the larger size).

 

On Christmas Day, once it was dessert time, I popped the icecream cake upside down onto the serving platter. I then drizzled with chocolate and white chocolate Icecream Magic. I had premade fondant holly leaves with pre-bought green fondant and a holly leaf cookie cutter. I also found some fresh cranberries sold at Woolies to top it off with flaked almonds and silver cachous!

SOOO EASYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

 

This is my 'go to' icecream cake, having made it for my SIL's birthday cake too:

 

http://thermotwinning.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/ice-cream-crunch-cake.html

 

It's an interesting mix of ingredients by itself, yet it is also simple enough in flavour to accompany other desserts!

Cheat's Gingerbread House

I made this a few years ago, and it is sooooooooooooo easy!

 

 

Gingerbread House

 

I used Ikea's $4.50 Gingerbread House Kit: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/90218783/

 

And decorated with homemade Royal Icing using this recipe:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/27676/royal+icing

 

I first spread royal icing on the base of a tray to form a 'snow' looking ground. I then used a piping bag and a small round piping nozzle to assemble the gingerbread house and pipe the patterns.

 

Whilst the icing was still wet, I decorated with silver cachous and Fruit Fizzers (you can get these at Coles/Woolies and they look like this https://www.google.com.au/search?q=fruit+fizzers&biw=1366&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIhI689PyVyQIVYTSmCh2kOQD2&dpr=1

 

I also used Tiny Teddies at the front of the house, and green holly leaf sprinkles (you can find them around this time of year) to assemble a little tree.

 

This is soo easy and is so much fun to smash when it comes to dessert time! This is also great for an edible table centrepiece or as a homemade gift!

 

My kids are too young to help out making one, but if you have older kids, this is a great Christmas activity!

 

Jelly Slice

This is the first time I've ever tasted or tried making this before! I made it in the afternoon before having it for dessert last night, however I think it needed more setting as the jelly slid off the top if I placed it on a part of the plate which was at a bit of an angle (serve it on a super flat plate, especially on a hot summers day!) The recipe says to set it for 6 - 8 hours, I only set it for about 2 hours, so next time I will have to be organised, make this earlier to let it set longer!

 

 

Jelly Slice

 

TRTLMT Jelly Slice Recipe:

 

http://www.trtlmt.com.au/jelly-slice/

 

It's really simple to make, and very refreshing for a summer dessert!

 

 

Make jelly as per packet instructions then place in fridge to cool. I used Raspberry flavoured Aeroplane Jelly

 

 

Add sweet biscuits and butter to make the base

 

 

I used Aldi Arrowroot biscuits (99c!)

 

 

Spread into a square baking pan

 

 

I use a metal spoon to smooth it out - it gives a super smooth finish!

 

 

Mix gelatine with boiling water

 

 

Mix with condensed milk and lemon juice (I omitted the lemon rind as I didn't feel like it being too lemony!) Leave to set in fridge for about an hour.

 

 

Pour cooled jelly mixture on the top and leave in fridge to set for a few hours.

 

 

 

Goats Milk Liquid Soap

My brother just gave me some soap he made including some lovely goats milk soap. So I thought I would turn it into liquid soap to fill up my new soap pumps!

 

 

Goats Milk Liquid Soap

 

All you need is any 120 grams soap bar and 8 cups of water! It can be a creamy/clear cheap/expensive bar, and it all should work the same! You can add extra colouring or fragrance, but I left it pure so I could use it for the boys' sensitive skin!

 

Liquid Hand Wash Recipe:

 

http://www.trtlmt.com.au/simple-liquid-hand-soap/

 

 

120 grams soap

 

 

Cut into cubes

 

 

I blitzed for 20 seconds from working from Speed 5 --> 8

 

 

I melted at 90 degrees/Speed 3 in 2 minute increments plus added approx. 100mls water - took about 10 minutes total for the soap to be all melted

 

 

Added 8 cups water through the MC hole slowly and mixed 2 minutes/80 degrees/Speed 2

 

 

Pour into a large bowl to cool and thicken

 

 

The froth disappears after a few hours. Stir every hour (or when you remember and walk past it!)

 

 

It took over 24 hours for mine to thicken. Before the boys morning nap (the day after I made it) it was still very liquid, then after their nap 2 hours later it had magically thickened (has a kind of 'snotty' texture)

 

 

Goats Milk Liquid Soap!

 

 

Made enough liquid soap to fill up 4 pump bottles with lots to spare which I will probably use for body wash too!

 

 

Salted Caramel Fudge

Sadly, I am at the end of my maternity leave, and starting work tomorrow :'(

I got my Thermomix halfway through my maternity leave, so of course, I just have to make some Thermomix goodies for my first day back at work!!

 

This is something I would have never attempted pre-Thermomix days, with all the exact temperatures. I have made this a few times now and ahhh so amazing!!! I have eaten fudge from simpler recipes which are generally just heated up condensed milk and chocolate. This is a tad more complicated with more ingredients and temperature settings, which makes it have a texture between salted caramels, and fudge - so it is more of a chewy fudge and not so 'powdery' tasting as some types of fudge.

 

 

Salted Caramel Fudge

 

Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe:

 

http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/baking-sweet-recipes/salted-caramel-fudge/163022

 

Add butter, condensed milk, golden syrup, glucose syrup and brown sugar

Mix 5 minutes/50 degrees/Speed 1, then mix 5 minutes/70 degrees/Speed 1

 

 

Condensation forming after heating up on Varoma temperature in Step 4

 

 

Wipe off condensation from the inner sides of bowl

 

 

Wipe off condensation from lid

 

 

Add white chocolate pieces and mix 2 minutes/Speed 2

 

 

Pour caramel mixture into square silicon pan

 

 

Sprinkle with salt flakes and place in fridge to set

 

 

Once chilled, cut into small pieces, I cut it into 8 x 8 squares

 

 

= 64 delicious salted caramel fudge pieces!!