Easter Fruit Loaf

Pine nut, Sultana & Maple Tart

Place the maple syrup, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir to combine them. Add the butter, place the saucepan over med-high heat, and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl; add the sultanas & allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream, followed by the egg and egg yolk. 

Preheat the oven to 180 Degrees. 

Place the tart shell on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Distribute the pine nuts evenly over the bottom of the tart shell and pour the custard into the shell until it reaches the top of the crust. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until both the crust and the filling have turned light golden brown and the custard is set but still jiggly.  

Serve the tart while still slightly warm, or cool it and serve at room temperature. Leftovers will keep, wrapped in plastic, for a few days in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Bark Variations

Place the chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water. Cook until the chocolate is almost entirely melted, stirring frequently.

Cover a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to spread chocolate evenly over the centre area of the baking sheet—aim for about ¼″ thickness

Sprinkle the nuts, seeds & fruit evenly over the chocolate. Lightly use your palms to press the toppings into the chocolate.

Place the pan on a flat surface in the refrigerator to set.

Once the chocolate is completely hardened, use your hands to break it into about 25 pieces. Serve immediately, or cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Mini Easter Panettone

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolk and vanilla.

In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Pour in the warm milk, then add the egg mixture. Stir well to combine until a dough forms. Cover with cling film, sprayed with oil, and set aside to rest in a warm place for approx. 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Place 12 cardboard patty cases on a baking tray. Alternatively, place regular cases into a muffin tin. Set aside.

Stir in the butter, sultanas and mixed fruit. Mix until combined.

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and put into prepared cases.

Cover again and let rise for a further ½ hour.

Brush the tops with milk and bake for 25 mins or until cooked through and golden.

Cool on tray.

Meanwhile, make the icing.

In a small bowl, place the icing sugar and 1 tablespoon of water. Mix until a paste forms. Add small amounts of water until desired consistency. Add a few drops of food colouring to make a pale pink icing.

Drizzle over cooled cakes and sprinkle with dried rose petal leaves or your choice of sprinkles.

Strawberry Almond Slice

Banana Coconut Bread

Preheat oven to 150°C and line a loaf pan with baking paper.

1. Combine bananas, sultanas, vanilla, eggs, oil, cinnamon and baking powder in a food processer and process until combined.
2. Add coconut meal and chia seeds, and stir with a wooden spoon.
3. Pour into pan and sprinkle with flaked coconut. Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Carrot & Sultana Tray Bake