Lemon Bars

These lemon bars are the perfect treat! Not too sweet, with a zesty tang and a buttery shortbread base. Did I mention it only uses 4 ingredients! You can use fresh lemons and add some zest or just use lemon juice, either way is delicious.

Ingredients:
Base
2 cups of cake flour
½ cup of sugar
1 cup of cold butter/margarine cut into cubes

Topping
1½ cups sugar
¼ cup flour
¾ cup lemon juice
4 eggs
lemon zest (optional)

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180°
• Place all the base ingredients in a food processor or mixer and mix until a dough forms.
• Line a tray with baking paper and grease the sides.
• Spread the dough out over the tray (I find fingers work best)
• Poke with a fork and bake for 25-30 minutes (until it's golden)

• While the base bakes put all the topping ingredients in a bowl and beat until the sugar dissolves
• Leave the mixture for 10 minutes and then beat again
• Once your base is ready, pour on the topping and bake it for another 25-30 minutes until it is just browning on the sides.

These bars need about 20 minutes to cool before cutting. Do yourself a favour though, have a piece while it's still warm, you will be in heaven!

Keep it cooking,

Kelly

Ruskies (savoury rusks)

This is a family recipe and one of my favourites! I don't know where this recipe comes from but my gran made it and my mom made it for me and now I make it for my daughter. (well I make it for me too!) Just a warning, these are addictive so you may want to stock up for a second batch. A tin of these crunchy, savoury rusks never lasts very long in my house!

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of thick sliced white bread
• 2 Tbl margerine
• 2 Tbl Bovril or Marmite (whichever you prefer, I always use Bovril) 

 Directions:

• Preheat oven to 100°
• Mix the margerine and Bovril together (soften the margerine a bit if needed)
• Set out the slices of bread and generously spread both sides with the margerine mixture
• Cut off the crusts (I don't know if this is 100% necessary but we have always just done this!)
• Then cut each slice into three 'soldiers'
• Place the slices on a baking tray. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn and bake another 45 minutes.
• Take them out and let them cool. They should be hard and crunchy.

Enjoy these with a cup of coffee or on their own. They also make a nice grab and go snack for you or your kids!

Keep it cooking,
Kelly

Ruskies (savoury rusks

6 Minute Microwave Caramels

These super chewy caramels will have you feeling like a kid again! Not only is this recipe quick and easy but it also has a delicious sweet and salty adult spin. They are a great after dinner treat and will really impress your guests. They also make a super easy gift if you wrap each one in baking paper and bottle them in a nice jar. So here it goes...

Ingredients:

•  ½ cup brown sugar
•  ½ cup white sugar
•  ½ cup condensed milk
•  ½ cup syrup
•  ¼ cup butter/margerine
•  a good pinch of sea salt flakes

Directions:

• Measure all ingredients into a microwave proof bowl
• Microwave for 6 minutes, storing every 2 minutes
• Pour into a rectangular bowl lined with baking paper so it's about 5mm thick
• Sprinkle the sea salt over the caramel
• Put it in the fridge to set. About half an hour in, take a knife and score it if you want equal pieces or leave it and break into shards when it is set

Be prepared to have lockjaw eating these, but it is so worth it! (Good to keep handy when you need some piece and quiet!)

Keep it cooking,
Kelly

Quick Mix Banana Bread

There is nothing better on a Winters Day than a slice of warm banana bread laden with butter...mmmmm! This banana bread takes 5 minutes to whip up and because it uses oil, it is not only easier to mix but is also very moist and soft. This is a great idea for lunchboxes if you have kids and can also be made with nutty wheat flour for a healthy twist. Or you could keep it for yourself and enjoy with a nice cup of coffee!

Ingredients:

• 3 medium or 2 large ripe bananas (easier to smoosh)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup oil
• 3/4 cup white or brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups plain or nutty wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp bicarb
• 1 tsp cinnamon (more if you a big fan)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 180ͦ
• Mash bananas in a bowl
• Add oil, egg and sugar and mix
• Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir until just incorporated
• Pour into a buttered and floured bread tin
• Bake for 50-55 minutes until a tester comes out clean
• Enjoy it while it's still warm with a nice cup of coffee!