I love cooking for others, especially if it's brunch time. Every Christmas for the past ten years or so, I've helped my Mum set the table and cook up a big morning feast for our family. The tradition has since spread to our special days of the year and Easter is no different. Here's the menu I came up with for this year's brunch: (serves 5)

Toasted Hot Cross Buns & croissants

Baked potato and Parmesan hash 

Breakfast sausages

Crispy bacon

Turmeric pancakes

+mascapone & raspberries 

Scrambled eggs

Mashed avocado

It looks like quite a lot of food, but it didn't take me all that much effort to put together. The key to a successful brunch is always timing and cooking everything in the right order. While the hash browns and sausages baked in the oven, I made the pancake mix in my Nutri-Bullet and got them frying. At the same time I whisked my eggs to set aside for last and mashed the avocado. Once my pancakes were done and the pan was still hot, I cooked up the bacon and sliced the buns and croissants. I got a separate pan going for the eggs, and lastly swapped out the oven items for the buns to toast up. Easy!

I think it's safe to say that my mother taught me well and I have been converted into a domestic queen at some point in those ten years. If you ever wanted to host a meal for friends and family, brunch is the best time to get some practice. Even having a waffle party with some of your besties would be a great way to spend a Saturday/Sunday morning. It can even be fun cooking together and there's less pressure than a traditional dinner party. And most importantly, it's a way of showing people that you care.

Let me know how your Easter was and what your favorite part was :)
Steph x. 

Easter Traditions To Start In 2017

Oh, how I love Easter time! (and not just for the chocolate!)
It always means family time and relaxing for the long weekend. We get to sleep in on Sunday then get up to toasted hot cross buns then nibble on our Easter eggs for the rest of the day. I know it's a holiday that means different things to different people, but it's always a time to enjoy good company and treat yourself a little.

I always see the loveliest decorations and baking ideas in magazines/on Pinterest that makes me feel inspired. It puts me in the Easter spirit and for the past few years I've tried to think of new traditions I can make for our family. I thought I'd make a list of small ways to do this and share them with you!

Bake a themed cake 

I've seen so many amazing cakes covered in speckles or topped with Cadbury Mini Eggs. The pastel cupcakes look adorable too. Truth is, most of the recipes are actually pretty easy to put together. Easter is a great time to practice your baking skills and maybe even show off to your work mates. If you're having an Easter meal with your family, a themed cake would be such a lovely way to surprise them.

Try making your own hot cross buns

I know the store-bought ones are easy to pick up, but can you imagine how amazing your kitchen would smell with a batch of freshly baked buns? Yum! They would also be better for you too, with less preservatives and you can even add whatever fruit (or chocolate) you like. There's easy-to-make recipes online and even the gluten-free options means that no one misses out, no matter your dietary needs. Give it a try! You could even get the whole family in on it.

Throw a brunch party

I have to admit, this is something I plan on making a tradition this year for sure. I usually only cook a big family brunch at Christmas time, so why not do it for other holidays too? You can get as creative as you like with the menu, chocolate chip pancakes, french toast, or just mountains of avocado on toast. Make it as healthy (or not) as you like, just make sure to invite loved ones around to share it with and have a good time.

Get outside with your family 

Something non-food related (although you could always bring a picnic!) Even though Autumn is upon us now in New Zealand, I know for a lot of lucky people it's now Spring time. With a new season bringing more sunshine, it's the perfect time to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. You could go walking with you dogs, pretend to be kids at a park, find a walking trail, or even stage an outside Easter egg hunt!

I hope everyone has a lovely Easter weekend!
What traditions do you and your family have? Or any you would like to start?
Steph x.

Easy Easter Cupcakes!

Now I know I'm usually a total health freak, but I am human so I do indulge in a treat now and then. It's not exactly something you can avoid at Easter time and I was really in the mood to do some baking for my family. These are really simple and fun to make, perfect for chilling over the long weekend!

I haven't made cupcakes in a while and was starting to really crave them. I've used this recipe for Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes so many times because it's the best I've ever found. The credit goes to Glory for spending so long experimenting to find the right mix so the rest of us don't have too (bless her!) Her blog is full of amazing treats if you want to go have a look, although it always gives me the biggest sugar craving!

For 15-16 cupcakes, you will need: 

1 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup oil (vegetable, canola or extra light olive oil)
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice- add acid to the milk then set aside for 5 minutes before using)

Here's what to do: 

Preheat your oven to 175*C

Line muffin tins with paper cases. 

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together with a whisk and set aside.

In another bowl with an electric mixer, beat the eggs for 10-20 seconds. Add the sugar and continue beating for 30 seconds. Add the vanilla and oil, beat again.

Reduce mixer to a lower speed, slowly add half of the flour mixture. Add half of the buttermilk, then the rest of the flour, and then the other half of the milk. Beat until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and combine any remaining mix. The batter will be thin.

Pour the mix into the prepared muffin tins and fill them 2/3 full.

Bake for 12-14 minutes

Cool for 2 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

Make sure to wait until your cupcakes have completely cooled before icing them!

Now comes the fun part of making these puppies look cute.

I used the American buttercream icing recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, Tea with Bea. I've used it again and again to get the perfect icing for whatever I'm making. I actually only made half of the mixture since it's set for 24 cupcakes.


175g butter, cut into cubes and softened
3 and 1/2 cups icing sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, makes the mixture whiter!)

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy. Stir in the milk, vanilla, and lemon.

Spoon into a piping bag and cut off the corner. Pipe the icing in a spiral on top of the cupcakes.

For the toppings, I crumbled some Cadbury Flake on top and then placed a couple of mini-eggs in the middle.

And you're done!

 How cute are these? I love how they turned out and my family were really impressed too. You could easily do a chocolate version of this instead of the vanilla if you wanted an extra fix this weekend.

I hope you all have a great Easter holiday!

What Easter treats are your favorite?
Steph x.