Chocolate Mud Cake

Chocolate Mud Cake topped with a marzipan rose

A classic chocolate mud cake recipe which is not too dense and sweet.  This recipe is easy to adapt to a gluten free mixture using a gluten free pre-mixed flour blend.  This has become my go to chocolate cake recipe and it can be used to make cute cupcakes or if the recipe is doubled it could become a large tray cake. Yum!

Happy Birthday to me

A shabby chic Happy Birthday to me

I made a disastrous attempt to make some chocolate mud cupcakes for my birthday.  Disastrous as in: they exploded in the oven kind of disaster.  Given that I’m nearly a fully graduated pastry chef I was shattered that I couldn’t seem to whip up a simple batch of cupcakes.  Having realised that I used the wrong recipe I breathed a sigh of relief, laughed at myself and decided to turn the novelty cake we were making in class into my birthday cake.

Chef Secrets - Interview with Rumble Chat

Rumble Chat is a great blog created by 2 foodies to help other foodies make the most of Social Media.  They understand Social Media, and they understand food.  I was delighted when they contacted me and asked to interview me for their blog. I have copied the interview below but they have heaps of recipes from some great chefs from around the world on their blog.

Interview with Rumble Chat 
Today we hear from Australia again (the first time was interview number 40, Bev Vahland). Julie is a trainee pastry chef who also blogs at Sweetgum Bakery (as you'll find out below, she's rather partial to chocolate!). Thanks for your time Julie, stay in touch, we'd like to know what you get up to once you graduate!

Aussie scrolls for ANZAC day (wheat free)

It's a cold and wintry day in the hills today.  Given the fact that its ANZAC day tomorrow I spent the afternoon making savoury Aussie scrolls.  Cheese and tomato scrolls are an Aussie staple so here is my version.

Tomato and cheese scroll

Vanilla anniversary biscuits

Paper is the gift given for a first wedding anniversary.  In keeping with tradition I bought my husband a writing set but I couldn't resist baking these cookies...they are supposed to be for a wedding but why not relive the happy memories on your anniversary day

vanilla biscuits pre-bake

Surprise Surprise

Cheers!

My in-laws are about to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  The kind of celebration that calls for a party, a surprise party in fact.  After several months of planning and cake deliberation my husband and I found ourselves greeting guests before the big reveal.  It was so difficult keeping the secret for over three months, I'm amazed that nobody gave it away, especially as we were expecting over 80 guests.

The spirit of Tasmania

My Husband and I had spent the latter part of 2011 planning our belated honeymoon to Tasmania. After our magnificent wedding in March we simply did not have the time to go away immediately and we waited until the end of the year for our holiday.

Tassie Devil

Little did I realise that one day I would be standing within walking distance of a Tasmanian Devil. The encounter above took place at at NatureWorld in Bicheno, Tasmania.

The old Oak tree at Bridestowe Estate

Bridestowe Estate is a hidden gem.  The fields of Lavender are hidden amongst the hills and the smell drifting across the the fields is incredible.  The cafe and the gift shop sell every possible combination of lavender scented products and goodies.  I sampled the lavender chocolate cake and helped myself to several of the lavender recipe cards to attempt upon my return to Melbourne.

Bridestowe Estate



Port Huon offered waterfront serenity, local fruit stalls and the most flavoursome dark purple cherries on offer in Tasmania with a flavour so deep they almost taste like they have been infused with vanilla.  I ate a LOT of cherries in Tasmania.

Port Huon waterfront vista

Nobody tells you about the mountainous trek to get the best view of Wine Glass bay.  Believe me, the effort is more than worth it.  My husband and I had a picnic on the beach and dipped our toes in the not so warm water.

Wine Glass Bay

Bicheno is a short drive from Freycinet national park and it offers a glimpse of the scenery to come along the east coast.  Unfortunately we didn't make it to the Bay of Fires, instead we headed west and stayed in Stanley.

Bicheno

Stanley proved to be the perfect spot to relax and wind down on the last few days of the trip.  We stayed in a magical cabin with its own mini lake outside, complete with its own pedal boat. We traversed The Nut on foot and braved the icy winds atop this old volcano plug.



Cray Pots in Hobart

Tasmania is renowned for its fresh produce and abundance of seafood and premium meat.  Two weeks allowed plenty of time to sample the delights in each area.  Rather than go into a detailed description of everything we ate, here is a list of my favourites:

• The Drunken Admiral restaurant in Hobart, for the Indian spiced blue eye fillet with lime juiced yogurt and the seared scallops served on a hot rock.
• Rosie's Gluten Free Cafe in Kettering.  Everything on the menu was an option for me which was delightful.  The seafood pie and my husbands burger were both delicious.  The dessert cabinet was packed with gf goodies.
• Kermandie Hotel in Huonville.  A pub with remarkable views across the river and valleys.  Tasty lamb salad and excellent salmon.
• Lark Distillery. Whilst we didn't eat here, it was a cosy spot to sample Tasmanian whisky and pepperberry vodka.

Tasmania, the apple isle, filled with adventure and devilishly good cherries...I will be returning!

The Tasmanian countryside is spectacular, it reminded me of Scotland and Ireland, rugged, green and mystical. We caught the ferry across from Melbourne to Launceston just in time to celebrate the New Year in Launceston.

Christmas in the heat and all things sweet...

What would Christmas be without the smell of baking circling around the kitchen and the giving of gifts to those you love?  Australia always seems to be a little at odds with itself at Christmas time. There are festive decorations in the cities, songs about snow, ice and mulled wine, but all the while the sun continues to blaze outside and scorch the streets and everyone is planning their summer holidays.  It has taken me almost 6 years to adjust to Christmas in the heat, I’m not entirely sure that I ever will, but that doesn’t mean that I have to miss out on the smells and joy of Christmas baking.  A lot of Australians spend Christmas day having roast dinners at home with family and friends; even if the temperature reaches over 30C.  What can I say; those European first settlers’s traditions persist!  My Mother in Law is German and she is an expert at making ‘Gutzi’s, so much so, that she has included a selection of wheat free biscuits especially for me at Christmas time. I’m a lucky lady. 

Easter Tea Ring...five months early

A very early easter tea ring

Christmas is almost upon us but today in a break with festive tradition I made an Easter Tea Ring.  The seasons in Melbourne are somewhat out of sorts and the torrential downpour outside of the kitchen today only heightened my desire to be inside baking.  I cant believe I only have one more week left in the term before the long Christmas break over December and January.  I'm so excited to be going on holiday (our belated honeymoon to Tasmania) with David straight after Christmas but I will miss my weekly baking sessions at college.

ich mag Kuchen



A traditional German Gugelhopf

A Gugelhopf is a traditional German sweet yeast cake filled with sultanas.  I have to be honest and admit to only ever having tried the chocolate Gugelhopf from several of the bakeries in Acland Street, St Kilda.  The chocolate Gugelhopf is certainly the perfect treat but I never realised the effort required to make a yeast based cake until we made the Gugelhopf in class.

Chelsea Buns

Currant and fruit peel yumminess

My Saturday class today turned into a comedy of errors, firstly our teacher was away and our replacement teacher was unfamiliar with the products we were making so our lesson went over time by three hours.  Three extra hours in the kitchen would usually be music to my ears but everything seemed to be going wrong, for everyone, not just me.  After a few hours or attempting to make danishes, rolling the dough and resting it, then rolling it again whilst also trying to make a Kugelhof and a set of Chelsea buns we had all but given up.  The Danishes burnt and the Gugelhopf took an age to proof.  Then, the Chelsea buns came out of the oven...success. 

Kamut Flour Cheese & Chive Scones (wheat free)

Happy Melbourne Cup Day everyone!
Melbourne has a public holiday every year for the Melbourne Cup horse race which is held at Flemington race course.  I attended the Caulfield races a few years ago and relished the opportunity to wear a lovely dress and have some bubbles by the racing track.  This year we decided to spend the day at home and relax, which gave me the inclination to make these Kamut Flour Cheese & Chive scones.


A fitting breakfast for Melbourne Cup

Honey Cake (wheat free)

I found myself at a loss this weekend with a completely free day on Saturday, my patisserie course was cancelled for the day...what to do....well I decided to pamper myself and have a facial and then bake some wheat free honey cake. 



This recipe is also dairy free but requires lots of vegetable oil instead of butter.  Honey cake originates from Israel and is traditionally served on the Sabbath and at festivals, especially at the beginning of the new year when it is served in the hope of make the year ahead even sweeter.

LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD NOMINATION FOR SWEETGUM BAKERY

Today I am very flattered and delighted to have been nominated for a Liebster Blog Award by Prince Productions from her Around the World in Eighty Bakes blog! Blogging has only become a very recent hobby of mine and I love the fact that I can write about baking so much and share and read lots of recipes and ideas with other bloggers.  I am always thrilled when I get comments on my blog, so I was very surprised when I opened a comment from one of my favourite bloggers to reveal that they nominated me for an award! Thank you so much to Prince Productions who nominated me for the award!  The Around the World in Eighty Bakes blog is such a brilliant idea and I love reading all of Lauren's different recipes and being able to see how each attempt turns out!

Dough delightful!

Look at the goodies I brought home on Saturday from college….brioche….hot cross buns….Challah bread and wait for it…..cinnamon sugar dusted doughnuts!
 

A baked goods bounty

Citrus scented brownies (wheat free)

We had guests staying this weekend, so I thought to myself, what more of a reason do I need to make a batch of brownies? I deviated from my usual brownie recipe and tried a version of the Jaime Oliver recipe from his 30 Minute Meals cookbook.  David bought me the cookbook for christmas last year and I have worked my way through many of the savory dishes but this is my first attempt at anything sweet from the book.




A delicious bite sized piece of brownie

An irish shindig with a few cupcakes for good measure

David and I arrived home from Sydney yesterday afternoon after a delightfully warm and indulgent trip.  The reality of work is with me in my lacklustre office on this chilly Monday morning hurry up summertime but my memories of the glorious engagement party we attended on Saturday are getting me through the day. 

We flew to Sydney on Thursday and grabbed a quick bite in Chinatown before heading over to several spots around Sydney to catch up with family.  David and I headed to Manly on the ferry on Friday; it was a perfectly lazy day which started off at the Guylian Belgian Chocolate café right beside the Sydney Opera House.  Check out my JUG of praline hot chocolate.  My first experience of praline hot chocolate certainly hit the mark. Ten out of ten Guylian – I’ll be back for more.

The JUG of Praline Hot Chocolate

Crusty Bread Rolls

Bread. How amazing is bread? A simple combination of flour, water, yeast and salt and voila…you have a loaf in your hands.  At the patisserie course on Saturday my hands got stuck into making these….



Leave the bread to rise



Freshly baked bread

Jaffa Choc cupcakes with Jaffa buttercream

These little Jaffa delights turned out brilliantly. Ta da!




Jaffa Choccie Goodness

Oat cookies and track pants

This week has seen an incredible effort on my part to go to the gym everyday. I’m proud (if somewhat knackered). My gym efforts are to work off the delicious desserts and good I have been savouring at my pastry chef course on a Saturday. I’ve been working out so hard my track pants have a small hole in the leg (don’t know how it happened) so that means tonight I will be gym clothes shopping.


D & I are museli bar fanatics but our cupboards were museli bar bare so I resorted to an old oat cookie recipe which I hadn’t made in ages. I was itching to bake – you know how it is. The cookies have just enough flour (gf flour) to hold them together whilst they bake. I will endeavour to make another batch, simply so I can take some pictures.