Sweet New Zealand - November 2012

You might think The Hobbit is the only game in town in little old New Zealand this month, but you'd be wrong. Very wrong. The sensible among us have been hiding out until it all goes away, while the very sensible have been baking up a storm (you've got to have something to do while steadfastly ignoring breathless and blanket coverage of just. one. movie, don't you?).

Here's the Sweet New Zealand roundup for November.

First out of the gate was Frances of Bake Club, who set a high standard with these dazzling Rainbow Cupcakes. Aren't they fab?

Next came Zo at Two Spoons - a very elegant blog, I must say - with this Rhubarb and Coconut Cake.

If you've ever wondered how to make clotted cream, lovely Lesley of Eat,Etc, has the answer. I won't give the game away completely but it involves a slow cooker. Genius.

And if you've ever wondered how to make an equally lush but non-dairy treat, Lissa at My Kitchen Rebellion has the answer to that: it's Vegan Dark Chocolate Velvet Pie. Lissa also has lots of good advice on adopting a plant-based diet, should you be that way inclined.

Even if you don't like the sound of Orange Mango French Toast with Honey Roasted Strawberry Compote, you need to check out the very cute strawberry crockery on Sue's post at Couscous and Consciousness. The strawberry jug is particularly adorable (and the French toast looks great too!)

Brave Monica of Delissimon made her Sweet New Zealand debut with these Rose with French Vanilla Cupcakes - welcome, Monica, do come again (and bring more cupcakes).

Should you be reaching a bit of a sugar low by now, one of these high-protein, low-sugar, gluten-free Hazelnut and Orange Cookies, made by Nicola at I Cook Family. Nicola is a chef and nutrition consultant and her blog has lots of good, useful info, especially if you're feeding little people.

Speaking of little people, marvellous Michelle, aka Mummy to three boys and one of the Munch crowd, found the time to whip up these Double Chocolate and Raisin Biscuits. I don't know how she does it, but I'm glad she did.

It's been years since I ate a Moro bar, but Anita's incredible Moro Gold Max Caramel Cupcakes (try saying that quickly) make me want to dash to the shops. I'd probably need to run to the shops in Taupo (ie, nearly 400km away) to burn them all off afterwards, but I reckon it'd be worth it. There are lots of similarly tempting things on Anita's blog, On To The Plate. Read it at your own peril.

The ever-glamorous Mairi at Toast belongs to a supper club and her Sweet NZ entry this month - Passionfruit Mousse - comes from one of her recent soirees. Darling, it's gorgeous.

Bridget of After Taste is a woman after my own heart - in her Sweet NZ post this month she declares you can never have too many lemons. Here's her latest lemony creation - Lemon Cornflake Slice.

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas over at Pease Pudding, where Alli has been baking Spelt and Rye Spiced Biscuits. I could really go for one of these right now, couldn't you? And would you mind putting the kettle on too?

The last word goes to the unstoppable Alessandra Zecchini, founder of Sweet New Zealand, who has gone all-out this month with no less than FOUR entries from her blogs. Yes, that's blogs, plural.
Here's the Fig Cupcakes from her Only Recipes blog...

Next up, Marinated Strawberries with Greek Yoghurt and Dried Lychees from what I think of as her main blog, Alessandra Zecchini.

Then there are the Pineapple Agar Agar Jellies from her vegan blog...

She also got her talented daughter in on the act, with this video showing how to make sugar roses. Amazing!

That's all from Sweet New Zealand this month. Have a great weekend everyone x