Summer Tips

So Summer is starting in Australia and we have had the hottest Spring in years, it is going to be a hot Summer. This is exciting but a bad thing for baking, so here are some tips for baking in the Summer.

1. Butter will soften much quicker than normal - this means that it may not be processed the way it should be and will completely change the outcome of the recipe.

2. Use the oven in the evening - houses keep the heat very well, the last thing you want to have on a 35 degree day is the oven on! Also baking in the evening means that your baked goods will also have time to cook down as the heat of the day isn't as bad.

3. Cookie dough has to go into the oven asap - the butter will start to melt very quickly and can start to separate in the cookie. This will change the texture of the cookies as well as them being a flatter cookie. You can even refrigerate the dough before putting it into the oven to help keep it firm. 

4. Yeast dough will rise A LOT quicker! 

For a typical Australian Summer bickie recipe that everyone love try these: Anzac Biscuits named after the ANZACS and their fighting in WWI <3

INGREDIENTS

125g butter, chopped coarsely
2 tablespoons golden syrup
¾ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon water
1 cup (90g) rolled oats
1 cup (90g) desiccated coconut
1 cup (150g) plain flour
¾ cup (165g) brown sugar

METHOD

Preheat oven to 160°C or 140°C fan-forced.

Combine butter and syrup in a small saucepan. Heat gently until butter and syrup melt.

Combine bicarbonate of soda and water in a small bowl and stir into butter mixture.

Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over warm butter mixture and stir well to combine.

Roll rounded teaspoons of mixture into balls. Place about 4 cm apart on baking paper lined baking trays and flatten slightly.

Bake in preheated oven 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes on baking trays; transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.