News, Events, Inspiration & Recipes

 RSS Feed

Category: Everyday Recipes & Ingredients

  1. Easy Recipe for Melting Moments

    Posted on

    May 2020

    It’s quite true that at the moment we are all have a tendency to mope round the kitchen looking for something to snack on.  This weekend we had a tragedy of biblical proportions when there were actually no sweet treats in my house!

    Whilst excavating the cupboards, I found a half-eaten packet of cornflakes and I was transported back to my University days when I used to make ‘Melting Moments’.  I had some recollection that I had kept the typed out recipe in the laughably titled (but very good) All Colour Hamlyn Cook Book!

    Finding it on my bookcase with 80 odd other cook books, I flicked through the pages to find the recipe, a little dog eared, but safe and sound (not bad after 20 odd years!). 

    It’s such an easy recipe, I thought I would share.

     

    COSY KITCHEN (2)

     

    What are melting moments?

    Melting Moments are delicious biscuits (cookies) that just melt in the mouth.  Perfect with a cuppa in the afternoon or a sweet treat whenever you need one.  They are simple to make and just addictive!

     

    Things that will make them even easier to make…

    • Soft butter is best - it makes creaming the butter and sugar together so much easier, so remember to get the butter out of the fridge a couple of hours before you make them.

    Size of Melting Moments

    • Small is beautiful - Don’t be tempted to make the balls of dough too big – they spread in the oven – you want delicate little biscuits…I do remember making them too big once and it was just one big melting moment! See my top tip below for making them of equal size
    • Don’t overdo it! – Melting Moments go from done to dark very quickly, check them after 10 minutes in the oven; you are after a nice golden brown colour.

     

    3 MORE TOP TIPS!

    • ONE:  Separating your egg:  I learned this method at school.  I don’t generally use it these days, but it is a fail-safe method.

    COSY KITCHEN (3)

    • You will need:  a small plate, a small bowl, an egg cup and a blunt knife
    • Crack your egg onto a plate using the knife
    • Place the egg cup over the yolk
    • Whilst holding the egg cup in place, pour the white away into the bowl
    • Remove the egg cup from the yolk – one separated egg!

     

    • TWO:  The right size.  I get bored easily, so I’m all about anything that makes life easier.   I find that if you divide your dough into two, roll each into a sausage shape, and cut each one into 12, it’s much easier (and quicker) to get the portion size right.

    Easy biscuit recipe rolling in cornflakes

     

    • THREE:  Coating in cornflakes:  if the cornflakes are refusing to stick then squeeze them in and re roll into a ball before placing on the baking sheet.

     

    Melting Moments Original Recipe from 1990s

    The full recipe for Melting Moments

    Makes 24

    INGREDIENTS

    4 oz (115g) soft butter – I used salted butter

    3oz (85g) caster sugar

    1 egg yolk

    ½ tsp vanilla extract

    5oz (145g) self  raising flour

    Handful of crushed cornflakes

    METHOD

    • Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees/170 fan/gas mark 5.
    • Grease two baking sheets
    • Cream the butter and sugar together until pale. 
    • Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla
    • Stir in flour and bring together with your hands to form a smooth dough. 
    • Divide the mixture into 24 portions.
    • Roll in the crushed cornflakes.
    • Place on the baking sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown, checking after 10 minutes.
    • Cool on the baking sheets to firm up, then place on a place on a rack to cool completely
    • Will keep in a tin for a few days (if they last that long!)

    I really hope that you enjoy making these and would appreciate any comments you have.

    Note:  I have been unable to credit this recipe as I really don’t know where I got it from…whoever it belongs to, thank you!

     

    Cosy Kitchen Oat Cookies

    If you fancy some cookies but would like me to make them for you , then please browse my Baked to Order range.  I will bake, pack and deliver them to you either in person if you are local or post them off to you if you are further afield (UK Mainland only).

    Shown:  Sweet, fruity and moreish Fruity Oat Cookies.

    Thank you for reading...I do hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane.

    Anne x

  2. The Good Life!

    Posted on

    I was really excited that my hastily written article I wrote back in July 2017 (just before I went on holiday for a week) was included in the Autumn / Winter Edition of 'The Good Life' Magazine from Wares of Knutsford.  This freebie magazine goes out to all its customers is packed full of tips and recipes for all things 'preserves'.

    My article contains a brief description of how I started preserving and my Mum's recipe for Westfield Chutney, which as a favourite of my lovely Nan's...very fond memories there.

    Unfortunately, the whole recipe wasn't published due to a printing error, (whoops!) so I thought I would re-publish the whole article and the recipe here for anyone who wanted it.

    I am extremely grateful to Wares of Knutsford for publishing my article and for providing such a great service when I am buying preserving supplies.

    20181001_155218_resized_1

    As promised, here is the full recipe and the editorial.

    This recipe for 'Westfield Chutney' was a favourite of my Nan's and my Mum used to make this for her at Christmas.

    • 1lb tomatoes
    • 1lb onions
    • 1lb apples
    • 1lb prunes
    • 2lb brown sugar
    • 1 pint pickling vinegar
    • 2 tsp dry English Mustard
    • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

    Skin and chop the tomatoes, onions, apples and if applicable stone the prunes before chopping.

    Put all the ingredients except the vinegar into a pan and heat slowly until the sugar is dissolved; then summer for a further 30 minutes.

    Add the vinegar and cook for 30 minutes more.

    Pour into sterilised jars and seal in the normal way.

    Mum's Notes:

    • Adapted from an Orkney Recipe
    • Makes approx 4.5lb
    • Sweet Chutney
    • May need skimming

    Enjoy...

     20170722_163447 (1) (1)

    My Story

    I started  preserving when a local charity called 'Pride In Penn Fields' needed some help with fund raising.

    My Mum is a great chutney maker and she gave me her prized handwritten books with all her recipes.  Over a decade later, I am still involved with my local charity and along with a couple of friends, we still make chutneys and preserves to raise much needed funds.

    At the beginning of 2017, I decided to use my passion and experience of preserving and baking to set up COSY KITCHEN.  Mum's recipes (and some of my own) are now being put to good use as part of my new 'Foodie Gift' Range.

    Carrot & Garlic Chutney

    This is my Carrot & Garlic Chutney, seen here with some delicious Goats Cheese!

    All my chutneys are made in small batches using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, feel free to browse the range.