Recipes From Down Under

1/4 cup cocoa powder 250g (8oz) butter, chopped 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tablespoon golden syrup (can be substituted for corn syrup) 1 1/4 cups self-raising flour (or all-purpose/plain flour with 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder added) 1/2 cup milk Preheat oven to moderate.  Line 20cm cake pan with non-stick paking paper. Sift cocoa powder into large bowl; add remaining ingredients.  Beat with electric mixer on low speed until combined.  Increase speed to medium; beat until mixture has just changed in colour.  Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake in moderate (180ºC/350ºF) about 1 hour or until inserted skewer comes out clean.  Stand cake in pan 10 minutes, then turn onto rack to cool. Ice if desired. (from The Australian Women's Weekly Chocolate Cakes recipe book)

*This is an Australian recipe for a type of cake that is absolutely delicious - people always seem to come back for more!* 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour 1/3 cup cornflour (cornstarch) 185g (6.5oz) butter, softened 1 cup castor sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla essence 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup milk 3/4 cup thick cream Icing 4 cups icing sugar 1/3 cup cocoa powder 30g (1oz) butter, melted 2/3 cup milk, extra 3 cups desiccated coconut, approx Preheat oven to 180ºC (355ºF).  Brush a shallow 23cm (9in) square cake tin with melted butter or oil.  Line base and sides with baking paper. Sift flour and cornflour (corn starch) into large bowl.  Add butter, sugar, essence, eggs and milk. Using electric beaters, beat on low speed 1 minute or until ingredients are just moistened.  Beat mixture on hight for 3 minutes or until mixture is free of lumps and increased in volume.  Pour mixture into prepared tin; smooth surface. Bake 1 hour or until skewer comes o...

1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 1 generous cup self-rising flour 1 teaspoon baking powder butter, extra cinnamon sugar Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF).  Cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and mix well.  Sift flour and baking powder, adding a little at a time to the mixture while stirring.  Add milk slowly and mix.  Line loaf pan with greaseproof paper.  Pour mixture into lined pan.  Bake for 25 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.  When baked, while still hot, spread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve with a cup of tea (or a glass of milk!).