An ode to our love for local sweet stuff. Be it in dessert or in cocktail form, help yourself to a slice or sip of decadence. 

Hertzo milkshake  

Makes 4  

Oh, nostalgia! Add more apricot jam to your milkshake for a sweeter, fruitier taste. 

Ingredients

For the meringue 

2 egg whites
Pinch cream of tartar
¾ cup caster sugar  

¼ cup desiccated coconut
¼ cup apricot jam + more for spreading 
1 small can (165ml) coconut cream 
1L vanilla ice cream  

Method

1. Place egg whites in a bowl and whisk until they reach a thick frothiness, about 30 seconds. 
2. Add cream of tartar and continue to whisk until they reach stiff peaks, about another 30-45 seconds. 
3. Add the sugar 1 Tbsp at a time, whisking in between to dissolve the sugar before adding more. 
4. Once the meringue is thick and glossy, add desiccated coconut and whisk gently until combined. Set aside. 
5. Place jam, coconut cream and ice cream in a blender (or a jug if using a stick blender) and blitz until smooth.
6. Use the back of a spoon to spread dollops of apricot jam along the inside of four serving glasses.
7. Fill each glass with ice cream mixture, then top with spoons of coconut meringue. Toast meringue using a blowtorch, if you like. Serve immediately. 

Dom pedro brownie tart  

Serves 8  

This dessert can be made without the crust by simply baking in a lined square brownie tin or ceramic dish, then served cut into squares. 

Ingredients

For the chocolate pastry  

1¾ cups (262g) flour
¼ cup (30g) cocoa powder 
½ cup (110g) caster sugar 
½ cup (125g) cold butter, cubed 
1 extra-large egg 
1 extra-large egg yolk 
1 tsp (5ml) salt  

For the Dom Pedro swirl  

1 tub (230g) medium-fat cream cheese, at room temperature 
1 extra-large egg 
2 Tbsp (30ml) icing sugar cup 
(60ml) Amarula (Khalba or Frangelico works well too)  

For the brownie  

1 cup (220g) caster sugar 
1 cup (200g) brown sugar 
1 cup (250g) butter, melted 
4 extra-large eggs
1 cup (150g) flour
1 cup (125g) cocoa 
1 tsp (5ml) flaky salt 
Ice cream, for serving  

Method

1. For the pastry, combine all ingredients (except the eggs) in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to combine for 20-30 seconds, until the mixture forms fine crumbs. 
2. Add the egg and yolk, beat for another 10-20 seconds or just until a crumbly dough forms, being careful not to over mix. Turn out on a surface and shape dough into a flat disc, cover in clingfilm and refrigerate for 1 hour. 
3. Preheat oven to 180°C. 
4. Grease the base and sides of a 20-22cm round loose bottom tart tin. Press dough evenly into the base and sides of tin. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. 
5. Prick the pastry base all over with a fork. Cover the pastry completely with baking paper and fill tart with raw rice or baking beans. 
6. Blind bake for 10 minutes. Remove paper and rice, return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove and cool. 
7. For the Dom Pedro swirl, mix ingredients together until smooth. Cover and refrigerate. 
8. For the brownies, whisk together sugar and butter for 30 seconds until pale. 
9. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well to incorporate between each addition. 
10. Sift flour and cocoa over the butter mixture, add salt and mix to combine into a smooth batter. 
11. Alternate spooning brownie batter and Dom Pedro filling into the tart case, dolloping each next to each other. Swirl through with a knife to marble.
12. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until only slightly wobbly in the centre. Remove and cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. 
13. Serve slices with scoops of ice cream.

Peppermint Crisp amagwinya  

Makes 14  

We made large doughnut-sized amagwinya, but frying bite-sized portions works well when hosting large groups. 

Ingredients

1 cup (250ml) whipping cream
½ can (180g) caramel treat, whisked 
1 (49g) Peppermint Crisp bar, finely chopped 
4 cups (600g) cake flour, sifted 
1 tsp (5ml) fine salt 
1 packet (10g) instant yeast 
2 tsp (10ml) caster sugar
1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water
1½ cups (250-375ml) lukewarm milk
Oil, for deep-frying 
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar 
2 Tbsp (30ml) ground cinnamon  

Method

1. To prepare filling, whisk cream to stiff peaks. Combine caramel and 3/4 of the chocolate, mixing well, then gently fold through whipped cream. 
2. Fit a piping bag with a small, round nozzle and scoop filling into the bag. Twist bag to secure closed, nestle into a glass and chill until using. 
3. For the amagwinya, combine flour and salt, mixing to distribute salt evenly. Set aside. 
4. Combine yeast, caster sugar, water and milk. Stir to combine, then set aside for 5 minutes until little bubbles appear on the surface (which means the yeast is still active). 
5. Pour into the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon to bring together into a wet dough. 
6. Cover with plastic and set aside in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. 
7. Heat oil for deep frying. (To check whether it’s ready for frying, drop a small teaspoon of dough into the oil and check if it immediately begins to bubble and fry, indicating it is hot enough.) 
8. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a deep bowl. Set aside. 
9. Using oiled hands or a ladle, scoop out portions of dough and gently add into the oil. (Always scoop dough out facing away from you to avoid oil splattering on you.) 
10. Fry amagwinya until golden, using a slotted spoon for turning to ensure even cooking, for about 2-3 minutes or until golden all around. 
11. Remove, drain on kitchen paper and immediately toss in cinnamon sugar. Set aside and repeat with remaining dough. 
12. Once cool, cut a 1cm-wide cavity about 2cm deep into the side of each bun using a serrated knife. Place piping nozzle into the cavity, squeeze to fill cavity and finish with a dollop of filling on top. 
13. Sprinkle dollops with reserved chocolate and serve. 

Tipsy tart espresso  

Makes 2  

We incorporated the sultry spiced flavours from a tipsy brandy tart, creating the perfect nightcap. 

Ingredients

For the tipsy syrup  

½ cup treacle sugar 
1 Tbsp orange juice 
½ cup brandy
3 cloves 
Pinch ground nutmeg 
1 cinnamon stick 
1 cup espresso, at room temperature
Ice, for shaking
6 coffee beans, for garnish  

Method

1. Add syrup ingredients to a small pot over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. Remove and cool completely. Strain to remove spices. 
2. Add ½ cup of the tipsy syrup to a cocktail shaker or sealable jar along with the espresso and a handful of ice. 
3. Close and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. 
4. Strain into two martini glasses, dot with three coffee beans and serve.

By: Sjaan van der Ploeg
Photography by: Zhann Solomons

Also read:

The post South Africa’s favourite sweet treats get an upgrade appeared first on MyKitchen.

As the autumn season approaches, we give you 3 ways to turn your ordinary hot chocolate into something magnificent. Sjaan van der Ploeg takes her decadent hot chocolate recipe to the next level with three indulgent variations.  

THE BASE RECIPE 

Decadent hot chocolate 

Serves 4 • Total Time 15 Min 

Ingredients

4 cups milk  
300g dark chocolate, finely chopped 
2 tbsp cocoa powder  

Method

1. Bring milk to a simmer. 
2. Add chocolate and cocoa powder and stir well until melted and combined. 
3. Divide between four mugs and serve. 

Espresso Hot Chocolate 

Make a batch of decadent hot chocolate, substituting 1 cup of milk for 1 cup of strong coffee. Divide between four mugs, and finish with dollops of whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.  

Chai White Hot Chocolate 

Substitute dark chocolate and cocoa powder for 300g white chocolate. Steep 4 chai tea bags and 2 cinnamon sticks in the hot milk for 5 minutes. Remove and discard, before adding white chocolate and stirring to combine. 

Easter Sinister Hot Chocolate 

Swap out the dark chocolate for milk chocolate. Divide between four mugs. Toast 12 marshmallows over a gas flame and add 3 to each mug. Finish each with a couple of chocolate Easter eggs, biscuits for dipping and an extra drizzle of melted chocolate.  

Chef’s Tip
For a budget break, swap the chocolate for 1 cup of hot chocolate powder. 

The post Not Your Ordinary Hot Chocolate Recipes appeared first on MyKitchen.

We made these espresso-vanilla muffins with vanilla pods. You only need the seeds for this recipe, but you can stick the leftover pods into your sugar jar for a subtle flavour.

MAKES 12 // COOKING TIME 35 min

INGREDIENTS
125g butter, at room temperature
⅔ cup caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
¼ cup espresso
2 cups self-raising flour
¼ vanilla pod, seeds only

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a muffin tray with paper cases.
2. Beat the butter until it is soft, then beat in the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, a little at a time, until completely mixed in.
3. Mix the milk and espresso. Stir into the butter mixture bit by bit, alternating with the flour to form a soft batter. Mix in the vanilla seeds.
4. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.
5. Transfer to a wire rack to cool before serving.

The post Espresso-vanilla muffins appeared first on MyKitchen.

This smoothie provides a kick of antioxidants from the dark chocolate and the coffee, and a good dose of protein from the peanut butter. Perfect if you are trying to stay healthy, need a pre- or post-gym snack, or need to curb a sugar craving.

SERVES 1 // COOKING TIME 10 min

INGREDIENTS
1 banana, plus extra to serve
25 ml cold espresso
½ cup almond milk, cow’s milk or water
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp 80–99% dark chocolate, roughly chopped + plus extra to serve
1 tbsp chopped mint, plus extra to serve

METHOD
1. Slice the banana and place in the freezer overnight.
2. Blend the frozen banana with the rest of the ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour into a jar and serve topped with extra chocolate chunks, banana slices and mint leaves.

The post Espresso, banana, peanut butter, dark chocolate chip and mint smoothie appeared first on MyKitchen.