We’ve all been thinking about Australia at The Ana Mum Diary. Miss N has been busy making a leaving card for the past couple of weeks in school. She has been getting friends and teachers to all sign and send messages to one of her class mates, who is leaving to go and live in Australia. His last day is tomorrow, so I’ve just said goodbye to his Mum at the school gates too. Such an exciting adventure, but scary for them all as well.

Miss A and I have had a lovely Australia themed day today. This afternoon we met up with Grandma G, and all went to Cookie Tots together. You can see all about Cookie Tots HERE.

As it is Australia Day, the things we made were Lamingtons and Damper Bread. Now I’ve heard of Lamingtons, but not Damper bread, can’t wait to cook the dough tonight, then I’ll update the blog with what we thought!

Here are the recipes, which Gerry of Cookie Tots has kindly let me write up here:

Lamingtons

• Maderia Cake (chopped into oblongs)
• 100g Plain chocolate
• 25g butter
• 100g icing sugar (sifted)
• 100g desiccated coconut

Cut the Madeira cake into 16 square and place in the fridge until cold.

To make the icing, put chocolate, butter and 4 tbsp of water in a pan, gently heating until melted.

Allow this to cool slightly.

Beat in icing sugar.

Dip the Madeira cake into the chocolate icing and then roll in the coconut.

Allow to set on a rack.

Huge thumbs up here absolutely delicious!

Damper Bread

Damper Bread, is a yeastless bread that was traditionally eaten in Australia by early colonial settlers.

• 3 cups of self-raising flour.
• 1/2 tsp sea salt.
• 1 tsp sugar
• 75g of chilled butter, cubed.
• Cup of parmesan cheese grated.
• 1/2 cup of milk.
• butter for spreading

Pre-heat the oven to 170 degrees C or 350 degrees F.

Mix flour, butter, salt and sugar in a bowl until in resembles breadcrumbs. Add cheese and olives, together with milk and 1/2 cup of cold water.

Stir until the mixture forms a sticky dough and knead until the surface begins to feel smooth.

Shape the dough into a 15-20cm round and bake for 40 mins, until golden.

Enjoy what’s left of Australia Day in the UK, good luck and lots of love to the Jackson family.

Thank you for reading