Cookie monster

Happy Easter to you all!

My four day long weekend is almost non-existent as I'll be working, but Mum and I have managed to fit in some quality time in the kitchen. Last night, we made Donna Hay Hot-Cross Cookies for me to take to a dear friend's wedding working bee today.

Then I flogged the old school mix-master and whipped up a pav for 'linner' (the reverse of brunch ie. lunch mixed with dinner) with some old workmates. Seafood pizzas are on the menu. Yum.

Used this pav recipe that I tried out with my brother a few weeks ago. Solid.

How are you making the most of the long weekend?

Hot-cross cookies

125g butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
2 1/2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup sultanas
Icing
1 cup icing sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon boiling water

1. Preheat oven to 160C. Place the butter and brown sugar in an electric mixer and beat for 8–10 minutes or until pale and creamy. 
2. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla, beating well after each addition. 
3. Add the lemon rind, flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, milk and sultanas and beat until a smooth dough forms.
4. Roll tablespoonsful of the dough into balls and place on lightly greased baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper. 
5. Bake for 14–15 minutes or until light golden. Allow to cool on trays. 
6. To make the icing, place the icing sugar and water in a bowl and mix until a paste forms. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a 3mm nozzle and pipe a cross over each cookie. Allow to set. Makes 40.

Recipe from here