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Sweet Fusion

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Food

Little Explorer Birthday Inspiration

July 19, 2021 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

Does your little explorer have an upcoming birthday party or a love for animals? If so, I’ve put together three fun inspired recipes that will complement any celebration or ‘Into The Wild’ table setting.

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Filed Under: Food, Uncategorized

4 Easy Foodie Gift Ideas

November 22, 2019 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

There’s meaning, thought or love put into anything that involves making, baking or creating for others. To simply say thank you, celebrate, or visiting friends, turning up with something delicious always goes down a treat. So taking out some of the guessing work, I’ve put together 4 easy foodie gift ideas below for multiple occasions, all year round.

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Filed Under: DIY, Food, Gifts

Top 6 Kiwi Biscuit Recipes

July 22, 2019 By Dane McGregor 3 Comments

Being a kiwi, everyone has their own stories and memories to share about what it was like growing up in New Zealand with home baking. A family staple throughout my childhood (and very similar to others no doubt) was often the smell of home baked biscuits, whether it be with parents, grandparents or even your neighbour, these stories could be endless.

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Filed Under: Food, Uncategorized

Behind the Scenes – Pic’s HQ

September 22, 2018 By Dane McGregor 70 Comments

It quickly became evident that Pic’s Peanut Butter has grown to be a very popular household name, sought after in supermarkets and winning hearts across the country. So on a recent trip down south to sunny Nelson, I really wanted to take a visit to Pic’s HQ and learn a little more about this growing peanut butter star. Don’t forget to read right to the bottom to check out an awesome giveaway too.…

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Filed Under: Food, Giveaway, Travel

SKYCITY Dessert Tour

February 10, 2018 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

I’ve always had a sweet tooth, so the opportunity to experience 11 different desserts over 4 restaurants in two days, was not something to turn down. Being placed amongst the bustling food precinct that is SKYCITY Auckland, you find yourself quite overwhelmed by the variety, sounds and smells. While staying the night in SKYCITY Grand Hotel, I had stunning views of the city, Auckland Harbour Bridge and of course the iconic Sky Tower. I called this my base as I prepared myself to get a taste of some of the best desserts SKYCITY has to offer.

The Sugar Club

Left: Niuean Honey Parfait. Top Right: Mandarin Sorbet. Bottom Right: Baked Pineapple.

The Sugar Club saw us making our way up to level 53 of the Sky Tower, a restaurant founded by Peter Gordon overlooking the city of Auckland. With its fusion styled cuisine and 1930s Italian Art Deco decor of brass and stone, I could feel I was about to experience something special. …

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Filed Under: Food, Travel

SPCA Cupcake Day 2017

August 8, 2017 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

The SPCA have been running their annual SPCA Cupcake Day fundraiser for a little while now and what a better way to get the public involved, build awareness and raise money for animals in need because who doesn’t love cake!…

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Filed Under: Events, Food

The Food Show Auckland 2017

July 30, 2017 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

This weekend I made the trip up from Hamilton to attend The Food Show Auckland, following the food you may say. We arrived not long after the doors had opened and the crowds were already starting to roll in. I was on the look out for familiar faces as well and checking out and tasting lots of new foods.…

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Filed Under: Events, Food

Locavore Long Lunch

July 23, 2017 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

Today I attended a special long lunch that was put on by Nourish Magazine and Dough Bros here in Hamilton. The lunch was in celebration of favourite local suppliers and the impressive bounty of food produced here in the Waikato. With a guest number seating between 70-80, we were treated to a leisurely four-course lunch alongside some of the growers and artisan makers that are putting the Waikato on the map as a food destination. The lunch stretched over nearly 4 hours and was a great opportunity to sample local produce and chat with like-minded foodies.

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Filed Under: Events, Food

The Great NZ Food Show 2017

May 13, 2017 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

Today myself along with a group of fellow friends and foodies made our way down to the Great NZ Food Show which was held at the Claudelands Event Centre here in Hamilton. This weekend’s event showcased the best in food, wine, delicious edibles and innovative products here in New Zealand. Frankly anywhere that I get to sample, buy and try new foods, I’ll be there!…

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Filed Under: Events, Food

The Chocolate Tour

April 8, 2017 By Dane McGregor Leave a Comment

Lovers of chocolate can now celebrate as New Zealand’s first chocolate subscription has been launched and can be delivered to your door each month! Filled with a carefully curated selection of artisan chocolates, this subscription would be a match made in heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth or eagerness to taste chocolate from some of New Zealand’s best chocolatiers.…

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Filed Under: Food, Giveaway

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WELCOME TO BAKER GATHERER, THE LONE JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF SWEET FUSION

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I love cake, but I also love coffee. And this seas I love cake, but I also love coffee. And this season calls for plenty of iced coffees. 

The perfect pairing with an iced coffee is this Chocolate Coffee Cake with a Coffee Mascarpone filling, recipe below. Hands up if you love both cake and iced coffees 🙌🏼.

✏️ Chocolate Coffee Cake

500g @bakelshomebaking Moist Chocolate Cake Baking Mix
½ Cup Water (Room Temp)
4 Eggs (Size 6 or 7)
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Tablespoons Granulated Coffee

✏️ Coffee Mascarpone

500g Mascarpone
2 Tablespoon Granulated Coffee
3-4 Teaspoons Hot Water
6 Tablespoons Icing Sugar
Dark Chocolate

✏️ Method

1 - Preheat the oven to 180°C fan bake and grease the sides and line the bases of 2 x 20cm round springform cake tins with greaseproof paper. Set aside.

2 - Place the cake ingredients into a mixing bowl and beat on a low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and beat for another couple of minutes until smooth.

3 - Using kitchen scales, evenly measure cake mixture across the 2 prepared baking tins and bake for around 35-40 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before filling.

4 - To make the coffee mascarpone filling, start by dissolving the granulated coffee with the hot water in a small bowl or ramekin, then set aside to cool. Meanwhile, beat together the mascarpone and icing sugar until smooth. Add the cooled coffee mixture and beat once again until incorporated.

5 - To assemble, place the first layer of cake onto a serving dish or cake stand, then evenly cover with a layer of coffee mascarpone. Gently place the second cake layer on top, then cover with another generous layer of coffee mascarpone. To finish, grate chocolate over top and serve alongside a freshly made iced coffee, or at your next BBQ celebration.

Serves: 10+ Slices
So who is Dane, the face behind Baker Gatherer. Le So who is Dane, the face behind Baker Gatherer. Let me tell you, he’s a pretty sweet dude 😆 

Swipe for a couple tidbits…

Now, do you want to know anything else?
The Easter season is nearly upon us, which means H The Easter season is nearly upon us, which means Hot Cross Bun are ready to be enjoyed. With that said, @newworldnz always has a plentiful selection of Easter treats, especially Hot Cross Buns. This year I’m offering a different twist on an Easter tradition, and introduce these Hot Cross Bun Kebabs.

These Hot Cross Bun Kebabs are super easy to make and are served with a sweet Whipped Cream Cheese to dip. You can also use any of your favourite or seasonal fruit to make these kebabs your own. I’ll share the method and recipe below so you can make these delicious kebabs at your place this Easter!

So, don’t forget to grab some Hot Cross Buns from your local New World, and check out their website for plenty more Easter inspired recipes.

💥 Hot Cross Bun Kebabs

✏️ Ingredients

1 Pack of Hot Cross Buns from New World
2 Nectarines
2 Bananas
Grapes (Note: You can use any of your favourite or seasonal fruit)
Lemon Juice

130g Cream Cheese
100ml Fresh Cream
50g Caster Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

✏️ You’ll Need

Wooden Kebab skewers 

✏️ Method

To make the Whipped Cream Cheese:

1. Add the cream cheese and caster sugar into a bowl, and using a hand-held mixer, beat for 2-3 minutes until combined and fluffy.
2. Pour in the cream and vanilla extract and again beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
3. Scoop into a serving bowl, cover and chill in the fridge until serving.

To make the Hot Cross Bun Kebabs:

1. Cut the hot cross buns into cubes, roughly 8 pieces per bun. Place cubes on a baking tray and grill each side until lightly toasted, turning regularly. Once all cubes are toasted, set aside to cool.
2. Dice your favourite or seasonal fruit into cubes, similar sizes to the hot cross bun cubes. Then dip or roll your diced fruit through lemon juice to prevent any browning.
3. To assemble your kebabs, alternate between various diced ingredients, starting with a hot cross bun cube at the base. Repeat until skewer is full. Serve immediately alongside the Whipped Cream Cheese, or chill in the fridge until serving. Enjoy.

Serves 12+
I feel I’m in denial the seasons are slowly star I feel I’m in denial the seasons are slowly starting to change. The long hot summer evenings are starting to slip and the mornings a getting darker and cooler… now where are my slippers?
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