Cooking our Books

It’s nearly Christmas, and we’re celebrating with White Christmas, the sweet, creamy, and crunchy slice that's an iconic Australian treat. This no-bake classic is equal parts nostalgia and indulgence. With its mix of Rice Bubbles, coconut, dried fruit, and Copha, it’s a crowd-pleaser for summer gatherings. And of course, we dive into the debate over what really belongs in the perfect White Chr...

Helen’s lifelong hunt for the perfect choux ends here—and yes, it’s as fluffy and fabulous as she dreamed. Here on Cooking Our Books , we whip up Mandarin Choux Buns—airy, elegant, and absolutely irresistible - a swirl of vanilla cream, zesty mandarins, and rich chocolate sauce tucked into a pillowy choux shell. The vegan version didn’t quite rise to the occasion, but we still had fun with this on...

Helen’s son Cameron joins us to settle a long-standing question: which of the three Chokky Rocks recipes in the cookbooks is the best? These classic cornflake biscuits are easy to make, super tasty, and take us on a nostalgic trip. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC & PA microphone feedback (2).wav by FreqMan -- htt...

Just four ingredients, one pot, and a lot of quick action. We tackle a deceptively simple Australian Women's Weekly recipe for Vienna Almonds—and it’s trickier than it looks. Plus, Helen spills a few stories from her Europe adventure. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

It's time to make hot cross buns, and we've got a perfect recipe - they're sweet, spiced, and irresistibly fluffy buns— great for Easter or whenever the craving hits. Plus, we dive into the buzz around new hot cross bun flavours that are going viral on your socials. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

We welcome our sister-in-law Maria as she guides us through the art of making Involtini, a versatile dish that can be prepared in various ways, whether with meat or as a vegetarian option. Maria reminisces about her mother's culinary legacy and talks a bit about her extensive cooking experience. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh W...

It's back to the late 1960s to make Brandy Snaps, a dessert which packs a sugary punch. Despite appearing to be a complicated recipe the only real challenge lies in mastering the rolling required to make them look the part. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

As Christmas approaches, we're embracing the festive spirit by baking a Light Christmas Cake from a vintage 1980s magazine recipe. It's a true gem! We also discuss how the holiday season can sometimes bring a bit of stress. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

Our sister Wendy joins us for a nostalgic journey back to the 80s, to her Year 9 home science class where she first baked this cake. We reminisce about teen idols, the challenges of adolescence, and the way our food choices have broadened over time. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

Neither of us has ever cooked or eaten a soufflé before; how challenging could it be? As it turns out, not very. We'll tackle this classic French dish and explore other inventive soufflés in the cookbooks. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

We make a swiss roll and reflect on the challenges of getting this one right. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

We bake a 1960s recipe for Orange Butterflies, an orange-flavoured cupcake that delights kids and adults alike. Helen's hack meant her cupcakes were the hit of her party, while we investigate why there are so few references to cupcakes in the cookbooks. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

With Christmas around the corner it's the perfect time to make this Christmas Cake from Queen Elizabeth II's former cook Mrs McKee. We take a look at her life and get some insights from her time cooking for multiple royal households. The cake itself is light and packed with dried fruit - and was ultimately a huge task to assemble and bake. We also discuss the myriad of other Christmas recipes in t...

Helen's culinary skills are on show with this impressive looking apple tart - combining a apple puree filling with a lattice pastry construction. The real lesson is, try not to make pastry dishes in Spring/Summer! Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

With Cornish Pasties on the menu we invited our friend Deb, who is from Cornwall, to tell us all about this delicious comfort food and where it comes from. She also gives us a lesson in how to pronounce 'pasties' which we manage not to get quite right! We agreed this recipe was pretty spot on and easy to make. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper...

With a name that sounds both sweet and savory, we crack open store-bought puff pastry to build these beehives, which resemble a mix between a sausage roll and a scotch egg. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

We're cooking up a double dose of sweetness: from the cookbooks we bake Small German Biscuits - a super simple and tasty bikkie perfect with a coffee. Plus we're joined by Angela who gives us her favourite recipe for Hungarian Cherry Cake (Cseresznyés Lepény) a fruity and dense sponge cake well worth waiting for after a long drive. Find the biscuits and pictures on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Hunga...

Fancy a fruit-filled pastry delight? We finally get to taste Stuffed Monkeys which turned out yummier than the name suggests. Credit to family friends food for the research into its origins. Find the recipe & pictures @ cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

Cut out from a 1984 edition of Family Circle magazine, the Pineapple Upside Down Cake is an easy recipe for beginner cooks and perfectly showcases the sweetness of tinned pineapples. We delve into theories about how this recipe was created and compare notes on making it. Here's ⁠⁠Quaint Cooking⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠The Kitchen Project⁠⁠ takes on the recipe history. Theme music is ⁠⁠⁠Josie has the Upper hand by...

We make a step-by-step recipe of Chilli Con Carne. We also look at references to the British Royal Family in the cookbooks and plan dishes to serve at a coronation party. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 . Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

We're making a cake full of boozy sultanas with some surprising how-to instructions after baking. A recipe from the 1980s perfect as we commence Autumn. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram cookingourbooks1 Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

Sweet or savoury, scones are easy to make and versatile. We make cheese and relish pinwheels, one of the 28 scone recipes in the cookbooks.

We make a French dish of baked vegetables in stock, get reacquainted with parsnips and thanks to a newly discovered photo of Helen's, reminisce about children's birthday cakes. Recipe and pictures are on Instagram . Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

We make a cake from the late 1970s that features a heap of margarine plus raspberry flavour inside and out. We also discuss iconic food brands and our favourite flavour of jam. Find the recipe and pictures on Instagram .  Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0

From book 4 in the cookbooks, we make Chicken and Asparagus Croquettes and talk about why these breaded goodies are so popular. Find the recipe and pictures on Instagram  Theme music is Josie has the Upper hand by Josh Woodward CC by 4.0