Cooksister | Food, Travel, Photography

Food, photos & faraway places

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About me
    • Contact me
    • Work with me
    • Legal
      • Copyright notice & Disclaimer
      • Disclosure
      • Cookies and Privacy Policy
    • Press and media
    • Cooksister FAQs
  • RECIPES
    • Recipe Index – by course
    • Baking (savoury)
    • Braai/Barbecue
    • Breakfast & brunch
    • Christmas
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Eggs
    • Fish
    • Gluten-free
    • Leftovers
    • Pasta & rice
    • Poultry
    • Pulses
    • Salads
    • Soup
    • South African
    • Starters & light meals
    • Vegan
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian
  • RESTAURANTS
    • British Isles restaurants
    • Dubai restaurants
    • France restaurants
    • London restaurants
    • Montenegro restaurants
    • New York restaurants
    • Pop-ups and supperclubs
    • Serbia restaurants
    • Singapore restaurants
    • South Africa restaurants
    • Sweden restaurants
    • Switzerland restaurants
    • USA restaurants
  • TRAVEL
    • All my travel posts
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Canada
      • Dubai
      • Cruise ships
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Grenada
      • Hong Kong
      • Hotel reviews
      • Italy
      • Israel
      • Jersey
      • Mexico
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Singapore
      • Ski & snow
      • South Africa
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • UK
      • USA
      • Wales
  • PORTFOLIO
    • Freelance writing portfolio
    • Speaking and teaching
    • Photography portfolio
    • Buy my photos
You are here: Home / London food blogger events / Iced chocolate crunchies for a Christmas cookie swap

Iced chocolate crunchies for a Christmas cookie swap

by Jeanne Horak on December 16, 2005 6 Comments in London food blogger events, Recipes, South African products

Christmas-cookie-swap title © J Horak-Druiff 2005

Ater the roaring success of the Spanish-themed get-together at my place in November, Passionate Cook Johanna had kindly agreed to host something at her house in December.  So on a rather chilly and dreary December afternoon, a host of bloggers from London and further afield descended on Johanna’s house for an afternoon of food, drink, photos and laughter.  With Christmas fast approaching, it was decided that a festive theme would be appropriate, and what could be more festive than a cookie-swap?  Just imagine – leave home with a tin of one type of cookie, come home with a tin containing at least half a dozen types of cookie!  Perfect!!

 

Christmas-cookie-swap-table © J Horak-Druiff 2005

 

Johanna’s house looked (and smelt!) deliciously Christmassy and by the time I arrived (rather late, due to unavoidable circumstances), the party was in full swing, as you can see.  This was our first blogger gathering with not a single thorn amongst the roses!!  Don’t know if Real Men Don’t Bake Cookies or what – but they certainly didn’t turn up in droves for this particular event 😉  From right to left, we have:  Johanna’s friend Martina, Melissa, Cecile, Joanna, Zabeena, Melissa’s friend Wampe, Johanna (holding gorgeous Max!), and me.  Jenni had also been there but unfortunately had to leave before I arrived.  In fact, while we waited for the food to be ready, we sipped mulled wine and mulled cider (Johanna outdid herself!!) and nibbled on Jenni’s festive cheese stars – lovely little savoury treats and so adorable too!

 

Cookie-swap-charcuterie © J Horak-Druiff 2005

 

Sadly, I had already missed the bratwurst and sauerkraut that Johanna had served earlier, but I am reliably told by the other bloggers that they were delicious.  Just when the smells from the stove were getting unbearably delicious and nobody could wait a second longer, Johanna brought the main event to the table:  a cheese fondue!  My absolute favourite!  Together with the big bubbling pot of cholesterol calories cheese, Johanna also brought various smoked and cured meats, chunks of bread and little bowls of gherkins and pickled onions. As always, trying to maintain some semblance of control over whatever is on the end of your fondue fork was an adventure in itself and much of the conversation was devoted to the different forfeits that are traditional in various countries for committing the cardinal sin of losing the contents of your fork somewhere in the cheesy depths!  A quick aside here is the following cheese fondue hint:  you should drink kirsch, beer or wine with yuor fondue (depending on what you put in it, of course).  What you shodul NOT be drinking is water, particularly chilled water.  Why?  Well, think about the contents of a cheese fondue:  It’s largely melted cheese.  Now if you pour a glass of iced water on melted cheese it is likely to, well, reconstitute.  Into solid cheese.  So doing this in your stomach will result in your developing a “cheese baby” – you will feel pregnant from the large lump of newly-solidified cheese in your belly!!  Not an appetising prospect.  Please pass the kirsch!!

 

Christmas-cookie-swap-cheese-fondue © J Horak-Druiff 2005

 

Once we scraped the fondue pot clean (just about!), the cookie tins were opened and everyone got to examine their contents.  What can I say (except WOW!) – there was such a huge selection that everybody was bound to find something they loved!  And best of all, once you’d eaten your fill over coffee at Johanna’s, you got to take home a selection of everybody else’s cookies! So we had Cecile’s coconut macaroons, Joanna’s huge sticky meringues with pistachios and dates (one of my faves), Zabeenas hazelnut macaroons, Johanna’s traditional hausfreunde and mandelboegen and absolutely delectable little choco-mocca “beans”, Melissa’s blueberry shortcake biscuits, Martina’s vanilla crescents and my iced chocolate crunchies (see recipe below).  Oh yes, and as if that wasn’t enough, Johanna also sent us all on our way with a fortifying shot of her home-made choco-mocca liqueur! If anybody can think of a better way to get into the Christmas spirit, I’d like to hear it!

As for my cookie contribution, here’s the low-down.  Growing up in South Africa, the one cookie-tin constant that every child will remember is crunchies.  They were usually one of the first things that your mom let you bake and kept forever in an airtight container, so we all grew up on crunchies.  To me, they were distressingly unglamorous.  I mean, who wants squares of oaty, healthy-looking stuff when you could be having swirly drop cookies topped with glace cherries??  But they certainly were a stalwart of every cookie tin that I remember growing up, so I thought they’d be appropriate.  Instead of making the usual version though, I asked my friend Greg for some inspiration and he came up with the following recipe for chocolate crunchies, with glace icing, from an old church recipe book.  Personally, I prefer these without the icing, but I guess it depends how much of a sweet tooth you have….

 

iced chocolate oat cookie bars

 


ICED CHOCOLATE CRUNCHIES

Ingredients:

FOR THE BASE:

1 cup flour

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup desiccated coconut

½ cup sugar

1 Tsp cocoa

1 tsp baking powder

180g butter

FOR THE ICING:

1 cup icing sugar

1 tsp cocoa

few drops hot water.

Method:

Mix all the dry ingredients for the base well. Melt butter and pour it over dry ingredients, mixing well.

Press the mixture  into a baking sheet using your fingers, leaving a 15 mm space all round, as mixture spreads.

Bake for 30 minutes at 150C.  Allow to cool.

For the icing, mix all the ingredients together. Be sparing with the water so that the icing is not too runny, otherwise it will just run off the biscuits.

Ice the crunchies only once they have cooled to room temperature, otherwise the icing soaks into the cookies and disappears.

Allow to cool and set, and cut into squares or fingers.

More deliciousness for you!

  • Mamma’s coconut tart (klappertert)Mamma’s coconut tart (klappertert)
  • Spiced pear, blackberry & pistachio crumbleSpiced pear, blackberry & pistachio crumble
  • Bron’s chocolate oat & sesame cookiesBron’s chocolate oat & sesame cookies
  • Easy apple pecan cobbler recipeEasy apple pecan cobbler recipe

Never miss a Cooksister post

If you enjoyed this post, enter your e-mail address here to receive a FREE e-mail update when a new post appears on Cooksister

I love comments almost as much as I love cheese - so if you can't leave me any cheese, please leave me a comment instead!

« Stuffed gem squash with savoury mince
When there are more important things than blogging »

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Pille says

    April 5, 2006 at 10:34 pm

    You’ve just reminded me that I wrote, but forgot to publish, about some Christmassy puff pastry stars I baked back home. I thought I’ll have to wait until next year now, but maybe it’s not too late after all:)

    Reply
  2. johanna says

    April 5, 2006 at 11:16 pm

    Ah, I’d be more than happy to host this every year! And I hope we can attract more people next time, especially certain bloggers from edinburgh 😉 christmas is my favourite season in terms of traditions, so it is cast in stone and shall forever be hosted at my house… you guys just pray that i won’t move to new zealand or the north pole any time soon (although the latter would be very fitting!)

    Reply
  3. Riana says

    April 8, 2006 at 9:33 am

    HOw funny, I just wrote yesterday that this week is like Christmas for me!! I just received your wonderful package, licking honey off my fingers and eating shortbread and make a pot of tea! So thoughtful and nice! I ‘m going to use the tagine spices for Easter lunch on my little lamb!!! Merci beaucoup!!! I will put photos on my food blog this afternoon…Best, Riana

    Reply
  4. melissa_cookingdiva says

    April 9, 2006 at 5:13 pm

    What a great idea! I want some of those good looking cookies 🙂
    M

    Reply
  5. Jeanne says

    April 12, 2006 at 2:40 pm

    Hi Pille
    Take it from me, the queen of procrastination… it’s NEVER too late!! Puff pastry stars sound divine – look forward to the post at any time!
    Hi Johanna
    Hey, I know what your hospitality is like – I’d *follow* you to the North Pole is that’s where you were hosting!! Seriously, thanks again – it was such a lovely afternoon and such a great bunch of people. And those mandelboegen… mmmmm!
    Hi Riana
    Well, given the snowy weather here in the UK, one would be forgiven for thinking it’s Christmas!! I mean, Kent under a blanket of snow in nearly mid-April?? Poor daffodils! Glad you are enjoying the parcel – and do let us know how the easter lamb turns out!
    Hi Melissa
    Well, the UK blogger get-togethers have a long tradition of having foreign attendees… Maybe it’s time to plan a trip around a blogmeet! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Susan Buchanan says

    July 13, 2013 at 1:13 am

    Hi Jeanne, can’t believe my luck. A while ago I asked my daughter to email my sister-in-law for a recipe for Crunchies. Janet had given me a recipe years ago (I left South Africa in 1975) and I would make them and also buttermilk rusks for my children when they were small. My daughter buys Ouma brand rusks at the South African store – they have many flavours now. I’m hoping to find a recipe for Milk Tart too on your site, as that was another favourite. Snook pie too was well enjoyed by all. I lived in South Africa for 8 years. Both my children were born there as well. My brother-in-law has a beef and dairy farm in Ixopo, Natal which I loved to visit. Look forward to reading your next post. Thanks, Sue B.

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Never miss a Cooksister post!

Get my latest recipes delivered by e-mail!

Search over 500 recipes

Recently on Cooksister

  • Masalchi by Atul Kochhar – Indian street food in Wembley
  • Barbecued salmon with blood oranges and capers
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts with feta, pomegranate and pine nuts [GF, V]
  • Love Yourself healthy meal delivery [Review]
  • Antillean
  • Festive roast lamb with pomegranate glaze
  • Rustic blood orange and pistachio galettes
  • Cauliflower steak Welsh rarebit

Archives by month

Archives by category

Popular posts

Oxtail and red wine potjie
Peppermint Crisp fridge tart - a South African treat
Nigella's Bakewell slices & the Big Bakewell Taste-off
Gem squash 101: how to find them, how to grow them, how to eat them!
Roosterkoek - a South African braai essential
My big, fat South African potato bake

Featured on

Also available on

Happy new year, everyone! Here are some scenes fro Happy new year, everyone! Here are some scenes from last night with friends in Deptford. My deconstructed avocado ritz; @twinkleparkstephen ‘s bobitie; Giles’ Ottolenghi tomato salad; and Jean’s clementine trifle - and the London night sky ablaze with fireworks!  How did you spend your evening? 🥂🎇🎆
Merry Christmas to all those celebrating - I hope Merry Christmas to all those celebrating - I hope your day was merry and bright, filled with family, friends and love 🎄🥂. Mine was spent alone at home - my choice and the result of a combination of Covid (not mine!) and rail strikes 🤦‍♀️ but very relaxing and indulgent!
Looking for a stylish and easy Christmas starter y Looking for a stylish and easy Christmas starter you can make ahead? Look no further than my individual smoked salmon terrine! Hot smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives wrapped in cold smoked salmon in a ramekin. Still one of the most popular Christmas recipes in my blog, it looks cheffy but is soooo simple to make - and will save you time and effort on the day! Get the recipe by clicking on the link in my bio.

How is your Christmas meal prep going? Are you entertaining at home or going to friends or family? 🎄🥂🎄🥂🎄
Looking for a brilliant biryani near Marble Arch? Looking for a brilliant biryani near Marble Arch? I recently enjoyed a feast at Biryani Kebab Chai @bkc.restaurant on Edgeware Road, including wonderful sweet, spicy and crunchy papri chaat; smoky burrah lamb kebab; galouti lamb patties; juicy chaap chicken thigh kebab; spicy chapli chicken patties; and the surprising vegetarian dahi ke patties made of yoghurt! We also tried the chicken and soya biryanis, both with incredibly fluffy and delicately spiced rice. You can get their biryanis as a 1kg takeaway, served in a beautiful branded clay pot that serves 3-4 people, for about £30. Bargain! We also took home a sample of their desserts, including a fragrant and delicious kheer rice pudding. If you are in the Marble Arch area, get yourself to BKC!  #invited #bkcrestaurants
The gorgeous colours of Autumn ❤️❤️🍁🍂🍁🍂❤️❤️What’s your favourite season?
RIP HRH Queen Elizabeth II - a loss of one of the RIP HRH Queen Elizabeth II - a loss of one of the constants in the world; certainly for my generation. I went to see the floral tributes in Green Park this weekend and they were truly overwhelming - even more so the cards with personal messages. The funeral service on TV this morning is the kind of somber pageantry that only the British can truly pull off. Think what you will of the monarchy; the Queen dedicated her life to the service of her country, under the microscope of public scrutiny, and provided a constant anchor in a changing world. We will not see the like of her again.
Anybody for South African chocolate-studded malva Anybody for South African chocolate-studded malva pudding? Think a lighter version of sticky toffee pudding with melted chocolate chunks drenched in a  creamy syrup... heaven 😍🇿🇦 #malvapudding #southafricanrecipes #southafricanfood #southafricandesserts
🌸🌸🌸Waltz of the cherry blossoms 🌸🌸🌸

#cherryblossomtree #londoncherryblossom #cherryblossomseason #sakuraseason #cherryblossoms2022 #floweringcherry #prettylondon #londoninbloom #springinlondon #blossomwatch #blossomseason #pinkpinkpink #mydarlinglondon
London cherry blossom season 🌸🌸🌸 My favou London cherry blossom season 🌸🌸🌸 My favourite time of year! 

#londoninbloom #springinlondon #blossomwatch #sakuraseason #blossomseason #londoncherryblossom #londonsbest #floweringcherry #explorelondon #mydarlinglondon #prettycitylondon #pinkpinkpink #londonbylondoners
Load More... Follow me on Instagram

Follow Jeanne Horak-Druiff's board Recipes by Cooksister on Pinterest.

Cooksister

The South African Food and Wine Blog Directory

The South African Food and Wine Blog Directory

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

Latest Recipes

Salmon with blood oranges dill and capers
Brussels sprouts with feta and pomegranate
Roast lamb with pomegranate glaze
Blood orange & pistachio galettes
Cauliflower topped steak with melted cheese
Plate of potted smoked salmon with slaw and a glass of champagne
bowls of pistachio pomegranate bircher muesli
Brussels sprouts with chorizo & hazelnuts

SITEMAP

Home

Contact

About me

Recipe Index

Restaurant Index

Copyright & Disclaimer

Cookies & privacy policy




blog counter

© 2004 - 2023 · Jeanne Horak unless otherwise stated - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may not reproduce any text, excerpts or images without my prior permission. Site by RTW Labs

Copyright © 2023 · Cooksister on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Cooksister cookie consent
We use cookies to ensure you receive the best experience on our site. If you continue to use this site, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions. Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT