A traditional South African winner!

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

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If you have read my blog over the past couple of months, you will know all about my disastrous baking skills. I can’t bake, I hate baking and really, I shouldn’t be allowed to bake – but all in the name my office Ultimate Bake Off, I had to try. So over the past couple of months, I have trial baked streusel cupcakes that were so dry you needed a glass of water to eat them, angel cake that tasted suspiciously like an omelette and lemon slices that were so tart they gave you a temporary facelift. It was clear that I needed to reassess my skills and keep it familiar and simple with a tried-and-tested winner, something I grew up with – South African milktart (if you have never tried it, it’s a delicate vanilla and cinnamon flavoured custard tart, it’s pretty much foolproof). I am relieved to say that minimal tantrums were thrown in the kitchen and it ended up being a great hit at work! If you are a skilled baker, you could do this with your hands tied behind your back, if like me, you are reluctant and rubbish with a flour sift, then you will find this a complete doddle, but either way, the results are delicious!

Do you have traditional family recipes?

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13 comments

  1. never heard of it before, but sounds yummy. will def give this a try one day :) bookmared!

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  2. that looks delicious. thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  3. Yaya, glad it was a success! It looks so delicious too.

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  4. And that was supposed to be "yay", not "yaya". Ha!

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  5. This looks so good!! I have a love affair with South Africa, despite never having been, and this might have just cemented that love ;)
    -Charlotte

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  6. haha the facelift comment made me giggle! I'm never tried it but if it's easy then it's for me! My mom make a killer homemade strawberry pie. I've been too scared to butcher it, so I haven't made it yet!

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  7. I'm sure it would go smoothly with a cup of coffee. :) It looks delicious!
    Ada

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  8. This sounds easy and looks divine. I love to cook, because I can be creative and improvise but often have no patience for the exactness of baking and my baked goods show it! I might just have to give this a go.

    Nice job!

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  9. Oh wow. My mouth is just watering looking at this. How yummy! :)

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  10. It sounds like you and me are a little the same in the kitchen...but this pie looks like a winner! YUUUUUM! Pass me a slice. Thank you so much for the tip, seriously.

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  11. Yummmm, it looks delicious! I haven't baked anything in years and really need to get back into it. I will have to try out your recipe soon!

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  12. Oh my goodness, that brings back memories... we had South African neighbours when I was a kid (in NZ), and they gave Mum their Milk Tart recipe. I used to love it, although I haven't had any for a long time. Will have to give your recipe a try.

    My fail-safe cake is a lemon yogurt cake, really easy and super yummy... http://cushandnooks.blogspot.co.nz/2011/11/lovely-lemon-cake.html

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  13. Delish! This looks wonderful & even better than Pick'n Pays! I look forward to trying the recipe, as my family hasn't had a true blue South African melk tart in far too long. I'm a novice baker, but I'll do my best to make you proud. Wish me luck!

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