Modern Classics Book 2
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 2:09PM 
Donna Hay has the ability to turn the simple into the sublime, flick through the pages in Modern Classics Book 2 Donna Hay's baking book and you'll know what I mean. Gorgeous photography and styling accompany a beautiful collection of baking favourites, all with that unmistakable Donna Hay modern twist the world has come to love.
The book is divided into the following sections;
Cookies, biscuits and slices
Small cakes
Cakes
Desserts
Hot puddings
Pies & tarts
Step by step concise instructions guide you through, doughnuts to crème caramel, muffins to soufflé. Learn how to make a butter cake, whip up a sponge, churn yourself a bowl of ice-cream, bake a sugary pastry. 
Step by step instructions lead you through to the finished result
The layout with suggested variations on recipes make it an ideal book for beginner bakers, or for the more experienced cook, who doesn't need a recipe for the perfect simple lemon cake?
Being Australia Day today it's good to see the traditional Aussie classics are included, pavlova, lamingtons, anzac biscuits and "yum" friands! I baked the blueberry friands (pictured top) from the friands recipe page 46 of Modern Classics Book 2.
Blueberry Friands
Preheat oven 180C (350F)
Muffin or friand tin
Ingredients
125g (4oz) butter
1 cup almond meal
1 2/3 cups icing (confectioners) sugar
3/4 cup plain (all purpose) flour, sifted
1/2 tsp of baking powder
5 egg whites
1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Method
Melt the butter in a small saucepan, over low heat until it changes colour to a light golden brown. Set aside.
Put the almond meal, icing sugar, flour and baking powder in a bowl and stir until combined. Add egg white & stir to combine. Add butter and stir to combine. Spoon 2 tablespoons of mix into 10 of the greased or paper lined muffin cups. Sprinkle with blueberries. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and springy but moist in the centre.
I sprinkled mine with icing sugar, I sometimes add one tsp of lemon zest to the recipe for lemon blueberry friands.
Modern Classics Book 2 will quickly become a favourite with it's home-style, easy & stylish recipes. Excellent tools & glossary sections will further assist beginner bakers and delicious recipes will tempt bakers of all levels!
All in all, a worthy addition to any bakers shelf.
Available in Oz from all leading bookstores and online from Donna Hay's official site.
Elsewhere
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!
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