Having guests around for the long weekend? We’re serving up some baking inspiration.

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SWEET LITTLE KISSES

These little Gingerbread Kisses are very, VERY good. You can keep a stash of unfilled cakes in the freezer for emergencies.

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TRUE BLISS

Bliss balls are a great little sweet treat without refined sugar. For an alternative to chocolate truffles try these Cacao Nib Balls.
Also Try: These Blackcurrant and Manuka Balls are a zesty bite and our Date and Almond Bliss Balls are popular with the littlies.

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An easy lemon tart from the ladies behind the Tora Coastal Walk in the Wairarapa.

NZ CLASSICS

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Classic New Zealand recipes such as The Mountain Cafe’s Ginger Crunch will keep the troops happy.

Also try: Yoyos that melt in the mouth and this Lemon Meringue Pie from The French Cafe never fail to impress.

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BE A COVER STAR

This Apple and Date Cake appeared on the cover of the March/April 2017 issue of NZ LIFE & Leisure. It tastes as good as it looks.

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BE A BIT NUTTY

The blend of salty and sweet in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Salted Date Filling is a winner.

Also try: Be prepared, keep some goodies in the freezer just in case. Both these Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites and these Macadamia Passionfruit Truffles can be frozen.

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IT’S A CRACKER

These Danish Seed Crackers are a favourite in the thisNZlife office. Great to serve with dips.

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CAKE WALK

The Goan classic cake Bolo de Coco is made with semolina and coconut – perfect with a cup of tea.

Also try: Our Chocolate and Stout Cake is a decadent, gooey option.

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GLUTEN-FREE GOODIES

Duncan White’s Gluten-Free Spiced Apple Cake started as an experiment, but it’s now one of our most popular recipes on thisNZlife.

Also try: This Gluten-Free Gingerbread recipe is shared between several top chefs. Let Christmas come more than once a year with this Gluten-Free  Blueberry and Chia Seed Tart.