Yummy Coco Nutty Pavlova Log Recipes

SUNNY'S BUGS ON A LOG

Steps:

• For the filling: Add the peanut butter, cocoa powder, honey, cinnamon sugar and avocado to a food processor and blend on high until smooth and aerated. Scoop into a piping bag or sealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.
• For the logs and insects: Choose a tip for piping or cut a hole in the corner of the plastic bag. Place the celery leaves in the recess of the celery stalks and pipe the filling over them, leaving a bit of the leaves sticking up on the sides of each. Top with one of each "insect"--a raspberry, raisin, dried cherry and pretzel--along the length or make logs to your liking.

YUMMY CHOCOLATE LOG

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter and line a 23 x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Beat the eggs and golden caster sugar together with an electric whisk for about 8 mins until thick and creamy.
• Mix the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together, then sift onto the egg mixture. Fold in very carefully, then pour into the tin. Tip the tin from side to side to spread the mixture into the corners. Bake for 10 mins.
• Lay a sheet of baking parchment on a work surface. When the cake is ready, tip it onto the parchment, peel off the lining paper, then roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside. Leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Take from the heat and stir in the golden syrup and 5 tbsp double cream. Beat in the icing sugar until smooth.
• Whisk the remaining double cream until it holds its shape. Unravel the cake, spread the cream over the top, scatter over the crushed extra strong mints, if using, then carefully roll up again into a log.
• Cut a thick diagonal slice from one end of the log. Lift the log on to a plate, then arrange the slice on the side with the diagonal cut against the cake to make a branch. Spread the icing over the log and branch (don't cover the ends), then use a fork to mark the icing to give the effect of tree bark. Scatter with unsifted icing sugar to resemble snow, and decorate with holly.

COCONUT PAVLOVA

Steps:

• FOR THE PAVLOVA: In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly add sugar with mixer running and beat until mixture is glossy and very thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in cornstarch and vinegar. Gently fold in coconut.
• Spoon 6 dollops onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Make a shallow indentation in the center. Bake in a preheated 250F oven for 1 hour, or until pavlovas are crisp to the touch. Turn off the oven and leave to cool. Once cooled, store in an air-tight container for up to 2 days.
• To serve - toss Europe's Best Summer Fruit Salad with maple syrup or honey. Place individual pavlovas or serving plates. Top with a scoop of ice cream and serve over fruit.