Four Festive Favourites From the Mortgage Express Team
Mortgage Express
Mortgage Resource
4 months ago
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The holiday season is here and it’s the perfect time to indulge in delicious treats and time-honoured traditions. To help you celebrate in style, we’ve gathered four of our favourite festive recipes, straight from the Mortgage Express team to your kitchen! These recipes are sure to bring a little extra cheer to your Christmas and New Year celebrations. So, dust off your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to whip up some holiday magic with these festive favourites!

Jacqui’s Chewy Brownie Mix In A Jar

Looking for a thoughtful, homemade gift this festive season? Jacqui’s Chewy Brownie Mix in a Jar is not only delicious but also beautifully presented and easy to make. Perfect for sharing with family and friends or keeping for those last-minute dessert emergencies!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 95 g plain flour
  • 35 g cocoa
  • 75 g plain flour
  • 135 g brown sugar
  • 150 g sugar
  • 100 g chocolate chips
  • 100g white chocolate chips
  • 50 g walnuts or pecans (optional) 

Method

  • Layer the dry ingredients in a one litre jar, following the order above from top to bottom, starting with the baking powder and flour. Press each layer down before adding the next. The amounts given should exactly fill a one litre jar.
  • To bake, preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
  • Pour brownie mix into large mixer bowl and stir.
  • Add 3/4 cup melted butter, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
  • Stir well, then spread into a prepared baking pan.
  • Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centre comes out slightly sticky.
  • Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy.
  • Makes 2 dozen brownies.

P.S. If you’re making these as a gift, print the instructions on a card and tie it around the neck of your jar with a pretty ribbon.

Belle’s Tim Tam Christmas Bites

If you’re looking for the ultimate festive indulgence, these no-bake treats combine the rich chocolatey goodness of Tim Tams with a fun, holiday-inspired twist. Quick, easy, and a guaranteed hit at any Christmas gathering.

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Arnott's Tim Tams
  • 250 g cream cheese
  • 300 g CADBURY Baking White Chocolate Block
  • 100 g CADBURY Baking White Chocolate Block optional *to decorate

Method

  • Crush Tim Tams in a food processor, then add cream cheese and mix well.
  • Roll into small balls, then pop in the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  • Melt the milk chocolate, then dip and coat each ball really well with chocolate while still frozen.
  • Melt white chocolate, then drizzle over the balls to decorate. 

Nikki’s Christmas Pud Biscuits

Add some festive cheer to your dessert table with Nikki’s Christmas Pud Biscuits. These adorable, bite-sized treats are a fun twist on a traditional pudding, offering all the festive flavours without the fuss.

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Gingernuts (or your own homemade biscuits)
  • 300 g CADBURY White Chocolate or Caramilk Chocolate Block melted
  • Glace cherries, jube lollies, M&Ms to decorate 

Method

  • Melt the white or caramilk chocolate over a double burner or in the microwave
  • Dip each biscuit into the melted chocolate to about half-way up the biscuit, allowing the chocolate to drip down the rest of the biscuit
  • Decorate with pieces of glace cherries, jube lollies and red or green M&Ms to resemble Christmas holly and berries 

Sree’s Mum’s *Homemade Grape Wine Recipe*

Add a touch of tradition to your holiday celebrations with Sree’s Mum’s Homemade Grape Wine. This family recipe is packed with love and perfect for creating a festive atmosphere with friends and family.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg black grapes
  • 1-2 cups sugar (depending on taste)
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks
  • 5-6 cloves

Method

  • Wash and crush grapes.
  • In a pressure cooker, combine grapes, cinnamon, and cloves.
  • Add water to cover grapes and bring to boil (whistle).
  • Turn off heat, let cool.
  • Transfer mixture to a glass jar (3/4 full).
  • Add sugar and yeast. Mix well.
  • Store jar in dark place (kitchen cabinet).
  • Stir daily with wooden spoon for 7 days.
  • Strain mixture, discard solids.
  • Store wine in bottles.
  • Enjoy your homemade grape wine!

 Tips: 

  • Use 1-2 cups sugar per kg grapes.
  • Black grapes yield better wine.
  • No additional water needed.

We hope you love making these as much as we do. Share your pictures over on our Facebook page and remember to check the Mortgage Express blog for more advice and information about home loans, refinancing, debt consolidation and more.