The “Queens Birthday” is celebrated today in New Zealand. Always the first Monday in June, this holiday includes official celebrations such as the Queens Birthday Honours list and military ceremonies (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen's_Official_Birthday), although I wasn’t aware of them growing up.
I made these Queen Cakes for breakfast this morning, and they were absolutely delicious – definitely fit for a Queen.
QUEEN CAKES
4 ounces of butter
4 ounces sugar
2 eggs
3 ounces flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 ounces currants
Heat the oven to 400F/200C and lightly grease 12 patty pans (Queen cakes are not usually made in paper cases). Soften the butter and whisk the eggs lightly.
Cream the butter and guar very thoroughly until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs a little at a time and add the finely grated lemon zest, the sifted dry ingredients and lastly the currants.
Spoon into the patty tins, which should be about 2/3 full, and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the pans when they have cooled a little.
Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Ladies, A Plate, Traditional home baking, Alexa Johnston, 2008
http://www.ladiesaplate.co.nz/
Chez @ Chez Moi said:
I’m from NZ too, and have been perturbed to find that in Australia, Queen’s Birthday is celebrated on the second month in June. Just when is the Queen’s Birthday!?
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Ceri Wilkin said:
Oh how wonderful – are you living in NZ still?
Thats a good question – I guess its like Fathers Day, which is a different date in NZ and America – you celebrate on the date of the country you happen to be in on the day?
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Chez @ Chez Moi said:
No I’ve lived in Australia for the last 3 years. Will always call NZ home though!
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