Since the pandemic hit I have tried to avoid writing about it, but as we must live with it, it often gives us a reason for doing something.

As we entered yet another lock down in the middle of the year, we had no idea of what lay ahead.  For those of us lucky enough to live in the country, our lock downs have been much shorter than for those who are living in Melbourne.  In Melbourne it is ongoing.

When I heard that the restrictions were being increased to prevent children’s access to playgrounds, I just wanted to do something for my grandboys who were being home-schooled, and now they were no-longer permitted to go to the playground.  Fortunately their home is on a large block where they have ample room to run around, play and keep active, and they have a gorgeous puppy called Cobi (I’ve probably spelt that incorrectly!) to keep them entertained, but they are, like so many other children, having their childhood put on hold.

I’m generally not the one to run to the shops to buy gifts such as toys, books and lollies (oh my poor grandchildren!), I cook.  I love cooking for my family and with my family.  I love getting the children involved, teaching them about the cultures behind different dishes, and creating memories, though I couldn’t do that as we are not allowed to be with our family during the restrictions.

But you know what they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I had an idea…  I quickly messaged Olivia and put my idea to her..

The following morning I quickly made a chocolate sponge and prepared a little shopping list, asking Gary to go to the supermarket to purchase these items.  I then photocopied the recipe for my Mum’s Yo Yo biscuits/cookies, from her old recipe book, and folded it so that it looked like a card.

My mum’s recipe book

Freshly baked chocolate sponge destined to become Chocolate Cream Cake

The well used recipe for Yo Yo’s

With a little letter written inside, the sponge cooled and wrapped, and everything gathered, I packaged everything up ready to take to the post office. I also included something new that I had made –  Samuel had asked me to create a jam like I had done for Cooper.  Cooper’s Jam was my Summerberry Jam, so, as I said to Samuel, his jam should to be different.  I had discovered his love of kiwi fruit, this fruit was going to form the basis of Samuel’s Jam.  A sample jar was also included in the package for him to try (I will share more in another post)…

Getting ready to package

Mustn’t forget the recipe

At the post office the package was dispatched by Express Post in the hope that it would arrive the following day.  It did, and I received the following beautiful message from Olivia…

I wished I had caught on video the moment the boys opened the door because the shock and excitement that a package came with their names on it was beautiful to witness.  On Friday Cooper and I made yo-yos while Samuel did his school work, although his arm got tired by the time we sifted the icing sugar, so not a lot of help was given after that.  We froze the chocolate cream cake so it was fresh and ready for when Cooper returned this week.  Yesterday I whipped the cream and Samuel iced the top of the chocolate cream cake, and it was enjoyed during a Harry Potter movie night last night. 

Thank you so much

Samuel a picture of concentration as he dusts the sponge with icing sugar.

Freshly baked Yo-Yos

Samuel and Cooper testing the Yo-Yos

And a follow up

Yo-yos are definitely a favourite in the house now.  I’m going to roll them smaller next time so hopefully they might last longer – they only lasted 2 days!

So a simple little package containing a chocolate sponge, a sample pot of jam destined to become Samuel’s Jam, a recipe and some plain flour, custard powder and icing sugar brought some sunshine into two little boys’ day.

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Nana Grace's Yo Yo's

My mum was an amazing cook, anything she turned her hand to was always delicious. Her Yo Yo biscuits/cookies never lasted long, so it was always such a treat when she baked them.

Category: Baking, Snacks

Style: Australian

Keyword: Biscuits, Christmas Cookies, Mum's Recipes, Yo-Yo, Yo-Yos

Author: sbaskitchen

Ingredients

• 225 g / 8 oz butter
• 115 g / 4 oz custard powder
• 115 g / 4 oz icing sugar
• 2 - 2 1/2 cups plain flour

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 160˚C/320˚F (fan-forced).
2. Line two baking trays with baking paper.

3. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

4. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix to a dough like consistency.
5. Roll teaspoonfuls of the dough into small balls and place on the prepared baking trays, leaving room for a little spreading.

6. Use a fork to gently flatten (dip the fork into some plain flour every now and then to prevent it from sticking to the biscuit).

7. Bake in preheated oven 15-20 minutes.
8. Join together with a little icing (see note below).

Notes

While many choose to join their Yo Yo's together with a butter icing, we always made a simple icing using icing sugar, a small piece of butter, probably about half to one teaspoonful, a little vanilla, and just enough boiling water to mix to a nice consistency.

Until next time

Bon appétit!

Links:

Chocolate Sponge

Cooper’s jam

Mum’s Yo Yo Biscuits/Cookies

Summerberry Jam