THE CAPTAIN’S CHRISTMAS TREATS

Christmas is the time for celebrations, fun, good food and drinks, and great company – whether it be on the water or on land. Bonding with your family and friends over Christmas treats and activities is a loved pass-time and one of Captain Frank’s favourite things about Christmas. For those that love food and fun activities, there is no better time of the year!

Want to enjoy some special treats and foodie fun this holiday season? Here are some ideas to explore for making and baking and some of the Captain’s favourites…

CHRISTMAS TREATS & FUN

Shortbread – Everyone loves a good homemade shortbread cookie, and these can be baked in all shapes and sizes, including Christmas trees, stars, Santa, reindeers, etc. This is a fun activity for all involved so gather your friends and family together and cook away. Don’t forget to decorate the cookies, using Christmas coloured icing (or nautical coloured). A true Christmas classic!


Fruit Mince Pies – For a long-lasting Christmas treat, a fruit mince pie will do the trick. This tasty treat is a classic and homemade pies are a favourite. With a mix of fruit, nuts and spices the fruit mince pie is mixed together and left to rest until the pastry cups are cooked and ready to go.


Rum Balls – One for the adults, a classic rum ball puts a twist on all Christmas party occasions. The secret of a rum ball is that they don’t actually contain too much rum, however, this is your personal preference, and you can add more or less according to your liking. Decorate as you please and enjoy them for yourself or give them as a gift. You can never go wrong with an indulgent rum ball, and rum is the liquor of choice for many sailors and sea captains!


Gingerbread Houses – Get the family together and entertain the kids with some gingerbread house creations. Having a gingerbread house bake-off is a great Christmas Day pass-time to keep everyone busy. With house kits available in a number of stores and supermarkets, it’s a fun activity for all ages to do. Add on some extras to the decorations (perhaps some nautical fun) and work to create the best house of all!



The Trifle – One of the longest-running classic desserts around, dating all the way back to the 1500’s; the trifle is the most classic and timeless dessert. Families for generations have passed down their trifle recipes so this dessert often contains family secrets, making each version unique and different. This dish is layered with everyone’s favourites including jelly, custard, cream, jam sponge scrolls and fresh fruit, and the layers piled up look amazing in those beautiful glass dishes.



Pick just one or two treat options, or if you and the kids are on holidays, why not try all these fun treat ideas!?! Share them in person with your family and friends and share your creations with Captain Frank and the team on Instagram.

#seasydneyharbour #onaboat #sydney #christmas #christmastreats #christmasdesserts #christmasideas #activities #allthingsnautical

SWEET EASTER TREATS

Easter is a time when the phrase “calories don’t count” is definitely appropriate, so why not indulge in some sweet homemade Easter treats?!? 

Here are two fun but simple recipes selected by Captain Frank, that are guaranteed to please and impress your guests. Created as single servings these treats are perfect for parties and gatherings hosted at any venue – at home, outdoors, or even on a boat.


TRIPLE CHOC EASTER EGG BROWNIES

This fun dessert is a great Easter twist on a classic sweet dish that is great for all ages. Delicious and rich, it’s perfect for those chocolate lovers and can be created within the hour!

Serves: 12. Prep: 15 mins. Cooking Time: 45 mins.

  • 200g dark chocolate Easter eggs, roughly chopped
  • 250g butter, roughly chopped
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/3 cups firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 ¼ cups plain flour, sifted
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 100g small milk chocolate Easter eggs
  • 100g small white chocolate Easter eggs
  • Icing sugar, to serve
  1. Preheat oven to 160°c. Line a greased 22cm-square cake tin with baking paper.
  2. Place dark chocolate and butter in a metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Place eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add cooled chocolate mixture, cocoa, flour, baking powder, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine.
  4. Fold through milk and white chocolate chunks. Transfer mixture to prepared tin and bake for 40 minutes or until cooked through but still slightly fudgy in the centre.
  5. Serve dusted with icing sugar.

WHITE CHOC & PASSIONFRUIT MOUSSE

Served in an Easter egg shell, these treats take less than 30 minutes to prepare and are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Serves: 6. Prep: 5 mins. Cooking Time: 15 mins.

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 3 egg whites
  • ¼ cup caster sugar
  • ½ cup passionfruit pulp
  • 150g white chocolate
  • 300ml thickened cream
  • 6 medium Easter eggs
  1. Use an electric beater to beat 3 egg yolks and ¼ cup caster sugar until pale and creamy. Fold in ½ cup passionfruit pulp alternately with 150g white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly.
  2. Beat 300ml thickened cream until soft peaks form, and in a separate bowl beat 3 egg whites until firm peaks form. Fold into the passionfruit mixture.
  3. Break tops from 6 medium Easter eggs and sit eggs in serving glasses. Fill with mousse and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight until set.
  4. Optional: Serve with chocolate shards for dipping.

IT’S TIME TO INDULGE

To complement these fabulous dessert treats, consider a fabulous party venue! Why not try something different this year for your Easter celebration and take your party off dry land and onto stunning Sydney Harbour?!?

Include these dessert options into your Easter menu and share your ideas with Captain Frank and the team. Share your favourite Easter creations on Instagram.

#seasydneyharbour #onaboat #sydney #sydneyharbour #eastertreats #easter #boatfoodideas #yesimadeit #allthingsnautical

A CHEESECAKE FAVOURITE

Captain Frank’s dessert pick for Christmas is a playful cheesecake that will go down a treat with both adults and kids – he’s never the one to make it… but he sure does love to eat it!

 

PEANUT BUTTER & POPCORN CHEESECAKE

“Include peanut butter and you have a winner dish!” – Captain Frank

Time to serve. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour.

Serves: 12         Prep: 45 mins          Cooking Time: 10 mins

  • 1¼ cups chocolate biscuit crumbs
  • 80g butter melted
  • 500g cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 3 tsp gelatine dissolved in ¼ cup boiling water
  • ¾ cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup thickened cream, softly whipped
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup thickened cream, extra
  • ¼ cup popping corn, popped as per packet instructions
  1. Combine biscuit crumbs and butter then press into the base of a greased and lined 22cm round springform pan. Chill.
  2. Beat the cream cheese, caster sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in gelatine and peanut butter, then fold through cream. Pour mixture over prepared base. Chill for 3 hours or until set.
  3. Heat sugar in a saucepan over a medium-high heat, without stirring, for 2 minutes or until sugar begins to melt. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Remove from heat and carefully add extra cream. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool.
  4. Top cheesecake with popcorn and drizzle over sauce. Serve immediately.

 

SHARE YOUR DESSERT FAVOURITE

Do you have a dessert idea that you would love to share? We would love to see it as Captain Frank and the team enjoy tasty food both on land and on water! Share your dessert selections on Instagram.

#seasydneyharbour #onaboat #sydney #sydneyharbour #christmas #dessert #yesimadeit #allthingsnautical