Baking our blues away: raising awareness for mental illness

June 1st, 2012

Ovens & Cooking Recipes

Today, as we recently discovered, is the first ever ‘Baking Our Blues Away‘ day.

Held on the first official day of winter, ‘Baking Our Blues Away’ is a grassroots movement that started on Facebook and is quickly catching on around Australia and beyond.

The idea is simple: if you know anyone who suffers from a mental health issue such as depression or anxiety, bake them something on June 1 to show them that you’re thinking about them.

Receiving a gift – particularly something handmade – is one of life’s joys, and it can really make a difference to someone who might be feeling unhappy and isolated. Winter can be a tough time for anyone who is feeling the blues, and what better way to spread warmth and love than to switch the oven on and get baking!

The organiser of this event emphasises that ‘Baking Our Blues Away’ is not about fundraising – rather it’s an opportunity to make a simple gesture to those around you who might be feeling the winter blues.

For more information, check out the Facebook event page.

And for inspiration, check out this scrummy recipe from the gorgeous Rowie Dillon:

Gluten-free  Melting Moments

(From Indulge by Rowie Dillon)

Ingredients

(Makes 24)

375g unsalted butter, chopped and softened
185g (1 1/2 cups) pure icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey
500g rice flour, plus extra for coating
The icing
150g butter or dairy-free margarine, chopped and softened
1 tablespoon milk
250g (2 cups) pure icing sugar
1 tablespoon passionfruit pulp

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla and honey in a large bowl with electric beaters until pale and fluffy. Add the rice flour and mix well.

Using lightly floured hands, roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls and place on the prepared tray. Gently flatten each ball with a fork dipped in some extra rice flour. Bake for 15 minutes, or until just golden. Remove from the oven and leave on the tray to cool.

To make the icing, beat the butter and milk until pale and creamy. Add the icing sugar gradually until well combined, then add the passionfruit pulp and combine well. When the biscuits are completely cooled, sandwich two ‘moments’ together with the passionfruit icing.

These bikkies can be stored in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days.