Years ago I used to live across the road from Crown Street Public School at #307. It was a huge, rundown terrace house that we filled with friends, frivolity and dysfunction. We were all living silly student lives, really. Up until all hours, running ourselves into the ground with booze and god knows what else.
Lots to celebrate
There was something very grounding about having Crown Street Public across the road. It’s a beautiful old school, with towering limestone buildings set high above the street. Every morning and sometimes in the afternoon, the swell of little kids playing would rouse us all out of our collective hangovers and remind us that life isn’t all about partying. There are more important things going on in the world.
So, thank you, Crown Street Public, from a long-gone younger Bronny who used to live across the road. The current Bronny is very proud to bring a recipe to Mumlyfe from your lovely new cookbook, Crown Street Celebrates.
Very famous neighbours
Just like the kids used to capture the importance of life for me back at #307, Crown Street Celebrates really does celebrate all that’s good about life. Family, friends, wholesome good food and sharing. The school is turning 170 years old this year and while I sometimes feel 170 myself, I agree it’s a remarkable achievement.
The cookbook is full of very-best recipes shared by families and staff at the school as well as Crown Street Public’s many illustrious Surry Hills neighbours. So along with teacher Ms Peudevin’s grandmother’s green tomato pickles recipe and the Flensburg Family’s Swedish cinnamon buns, there are recipes shared by leading chefs like Bill Granger, Dan Hong, Maurice Terzini, Colin Fassnidge, and the much-loved late Jeremy Strode, whose kids attend Crown Street Public.
You can find out more and get your hands on a copy of this wonderful cookbook at Crown Street Celebrates.
Enjoy a cupcake to celebrate this wonderful little school. Make a double batch to gift to a friend or two. The world needs more cupcakes and community and schools just like Crown Street Public.
Blossoms cupcakes
Recipe from Crown Street Celebrates by Elaine Lees, Nanna of Olive Caraturo, year 5 at Crown Street Public. Image by Jacqui Turk.
Makes 12 cupcakes
Takes 20 mins
Bakes 15 mins
These are the simplest cupcakes you will ever make!
125g butter, softened
¾ cup caster sugar
3 free-range eggs,
lightly beaten
1½ cup self-raising
flour, sifted
¼ cup custard powder
½ cup milk
Preheat oven to 190°C. Prepare a lightly-greased pan with 12 patty cases.
Place the butter and sugar in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and mix on a slow speed. Scrape down sides with a spatula and mix again.
Add flour and custard powder slowly – a large spoonful at a time, scrape down sides with a spatula. Add the milk and mix until fully combined.
Spoon mix into patty pan cases and bake for 12-15 minutes or until just slightly golden.
Allow to cool and decorate to your heart’s content. Or enjoy them hot with butter straight from the oven!
Whipped cream
500 ml pouring cream
3 tbsp icing sugar
1 vanilla bean, split,
seeds scraped out
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until the cream thickens to your desired consistency.
School images by Richard Hedger; Cupcake images by Jacqui Turk