My husband raised his eyebrows when I announced that I’d “joined another group”. He despairs as I spend more time working on voluntary projects than paid ones. Maybe it’s an age and stage thing? And clichéd I know, but I really do get  satisfaction from the non-paid things I do. So, I do more of them and so it goes on…

I’m now proudly a member of Good Bitches Baking. This is a collective of women who have come together on Facebook to bake for those who could do with a treat. It’s a simple but effective concept that has been realised by Wellington based gals, Nic and Marie.

Husband asked how I feel about being called a bitch. You know, I don’t much like that word – truth be told, I strongly dislike it. But, in this case, it’s not about what’s being said, rather how it’s said. I can live with being called a good bitch. And this isn’t about me.

My highlight of last week was dropping these little beauties off to Women’s Refuge. I don’t know who got them or how they used them, and I don’t care. What I do know is that they made somebody happy and that’s what this is all about.

Here’s the recipe I used – standard afghans with a little twist.

What you’ll need

200g softened butter

100g brown sugar

1 orange, squeezed for juice

190g plain flour

3 Tbsp cocoa

50g cornflakes (or crushed up weetbix if that’s what you have) – that’s about 2 cups worth

Icing:

Chocolate butter icing with a squeeze of fresh orange juice

How to make them

Turn oven to 180°C. Prepare an oven tray with baking paper.

Cream butter and sugar and lovely and fluffy. Beat in the orange juice until well combined.

Sift together the flour and cocoa and mix into the creamed mixture.

Mix through the cornflakes. As you can see, I do the who lot in my trusted Kenny.

Using a teaspoon, shape large spoonfuls into a rustic looking ball, leaving room between each for slight spreading.

Lightly press a floured fork on top of each biscuit to flatten slightly.

Bake for 10-13 minutes until they ‘smell’ ready – you need to watch so they don’t burn. Remove from oven and cool on tray for a five-ten minutes before moving to wire racks.

When completely cold, ice with chocolate icing. Traditionally, they are served with a half walnut pressed into the icing. I sometimes will use thread coconut instead or decorate with sprinkles as I’ve done in this case.

These are a brilliant lunch box filler or a tasty gift. They also go down a treat for a work shout. I often make a double batch and will cook at 165°C fanbake if I’m cooking multiple trays in the oven.

If you have some time on your hands and want to give these (or any baking) a go for a good cause, contact the girls at Good Bitches Baking – they’ll find a home for it. And you’ll feel brilliant for having done it.