I have chosen recipes which are very similar because they both use golden syrup and spices, yet taste quite different and are well worth trying. They are both also relatively easy and quick to make, with great results. Shirley Thomson of New Plymouth hunted out the recipe for Coburg cakes which were her grandpa’s favourite. Coburg cakes are an early version of a cupcake and are made with syrup and spices. When I tested the recipe I used ginger rather than cinnamon and found them to be not too spicy. You could put both cinnamon and ginger in if you wanted something  bit stronger.This next recipe was sent in by Kay Brydon, who says it came from her darling late nana, Edith (known as Bid) Hayden. “My three daughters and one daughter-in-law all make these yum biscuits, as I do too of course.” My family loved these when I made them but don’t expect them to be hard as rocks because of their name. They are actually quite soft.