A Winter Essential: Homemade Rusks & Espresso Moments

There’s something deeply comforting about dunking a homemade rusk into a steaming cup of coffee on a crisp winter morning. It’s a tradition that warms both hands and hearts — and it’s even better when served with timeless style. This winter, we’re pairing a rustic South African classic with beautiful Maxwell & Williams pieces that elevate even the simplest kitchen rituals.

The Comfort of Homemade Rusks

Rusks are a South African staple — twice-baked treats that are crunchy, lightly sweet, and perfect for dipping. Whether you love them buttermilk-style, fruit & nut, or bran-rich, they’re a great bake-ahead recipe to keep stocked for chilly days. They store well in an airtight container and make the perfect partner for your morning brew or evening unwind.

Winter Serving Style

For this recipe, we’ve plated our rusks on a Maxwell & Williams Umi Side Plate – its artisanal glaze and earthy tones add a natural warmth to the table, ideal for cold weather styling. We paired the moment with freshly brewed coffee from our Stovetop Espresso Maker, combining modern functionality with a sleek, vintage-inspired design.

The Ultimate Rusk Recipe

Ingredients:

·         1kg self-raising flour

·         2 cups sugar

·         2 tsp baking powder

·         Pinch of salt

·         500g butter, melted

·         2 eggs, lightly beaten

·         500ml buttermilk

Method:

·         Preheat oven to 180°C.

·         In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.

·         Stir in melted butter until crumbly.

·         Add eggs and buttermilk. Mix to form a sticky dough.

·         Press into a greased baking tray and bake for 45–60 minutes until golden.

·         Remove from oven, cool slightly, then cut into rusk fingers.

·         Dry in the oven at 100°C for 4–6 hours until completely crisp.

Create the Moment

Style your rusks on your favourite Umi plate, pour your coffee from the stovetop espresso maker, wrap up in a blanket, and take a moment just for you.

Whether you're sharing a slow Sunday with family or stocking up on teatime essentials for the week ahead, this simple ritual of baking and brewing brings a little warmth to winter days — made more beautiful with Maxwell & Williams.