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Now trending: Frog-in-a-pond hot chocolate

Sofia Levin
Sofia Levin

We're drinking… HOT CHOCOLATE

This month there are 31 good reasons to visit Yarra Valley Chocolaterie – and all of them are hot chocolates. Every week in August the chocolatiers will introduce eight new flavours. We're excited for The Wagon Wheel and Hot Gaytime, while kids are likely to go for hot chocolates inspired by freckles and frogs in a pond.

The sweetest drink around: hot chocolates from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
The sweetest drink around: hot chocolates from Yarra Valley ChocolaterieSupplied

We're eating… THE BOURBON BURGEL

​In this week's edition of freak food, we bring you Chicken & Sons' Bourbon Burgel, an American cheeseburger with a shot of glazed bacon-topped bourbon pushed through its centre. It launched at the Surry Hills store at the end of last month, just arrived at Leichhardt and is available on Friday and Saturday nights for $22 with a limit of two a customer. Eat and drink responsibly.

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Australian sea urchin from Port Phillip Bay.
Australian sea urchin from Port Phillip Bay.Supplied

We're cooking with… AUSSIE SEA URCHIN

Although Sydney's urchin or ''uni" season has just ended, diving has commenced in Melbourne around Port Phillip Bay (the Sydney season runs from December through June). Supernormal head chef Perry Shagen recommends serving them as simply as possible to "showcase the delicate flavour". Available via southcoastseaurchins.com.au or try it on seaweed crackers at Supernormal.

Crazy cones from Gelato Fiasco
Crazy cones from Gelato FiascoSupplied

We're buying… GELATO FIASCO

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A new gelato has hit shelves, and with flavours like the Log Cabin (chocolate with whiskey syrup and Sriracha flake coated almonds), we now have an excuse to eat gelato in the middle of winter. Hailing from Portland, Gelato Fiasco is available at 7-Eleven stores nationally or from the Gelato Fiasco Log Cabin pop-up at 82 Johnston Street, Fitzroy in Melbourne, which runs for six weeks from August 5.

A peanut butter and chocolate chip skillet cookie made by Shadi Hasanzade from Unicorns in the Kitchen
A peanut butter and chocolate chip skillet cookie made by Shadi Hasanzade from Unicorns in the KitchenSupplied

We're baking… SKILLET COOKIES

Why use your skillet to cook heavy meat dishes and stir-fries when you can bake a giant cookie? Here's a peanut butter and chocolate chip version made by Shadi from Unicorns in the Kitchen and Rachel from Bakeria. If you're into soft centres, crispy edges and over-indulgence, this one's for you: unicornsinthekitchen.com/peanut-butter-chocolate-chunk-skillet-cookie.

We're loving… LASER-ENGRAVED ROLLING PINS

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Baking is one skill, but decorating is another, says Zuzia Kozerska​. She first engraved a wooden rolling pin with cats for her niece's birthday – it was such a hit with children and adults alike it turned into a business. The high-quality pins are a great gift and come with cooking tips in beautiful packaging. Shop existing patterns online or place a custom order: valekrollingpins.com.

Pimple Cupcakes are here to haunt your dream (or nightmares?).
Pimple Cupcakes are here to haunt your dream (or nightmares?).Supplied

We can't believe… THESE PIMPLE CUPCAKES

These vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing look like giant, pus-filled zits and even "pop" vanilla pudding mix when squeezed. Invented by Rachael Sanchez, who works for Dr Sandra Lee (aka Dr Pimple Popper), her business @BlessedByBaking received a giant boost after Dr Lee Instagrammed the cupcakes during a pimple-popper potluck. "Naturally I signed up for dessert, never thinking these little cupcakes would go viral!" says Sanchez.

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Sofia LevinSofia Levin is a food writer and presenter.

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