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Sweet Treats

EASY CHOC CHIP MUFFINS

I have to admit to some not so light sampling of the chocolate chips prior to baking these muffins, so these aren’t as chocolately as they ought to be! But nevertheless they tasted great and are super simple to make. I like to make a big batch and freeze them for work lunches. This also helps with portion control which is great given that my self control isn’t that great when it comes to all things chocolate!

What you will need:
3 cups of self raising flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1 cup of chocolate chips (more if you plan on snacking!)
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter

What to do:
Preheat your oven to Moderate and grease and line your muffin tray(s). In a large bowl cream togther your sugars and butter along with the vanilla. Add your milk, salt and eggs and whisk until smooth. Gradually sift in your flour and baking powder and continue to whisk until a smooth batter forms. Fold in your chocolate chips and pour your batter evenly into each muffin tin. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Makes around 20 muffins. Enjoy!

Tags: recipes, sweets

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Categories Recipes

Smoothie Fever

25 Apr

BANANA & PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE

Ok so I don’t think this post really classifies as a recipe but nevertheless I wanted to share with you my favourite smoothie concoction which combines 2 of my favourite fruits bananas and pineapple. If you want to give it a go simply combine together 1/2 ice with 1 cup of pineapple juice and a banana. Pulse in a blender until smooth and you’re done! If you like your smoothies a little sweeter but don’t want to add artificial sweetener or a heap of sugar add a dash of agave nectar.

Tags: recipes, Smoothies

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Categories Recipes

SWEET TREATS

14 Apr

MINI PANCAKES WITH VANILLA SUGAR

Why is it that any food in mini form seems to taste just that little bit better? Well these mini pancakes are no exception. I used my mini pancake maker to make these but they could easily be make using a frypan.

What you will need:
2 cups self rasing flour, sifted
1 cup milk
2 eggs, whisked
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoons vanilla sugar plus extra for dusting
What to do:
In a large bowl whisk together your ingredients until a batter has formed. A few lumps are ok. Grease your pancake maker or add some oil to your frypan. Poor your batter into the preheated moulds or into the frypan. If using the frypan flip the pancakes once the mixture starts to bubble. Serve with a dusting of vanilla sugar and some cherries and maple syrup (optional).Yes it’s that easy! Enjoy!

Tags: recipes, sweets

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Categories Recipes

Sweet Treats

13 Apr

EASY VANILLA GLAZED DOUGHNUTS

Homemade doughnuts have been something I have been wanting to make for a while now. Doughnuts are my absolute favourite treat. This morning I finally got around to making them and after way too much “sampling” it’s safe to say this is my new favourite recipe. Next time I think I will try a chocolate or coconut glaze!

What you will need:

3 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup whole milk
2 cups plain flour
2 tablespoons caster sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 egg yolks
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
4 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons vanilla

What to do:
In a small saucepan lightly warm your milk. Now in a small bowl combine together 3/4 of a cup of the warmed milk with 2 tablespoons of the yeast. Mix together until a paste has formed, cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and set aside. Combine the remaining warmed milk and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater attachment. Sift your flour then add 1/2 cup along with the sugar, vanilla and egg yolks. Mix until smooth; about 5 minutes. Turn off the mixer and add 1/2 cup of the remaining flour. Mix on low for about 60 seconds. Add the butter and mix until it becomes incorporated into the mixture evenly. Switch to a dough hook and with the mixer turned off, add more flour, about 1/4 cup at a time. Knead the dough on medium speed between additions until the dough pulls completely away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth and not too sticky. It will be very soft and moist, but not so sticky that you can’t roll it out.

Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface to 2.5cm thick.Cut out your doughnut shapes using a doughnut cutter or 2 circular cookie cutters. Line and flour a baking tray with grease proof paper and place your doughnuts about 5 5cm apart. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the yeast to further rise. This works best in a warm environment. I like to place my dough on the bench near my heated oven however, under a range-hood light works well too. Once your dough slowly springs back once touched it’s done. Mine took about 15 minutes. Heat your oil in a deep fryer or heavy bottom saucepan to around 180°C. You can use a candy thermometer to test the temperature or place in a doughnut hole to test if the oil is hot enough. Now place your doughnuts in a few at a time and lightly fry on each side until golden brown. Be careful not to overcrowd the oil as it will reduce the temperature and result in soggy doughnuts. Once cooked place your doughnuts onto some paper towel to absorb any excess oil. While your doughnuts are cooling you can start on the glaze. In a large bowl sift in your icing sugar. Add the milk and vanilla essence and whilst until smooth. Drizzle over your cooled doughnuts. Makes about 12 doughnuts.

Recipe adapted from here.

NEW! <Download the Recipe PDF>

Tags: Doughnuts, recipes, sweets

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Categories Recipes

Easter Treats

29 Mar

CHOCOLATE BIRDS NEST CUPCAKES

I love Easter for one main reason; guilt free chocolate consumption. These double chocolate cupcakes make for the perfect Easter time treat or a cute gift for a loved one.

What you will need:
250 grams unsalted butter
250 grams dark chocolate, melted
2 cups caster sugar
2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup Dutch cocoa powder
2 eggs
12 mini solid Easter eggs
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup Dutch cocoa
1/2 cup milk
Mini eggs for decoration

What to do:
Preheat your oven to Moderate and grease or line your cupcake tray/s. In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until the mixture has whitened and become smooth. Beat in your eggs and milk then sift in the cocoa and flour. Fold in the melted chocolate and half fill your cupcake tray. Place a egg into the center of each of the cups then pour a little extra batter on top of each eggs so the eggs are covered and the trays are about 3/4 full. Bake for around 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out. Allow your cupcakes to cool whilst making your frosting. To make your frosting cream your butter in a large bowl then gradually sift in the icing sugar and cocoa. Pour in your milk a little at a time, whilst stirring until you reach your desired consistency. Using a tiny nozzle pipe your icing onto your cooled cupcakes in a circular motion around the perimeter of the cupcakes to create a nest like effect. Decorate by placing a few mini eggs into the center of the nest and your done! Makes around 12 cupcakes. Enjoy and Happy Easter!