Tag Archives: sweets

Easter Treats

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!

Tags: cupcakes, Easter, recipes, sweets

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Categories Recipes

Breakfast Treats

21 Mar

BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES & BERRIES

Pancakes are my all time favourite breakfast treat. Over the years I have experimented with many recipes (Vegan Blueberry Pancakes, Banana & Almond Pancakes & Raspberry & Maple Pancakes) and these have to be my favourite and are gluten free.

What you will need:
1 cup buckwheat flour
1 teaspoon baking flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
Berries for serving

What to do:
Sift your flour into a large bowl along with the baking powder and sugar. Whist in the egg and milk until combined. Small lumps are fine. Heat some oil in a frypan and pour in your batter 1/8 at a time. Flip you pancakes once the batter begins to bubble and lightly fry until crisp on the other side. Remove onto paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve with your berries and your favourite syrup. Makes 8 around 8 pancakes depending on size.

Tags: Buckwheat, Gluten Free, pancakes, recipes, sweets

Comments 5 Comments
Categories Recipes

Sweet Treats

21 Feb

SPICED ORANGE HOT CHOCOLATE

What you will need:
4 cups of milk
3/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons orange essence
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon Dutch cocoa

What to do:
In a large saucepan on a low heat, slowly melt your chocolate. Remove your pan from the heat and gradually pour in your milk whilst whisking. Add your orange essence, cocoa, nutmeg and cinnamon. Return to the heat and continue to whisk until well combined and heated. Serves 4.

Tags: drinks, recipes, sweets

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Recipes

Sweet Treats

17 Feb

CREAM CHEESE FROSTED CARROT CAKE

Carrot cake has to be one of my favourite cakes, dare I say perhaps even more so than chocolate. Carrot cake is so deliciously moist and when paired up with a generous layer (or 2) of cream cheese frosting is the perfect treat. This recipe is easy to make and would be great with the addition of a few chopped walnuts in the mix.

What you will need:
2 cups of finely grated carrot
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
3 eggs
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Frosting:
1 1/2 cups cream cheese
2 cups of icing sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons lemon juice

What to do:
Preheat your oven to Moderate and grease and line two 30cm round cake tins. In a large bowl sift in your flour and spices. Add your brown sugar and mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Create a well in the centre of the mix and add your oil and eggs. Using an electric mixer beat your mixture until well combined then fold in your grated carrot. Pour your mixture evenly between your two tins and bake for about 30 minutes or until a skewer just comes out clean. Allow your cakes to cool completely before frosting. To make your frosting beat your cream cheese until smooth using an electric beater or food processor. Add your lemon juice and gradually sift in your icing sugar. Continue to beat until smooth. Ice the top of each cake before sandwiching them together. Serves around 12.

Tags: recipes, sweets

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Categories Recipes

Sweet Treats

12 Feb

WHITE CHOC & RASPBERRY COOKIES

Cookies have to be my all time favourite treat to not only eat but bake as well. These White Chocolate and Raspberry Cookies are super easy to make and taste amazing. If you cannot find dried raspberries any dried fruit works well in this recipe. Next time I think I will try some goji berries.

What you will need:
2 cups of flour, sifted
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup melted white chocolate
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup dried raspberries (I bought mine from a Health Store)

What to do:
Preheat your oven to Moderate and grease and line your baking tray/s. In a large bowl cream together your sugar and butter along with the flour. Once the mixture has lightened and the sugar has dissolved stir in your melted white chocolate and dried raspberries. Now gradually sift in you flour and knead your mixture until a soft dough has formed. Roll your dough into tablespoon sized balls, flatten and place about an inch apart on your pre-prepared baking trays. Bake for about 15 minutes or until just golden. Makes about 15 cookies.

For Cookie making tips and tricks click here.

Tags: cookies, recipes, sweets