Cinnamon apple muffins.

Hybrid between muffin and cupcake. What more could you ask for? Apple and cinnamon? I got you covered.

These are perfect for a sweet brunch, an afternoon pick me up or even to go in your lunch box for school or work.

These little gems are so moist and full of flavour. With fresh green apple and alot of cinnamon your taste buds will love you. Your diet not so much.

Perfect Vegan Pancakes

These vegan pancakes are light and fluffy and have a tasty vanilla flavour. Perfect for brunch or whenever you are feeling like a decadent breakfast.

These are perfect for putting any topping or every topping. I love these with fresh berries and some maple syrup to satisfy my sweet tooth.

You can add dark chocolate chips or blueberries to the mixture to ‘spice’ it up.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons self raising flour per person.

1/4 teaspoon baking powder per person.

1/4 teaspoon baking Soda per person

1 tablespoon applesauce per person

1/2 tablespoon coconut oil per person

1/2 tablespoon white vinegar per person

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon sweetener (maple syrup/sugar) per person

1 cup almond milk (adding 1/4 cup more until you get a smooth batter)

Method:

1. Put the almond milk and vinegar in a small bowl.

2. In a large bowl put all the dry ingredients and mix well.

3. Add the coconut oil, vanilla, applesauce and milk mixture to the dry ingredients.

4. Don’t worry if there are a few lumps in the batter,they will cook out.

5. Heat up a non-stick pan on a medium low heat and cook.

Happy baking!

Lazy Chilli.

A steaming bowl of chilli on a cold night is music to my ears. Or should I say taste buds?

I know everyone wants a dish that they can throw together in 20 minutes or less and still have leftovers for lunch the next day. 

This is super quick,  easy and there are not many steps involved. So if you are feeling lazy but don’t want to skimp on flavour this is the recipe for you. 

Ingredients:

1 can lentils (drained and rinsed) 

1 can diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato paste 

1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms (depending on how much you love mushrooms)

2 tablespoons chilli spice mix

1 1/2 cups whatever frozen or fresh veggies you have on hand. (I used frozen mixed veggies with corn) 

 

Method:

1. Put all the ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer on a medium to high heat for 15 min. Stir occasionally. 

Serve over spaghetti, mashed potatoes or just dip some toast in it and enjoy. 

Happy baking! 

Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cake.

I love chocolate. I mean who doesn’t? But when I crave it I am never satisfied with just a piece of chocolate. I have to make a cake or brownies or pudding. Something that I am going to eat way to much of then regret it for that extra 20mins spent at the gym.

This cake is totally worth it though. It is fluffy and moist but doesn’t feel like you just ate a brick. It will satisfy those chocolate cravings and put a big smile on everyone’s face. Plus no one will even know it’s vegan until you tell them.

Ingredients:

Cake:

2 cups self–raising flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp instant coffee

1 tbsp vegan chocolate spead (natvia)

2 tbsp white vinegar

2 cups water

8 tbsp sunflower oil

Pudding filling:

1 1/2 cups almond milk

1 tbsp custard powder

1 tbsp brown suagr

1 tbsp cocoa powder

Chocolate icing:

1/2 cup pudding mixture

1/4 cup non dairy butter/margarine

2/3 cup icing sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

Method:

Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C
2. Line two 9inch cake tins with baking paper.
3. In a large bowl put the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking power, baking powder and sugars. Whisk to combine.
4. Add the vinegar and oil into the dry ingredients.
5. Put the instant coffee in the water and stir to dissolve.
6. Add the coffee to the bowl and stir all the ingredients until there are no lumps.
7. Pour evenly into the two cake tins and bake for 25 minutes.
8. Take out of the oven and allow to cool.

Pudding filling:

1. Put all the dry ingredients into a saucepan, add a tablespoon or two of milk and stir until there are no lumps. Add the rest of the milk and stir.
2. Place on a medium heat, storing constantly until you get a thick mixture.
3. Allow to cool. While you make the icing.
4. Put a 1/2 cup of mixture into a separate bowl.

Icing:

1. Add all the ingredients to the 1/2 cup of pudding mixture and whisk until smooth.*

Build the cake:

1. Turn out one of the cakes and place on a plate or serving board.
2. Level out the top of the cake by taking a knife an cutting a layer off the top.
3. Put the cooled pudding layer on top. Place the other cake on top.
4. Spread the icing onto the cake.
5. Chill for 20 minutes before cutting and serving.

*You can double the recipe if you like lots of icing. (Add 1/4 cup more icing sugar if you want it a little thicker)

Happy Baking!

Vegan Gooey Brownies

If you are in the mood for something deliciously gooey to satisfy that chocolate craving. Look no further. 

I tried the new craze of putting black beans in desserts and I have only one regret. That I didn’t do it sooner. Seriously these are so delicious and no one will believe that beans are the main ingredient. 

This recipe is gluten free, vegan and has no oil. So you can enjoy these without any remorse. 

Ingredients:

1 can black beans (rinsed very well) 

1 cup dried dates (soaked in hot water) 

1/2 cup quick oats 

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

1/2 cup coconut milk (+1 tsp white vinegar) 

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup dark vegan choc chips 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 170°C
2. Line a 12″ by 9″ baking tray with baking paper. 
3. Measure out the dates and pour over 1 cup boiling water. 
4. Put the white vinegar into the coconut milk and set aside. 
5. Put the cocoa powder, baking powder and quick oats into the blender and blend until you get flour. Put into a large bowl.
6. Drain the dates. 
7. Put the black beans, applesauce, vanilla, dates and coconut milk mixture into a blender. Blend until smooth. 
8. Add the bean mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well. 
9. Add the choc chips. 
10. Put the mixture into the lined baking tray and spread out evenly. 
11. Bake for 20 minutes. 
12. Take out and cool for 15 minutes before serving. 

Happy Baking! 

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Apple Pie Oatmeal is the perfect start to a lazy morning. It takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and your taste buds will be singing your praise. But you won’t have to compromise on your health for this delicious breakfast that takes like apple pie. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup quick oats

1 cup thin Coconut milk (or non dairy milk) 

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 peeled granny Smith apple (diced) 

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 Tablespoon maple syrup

2 tablespoons water

Method:

1. Put the oats, coconut milk and vanilla in a small sauce pan. Cook on a low heat until desired creaminess is achieved. 
2. Transfer the oats into your bowl. 
3. Put the saucepan back onto low heat and add the water, spices, maple syrup and diced apple. 
4. Cook for 5 minutes or until the apple is tender. 
5. Put the apple and liquid on top of your oatmeal and enjoy. 

Happy baking! 

HCLF Vegan Pumpkin Soup

This savory pumpkin soup is light and creamy with just the right amount of kick. It is perfect on a cold night and is low in fat. 

It is a great meal to make for a super quick and easy dinner and reheat the leftovers for lunch the next day. If there is any left.

This recipe comfortably serves two. With a side of vegan buttered toast. 

Ingredients:

1 medium diced white potato

2 1/2 cups diced pumpkin 

1/3 cup silken tofu

1 large clove garlic

1/4 red onion

1/2 cup vegetable stock

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder (extra if you like more spice like me) 

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 

Method:

1. Put the diced pumpkin, potato, garlic and onion in a large saucepan and cover with hot water. Place on a medium to high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, until tender. 
2. Drain off the hot water and let cool for 5 minutes. 
3. Put the cooked veggies, garlic,  onion vegetable stock and tofu into a blender and blend until smooth. 
4. Put back into the saucepan on a low heat and add the spices. If you want the soup a little thinner you can add extra water or stock at this stage. 
5. Simmer for 1 minute. 
6. Serve immediately with hot buttered toast and extra spices of you like a bit of heat. 

Happy Baking! 

Overnight Oats.

Being an avid lover of hot gooey, luscious oatmeal in the morning I was sceptical of overnight oats. I did avoid them for a little while but with busy mornings I just can’t be bothered to cook anything. I know I would rather sleep an extra 10 minutes than prep, cook and wait for regular oatmeal to cool enough so I can eat it.

So here is my simple overnight oatmeal recipes for you to try out. There is a peanut butter one (because I, for one can’t live without peanut butter). There is also blueberry, and chocolate caramel.

I usually put a little protein powder in mine but that is completely optional. They take just as good without. But it helps me get me through till lunch time.

Ingredients:

Peanut butter date:

1/4 cup quick oats

4 dried dates (chopped)

1/2 cup almond milk

1 teaspoon peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla protien powder (+ 1 extra tablespoon almond milk)

Blueberry:

1/3 cup quick oats

2/3 cup coconut milk

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla protien powder

1/4 cup frozen blueberries

Caramel chocolate:

1/3 cup quick oats

1/2 cup almond milk

1 teaspoon chocolate protien powder (or replace with 1 teaspoon sweetener)

1 teaspoon pure cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons date paste (for the caramel flavour)

Method:

1. Grab a mug, ramekin or mason jar and dum all the ingredients into it.
2. Give it a quick stir.
3. Put cling wrap over the top and refrigerate overnight.
4. Enjoy the next morning.

 

Happy Baking!

Vegan Banana Bread.

Ever since I took that first bite of banana bread in a cafe I was hooked. I tried to replicate it but had no luck. Until today.

I have tried many banana bread recipes. Both Vegan and regular and through many attempts,  both good and bad, I have found the one. The one that is now my go-to recipe forever and I am kindly sharing it with you lovely bakers so you don’t have to spend hours, days and all your ingredients trying to find the perfect one.

This banana bread is light and moist on the inside and has a perfect golden chewy crust.

You can serve this to anyone and they will not know it is Vegan. Your friends and family will demand more once this loaf is gone. Thankfully it is super easy to make.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

1/3 cup plain flour

3/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup thin coconut milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

5 tablespoons sunflower oil

1 cup mashed banana

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 165°C.
2. Line a loaf pan with baking paper.
3. Add the vinegar to the coconut milk and set aside.
4. Mash the bananas in a small bowl.
5. In a large bowl add the flours, baking powder, sugar, salt and cinnamon, mix well.
6. Make a well in the center and add the oil.
7. Pour over the coconut milk and vinegar mixture and mix until just combined.
8. Add in the mashed banana and stir until incorperated.
9. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes.
10. Once the banana bread has cooked take it out of the oven and put it into the freezer for 10 minutes. (This will stop the cooking process and keep the moisture in)
11. Take out of the freezer and cool for another 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

This can also be frozen and reheated in the microwave or toaster for a super quick breakfast.

Happy Baking!!

Lime Crazy cake.

This lime crazy cake is packed full of lime to excite those tastebuds and is also comepletly vegan.

This cake is so simle to make. You only need one bowl, there is no whipping or seperating eggs and there isn’t 20 different ingredients.

This cake is perfect on a hot summer day straight from the fridge. You can taste the lime from the very first bite and it doesn’t dissapear. Its moist without being too dense and sweet without the sugar overload.

Whip this cake up and show off to your frinds and family. Or just keep it all for yourself. I won’t judge you.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

3/4 cup raw sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lime zest

2 teaspoons white vinegar

Juice of two limes

5 tablespoons vegetable oil

3/4 cup cool water

Frosting:

1/2 cup icing sugar

1/2 cup coconut cream

1 teaspoon lime zest

1 teaspoon lime juice

Method:

Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degress Celsius.
2. Line a 9 inch cake tin with baking paper.
3. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and lime zest.
4. Make 3 wells in the dry ingredients, one small, one medium, one large.
5. Add the oil to the large well.
6. Add the lime juice to the medium one.
7. Add the vinegar to the small one.
8. Pour over the water and mix until there are no lumps.
9. Pour into cake tin and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then turn out onto a plate or cake board. And allow to cool for 10 more minutes.

Frosting:

1. Place all the ingredients into a small bowl and stir until well combined.
2. If the icing is not thick enough. Keep adding icing sugar 1 tablespoon at a time to achive the desired consistancy.
3. Spread over the cake.

You can either serve this streat away or keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Happy Baking!