The Count Down Begins...

It's officially on it's way, with songs on the radio and the decorations in full force, we can't hide from the Father Christmas… especially if you have children. Christmas is here!

BUT… you don't need to be afraid, we are here to help! We are giving you these best and easiest recipes that one could ever wish for! Don't believe me? Check this out…

A few weeks ago we gave you Parsnip soup, this week we are giving you… Buttery Biscuits. They're perfect for a homemade present or a tasty treat for yourself!

All you need is;

100g unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
00g caster sugar
1 free-ange egg (lightly beaten)
275g plain flour
1tsp vanilla extract

and to decorate;
400g icing sugar
3-4 tbsp water
2-3 drops of your choice of food colouring
and Edible glitter of your choice

What to do;

First, start by preheating your oven to 190C and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
Then cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy.

Then you should beat in the egg and vanilla extract, only a little at a time until it is well combined.

Stir in the flour until the mixtures comes together as a dough form. Once you have done this, you should then roll the dough out on a lightly floured work top surface to a thickness of around 1cm.

Using a biscuit cutter of your choice, cut all of the biscuits out of the dough and then place carefully onto the baking try.

You should bake the biscuits for around 8-10 minutes, or until alight golden brown.

Before decorating you should allow to cool. For the icing, sift the icing sugar and then mix it with water until it creates a smooth mixture, you should then add your chosen food colour.

Decorate to your own preference, and allow the icing sugar to harden before you sit back, relax and enjoy your tasty butter biscuits!

P.S We'd love you to send us a picture of what your biscuits look like! 

Weekend Tips Worth Trying!

As you all loved the pervious post about the healthy bake off, we have decided to give you a few more healthy tips that you can try out this weekend!

Here we go...

1. If you add mashed bananas and/or berries to your cookie recipe you can add colour, texture and even flavour which means you can replace the sugar in your recipe.
2. Im sure you know that peanut butter is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat compared with butter, so why not us peanut butter instead?

So this weekend you have no excuse not to try these healthy substitutes. 

A Treat For Everyone...

October is here and we all know that it means one thing... Halloween!! Even if you're 13 or 33 we know that everyone looks forward to the endless amount of unhealthy treats. Well... here is a slightly healthy recipe (it's not very healthy at all)  that you should love! Don't believe me, you'll have to try it out - wont you? 

Let me introduce you to our  "Oaty Moments"

What you need...

• 200g/7oz butter, softened
• 100g/3½oz caster sugar
• 1 free-range egg, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250g/9oz self-raising flour
• 140g/5oz oats
  
  
  
  
  What you do...
  Preheat the oven to about 180C/200F and make sure you line the baking tray with greaseproof paper. 
  Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until it is light and fluffy.
  
  
  Then you should beat the egg until it is well combined, stir in the vanilla and flour until well combined. 
  Separate the dough into 12 equal pieced and roll the ball s in the oats then put them on the baking try. Gently squash the balls with the palm of your hands.
  
  
  Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are a golden brown. 
  
  
  Get the kids or the better half to do the washing up whilst you put your feet up and enjoy your oaty moments. 

Crunchy Granola!

What is it they say about the simple things in life being the best? In this case it's definitely true...

This happens to be the best granola you'll ever taste and the actual making is incredibly easy. You can have it with milk for breakfast; over yogurt; drizzled with honey late at night; or just grab a handful as you pass the jar for an on-the-go snack.

INGREDIENTS:
65g brazil nuts, crushed
35g whole almonds, crushed
25g macadamia nuts, crushed
25g hazelnuts, crushed
2 pots of Grasshopper Coconut & Date porridge
75g unrefined sugar
7 tbsp maple syrup
50g unsalted butter
6 tbsp hazelnut oil (from supermarkets)

METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 160 C (fan - 140 C).
2. Crush each type of nut and roast on a baking tray separately until they turn golden. Do the same with the oats - bake until golden.
3. Turn the oven down to 120 C and mix the roasted ingredients in a bowl. Put the sugar, maple syrup, butter and hazelnut oil into a pan, melt and then add to the dry ingredients, mix well.
4. Place mixture back onto the backing tray and bake for 15-20 minutes.
5. All to cool, then break into large crunchy pieces.

And enjoy!