The Healthy Bake Off

As we have already established many a times, baking doesn't have to just be unhealthy. We have a few tips that can turn your baking into healthy baking.

1. Possibly the most important tip of all... switch your flour for oats. Or you could even mix the both together to boost your fibre intake and lower the glycaemic index, which means that it will release the energy slowly through out the day.

2. you can also replace sugar by adding bits of dried fruit rather than sugar to your recipe  it will help you to increaseyoyur levels of fibre, vitamins ans also minerals.

3. Last but by no means least, to cut down fat and calories you should use cocoa powder if you are making a chocolate based recipe.

We are sure that these healthy tips will come in handy at some point, and if you think of it like this then you can eat more and not feel as guilty, sounds go hey!

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. 

Nutty Chocolate Oaty

Are you taking part in The World's Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan on the 26th of September 2014, or know someone who is? These Nutty Chocolate Oatys are the answer to all of your worries... the tasty and easy to make oatys are a favourite among the Hopper Team...


What you need...
100g  salted butter
3 X pots of Grasshopper Cane Sugar Porridge - Hopper pot
450g  rich dark chocolate
150ml  double cream
150g  almond nuts (chopped)
150g  hazelnuts (chopped)

What to do...
Start off by melting the butter in a pan. Add the oats and cook for three minutes. Then transfer to an baking tray that will fit in your fridge.

You should then place a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Add the chocolate and cream to the bowl and leave to melt for 15 minutes without stirring.

Add the almond nuts and hazelnuts to the oats and stir.

When the chocolate has fully melted, give it a little stir and then pour over the oats and nuts. Fold the chocolate through and then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

When set, break into pieces by hand, serve and enjoy these tasty snacks!