Showing Tag: " "gluten free"" (Show all posts)

Coconut caramel slice

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, November 26, 2022, In : slices 


This is one of Donna Hay's better-for-you recipes from One Pan Perfect (Fourth Estate, 2022). She swaps out refined sugars and grains for unrefined sweeteners and nut flours. Coconut caramel is easy to make and versatile to use in slices or tarts or a sauce over ice cream.


Coconut caramel:

1 400 g coconut cream

1 1/2 c coconut sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract


Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir over high heat until sugar is dissolved and sauce is bubbling. Turn down to medium heat and contin...


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Lemon berry cake

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 31, 2022, In : big cakes 

This gluten-free cake is light and tangy thanks to whipping up the egg whites, a lemon curd filling and bursts of berry freshness throughout. It's from Little & Friday Every Meal (Penguin, 2016).  The cafe has grown a delicious reputation over the last few years.


160 g softened butter

3/4 c icing sugar

4 eggs, separated

1 tsp baking powder

2 c ground almonds

4 Tbsp lemon juice

zest from 4 lemons

pinch salt

1 c frozen berries (eg raspberries, blueberries)

1/2 c lemon curd

1/2 c mascarpone or whipped crea...


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Coconut meringue slice

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 13, 2022, In : slices 

This is a Louise cake by any other name, and very similar to this classic recipe except this one you bake the base and meringue on top at the same time - too easy.

125 g butter
1/2 c sugar (I used coconut, hence the darker coloured cake)
3 eggs, separated
1 c flour (I used gluten free for a change)
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1-2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c jam
1/2 sugar (use white to keep meringue white)
1 tsp cornflour
1 1/2 c desiccated coconut

Preheat oven to 160C. Line a 20 cm square or ...
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Double chocolate fudge cake

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 10, 2022, In : big cakes 

This one from A World in My Kitchen by Peter Gordon (Hodder Moa, 2003) is a real doozy of indulgence. It's his favourite chocolate cake. We are lucky to have an excess of eggs thanks to our chickens so I went for it.


300 g dark chocolate (I use Whittaker's)

150 g butter

6 eggs

100 g sugar (I used ground coconut sugar, as I tend to do with dark cakes)


Ganache:

220 g dark chocolate

180 ml cream, chilled (you can use cow cream but I used coconut)


Preheat oven to 180c. Line the base and sides of a 20 cm ...


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Mexican spice cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 14, 2022, In : cookies 

You know chilli and chocolate go so well together. This soft batter can be made two ways: as cookies or brownies. Why not do both like I did?

2 c icing sugar
1/3 c cocoa powder
1/2 tsp each of ground cinnamon and allspice (or nutmeg and clove mix)
pinch cayenne pepper
1 c ground almonds
1/2 tsp sea salt
150 g dark chocolate chips/melts/pieces
1 egg
2 egg whites or 60 ml aquafaba
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 150C.
In a large bowl mix together the icing sugar, cocoa, spices, almonds, salt and choc...
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Lemon almond polenta cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 7, 2022, In : big cakes 

A truly lemony lemon cake achieved by boiling whole lemons until soft.


2 lemons

140 g butter, softened

3 eggs

250 g sugar

200 g ground almonds

175 g fine polenta

1 tsp baking powder


For the drizzle:

140 g sugar

juice of 1 lemon


Put the lemons in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, drain, cover with more cold water, then simmer for about an hour until the lemons are soft. Top up with water if needed. Drain the lemons and when cooled, halve them, remove the pips and blitz in a f...


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Chocolate cupcakes

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, In : small cakes 


A great go-to recipe if you need to bake a free-from treat. Swap out flours, milks as you need. Another one by Jo Pratt from The Flexible Baker (White Lion, 2022)

Makes 12

1 1/3 c milk of choice

2 tsp vinegar

1 3/4 c self-raising flour (if using normal flour add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder)

1/3 c cocoa powder

1 c sugar of choice, fine

1/2 c light vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla paste or extract

sprinkles 


Preheat oven to 180C. Line 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

In a jug mix the milk and vinegar together ...


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Lemon polenta shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, April 16, 2022, In : slices 

Polenta adds colour and crunch to this crispy olive oil shortbread. It's from The Flexible Baker by Jo Pratt (White Lion, 2022).


2 1/4 c / 225 g ground almonds or flour of choice

1 1/2 c / 225 g fine polenta

1 1/4 c / 175 g icing sugar

zest of 2 lemons

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 c olive oil

1 Tbsp caster sugar


Preheat oven to 170C. Have a 20 cm square tin or similar ready.

In a large bowl mix all the dry ingredients together with the zest. Stir in the olive oil and bring together as a crumbly dough.

Press even...


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Oaty mushroom scones

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, April 16, 2022, In : savoury 

Love a flexible recipe. And this is what Jo Pratt is all about. Her recipes can be adapted to be gluten, dairy or nut free and vegan. I've been enjoying her latest, The Flexible Baker (White Lion, 2022). I usually make cheese scones but mushrooms are a nice change for a savoury bite.


Makes 8

15 g dried porcini mushrooms

4 Tbsp boiled water

1 1/4 c  / 175 g Tbsp oats

3/4 c / 75 g ground almonds

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp sea salt

1/2...


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Chocolate macadamia brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, In : slices 

The healthiest, fudgiest brownie you'll ever make.


3 Tbsp ground flaxseed

6 Tbsp milk of choice

2 cups dates, pitted and soaked in boiling for 15 minutes

2 Tbsp almond butter

2 Tbsp milk of choice

1 c flour of choice (I used ground almonds)

1/4 c cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 c milk of choice

200g dark chocolate, melted

1/2 c chopped macadamias plus 1/4 c

1/4 c dark chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 20 cm square tin with baking paper.

Mix the flaxseed and milk together in a small bowl a...


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Amaretti

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 3, 2022, In : cookies 

A lovely chewy bite, ideal with coffee. Fika your heart out.

Makes 24

2 egg whites

1 c caster sugar

1 1/2 tsp honey

1 tsp vanilla paste

zest of a lemon, orange or grapefruit

3 c ground almonds

1/2 tsp sea salt flakes

1/2 c icing sugar


Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Beat egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Add sugar and beat until thick and glossy. Mix in honey, vanilla and zest.

Stir in the almonds and salt with a spoon or spatula until just combined. It will be a soft ...


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Chocolate coconut marble cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 31, 2022, In : big cakes 

I like the surprise element of a marble cake - never know what pattern you'll get!

2 c flour (I used gluten free and added 1/2 tsp xanthan gum)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

110 g milk chocolate

140 g butter or dairy-free spread

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

 3 eggs at room temperature

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c coconut milk or cream

1/3 c desiccated or shredded coconut


Preheat oven to 160C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper.

In a small bowl whisk the flour, baking soda and baking powder t...


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Chocolate ganache cake

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, In : big cakes 



This decadent recipe is by Dorie Greenspan (Baking with Dorie, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021). She calls it her Lisbon Chocolate Cake, after tasting something similar at Lisbon's Landeau Chocolate cafe. She says the three layers are essential to make the whole - a fudgy brownie-like cake, a whipped moussey ganache and a cocoa dusting.


1/3 c / 28 g cocoa

1 1/2 Tbsp cornflour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

113 g butter or dairy-free spread

142 g dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 c sugar

3 cold eggs...


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White chocolate & macadamia cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 18, 2022, In : cookies 

Very straightforward recipe to make these crowd pleasers. I quickly whipped up a batch to have for after school. White chocolate - the kid's favourite; macadamias - mine.


Makes 12

110 g butter or non-dairy spread

1/2 c caster sugar

1/4 c soft brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

180 g flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp milk of choice

50 g white chocolate, roughly chopped (use dairy-free if going vegan), plus 2 Tbsp for topping

50 g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped (or cashews), plus 1 Tbsp for topping


Preheat o...


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Chestnut kisses

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, February 21, 2022, In : cookies 

Baking with chestnuts is not a common practice in the Antipodes, it's more a European or Asian thing. I love boiled chestnuts though, and have fond memories of picking them in my childhood. The whole family used to go on a day trip to Cambridge to pick them in the big parks. We wore gumboots and would scrounge around for the perfect stick to help prize open their prickly shells, then stuff the deep brown nuggets into specially made fabric chestnut-picking bags. I don't know if those huge ches...


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Caramel white chocolate blondies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 6, 2022, In : slices 

An on-the-fly recipe to use up almond pulp from making almond milk and some failed caramel that split. You can use any flour you wish and if you don't have caramel handy you can omit or marble the top with melted chocolate.

150 g coconut oil (or butter)

1/3 c granulated sugar

1/3 c brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs

2 c almond pulp or meal 
1 tsp baking powder

3/4 c white chocolate chips

3/4 c caramel or butterscotch sauce


Preheat oven to 180C. Line a brownie tin with baking paper.

In a large bowl...


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Butterscotch tart

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 3, 2022, In : desserts 

Another better-for-you treat by Jerrelle Guy that uses more wholesome ingredients than your standard caramel tart. I finally learnt that caramel is traditionally made with white sugar and a small proportion of butter and butterscotch with brown sugar and a higher proportion of butter. There is a difference in flavour, however, I now often make such syrups with coconut cream, coconut oil and coconut sugar so you can have vegan/dairy free versions too. It's adapted from Black Girl Baking (Page ...


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Sun-dried tomato and seed crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, January 30, 2022, In : savoury 

The tomatoes add a tasty tang and sweetness to these crunchy bites. The key is to spread out as thin as possible. It's from Jerrelle Guy's Black Girl Baking (Page Street, 2018).


1/2 c ground flaxseeds

1 c hot water

1 1/2 c pumpkin seeds

1 c sunflower seeds

fresh or 1 tsp dried oregano

2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped


Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mix the flaxseeds and water in a small bowl and let thicken for 10 ...


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Cashew coconut cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, In : cookies 

So nutty and crunchy! My niece suggested to sandwich them with ice cream and that was a winner after dinner. This is adapted from Better Baking by Genevieve Ko (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016). She uses peanuts, which would be tasty too. Feel free to experiment with whatever nuts you have on hand.

1 c roasted, salted cashews
1/2 c desiccated coconut
1/2 toasted sesame seeds
3/4 c icing sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Add all the ingredients except oil a...

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Nut bars

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, January 2, 2022, In : slices 

I have made many granola and muesli bars on Bake Club. You gotta try them all to see what (literally) sticks. This one is just nuts, seeds and fruit, and the ground flaxseeds act as a binder. It's from Black Girl Baking by Jerrelle Guy (Page Street, 2018).


1 1/2 c almonds

1/2 c cashews

1 c sunflower or pumpkin seeds (or mix of both)

1/2 c ground flax or chia seeds

1/2 dried fruit (I used cranberries)

1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional

1/2 c honey or brown rice syrup or maple syrup (I used a mix)

2 Tbsp olive...


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Raw berry bounty bars

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, In : sweets 

I made berry bounty bars by combining two tried and true favourites - coconut bars and berry chia jam, then coated bite-size morsels in chocolate. A virtuous sweet treat.

Coconut layer:
2 c desiccated coconut
1/3 c maple or brown rice syrup
1/4 c coconut oil, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt

Berry layer:
4 dates, pitted
1/3 c water
2 c fresh or frozen berries
2 Tbsp chia seeds

500g chocolate of choice (70% dark chocolate is best)
Sprinkles of choice such as shredded coconut, freeze-dried or d...
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Healthy chocolate nut butter truffles

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, In : sweets 

For the ultimate healthy but still decadent chocolate truffle, these ones don't take much effort or fancy ingredients, and you can do it all one pot. Adapted from Melissa Hemsley's Eat Happy (Ebury Press, 2018).


Makes around 30

1/2 c coconut oil

1/2 c maple syrup

1 c cocoa powder

1 3/4 c nut or seed butter

pinch sea salt


toasted coatings:

desiccated or shredded coconut

chopped pistachios

freeze-dried strawberry powder or pieces


Put all the ingredients in a small pot and melt over low heat, stirring unti...


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Raw apple raisin cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, December 16, 2021, In : cookies 

With the oven still bung I made these wholesome raw cookies in the dehydrator. Dehydrated food sometimes doesn't look the most appetising so I tszujed these up with some white chocolate decoration. This recipe is adapted from The Complete Book of Raw Food (Hatherleigh Press, 2005).

Makes around 30 small cookies
2 c sunflower seeds, soaked for 6-8 hours and rinsed
2 apples, cored
2 bananas
1/2 c dates
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c raisins or cranberries
1 c walnuts, soaked for 6-8 hours and ...
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Raw chocolate thumbprint cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, In : cookies 

My oven broke down a week before Xmas! So I've turned to my trusty dehydrator to whip up some raw treats (not quickly though). This is a basic recipe for a raw cookies. You can substitute any nuts or dried fruit if you wish, add spices or essences such as peppermint or orange.

Makes 25-30 small cookies
1 1/2 c cashews
1 c almonds
1 c dates
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp coconut oil 
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 c cocoa powder
Pinch sea salt
1/2 c jam (I used berry chia jam)

Blitz the nuts in a food processor u...

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Berry swiss roll

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, December 4, 2021, In : big cakes 

Thanks to Green Kitchen Stories for this sugar-free, gluten-free swiss roll with a hidden vegetable. Love the red. It's from Little Green Kitchen (Hardie Grant Books, 2019)


Berry chia jam:

4 dates, pitted

1/3 c water

2 c frozen berries

2 Tbsp chia seeds


Sponge:

10 pitted dates

4 eggs, separated

1/2 c milk of choice 

1 beetroot / 100 g, peeled if raw, or cooked

1 c almond flour

1/2 c desiccated coconut

2 Tbsp cornflour

1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch sea salt


Filling: 250 g mascarpone or whipped cream optional


Fir...


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Hazelnut meringues

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, November 20, 2021, In : desserts 


You can use any nuts in this recipe, such as pistachios, macadamia or flaked almonds. Nuts add a nice savoury crunch to an otherwise very sweet plain meringue.


Makes 12

2 egg whites

1/2 c caster sugar

1/2 c icing sugar

1/3 c toasted hazelnuts, chopped


Preheat oven to 110C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. In a large bowl whisk the egg whites until firm. Add sugar one Tbsp at a time until thick and glossy. Fold in icing sugar until just combined then fold in the nuts, reserving a couple of Tbsp...


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Hazelnut truffles (homemade Ferrero Rocher)

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 19, 2021, In : sweets 

The ubiquitous Ferrero Rocher chocolates are a familiar sight at celebrations of all kinds, especially at Christmas. It's all about the hazelnut and wafer combo that Pietro Ferrero nailed in Alba back in 1942 that has stood the test of time. I've never had enough hazelnuts on hand to try making my own but since I bought that kilo from Mt Hyde Hazelnuts in Dunedin, I gave it a go from scratch. This is adapted from Bigger Bolder Baking.

Makes 35-40
Filling:
2 c toasted hazelnuts
1/2 c maple syrup (...
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Pavlova roll

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, In : desserts 

It all started with wanting to use up some cream and lemon curd. A pavlova roll is an ideal spongey medium with which to contain said filling!

5 egg whites
1 c caster sugar
1 Tbsp lime powder, optional (or any powdered fruit such as raspberries, mango, passionfruit)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp vinegar
1 Tbsp cornflour
3/4 c pistachios, finely chopped (or sliced almonds, hazelnuts, shredded coconut)

300 ml cream
1 c lemon curd

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a sponge roll tin with baking paper.
In a large bow...
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Peanut butter fudge and chocolate fudge

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 8, 2021, In : sweets 

A couple of options for sugar-free treats that you don't need many ingredients for or special equipment. If you don't have silicone moulds you can use mini muffin tins, or a loaf tin and cut into squares once firm.


Peanut butter fudge:

1/4 c cacao butter, melted

1/2 c peanut butter

2 Tbsp maple syrup, brown rice syrup or honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt

silicone moulds


Melt the cacao butter in a bowl. Whisk in peanut butter until fully incorporated and smooth. Whisk in sweetener and vanilla...


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Apricot tea bread

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, November 7, 2021, In : bread 

I wanted to make an easy sweet loaf that featured the lovely unsulphured apricots I get from Ceres. Decided to riff on a yeast-free, gluten-free, dairy-free version to prove it can be done and it uses beer as a raising agent. You can make a plain loaf by omitting the apricots and honey and increasing the salt to 1 Tbsp. This is adapted from Pure Delicious by Heather Christo (Pam Krauss Books, 2016).


1/2 c dried apricots, chopped

1/4 c water

4 c flour of choice (I used a GF wholemeal mix)

1 1/2 ts...


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Chocolate pretzel cake

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, In : big cakes 

This is pure decadence from Donna Hay. I usually shy away from recipes that use more than 3 eggs but I was seduced by the funky aesthetic of this cake. It's basically a helluva chocolate and eggs, so you could use any flourless chocolate cake batter and add pretzels for prettiness. Nutritionally dubious but definitely enough tryptophan to give your serotonin levels a spike. Mine turned out a bit crumbly (I couldn't wait for it to be chilled), which lead me to eat it with flavour-absorbers suc...
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Chocolate brownie

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 28, 2021, In : slices 

Everyone needs a go-to brownie recipe. Here's a gluten-free, dairy-free version if you feel so inclined.


1 1/2 c flour of choice (I used wholemeal and white spelt)

1 tsp xanthan gum, if using gluten-free flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp espresso or instant coffee

1 c coconut oil, softened

1 1/2 c / 220 g dark chocolate chips or chopped (I use Whittaker's 72%)

1 c granulated sugar (I used coconut)

1/2 c soft brown sugar

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 c toasted chopped nuts (I used walnuts)


Prehe...


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Cherry clafoutis

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 21, 2021, In : desserts 

Clafoutis is a cross between a custard and a flan and makes a quick dessert because everything is just whizzed in the blender. You can easily make yours gluten-free, dairy-free or sugar-free too. Use whatever fresh, frozen or tinned fruit you have on hand. It can be served warm or cold, for breakfast even!


½ c any milk of choice

½ c ricotta (or use milk)

3 eggs

½ c natural sweetener such as brown rice syrup (or maple or honey)

½ c flour of choice 

1 tsp vanilla extract

Lemon zest, optional

Granul...


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Vegan date pudding with caramel sauce

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, In : desserts 

This recipe can be made as individual puddings, muffins, a loaf or cake. Just adjust the baking time to suit. It's a healthified version of your standard date pud as it's free of gluten, dairy, eggs and refined sugar. Even the sauce is vegan. Thanks to Eight Forest Lane.


Makes 8 individual puddings

1 c dates

2 Tbsp maple or brown rice syrup, optional

1 tsp baking soda

boiling water

1/2 c coconut sugar

1/2 c vegetable or coconut oil, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 c flour (I used wholemeal gluten-fre...


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Bliss slice

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, In : sweets 

Bliss balls are the easiest cheat sweet. Just bung everything in a food processor and press the button. Start with a base of nuts or seeds, add your dried fruit of choice and bind with sticky sweeteners such as maple syrup, dates, brown rice syrup, or nut butters. It's a good way to use up things that have bene neglected in your pantry.
If you're time constrained or just too lazy to roll into balls, just make into a slice.

200g dried fruit (I used apricots, use whatever mix you like. Get tropic...
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Almond meal crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, In : savoury 

I like to make almond milk occasionally and one of the byproducts is almond pulp, which you can then dry out and grind to make almond meal. You can make these crackers with any almond meal or ground almonds or almond flour, or you can substitute with oat flour. The key is to roll out as thin as possible to make a really snappy cracker. The Minimalist Baker has some great recipes that include almond meal.

3/4 c flour (I used rice)
2/3 c almond meal
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 t...
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Almond meal macarons

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, September 24, 2021, In : small cakes 

I'm more than halfway through French week! I've never managed to get my macarons super smooth and with feet but hey, they always taste good. I didn't expect smoothness with these ones either, as I used homemade almond meal that has flecks of almond skin in it, much heavier than pure blanched almond flour. The almond meal was made from dehydrating almond pulp, which was a byproduct from making almond milk - The Minimalist Baker is an expert at this and her recipes are easy to follow.
The egg wh...
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Chocolate mint thins

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, September 17, 2021, In : cookies 

Better than store-bought for sure! It's a three-part process but definitely worth the delight in biting into your own fancy chocolate and mint biscuit. The recipe from @kitchenoftreats can be easily adapted to be gluten and dairy free. These store well in the freezer.

Makes 24-28

1 c flour of choice

1/3 c cocoa

60 g butter or non-dairy spread

1/2 c  sugar

1 egg


Filling:

1 1/2 c icing sugar

4 tsp milk of choice

1/2 tsp peppermint essence


1 Tbsp jam mixed with a little hot water


Coating:

250 g dark chocolat...


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Citrus peel cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 16, 2021, In : cookies 

Needed a quick bake to use up some mixed peel that's been sitting in the pantry for too long! It's worth the extra effort to add the tangy drizzle icing. You can swap out the butter for a non-dairy spread and use whatever flour you like.

125 g butter or non-dairy spread

1/3 c sugar

1 c flour (I used gluten free)

pinch salt

fine zest of 1 lemon, lime or orange

1/2 c mixed peel


For the icing mix 1/2 c icing sugar with the juice of 1 lemon, lime or orange to make a drizzling consistency.


In a bowl cream...


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Banana bread cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, September 11, 2021, In : cookies 

This is adapted from Donna Hay's ingenious 4-ingredient recipe. I just used less banana to more flour ratio so the mixture wouldn't be so soft. They are not very good-looking cookies so you can jazz them up to look more appealing. The cookies have a crispy shell and a soft banana bread middle - a real wholesome treat.

Makes about 15
3/4 c mashed banana (about 2 medium)
3 c almond flour or almond meal (I grind almonds in a coffee grinder then sieve)
1/2 c coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
To sprinkle: 1 ...
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Caramel cashew fudge

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 6, 2021, In : sweets 

This is Donna Hay's simple recipe for a better-for-you fudge - only 4 ingredients! You can use another nut butter and mix or match your nuts if you prefer, such as almond, hazelnut, macadamia, pistachios or tahini. It's best to use roasted nuts for flavour. You can also add dried fruit, such as sour cherries or cranberries, but there is already enough dates to make the fudge sweet.


2/3 c cashew butter

400 g fresh pitted dates (medjool are best but you can use any other kind. Dried dates too can...


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Cherry choconut slice

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, In : slices 

Raw slices are great to make because they keep in the freezer for months and you can just take out slice as you need and defrost for half an hour before eating. You could also use other berries for the filling such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries. This is from Donna Hay's Modern Baking (Fourth Estate, 2018).


Base:

1 c cashews

1 c desiccated coconut

1/4 c brown rice syrup


Filling:

1 c desiccated coconut

120 g fresh medjool dates (about 6-7)

1/3 c melted coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla extract or ...


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Chessboard cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, August 21, 2021, In : cookies 

I have made checkerboard cookies before, but this recipe from The Nordic Baking Book by Magnus Nilsson has a different method and doesn't use egg. Both turned out well. I was a bit lazy in my food colouring skills, just squirted red and yellow food gel into the dough without measuring, hence the dough became more red than orange. The orange taste comes through though - all good!


Makes about 50

200g butter, cold and diced

300g / 2 1/2 c flour (I used a mix of rice, tapioca and gluten-free leftove...


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White chocolate almond cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 12, 2021, In : cookies 

Coconut oil not only helps make a crisp biscuit, it's also easy to soften and there's no creaming required. Soft brown sugar dissolves and mixes in quickly too. You can use any chopped nuts you prefer but I like flaked almonds as they're easier to bite into. Mix and match whatever chocolate and nut or dried fruit variety you like. It's a good way to use up what's in your pantry.

Makes 16

1/4 c coconut oil, softened (it's already soft at room temperature in summer or microwave for 20 sec)

1 c bro...


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Espresso shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 6, 2021, In : cookies 

Coffee cookies for The Other Crate Record Fair

225g butter, softened
pinch salt
115g sugar
2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 2 tsp hot water
1 Tbsp milk
285g flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)
60g cornflour or rice flour
1 tsp instant coffee

Cream butter and salt in a large bowl. Add sugar, coffee mixture and milk and cream until fluffy. Add flour and cornflour and mix until just combined then mix in instant coffee granules.
Roll out dough in between 2 sheets of baking paper to 1cm thick. Place o...
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Lemon shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 6, 2021, In : cookies 

The first of my music-themed treats to sell at The Other Crate Record Fair! These lemony notes are crisp as.

250g butter, softened
1 1/2 c cornflour
1/2 c rice or tapioca flour
3/4 c icing sugar
1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
1-2 Tbsp milk

Chuck everything in the food processor and blitz till just combined to make a soft dough. Place in between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out to 1cm thick. Place on tray and refrigerate until firm.
Preheat oven to 150C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. R...
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Chocolate molasses cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, July 11, 2021, In : cookies 

With our impending trip to the snow upon us, I wanted a sturdy, robust cookie that would provide tasty sustenance on the slopes. So I made a spicy molasses cookie and added chocolate chunks - how good?!


Makes 24-26

1 1/2 c flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)

1/2 c oat flour (oats ground in a coffee grinder)

1 1/2 c sugar (I used a mix of coconut and cane)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

ground spices:

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger (double the ginger if you want a gingernut!)

1/2 ts...


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Jaffa bliss balls

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 1, 2021, In : sweets 

For you lovers of chocolate and orange, here's a quick bliss ball. You can leave them uncoated but I think coating them in chocolate makes them extra special.

Makes about 18

1 1/2 c walnuts

8 medjool dates, pitted

1/3 c almond butter

1/4 c cacao powder

zest of 1 orange

t tsp orange essence or 3 drops orange essential oil


coating:

1/2 c cacao butter

1/2 c cacao powder

1/4 c maple syrup to taste

1/2 tsp orange essence

pinch sea salt


Blitz all the ingredients in a food processor. Roll into balls and refrigera...


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Ginger cardamom gems

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 11, 2021, In : small cakes 

You can use this batter in any-sized tin - I used stars and mini muffins here. If you're not keen on the cardamom flavour just leave it out.

2 c flour (I used gluten free)

1 tsp baking soda

1 c granulated sugar (I used organic golden)

3 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cardamom

2 Tbsp maple, golden or rice syrup

100g butter (I used non-dairy Olivani)

2 eggs

1 c milk (I used rice)


Preheat oven to 200C. Grease your tins - equivalent of 12 muffins/gems or 24 mini muffins.

In a large bowl mix all the dry ingr...


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Chocolate orange mousse

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 10, 2021, In : desserts 

This mousse couldn't be easier: melt the chocolate, whisk the aquafaba and mix; refrigerate then tszuj it up with toppings. Strangely, my husband is averse to chocolate and orange together. I found this out when I got him a classic Terry's Chocolate Orange for Xmas. The look of disappointment on his face when he opened the wrapping! Followed by the joy on mine when I realised I could eat the whole thing myself! So now it's a running joke when I make chocolate-orangey things.


100g chilled water...


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Vegan coffee cake with cashew cinnamon icing

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, June 7, 2021, In : big cakes 

Some people call 'coffee cake' any kind of cake that's served with coffee. But this is an actual coffee-flavoured cake that's made with wholefoods and is vegan to boot. Also easy to use gluten-free flour. The coconut sugar gives it a gorgeous dark caramel colour. It's a light, fluffy cake great with a cuppa, of course. It's from Deliciously Ella: A Plant-based Cookbook (Yellow Kite, 2018). 


3 Tbsp instant coffee granules (or strong espresso coffee)

2 Tbsp boiling water

450g flour (I used wholeme...


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Vegan chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream

Posted by Frances Chan on Sunday, May 30, 2021, In : big cakes 

Our birthday girl requested the usual for her cake again - chocolate with vanilla buttercream. So I made it gluten-free and vegan so all the kids in the 12-strong party could get stuck in! I increased the recipe by 50% to make a higher cake.

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 c plant-based milk (I used rice)
1 c coconut sugar
3/4 c organic golden sugar
2 c flour of choice
3/4 c cocoa powder
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 c + 2 tsp vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp instant co...
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Healthy caramel slice

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, In : slices 

Here's a lockdown baking experiment - i wanted to make a healthy caramel slice. This recipe fits a loaf tin but you could double it to fit a 20 x 20 cm square tin.


Makes about 10 slices

Base:

1 c almond meal or flour

2 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar

2-3 tbsp coconut oil, melted or softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt


Caramel:

1 c dates, soaked overnight then drained

1 tbsp cashew butter (or any smooth nut butter)

pinch sea salt


Topping:

1/2 c cacao butter

2-3 tbsp maple syrup (or honey or rice syrup)

1/2 c...


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Passionfruit coconut slice

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 18, 2021, In : slices 

Is it a cake or is it a slice? It reminds me of a Louise cake/slice with a meringue-esque topping, but with a passionfruit tang.


Base:

120 g desiccated coconut 

100 g ground almonds

80 g flour of choice

4 Tbsp caster sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

½ cup passionfruit pulp (about 5 or 6 fruit), plus extra to drizzle 

1/3 c milk of choice

1 tsp vanilla extract


Topping:

2 egg whites

1/4 cup caster sugar

80 g desiccated coconut

50 g ground almonds

juice of 2 or 3 passionfruit (...


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Ginger citrus shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 2, 2020, In : cookies 

If you need to, any recipe can be made dairy and gluten free. In this case, it's easy shortbread that can be done in the food processor, adapted from Bluebells Cakery (Random House, 2013) by Karla Goodwin.

2 1/3 c + 1 tbsp flour (I used a GF mix)
1/3 c cornflour
250g butter or non-dairy spread (I used Olivani)
1/2 c + 1 tbsp caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
2/3 g crystallised ginger, finely chopped
zest of 1 lemon
zest of 1 orange

Sift flours together in a large bowl or food processor. Rub in ...
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Tiramisu ice cream

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, September 26, 2020, In : desserts 


When I see tiramisu on a menu, I am compelled to order it! The there's nothing quite like a creamy, coffee, spongey dessert to end your meal. This healthy ice cream version is tiramisu reimagined, in a good way. It's from Jessica Sepel's Living the Healthy Life (Macmillan, 2017)

2 frozen bananas

1 tbsp tahini

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp instant coffee/espresso/Inka

1 tbsp cacao powder

pinch sea salt

1 c coconut cream or milk

few ice cubes, optional


crushed roasted peanuts and chocolate flakes to garnish


Just ...


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Healthy florentines

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 7, 2020, In : sweets 

A refined-sugar-free treat for any time of the day. I think the thinness of a florentine is the secret to its success, so use flaked or slivered almonds. Pepitas and oats add extra nutrition.


Makes about 25

1/2 c rolled oats

1/3 c almonds

1/3 c finely chopped walnuts

1/3 c pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

1/3 c finely chopped apple-sweetened cranberries (I didn't have any so used sulphur-free apricots. Other tangy dried fruit would work well too, such as cherries or blueberries)

1 tsp mixed spice (or a mix o...


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Choconutty popcorn cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, August 29, 2020, In : cookies 

Heidi Swanson calls these carnival cookies, not the sickly sweet artificial-coloured kind, but wholesome sugar-free bites packed with nutrients. The popcorn and chocolate chips bring to mind amusement park snacks.


Makes 22-24

1 1/2 c rolled oats

1/2 c almond meal or ground almonds

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 c mashed bananas (about 3 or 4)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c coconut oil, softened or just melted

1 1/2 c popcorn

1 c chocolate of choice (chopped, chips, buttons or b...


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Cornflake haystacks

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 6, 2020, In : cookies 

A very satisfying caramely crunch that uses up cornflakes that have been sitting around for too long. It's from a 517-page tome called Dorie's Cookies by Dorie Greenspan (Houghton MIfflin Harcourt, 2016).

Makes about 36
2 eggs
1/2 c natural liquid sweetener, eg brown rice syrup, maple syrup, honey
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 c desiccated or shredded coconut
1 c chopped nuts (I used almonds)
1 c raisins (I plumped mine up by placing them in a small bowl and soaking in boiled water for 5 min, then drain)
170g m...
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Peanut butter & jam brownie

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, July 27, 2020, In : slices 

This is the most dense, fudgey, gooey brownie I've ever attempted. It will last a while, as you only need a small slice to accompany your cuppa. The jam and berries really help to lighten the brownie with a bit of tartness. It's from Bosh! by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby (HQ, 2018) but I've reduced the quantities of sugar and cocoa.

2 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
2 1/2 c coconut sugar (or muscovado)
1 1/2 c cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c peanut butter, runny
220ml water
220ml vegetabl...
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Flourless chocolate orange cake

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 21, 2020, In : big cakes 



This is a light yet fudgy chocolate cake that would work well in a brownie tin too. Ground almonds provide a lovely texture. I thought the orange flavour didn't come through strongly, so if you want more of an orangey jaffa vibe I'd add orange zest and some orange extract too.

1/3 c cocoa powder

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 c freshly squeezed orange juice (blood oranges if you have them)

3 eggs

1 c coconut sugar

2/3 c olive oil

1 1/2 c almond flour (you can also grind raw almonds in a coffee grinder t...


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Coconut panna cotta & berry coulis

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, May 15, 2020, In : desserts 

I make jellies often for our daughter with just fruit juice and agar -  panna cotta is pretty much the same thing. Berry coulis is the perfect accompaniment for this dessert. Thanks to Heidi Swanson in Super Natural Cooking (Celestial Arts, 2007) for this easy recipe. 


1 can coconut milk or cream

1 1/4 c milk (I used rice milk)

1/3 c cane sugar

3/4 tsp agar powder (or 1 1/2 tbsp agar flakes)


Coulis:

2 c berries, fresh or frozen (I used raspberries and blueberries)

1/4 c honey or rice syrup

juice half...


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Butterscotch macarons

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, In : small cakes 

If anything turns out a bit rough in your baking, you can just call them 'rustic'! My butterscotch macarons are rather rustic but delicious too.Soft brown sugar gives the butterscotch flavour.


Makes about 15 sandwiched macarons

2 eggs whites

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

100g icing sugar

30g soft brown sugar

100g ground almonds


For the filling:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp coconut cream, or cream or milk

1 c icing sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract


Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.

In a large bowl wh...


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Orange polenta cake with chocolate ganache

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, In : big cakes 

I fell asleep last night thinking of an orange polenta cake with chocolate ganache. I woke up this morning thinking of the same cake. Here is the physical manifestation of my craving! 

3 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 1/2 c water
1/2 c rice syrup (or maple or honey)
3/4 c olive oil
2 c ground almonds
1 c polenta
3 tsp baking powder
Zest and juice of 1 large orange
2 tsp orange extract or essence

Chocolate ganache:
1 can coconut cream or milk
250g dark chocolate (I use Whittaker’s 72%)

Orange jam or ma...

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Granola bars

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, In : slices 

I think we don't eat enough seeds in our life so a granola packed with them is a protein punch.

Minimalist Baker has more than one vegan, gluten-free granola bar on her website but I like this one the best. You don't need to add chopped dried fruit as the recipe already contains a cup of dates. It's a no-bake recipe but toasting the nuts and seeds first adds much to the flavour.


1 1/2 c oats

1/2 c nuts of choice (I used almonds)

2 tbsp sunflower seeds

2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

2 tbsp flaxseed

2 tbsp chia...


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Crumpets

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, April 17, 2020, In : bread 


I've made crumpets before - here's another recipe. Just chuck all the ingredients in a bowl, wait for an hour, then fry on the griddle. My tip would be to make a double batch and freeze some for later.

Makes 10
Mix together 225g flour of choice, 1 tsp dried yeast, 1/2 tsp baking soda, pinch salt, 150ml warmed milk of choice and 200ml warm water. Cover and leave for 1 hour to froth up. Heat some oil in a fry pan and place your rings inside. Pour 1/3 c of batter in each ring and cook for about 6 ...
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Pea flour cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, April 16, 2020, In : cookies 

You can make cookies from any flour, really. Yellow pea flour makes a wholesome cookie and the molasses gives them a dark brown caramelly chewiness. The dough is quite soft and sticky so best to refrigerate for an hour before shaping. Thanks Ginny for her flour leftovers!

Makes around 20
Mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl:
2 tbsp flaxmeal mixed with 3 tbsp water
1 tbsp molasses
2 tbsp maple syrup (or rice syrup or honey)
1/3 c coconut sugar (or brown)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c vegetable or rice...
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Oat lace cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, April 3, 2020, In : cookies 

These are very fragile cookies! But lovely for a dainty afternoon tea. Drizzling with chocolate is completely optional; I think they are tasty without.

Makes about 20 cookies

1/2 c rolled oats

1/4 c almonds

90g butter or non-dairy spread

1/3 c crystallised sugar

1/3 c brown sugar

1 tbsp rice flour/tapioca/cornflour/arrowroot

2 tsp orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt


100g melted chocolate, if desired


Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a food processor or coffee gri...


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Almond ginger cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, In : cookies 

I'm rationing my flour supplies in Covid-19 lockdown so trying out some gluten-free recipes. This is a super easy one-pot, one-spoon wonder - you'll be munching in less than 30 minutes.

Makes about 20 cookies

1 c almond butter

3/4 c brown sugar or coconut sugar

1/3 c crystallised ginger, finely chopped

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt

1 egg


Preheat oven to 165C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a wooden s...


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Chocolate ginger meringues

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 27, 2020, In : cookies 

We are day 2 of Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand but the baking doesn't stop. Our daughter chose these for me to make - and I happily obliged. We had all the ingredients in the pantry waiting to be used. It's from Gluten-Free Baking by Kristine Kidd (Weldon Owen, 2014).

Makes about 20 meringues

100g dark chocolate
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt
3/4 c toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
1/3 c crystallised ginger, roughly chopped

Preheat ovent o 165...
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Almond rosewater cake

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, In : big cakes 


A very simple cake with a hint of rosewater, but it's just what your fika needs!


2 c ground almonds

1/2 c honey/maple syrup/rice syrup

1/3 c coconut oil or butter, softened
3 eggs

zest of 2 lemons

2 tbsp rose water

1 tsp baking soda

1/3 c flaked or chopped almonds


Preheat oven to 160C. Line a 20cm cake tin with baking paper.

Put all the ingredients except the flaked almonds in a bowl and mix well. Or blitz in a food processor.

Scrape batter into the cake tin and scatter almonds on top.

Bake for around 35...


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Chocolate almond biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, March 15, 2020, In : cookies 

These chocolate biscotti have a coffee-tinged flavour - perfect with coffee!

1 1/2 c ground almonds

2 tbsp arrowroot or cornflour

3 tbsp cacao powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 c brown rice syrup or maple syrup


Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in vanilla and rice syrup until a firm dough forms.

Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Shape each one into a log about 10cm long, 5cm high and 4cm wid...


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Healthy millionaire's shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, March 2, 2020, In : slices 

The classic millionaire's shortbread usually involves sugar, butter, condensed milk, egg, golden syrup and sometimes cream. This version is free from refined sugar and dairy and can be gluten too.

Tastes amazing, with that mix of crunch, salty/sweet caramel and silky chocolate. I guarantee you'll be pleased you switched to a healthier version!


For the base:

200g flour of choice (I used spelt)

pinch salt

100g coconut oil, room temperature

50g cane sugar or stevia


For the caramel:

300g pitted dates

150g...


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Banana coconut cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, In : cookies 

Just two ingredients to make these delicious cookies. I like them very thin to produce a crispiness and caramelisation on the edges. You can go crazy with your extras and add your favourite flavourings.

Makes 12-16 

1 ripe banana
3/4 c desiccated coconut

Optional:
1/4 c chocolate chips
pinch sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped dried fruit

Preheat oven to 180C. Link a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mash the banana in a bowl and mix in coconut. Add your extras. Scoop out...


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Coconut macaroons

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 13, 2020, In : cookies 

Such a wholesome healthy version of macaroons! But dipping in chocolate makes them extra special. This is adapted from Caroline Du Pont's The New Enlightened Eating (Book Publishing Company, 2012).

Makes 16

3/4 c ground almonds
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 c desiccated or shredded coconut
pinch salt
1/2 c maple syrup
1/4 c tahini
1 tsp vanilla extract

For dipping:
100g chocolate of choice

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Grind the almonds and flaxseed in a coffee grin...


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Chocolate peanut butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 9, 2020, In : cookies 

These a nice little chewy bites, great for lunchboxes.

90g oat flour
80g ground almonds
2 tbsp cacao powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
50g coconut sugar (or another unrefined sugar)
4 tbsp stevia
2 eggs
120g peanut butter (or any nut butter)
100g coconut oil, melted
100g cacao nibs or chocolate buttons

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 trays with baking paper.

In a bowl mix the flour, almonds, cacao, baking soda, sugar and stevia. In another bowl mix the eggs, peanut butter and coconut oil.

Mix the wet ing...


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Chocolate cashew truffles

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, December 12, 2019, In : sweets 

First attempt - used stick blender and only did one coat of chocolate - very nice


Second attempt - doubled the recipe, used Omniblend, double coat of chocolate - extremely nice

Yum - guilt-free treats that are full of nutrients. Everything tastes better coated in homemade chocolate, right? A stick blender is best for this recipe. I tried processing the filling in my Omniblend but there wasn't enough mixture for the blades to mix.

Makes 14
100g cashews
3 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp date syrup
1 tbsp caca...
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Almond pulp bliss balls

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, December 8, 2019, In : sweets 

A useful recipe to use up almond pulp from making almond milk.

1 c almond pulp (I didn't have enough so added whole almonds)
1 c dates
1/2 c desiccated coconut
3 tsp cacao or cocoa powder
1 tsp soft coconut oil
grated zest from 1 orange
pinch sea salt

Blitz all ingredients in a food processor until sticky and hold together. Roll into balls and coat in coconut and place in an airtight container in the freezer to firm up. You can also roll in cacao powder or cinnamon, finely chopped nuts or c...


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Almond pulp crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 6, 2019, In : savoury 

You've made your own almond milk, now what do you do with the pulp? Chuck all these ingredients in a bowl, roll out thin and Bob's your cracker! Thanks to Detoxinista for the inspiration.

1 c almond pulp (from making almond milk)
1 tbsp ground flaxseeds (you could also use chia)
3 tbsp olive oil (or coconut oil)
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 minced garlic clove, optional
finely chopped herbs are also optional (2 tbsp fresh or 2 tsp dried)

Preheat oven to 170C. 

Mix all the ingredie...


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Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 28, 2019, In : cookies 

This will be the 14th chocolate chip cookies recipe on Bake Club! And it's a good variation - adding oats and being free of gluten, sugar and dairy if you need to bake for special dietary requirements. Thanks to Minimalist Baker for the inspo.

3/4 c rolled oats, or quick cook oats
3/4 c ground almonds
1/4 c desiccated coconut
3/4 tsp baking powder
14 tsp salt
1/4 c dark chocolate chips
1/4 c chopped dried fruit, optional (I used apricots but I've also used prunes and freeze-dried blueberries)
1/4 c a...
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Matcha mint slice

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 15, 2019, In : slices 

I must admit when I first made this I didn't get much green tea or mint flavour, so I've upped my quantities and now use a larger tin to get thinner slices. Whatever works for you though, thick slices are just as good too. Thanks to Lola Berry's Food to Make You Glow (Plum, 2017) for the inspiration.

Base:
1 c desiccated coconut
1 c almond meal (I ground almonds in a coffee grinder)
2 tbsp almond butter (or any nut butter you prefer)
1 c dates (medjool are best but I also use deglet nour)...


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Flapjacks

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 14, 2019, In : slices 

Flapjacks, muesli bars, granola bars, oatmeal crunch - whatever you call them these wholesome bites are great for lunch boxes and snacks in general. In the US though, flapjacks are pancakes, so don't get lost in translation. What makes traditional flapjacks compared to other granola bars is the inclusion of golden syrup, which gives a caramely taste.
I have substituted with healthier rice syrup (no fructose) but feel free to use whatever sweetener you prefer. You can also use non-dairy spread ...
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Chocolate mud brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, October 27, 2019, In : slices 

You can make this batter into brownies, cakes, muffins - whatever suits your occasion. I usually go for a square or rectangle tin so it's easier to cut for lunch boxes or to serve many people. The best thing is that the food processor does all the work. Thanks Rachel Khoo for a winning free-from recipe from The Little Swedish Kitchen (Michael Joseph, 2018).

250g pitted dates
90ml hot espresso coffee
80g ground flaxseed
180ml vegetable oil
1 x 400g can black beans, drained (reserve 1/2 c of the liq...


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Lemon drizzle cake

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, October 25, 2019, In : big cakes 

This is a light, gluten-free, sugar-free cake with a gooey sauce.

3 eggs, separated
1/2 c milk of choice
1/3 c vegetable oil
juice and zest of 2 lemons (reserve 1 tbsp juice for drizzle)
1/3 c rice syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c ground almonds
1/4 c coconut flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Drizzle:
1/2 c coconut milk
1/4 c rice syrup
1 tbsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 160C. Line a cake tin with baking paper.
In a large bowl whisk egg yolks, milk, oil, juice and zest, rice syrup and vanilla unti...
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Havreflarn (oat thins)

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 25, 2019, In : cookies 

Here's a healthy twist on a classic Swedish havreflarn (thin oat biscuits). I've used banana instead of sugar and added toppings for variety. Sometimes chocolate is sandwiched in between 2 biscuits; I've just spread one side with chocolate, like a chocolate digestive.

Makes around 20
2 c rolled oats
2 bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted (optional)
toppings if desired: threaded coconut, black sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds
125g dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 175...
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Chokladbollar (chocolate balls)

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 23, 2019, In : sweets 

I am officially obsessed with fika - the Swedish art of the coffee break. A time to take a break alone or with friends, to reflect and recharge with a coffee (or tea) and something delicious to eat. I'd like to share some of my favourite recipes from Fika by Anna Brones & Johanna Kindvall (Ten Speed Press, 2015). The Swedish chocolate ball is a classic that all bakeries will make. Like most Swedish baked goods, it uses butter and cane sugar. These may look like one of those raw bliss balls ma...
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Spiced honey cake

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, In : big cakes 

This is an easy one-bowl mix - you can veganise it too.

75g butter or non-dairy spread

1/2 c honey

1/3 c unrefined sugar

75g water

1 egg or 1 tbsp flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water

1 1/2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)

1 tsp baking soda

3 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 160C. Line a loaf tine with baking paper.

Melt the butter, honey, sugar and water in a medium saucepan.

Add rest of ingredi...


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Orange spelt biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, July 15, 2019, In : cookies 

A healthyish biscuit!

50g rolled oats
250g wholemeal spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
juice and grated zest of 1 orange
60ml extra virgin olive oil
50g unrefined sugar (I used coconut)
2 tbsp honey
pinch salt

Icing:
150g icing sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp orange zest

Grind oats in a coffee grinder or food processor until fine. Mix with flour and baking powder in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl whisk together orange juice and zest, oil, sugar, honey and salt. Pour into flour bowl and mix unti...


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Dutch apple cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, July 11, 2019, In : big cakes 

This is a lovely moist cake with a hint of cinnamon - I've eaten it for breakfast, dessert and many times in between! Perfectly fine served at room temperature but extra nice served warm with yoghurt or cream.

100g softened butter or non-dairy spread
3/4 c brown sugar (ground coconut or rapadura sugar also good)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c milk (I used rice)
3 medium or 4 small cooking apples, peele...


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Banana caramel cake with cream cheese icing

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, July 5, 2019, In : big cakes 

What makes this banana cake special? Coconut cream caramel in the middle and cream cheese icing on top!

Caramel sauce:
1 c coconut cream or milk
3/4 c unrefined sugar (coconut, rapadura or brown)
pinch sea salt

Cake:
125 g butter or non-dairy spread
3/4 c unrefined sugar
1 egg
3 mashed bananas
2 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

Icing:
50g softened butter or non-dairy spread
75g icing sugar
1 c icing sugar
1/4 c chopped toasted walnuts (optional)

Make the caramel sauce by...


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Gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 23, 2019, In : cookies 

The beauty of these cookies is that you can bake them so they're crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle or if you prefer gingernuts just bake them for a few minutes more. Thanks to Elinor Klivans and her book Slice & Bake Cookies.

Makes 24
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/4 c molasses
1 c brown sugar
1 egg
2 c flour (I used wholmeal and white spelt)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 crystallised ginger, finely c...


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Chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, June 10, 2019, In : cookies 

What to do when the child is home sick - bake, of course! Here's another version of a healthy choc chip cookie. This one uses a flaxseed egg.

Makes 16-20 cookies
1 tbsp flaxseed
3 tbsp water
2 c ground almonds
1/2 c brown rice flour (or another gluten free flour or almond flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 c maple syrup (or rice syrup or honey)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c melted coconut oil
3/4 c dark chocolate chips or chunks

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Mix flaxseed a...
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Almond roulade with lime curd

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 7, 2019, In : desserts 

Isn't wonderful how one act of kindness can lead to multiple levels of joy! A friend of my mother's gave her some makrut (knobbly) and key (smooth) limes. She gave them to me and I instantly started craving lime curd! After I made it I decided I needed a suitably spongey base to soak up the zesty curd. With whipped cream to soften the blow, a roulade was the ideal choice. Now my whole family and whatever friends come to visit can enjoy the spoils. I learnt how to roll a sponge properly too.

...
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Fully loaded gingerbread

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 6, 2019, In : cookies 

Miranda Gore Browne calls this rainy day gingerbread in her book Biscuit. It is certainly good for that, and any kind of weather really. it is a hearty biscuit that will warm you up with a good cuppa.

1 c wholemeal spelt
1 c ground oats
3/4 c demerara sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
150g butter at room temperature
1/3 c crystallised ginger, chopped
1/3 c mixed peel, chopped
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp treacle or molasses

Topping:
1 tbsp wholemeal spelt
3 tbsp ground oats
1 tsp groun...
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Vegan banana cake

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 2, 2019, In : big cakes 


Cake, loaf, bread - whatever you wanna call it - cooking up ripe bananas brings such a warm, homely aroma to the house.
This one-bowl wonder can be whisked up in no time and you'll be munching within the hour.

3 ripe bananas
75g vegetable oil
100g unrefined sugar, such as coconut or rapadura
225g flour (I used wholemeal and white spelt)
3 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice, optional
50g chopped dried fruit or nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
Mash the ...
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Baci di dama (lady's kisses)

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, In : cookies 

Oh so cute! These little Italian kisses can be made with hazelnuts or almonds. You can fill with plain melted chocolate or chocolate ganache (chocolate mixed with coconut cream). This is from Biscuit by Miranda Gore Browne (Ebury Publishing, 2012).

Makes about 25 sandwiched biscuits
75g ground almonds
50g whole almonds, toasted
125g caster sugar
125g butter, softened and chopped (or non-dairy spread)
125g flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
200g dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 180C. Li...
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Lemon bliss balls

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, May 4, 2019, In : sweets 

Sometimes I get bored of chocolate truffles so I made lemon ones for a change. I used a mixture of almond, hazelnut and brazil nut meal - you whatever you have around.

Makes around 20

1 3/4 c desiccated coconut
1 c almond meal (or any nut meal)
juice and zest of a lemon
pinch salt
1 tsp vaniila extract
1/3 c coconut oil, melted
1/3 c honey

1/4 c desiccated coconut for rolling

Blend all ingredients in a food processor (except last measure of coconut) until fully combined and sticky. Roll into...


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Caraway breadsticks

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, May 2, 2019, In : bread 

It's fun to make your breadsticks and they don't take very long as you don't need to wait for the dough to rise. Instead of caraway you can use poppy or sesame seeds.

Makes 20
2/3 c warm water
1/2 tsp dried yeast
pinch sugar
2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp caraway seeds

Mix water, yeast and sugar in a cup. Leave for 10 min until bubbles appear.

Mix flour, salt and seeds in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Preheat oven to 2...


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Lime and poppy seed drizzle cake

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, In : big cakes 

I was lucky to receive a bag of limes so I put them to good use in this tangy cake. Of course you can use lemons or oranges instead. You can make the cake with or without the syrup and with or without the icing, or just by itself - all options work just fine!

Wet ingredients:
200ml non-dairy milk (I used rice)
1/4 c coconut oil, melted
1/2 c natural sweetener (I used maple and rice syrup)
4 tbsp lime juice, about 1/4 c
2 tbsp lime zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

Dry ingredients:
1 1/4 c...


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Hazelnut thins

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 28, 2019, In : cookies 

This is a sophisticated biscuit for grown-ups. The thins are lovely as they are but you can take it to the next level by sandwiching them with a hazelnut chocolate ganache! This is from Biscuit by Miranda Gore Browne (Ebury Press, 2012).

Makes 32 singles or 16 sandwich cookies
110g butter or non-dairy spread, softened
55g soft brown sugar
170g flour (I used wholemeal and white spelt)
120g hazelnuts, toasted and ground

Chocolate hazelnut ganache
150ml coconut cream
150g dark chocolate, broken into pie...
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Vegan vanilla cupcakes with chocolate ganache

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, In : small cakes 

Mini cupcakes are ideal to make for a small gathering of people - you can have one or two and not feel like a glutton! I'm taking these to Boomerang Bags Dominion Rd tonight for our regular sewing bee - making free resuable cloth bags for shoppers.

Makes 40 mini cupcakes or 12 large cupcakes

3/4 c non-dairy milk
2 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c melted coconut oil
1/3 c non-dairy yoghurt (or milk)
3/4 c unrefined sugar...


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Vegan beet brownies with salted caramel frosting

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, April 7, 2019, In : slices 

These chocolate brownies taste so decadent but they are in fact free from refined sugar, gluten and dairy PLUS fully loaded with folic acid, manganese and potassium from the beetroot.

2 tbsp ground flaxseed
6 tbsp water
2 beetroot, cooked or grated raw
1 1/4 c coconut milk or cream
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 c flour (I used a spelt mix but you can use ground almonds, oat flour or other GF flours)
3/4 c unrefined sugar 
3/4 c cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp s...


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Fully loaded chocolate chunk cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 29, 2019, In : cookies 

These cookies are pretty serious about themselves and they are seriously good cookies!

Makes 24 cookies

185g butter or non-dairy spread
3/4 c coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 c flour (I used white and wholemeal spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c activated buckwheat groats
1/2 c cranberries
1/2 c chopped hazelnuts
1 c dark chocolate chips or chunks

Preheat oven to 180V. Line 2 bnaking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl cream the non-dairy spread/butter and sugar until ...


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Gateau chocolat

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 22, 2019, In : big cakes 

The French version of a chocolate cake - virtually flourless, a lot of chocolate. Made pour moi, for my birthday.

160g dark chocolate
100g butter
1/3 c unrefined sugar (I used coconut)
1/3 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
3 eggs, separated
pinch salt
4 tbsp jam

For the ganache
1/2 can coconut cream
100g white or dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 20cm round tin with baking paper.
Melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, whisk in sugar, flour and egg yolks.
In a large bo...
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Apple crumble muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, In : small cakes 

A warming spicy muffin with crunchy nut topping.

Brown sugar topping:
60g butter, melted (or dairy-free spread)
1/2 c brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
1/2 c chopped nuts (I used almonds)
1/4 c flour
1/4 c oats
1 tsp cinnamon

Batter:
150g butter, melted (or dairy-free spread)
2 eggs (or flaxseed eggs - 4 tbsp flaxseed mixed with 10tbsp water)
1/2 c rice syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c milk of choice
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 apples, grated with skin on
2 c flour (I used wholemeal and white spelt)
1 tbsp ...


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Mini chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 15, 2019, In : cookies 

A special request from the 6-year-old for the school picnic.

125g butter or dairy-free spread
1/2 c unrefined sugar (I used panela)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c choc chips (I used dark and white)

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy, Beat in egg and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.

Rol...


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Vegan gingerbread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, March 11, 2019, In : small cakes 

The hankering for gingerbread came late on a Sunday night. I'm sure I dreamt about them. So I knew what I had to do on Monday morning...

2 tbsp ground flaxseed
115 g butter or non-dairy spread
1/2 c unrefined sugar (I used panela)
1/2 c molasses
1 1/2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
up to 1 c boiling water

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.

In a small cup mix the...


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Vegan cheezy crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, March 9, 2019, In : savoury 

These are nice and cheesy without the cheese!

1 c flour (I used oat)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp black sesame seeds, optional
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp coconut oil or vegan butter
1 tsp lemon juice
5-6 tbsp cold water, as needed

Preheat oven to 180C. 

In a medium bowl mix all the dry ingredients together. Add the oils and juice and mix with a fork. Add enough cold water to form a dough.

Roll dough in betwe...


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Garibaldi biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 7, 2019, In : slices 

I never knew these were called Garibaldi biscuits. In my childhood we usually bought them, and they were called Full o' Fruit or Golden Fruit. Surprisingly easy to make - it's just dried fruit sandwiched between layers of pastry. These worked out so well, I'm going to try a cranberry filling next time.

Makes 24 pieces
3/4 c currants or raisins
2 tbsp brandy
1 1/2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
1/4 c caster sugar (I used golden organic and panela)
80g cold butter, chopped
1/3 c milk, appro...


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Jaffa thins

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, March 4, 2019, In : cookies 

Unlike my husband, I'm a big fan of orange and chocolate. So this batch is just for me! 

Makes around 45
250g butter or dairy-free spread, softened
1/2 c fine granulated sugar (I used panela)
zest from 1 orange
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp orange extract or essence
2 1/2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
200g dark chocolate, melted (I used Whittaker's 72%)

In a large bowl beat the butter with an electric whisk (or by hand) until soft. Add sugar, zest, baking powder and salt and bea...


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Prune muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 28, 2019, In : small cakes 

How I do love prunes, and they add such sweetness and moistness to cakes and muffins. Keeps you regular too!

1 egg
1 c milk (I used rice)
1/4 c vegetable oil (I used rice bran)
1/4 c honey or brown rice syrup
2 tbsp panela or coconut sugar
2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 c prunes, diced

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin cases

In a small bowl mix egg, milk, oil, sweetener and sugar.

In a large bowl sift in flou...


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Sesame nori crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, February 23, 2019, In : savoury 

I just don't have enough black sesame seeds in my life! This recipe only uses a tablespoon but it really adds to the flavour. It's from Superfood Energy Balls & Bites by Nicola Graimes (Ryland Peters & Small, 2018). You can use other flours if you don't have buckwheat on hand but buckwheat is particularly high in protein and fibre.

Makes 12 crackers
1/3 c white sesame seeds
1/2 c buckwheat flour (I made mine by grinding buckwheat groats in a coffee grinder)
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbs...


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Healthy popcorn balls

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 21, 2019, In : sweets 

What to make for the school picnic? Something bite size, sweet and healthy - who doesn't love popcorn?

Makes 20 balls

1/4 c popcorn kernels
1/4 c tahini or nut butter
1/2 c rice syrup or honey
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp sesame seeds
3 tbsp desiccated coconut

Pop the corn (on stove top or microwave) and put in a large bowl; discard kernels that haven't popped.

In a small saucepan melt the tahini, rice syrup and coconut oil. Let bubble vigorously for a few minutes, remove from hea...


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Vegan gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, In : cookies 

I've made a few gingernuts in my time but I wanted to use molasses in these ones to add a depth of flavour. I also think to get the best crispiness in a biscuit you need to cream your butter and sugar first. Vegan butter and unrefined sugar work just as well as your bog-standard alternative, and are much healthier of course.

Makes 24
60g dairy-free spread (I used Olivani)
3/4 c coconut or brown sugar
1/4 c molasses
1/2 tsp vanilla extract, optional
2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking...


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Vegan chocolate cranberry muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, In : small cakes 

No eggs - no worries! You can still whip up a batch of yummy muffins, and make them sugar-free and gluten-free too. I got these done in less than an hour and took them to a Connect the Dots art appreciation event. This charity connects and engages older people and people living with dementia in art tours and workshops in galleries around Auckland. I help out at Pah Homestead, such a lovely venue.

4 tbsp flaxmeal (ground flaxseed)
10 tbsp filtered water
1/4 c maple syrup
3/4 c rice syrup
1/4 c coco...
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Beetroot carrot crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, February 16, 2019, In : savoury 

These raw crackers are pretty tasty. Great by themselves or with dips and spreads. It's from The Unbakery by Megan May (Beatnik, 2014). You'll need a dehydrator - the crispier the better.

1 cup sunflower seeds, soaked 4-6 hours
1 cup sunflower seeds, soaked 4-6 hours
1 cup flaxseed, ground (I use a coffee grinder)
1/4 c flaxseed
1 beetroot, grated
1 carrot, grated
1 red onion, finely chopped
3/4 c filtered water
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp rosemary or thyme, choppe...
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Vegan banana bread

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, February 16, 2019, In : big cakes 


An easy peasy loaf for very ripe bananas. Great with a slathering of butter/non-dairy spread/honey/nut butter.

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 c coconut oil, softened or 100g dairy-free spread
1/2 c rice malt syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 c flour (I used a mix of buckwheat and wholemeal spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
dairy-free milk if required

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
In a large bowl whisk the oil/dairy-free spread with rice syru...

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Amaretti

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, January 25, 2019, In : cookies 

Crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle - the perfect amaretti. To get the crispiness you need to use granulated sugar. You could use coconut sugar for a darker colour, or at least use organic. And to get that lovely crackle look, roll in icing sugar before baking.

Makes 32
3 egg whites or aquafaba from a can of drained chickpeas
2 1/2 c ground almonds
1 c sugar (if I have to use granulated sugar I use organic golden sugar from Ceres)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
20ml a...


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Caramel slice - version 4

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, January 25, 2019, In : slices 

Here's another version of a raw caramel slice. I've tweaked the ingredients to make it simpler. If you're not averse to peanuts, peanut butter makes a very good caramel base. The prunes add a lovely sweetness to the base.

Base:
1/2 c pitted dates
1/3 c prunes, optional
1 c almonds (toasted if you like)
1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
pinch sea salt

Caramel:
1/2 c pitted dates (or date syrup)
1/2 c maple syrup
1/3 c peanut butter (I prefer smooth)
1/4 c coconut oil

Topping:
1/4 c cacao powder
1/4 c coconut oil, so...


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Chocolate mint sandwich cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, January 17, 2019, In : cookies 

Like oreo cookies but better! These cookies don't use butter. You can easily use gluten-free flour too.

Makes 12-14 sandwiched cookies
1/2 c/90g dark chocolate or chocolate chips
40ml hot water
1 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 c icing sugar
1 egg 

Peppermint filling:
1 c icing sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
1-2 tbsp water

Melt the chocolate and hot water in a double boiler or in a microwave. Stir until smooth and let cool.
In a medium bowl sift the flour, sugar and baking powder. Mix the e...
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Strawberry coconut bounty bars

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 28, 2018, In : sweets 

Would you believe our oven broke down two days before Xmas! I couldn't bake any cakes so a good excuse to make raw treats. I updated my usual bounty bars with strawberry chia jam. Thanks to Little Bird Goodness by Megan May (Penguin, 2017) for the inspiration. The jam is so versatile - it can be used to jazz up muffins, granola, ice cream and swirl it into these bounty bars to make a healthy 'cherry ripe'.

Berry jam:
1/4 c ground chia seeds
1/4 c filtered water
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp...
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Rocky road

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, In : sweets 

Quick and easy rocky road to give to the teachers this year, and for random visitors to our house this festive season.
1 c cacao butter
1 c cacao or cocoa powder
1/4 c maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
1/2 c cranberries
1/2 c toasted hazelnuts
1/2 c mini marshmallows

Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
Melt the cacao butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan with 2-3 cm water. Heat on a low-medium heat until melted.
Take off the heat and stir in the maple syrup, cacao powder, vanilla, sal...
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Vegan neapolitan ice cream

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, December 17, 2018, In : desserts 


This is my go-to recipe for dairy-free ice cream. I went all out and made three kinds for neaopolitan thrills.

Vanilla ice cream:
2 cans coconut cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (use vanilla bean paste for extra yummy flavour and looks)
1/4 c maple or rice syrup
pinch salt

Blitz all the ingredients in a blender then transfer to an ice cream maker and churn for 10-15 min. Pour into a litre container and freeze. If you don't have an ice cream maker you can just freeze for a couple of hours then blitz agai...

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Banoffee chia pudding

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, December 10, 2018, In : desserts 

Banoffee is usually a mix of bananas, cream and toffee but this one is banana, coconut cream and coffee - brilliant! It's a super easy pudding/mousse/parfait that can be indulged in any time of day. In the morning top it with yoghurt and granola or for dessert add whipped coconut cream and nuts. The recipe is from Kings Plant Barn.

Makes 8 servings
1 can coconut cream
2 c cooled espresso coffee (if making for kids, use a non-dairy milk)
1 c ground chia seeds (I like mine ground, for a smoother pu...
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Vegan chocolate muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 7, 2018, In : small cakes 


A good, basic muffin that you can jazz up with icing and sprinkles for the kiddies. Ok, they look like cupcakes now but you don't have to cream the butter and sugar in this recipe.

1 1/2 c flour (I used wholemeal spelt, you can use oat flour or almond flour for other gf options)
1 c cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c water, plus up to 1/4 c
1/2 c non-dairy milk
1/4 c coconut or rapadura sugar
1/4 c maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c coconut oil, melted

Icing:
1/2 c dairy-free butte...


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Vegan chocolate biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, In : cookies 

1/4 c ground chia seeds
1 c hot water
1/2 c coconut sugar or raw sugar
1/4 c brown rice syrup or maple syrup
1/2 c olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 c flour (I use spelt)
3/4 c cocoa or cacao powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c desiccated coconut
100g dark chocolate for dipping

Preheat oven to 160C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.

Put chia seeds and hot water in a blender and let soak for 5 minutes. Add sweeteners, oil, vanilla and salt and blitz until smooth.

Sift flour, cacao...


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Healthy chocolate cereal

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 8, 2018, In : sweets 

When the 6-year-old won't eat porridge or muesli it's time to make cereal a bit more appealing. Homemade cacao puffs are simple to make and you can swap out with any puffed grain or activated buckwheat groats.

4 cups puffed spelt (or wheat, rice, amaranth puffs)
1/4 c coconut oil
1/4 c maple syrup or brown rice syrup
1/4 c cacao powder

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Put the puffs in a large bowl.

In a small bowl heat or microwave the oil until melted. Stir in...


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Espresso sables

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, November 4, 2018, In : cookies 

Biscuits for grown-ups! And a sturdy bite for dunking.

Makes 20-24
1 tbsp espresso powder
1 tbsp boiling water
225g butter
3/4 c sugar (I used organic golden)
1 1/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 c cornflour
1/2 c ground almonds
1/2 tsp ground coffee beans
2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tbsp icing sugar

Mix coffee powder and water, set aside.

Beat butter and sugar. Add cooled espresso. Sift in flour, cornflour and almonds and ground coffee beans. Wrap dough in cling film and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour....


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Chocolate chip cranberry cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 2, 2018, In : cookies 

Only 4 basic ingredients in these cookies! Inspired by Wholefood Simply, you can swap out nut butters, sweeteners and flour and add spices or dried fruit if you like too.

Makes 16-20
4 tbsp almond butter (or peanut butter or cashew butter)
3 tbsp brown rice syrup (or maple syrup or honey)
1 1/4c almond meal
1/4 c dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
1/4 c cranberries (this is my favourite combo to give the cookie some tartness)

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a ba...


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Seed crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, October 26, 2018, In : savoury 

Crunchy salty goodness!

Makes 80-100 small crackers

1/2 c pumpkin seeds
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c sesame seeds
1/4 c black sesame seeds
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp poppy seeds
2 c flour (I used rye and spelt)
2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tsp coriander seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 c olive oil
3/4 c cold water

Grind pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor until crumbly. Add to a bowl and mix in all the other ingredients by hand o...


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Almond crescents

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 25, 2018, In : cookies 

Great to make if you have any leftover egg whites or you can make with a can of aquafaba too.

3/4 c chopped (or flaked) almonds
2 c ground almonds
1 c sugar (I used coconut)
zest of an orange
2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 160C. Link a baking tray with baking paper.
Whisk egg whites until stiff peaks. Whisk in sugar and fold in ground almonds and zest. Take small balls of the mixture and roll into a little log. Roll int the chopped almonds and place on your baking tray in a crescent shape.
Ba...


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Zucchini double chocolate brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, October 19, 2018, In : small cakes 

Z is for zucchini brownies. It's no. 26 of 26 alphabetical bakes! I've made a vegan version before and this is just as easy with a couple of eggs. I added my go-to vegan chocolate ganache, to make it extra special. You can make these in muffin tins or a round cake. Brownies are an excellent quick option for school or office bakes.
This is the end of my A to Z of bakes, a little Instagram project, but now I'll just bake with whatever letter I fancy. Keep calm and carry on baking!

2 cups zucchini...
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Chocolate yoyos

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 15, 2018, In : cookies 

Y is for yoyos! Those classic filled shortbread cookies with a chocolate twist, aka melting moments. It is easy to make them vegan, as I have done.

Makes 40
250g non-dairy spread, or butter
100g coconut sugar or cane sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
200g flour (I used a gluten-free mix)
1/2 tsp guar or xanthan gum (if you're using g-f flour)
65g cornflour
40g cocoa powder

Buttercream filling:
50g non-dairy spread or butter
85g icing sugar
few drops of lemon juice

Ganache filling:
1/2 c coconut cream
50g dark cho...
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Xmas cake

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 1, 2018, In : big cakes 

X is for Xmas cake - with only 3 ingredients! This is an Annabel Langbein recipe, which I have made before. It's no. 24 of 26 alphabetical bakes.

1kg dried fruit (I used prunes, apricots, raisins, cranberries, banana)
2 1/2 c milk (I used rice)
2 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)

Extras - you can add a couple tbsp brandy/rum/sherry, some chopped nuts or spices (eg cinnamon, nutmeg) if you like

In a large bowl soak the fruit in the milk overnight.

Preheat the oven to 160C. Line a 23cm cake tin ...


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Walnut coffee cake

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 17, 2018, In : big cakes 

W is for walnuts! A healthy and wholesome addition to any cake, such as carrot or courgette or chocolate brownie. But today I've paired it with one of my faves - coffee. It's no. 23 of 26 alphabetical bakes! Make it extra special with coffee icing and candied walnuts. This is adapted from a Julie Le Clerc recipe.

1 c walnuts
125g butter, softened
3/4 c unrefined sugar (I used organic golden, coconut or rapadura also ok)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs
1/4 c cold strong espresso coffee
1 1/3 c ...


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Vegan vanilla ice cream

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, In : desserts 

V is for vegan vanilla ice cream with vegan chocolate sauce. No. 22 of 26 alphabetical bakes! OK, not technically a 'bake' but a recipe well worth trying.

Ice cream:
2 cans coconut cream or milk
1/2 c brown rice syrup
1 tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla paste with seeds or seeds from 1 vanilla pod
pinch salt

Chocolate sauce:
1/2 c water 
1/2 c cacao or cocoa powder
2 tbsp cacao butter
pinch sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the ice cream, put all ingredients in a blender and whiz. Churn in an ice cream...


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Mango upside down cake

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 31, 2018, In : big cakes 

The joy at revealing an upside down cake really is a baker's delight. You can make it with any fruit - I chose mango and coconut for a sunny vibe to offset a cold rainy day. It's no. 21 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

50g melted butter
1/2 c brown sugar
2 cans mango, drained or 2 fresh mangos, sliced
100g melted butter
1/2 c unrefined sugar (I used Ceres organic golden sugar)
3/4 c coconut milk or cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 14 tsp baking powder
1/4 c...


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Vegan tiramisu

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 26, 2018, In : desserts 

My rustic vegan tiramisu was inspired by itdoesn'ttastelikechicken.com. Great name, great recipe! It's no. 20 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Sponge cake:

1 3/4 flour (I used spelt)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c unrefined sugar
1/4 c brown rice syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
100ml vegetable oil
150ml cold filtered water

Espresso syrup:

4 shots espresso coffee
2 tbsp liqueur of choice
water

Cream:

1 c cashews, soaked overnight or for at least 30 min in boiling water
1/2 c non-dairy milk
3 tbsp liquid natural...


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Vegan salted caramel chocolates

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, August 13, 2018, In : sweets 

S is for salted caramels - no. 19 of 26 alphabetical bakes! I was pretty pleased with how these turned out. You CAN make caramels without cream, and I used unrefined sugars too. 

Makes 36-40 

400ml can coconut milk or cream
1/2 c rice syrup
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp sea salt
1 3/4 c coconut sugar (or rapadura)
3/4 c water
450g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa, dairy free)
digital sugar thermometer

Line a 20cm x 20cm square tin with baking paper.

In a small saucepan heat the coconut cream, r...


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Vegan rainbow cupcakes

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 12, 2018, In : small cakes 

After making the indulgent rainbow cake with cream cheese icing for our daughter's 6th birthday I wanted to see if I could make a healthier version. It may take a bit of time colouring 6 bowls of batter and layering them in the patty tins but the result is worth it - and makes the lunchbox extra special!

Makes 12 cupcakes
1 cup milk (I used rice)
1 tbsp lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
1/3 c olive oil
1 cup natural sweetener (I used rice syrup with a little bit of date syrup)
2 c flour (I used a...


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Quinoa carrot breakfast cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 2, 2018, In : cookies 


Cooking 1 cup of quinoa 'seeds' yields a lot of quinoa! Enough to make 2 different batches of sweet cookies. These full-o-goodness chunky breakfast cookies are adapted from Healthful Pursuit. It's a bonus bake in my list of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 18 cookies
1 1/2 c cooked quinoa
1 c flour (I used oat)
1/2 c ground flaxseed
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch salt
1/2 c liquid natural sweetener (I used rice syrup and a bit of date syrup. Maple syrup is also g...


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Quinoa cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 2, 2018, In : cookies 

Quinoa is actually a seed not a grain but that doesn't matter - it is a highly nutritious food with double the protein of rice and barley, plus calcium, manganese, magnesium, B vitamins and fibre. I've never used quinoa in sweet recipes before so I tried quinoa cookies 2 ways.
It's no.17 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 24 small cookies
1 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 c desiccated coconut
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
4 egg whites at room temperature (make some custard or lemon curd with t...


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Pear pound cake

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, July 7, 2018, In : big cakes 

This is an impressive way to present pears in a cake, thanks to Carine Claudepierre from her book Clean Bakery (Bateman, 2016). Carine was inspired by a cake she saw in a French bakery, hence the amount of butter and eggs that give the cake a buttery richness but it is free of gluten and sugar. It's no. 16 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Poached pears:
1 1/2 litres water
a whole nutmeg (or 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla pod
1 star anise
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3 pears

Cake:
2 cups ground al...
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Orange cake

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, July 1, 2018, In : big cakes 

A tangy, moist cake for no. 15 of 26 alphabetical bakes!


2 oranges or tangelos
1 1/2 c pitted dates, soaked in water while the oranges cook
6 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 15 tbsp water
1 c ground almonds
1/2 c fine polenta
1 tsp baking powder

Icing:
3/4 c cashews, soaked overnight or for 30 min in boiling water
3 tbsp brown rice syrup or maple syrup
1 tbsp orange zest
3 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp orange extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp melted coconut oil

Put oranges in a small saucepan, cove...


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Nut brittle

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, In : sweets 

Buckwheat groats and puffed rice add more goodness to this healthy nut brittle. If nuts aren't your thing you can replace them with sunflower and pumpkin seeds. This is no. 14 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

1/2 c buckwheat groats
1/2 c puffed rice
1/2 c almonds, slivered or roughly chopped (you can use any nuts you like)
1/4 c cashews
pinch sea salt
4 tsp coconut oil
1/2 c maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Warm ...


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Mocha cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018, In : big cakes 

I do like a mochaccino every now and then, likewise a coffee-flavoured cake, with coffee of course! The coffee flavour didn't come out too strongly in this recipe from Gee Charman's Guilt-Free Baking (Nourish Books, 2015) so it's suitable for kids too. For an adult version I'd add more coffee and maybe some ground coffee too. It's a bonus bake in my A to Z of bakes!

You can use a 20cm round cake tin or 30cm x 20cm brownie tin and cut the cake into squares.


100g butter
1/2 c coconut su...


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Minty bites

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, In : sweets 

These are rather like after dinner mints, but you won't feel guilty having one, two, or more... It's no. 13 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 36

3 x 12 mini muffin tins
1 c desiccated coconut
1 c cashews
2 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp coconut oil, warmed

chocolate coating:
1 c cacao butter
3-4 tbsp maple syrup or brown rice syrup
1 c cacao powder
pinch salt

Blitz the coconut and cashews in a food processor until crumbly. Add the peppermint, honey and coconut oil and mix until fu...


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Graham crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, In : cookies 

Fran Costigan makes a mean oat cinnamon graham cracker, as they call them in the US - very similar to these digestives, which is what we call them in NZ, Australia and the UK. For me, the key is the thinner the better, and coconut sugar adds a lovely caramely crunchiness.

To make ginger snaps, just swap out the cinnamon for ground ginger.

Makes around 30 biscuits

1 1/2 c oat flour, toasted in a 175C oven for 10 min
1/4 c ground coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp se...


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Lunchbox slice

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, June 16, 2018, In : slices 

This is another great recipe from Wholefood Simply to which I zhujed up with a chocolate marble topping to increase the appeal to a 6 year old. You can swap out seeds for nuts or tahini for another nut butter. I have not met anyone yet who did not like this slice! This is no.12 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

1 c desiccated coconut
1/3 c sunflower seeds
1/3 c pumpkin seeds
1/3 c sesame seeds
pinch of salt
1/2 c brown rice syrup or honey
1/2 c tahini
1/3 c dark chocolate drops if desired or add som...


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Key lime pie

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 15, 2018, In : desserts 

This super healthy cheesecake uses an oat crust and tofu-based filling. I found the oat graham cracker recipe from Fran Costigan and it makes a delicious cinnamony crunchy pie crust and the vegan pie filling is from The Gentle Chef. It's no. 11 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Base:
1 1/2 c oat flour, toasted (I ground organic jumbo oats in a coffee grinder)
6 tbsp coconut sugar, finely ground
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 c neutral oil
2 tbsp maple syrup or brown rice s...


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Jaffa cakes

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, June 11, 2018, In : small cakes 

I do love the combination of chocolate and orange. These healthy jaffa cakes from Nadia's Healthy Kitchen
don't last long but they're worth the effort. The chocolate coating can get a bit messy but that's all part of the fun.

Makes 12

Base:
1/2 c flour (I use spelt)
1/3 c ground almonds
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
3 tbsp brown rice syrup (or maple syrup)
up to 4 tbsp milk

Orange jelly:
1/2 c orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp rice syrup
1 tsp agar powder
20cm round cake/sp...
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Italian ricotta torta

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 10, 2018, In : big cakes 

I have never attempted a ricotta cheesecake before - what a winner to start with. It's from Julie Le Clerc's Favourite Cakes (Penguin Books, 2011). She created the recipe from memory after tasting a ricotta cake in Rome. It's indulgent and rich, no doubt about that, but the addition of citrus peel and almonds cuts through the cheese and chocolate.

Base and topping:
1 1/2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 c ground almonds
1/3 c coconut sugar (hence the dark colour; use caster sugar if you want a...


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Vegan hazelnut meringue torte with coffee buttercream

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, In : desserts 

I was at the Dunedin Farmers Market recently and splashed out on roasted hazelnuts from Amazelnuts, grown in Mosgiel. Fortuitous timing, as I was looking for an 'H' ingredient. This is no. 8. of 26 alphabetical bakes.
Aquafaba, the liquid from a drained can of chickpeas. makes a great meringue if you want to avoid egg whites - just don't open the door while cooking! I did, and in that brief moment the cold air took the lift out of my meringue sails. My meringues may not have risen but fear not...
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Vegan ginger crunch

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 3, 2018, In : slices 

I've made plenty of ginger crunch and perfected this recipe here. But I challenged myself to make a vegan, gluten free and sugar version and this is it!

Base:
1 1/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1/3 c activated buckwheat groats (aka buckinis)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 c ground coconut sugar
1/2 c olive oil

Topping:
4 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp honey (or golden syrup if you don't mind refined sugar)
4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped pistachios (optional)

Preheat oven ...


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Granola bars

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, In : slices 

Twice baked oats and activated buckwheat groats make for a supercrunchy granola bar. The cranberries add a lovely tang to round out the sweetness.

4 c rolled oats
1 c activated buckwheat
100g coconut oil, melted
2/3 c honey
1/3 c apple juice
1/4 c treacle or molasses
1/2 c cranberries
1 c puffed rice

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Line a 30cm x 20cm brownie/swiss roll tin with baking paper.
Mix oats, buckwheat and oil in a bowl until evenly coated. Lay out on the baking tra...
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Forgotten cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, May 10, 2018, In : cookies 

Forgotten cookies are actually super easy meringues - you just leave in a turned-off oven overnight and they should be crisp by the morning. Mine weren't unfortunately, I think I preheated the oven too low. If this happens you can just bake at 60-70C for an hour or so until meringues are dried or put in a dehydrator. The recipe is adapted from Healthy Food Guide. You can leave plain or flavour with mint and strawberry. It's my no. 6 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 20-15
2 egg whites, r...


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Bunuelos

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, May 5, 2018, In : desserts 

D is for doughnuts, no. 4 of 26 alphabetical bakes. Bunuelos/bimuelos are literally little fried dough nuts, popular in many South and Central American countries. This recipe is from the Sephardi (Spanish) Jews, and the topping is a honey and rosewater syrup.

350g flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp salt
7g dried yeast
1 egg, beaten
200ml milk. slightly warmed
1 lt sunflower oil or light vegetable cooking oil


Syrup:
250ml water
175g sugar
125ml honey

sesame seeds for garnish

In a bowl combine the flour, salt and ...
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Cherry cake

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, In : big cakes 

This is a bonus C bake in my list of alphabetical bakes. It's is one of the simplest recipes I've found for a quick cake. Cherries taste great but you can also use apricots, peaches, feijoas, pears - any fresh or canned fruit you have on hand.

125g butter or non-dairy spread
1/2 c brown rice syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 c almond meal
1/2 c flour (I used spelt)
At least 1 c pitted cherries (fresh, frozen or canned,and drained)

Preheat oven to 180C in line a 20cm x 20cm cake tin.

Cream...


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Cranberry pistachio biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, In : cookies 

No. 3 of 26 alphabetical bakes! Very easy to mix and bake and experiment with different flours and sugars. I stuck to spelt and caster sugar this time as I wanted the berry and nut colours to come through.

1/4 c olive oil
3/4 c caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond essence
2 eggs
2 c flour (I use spelt)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c cranberries
1/2 - 1 c pistachios

Preheat oven to 150C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

In a bowl whisk the oil and sugar until well comb...


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Bakewell tarts

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, April 26, 2018, In : small cakes 

No. 2 of 26 alphabetical bakes! I've never considered making bakewell tarts before as they look rather time-consuming - there's pastry, blind baking, frangipane, and more baking. But it was a good experiment in veganising a classic. I used coconut sugar, hence the deep brown colour, far more rustic-looking than the ones from Lazy Cat Kitchen from which I borrowed the recipe. The traditional bakewell has strawberry jam between the pastry and filling and is covered with white icing; I did the c...
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Anzac biscuits 2018

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, In : cookies 

Can't help making Anzac biscuits on Anzac Day. This is the third version to appear on Bake Club. I'm aiming for less and less ingredients each year. This one is all done in the food processor. Takes less than a minute to mix and less than 10 min to bake. You'll be dunking in no time.
This is no.1 of 26 alphabetical bakes! I'm setting myself a challenge to bake something for every letter of the alphabet.

1 c rolled oats
3/4 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c chopped almonds
2 1/2 tbsp honey
2 1/2 tbsp olive...
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Berry pinwheel cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, In : cookies 

These make a nice change from the usual chocolate/vanilla pinwheels. It was a special request from the 5-year-old. I used raspberry powder as that's what I had in the pantry, but any berry flavour will work well - strawberry, cherry, blueberry.

250g butter or vegan butter
1 c caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp raspberry/strawberry Fresh As powder
few drops red food colouring or beetroot juice

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until pale a...


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Almond polenta cake

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, March 26, 2018, In : big cakes 

I enjoy baking for my vegan gluten-free friends, as it makes you think outside the square and experiment with different ingredients. This recipe is adapted from Cilantro and Citronella. 

1 c almond meal
1 c polenta
3/4 c coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 c aquafaba (liquid from can of drained chickpeas), chilled in fridge
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp neutral oil
zest of 1 lemon

Lemon icing:
1 c non-dairy butter (I used Olivani)
2 c icing sugar
juice half lemon

flaked almonds ...


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Raw mini lamingtons

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 22, 2018, In : sweets 

Did you know the lamington was invented in New Zealand not Australia?! They first appeared in art in New Zealander J R Smythe's still life 'Summer Pantry' in 1888, featuring inside a cottage with a view of Wellington Harbour. They were known as Wellingtons - soft sponge covered in chocolate and coconut to resemble the snow-capped mountains of NZ.
However, Australians have claimed the cake as their own, named after Lord Lamington, governor of Queensland, who visited NZ in 1895, and was ...


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Blueberry & lemon cheesecake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 22, 2018, In : desserts 

This is the third raw cheesecake to appear on Bake Club. It's always good to experiment with these things. I made a double recipe to fit a 25cm round cake tin, one of the three cakes I made for my birthday party. I only throw a party once a decade. so I'm happy to make the effort to cater for a whole bunch of diets. I have a few vegan gluten-free friends so I decided to make all the cakes free of gluten, dairy and sugar.

This recipe is adapted from Raw Cake by Daisy Kristiansen and Le...


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Puffed rice crispie bars

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, In : slices 

Quick and easy party food/lunchbox fillers.
Makes 24 squares
1/2 c tahini
1/3 c sweetener such as rice syrup, coconut nectar, maple or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
4 c brown puffed rice crispies (you can also used puffed millet)
1/2 c activated buckwheat, optional

Line a brownie tin or 20x20cm cake tin with baking paper.
In a large bowl mix the puffed rice and buckwheat. Melt the rest of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Pour over the puffed rice and mix quickly to coat every grain. P...
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Raw fudge

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, In : sweets 

This raw chocolate fudge is soooo silky smooth and takes 2 minutes to make!
1/2 c coconut oil
1/2 c almond butter (you could also use cashew, tahini or peanut)
1/2 c cacao powder
1/4 c sweetener such as rice syrup, maple or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Line a small cake tin, loaf tin or plastic container with baking paper or plastic wrap. The container I used was 13 x 20cm.
Melt the coconut oil over a low heat or in a bain marie. Pour into a bowl with all the other ingredients and mix w...
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Sourdough sesame crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, In : savoury 

Keeping a sourdough starter in the fridge takes the pressure off having to bake every few days. I fed mine then kept in the fridge for a week before I scooped out a cup for this recipe, found on the King Arthur Flour website. Take the starter out 24 hours before using to let it warm to room temperature. 

1 c sourdough starter or discarded starter
1 1/2 c flour (I used spelt and buckwheat)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c vegan butter or butter
2 tbsp sesame seeds (white or black)
2 tbsp dried herbs of c...


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Black bean brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, March 1, 2018, In : slices 


This is the third version of black bean brownies that have appeared on Bake Club. The other two were vegan; this one uses eggs - but you can substitute with 2 tbsp of ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water if you wish. Such a quick recipe - blitz in the blender and you're done!

8 pitted dates, soaked in 1/2 c boiling water for 10 min
1 can black beans, drained
2 eggs
1/4 c coconut oil
1/3 c rice syrup
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 c flour (I used ground almonds, you can use oat flour or any ...


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Raw afghans

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, In : cookies 


A wholesome chocolatey hit.

1 c dates, soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes
1 c sunflower seeds
1 c nuts or activated buckwheat
2 tbsp ground chia seeds
1 tbsp psyllium
1/2 c cacao powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c cacao butter, melted

Icing:
1/4 c cacao butter, melted
1/3 c cacao powder
1/3 c rice syrup (or maple syrup)

Whole walnuts, pecans or almonds for decoration

Blitz the seeds and nuts in a food processor until crumbly. You can leave chunks in there if you w...


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Sourdough apricot loaf

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 25, 2018, In : bread 

I do love a tangy apricot loaf. My sourdough starter 'discards' provided the tang in this recipe and the oats add a little more fibre. It's a cross between bread and a cake.
2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 cut oats (use whole or ground, as you wish)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c rice syrup
1/2 c coconut oil
2 eggs
juice and zest of 1 orange
1 c sourdough starter or discarded starter
1 c chopped apricots
1-2 tbsp flour for coating
oats for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a lo...
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Sourdough bread

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, In : bread 

I was very kindly given a gluten free sourdough starter this week. I fed it for a few days then made this loaf using spelt flour, although it's easy to replace with a mix of brown rice, buckwheat and tapioca flour if you want to be totally gluten free. This recipe is adapted from Homegrown Kitchen.
To keep your starter going, reserve at least 1/4 c starter after taking out 1 c to use. Mix 1/4 c flour and 1/4 c water to your starter every 12 hours. Store in a glass jar with a tight lid. If you...
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Banana cake with butterscotch icing

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 18, 2018, In : big cakes 

A freshly baked banana cake is pretty rad, but add butterscotch buttercream and it's an indulgent treat!
175g butter, softened
1/2 c ground coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2-3 bananas, mashed
3 tbsp boiling hot milk or water
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 c flour (I used spelt)

Butterscotch icing:
1 1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c cream (I used coconut cream)
185g butter
375g cream cheese

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 sponge tins with baking paper.
Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and smooth. Add va...
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Ginger and pistachio cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, February 15, 2018, In : cookies 

A little bit spicy and a little bit nutty! Just what you need for your afternoon dunk. This is a variation on my very easy vegan digestives. You can experiment with any nut or seed flours, add zest or other spices. Go crazy.

1/2 c sunflower seeds, ground in a coffee grinder
1 c flour (I used spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 c chopped pistachios
1/2 c coconut sugar, ground in a coffee grinder
1/4 c coconut oil
5-8 tbsp non-dairy milk

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a ...


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Vegan chocolate ganache cake

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, February 10, 2018, In : big cakes 

A deep, rich cake perfect for special occasions. No one will even tell it's vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free.

1 1/2 c non-dairy milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 c flour (I've used spelt and buckwheat on different occasions and both worked fine)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2/3 c cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2/3 c rice syrup
1/2 c sunflower or rice bran oil
grated zest of 1 orange or lemon
4 tbsp jam (I use sugar-free St Dalfour)
juice of half orange or lemon

Gan...


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Ginger apple muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, In : small cakes 

The apple really helps to keep these little cakes moist. Adapted from The Minimalist Baker.

2 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 5 Tbsp water
1 1/4 cup grated apple, skin on
1/2 cup organic ground coconut sugar
3 Tbsp molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup oil (I used coconut)
1 1/2 c non-dairy milk
1 1/2 cups flour (I used spelt)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with patty pans.
In a large bowl mix th...


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Double chocolate zucchini muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, December 31, 2017, In : small cakes 

Our 5-year-old runs at the sight of zucchini but she scoffed these muffins - ha gotcha! No one could tell these cakes had vegetables in them, and vegan and gluten free to boot. Adapted from The Love & Lemons Cookbook by Jeanine Donofrio (Avery, 2016).

1 tbsp ground flaxseed
3 tbsp water
1 c non-dairy milk at room temperature (I used rice)
2 tsp lemon juice
2 c spelt flour
1/2 c cacao powder
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 c coconut oil, melted
2/3 c brown rice sy...

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Banoffee pie

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, In : desserts 

I scoured the net and came up with a mix-and-match raw vegan banoffee pie recipe. This is different from my other banoffee pie, which uses cashew cream.

For the base:
1/2 c almonds
1/2 c walnuts
1/3 c desiccated coconut
6 deglet noor dates (use medjool if you have them, I was just saving $)
1 tbsp rice malt syrup
1/2 tsp ground ginger

For the caramel:
10 medjool dates, pitted
1 c coconut cream or milk or other nondairy milk
2 heaped tbsp almond/cashew/peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

2 banan...


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White chocolate Christmas bars

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, December 16, 2017, In : sweets 

Apparently white chocolate isn't technically traditional chocolate because it doesn't contain chocolate solids, ie cocoa/cacao powder, but homemade white chocolate is next-level goodness! You can use any dried fruit or nuts in this recipe, and pour into any shaped moulds. Pistachios and gojis are perfect for Christmastime.


1 c cacao butter...


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Cinnamon buns

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, December 14, 2017, In : bread 

These buns don't require rising time. An easy vegan recipe if you're that way inclined. Adapted from The Happy Herbivore by Lindsay S Nixon (BenBella Books, 2011).

3/4 c non-dairy milk (I used rice)
2 1/2 tsp dried yeast
3 c flour (I used organic spelt)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 c coconut sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c vegetable oil
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp raisin if desired
For drizzling mix together:
3/4 c icing sugar
2 tbsp non-dairy milk

Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a 20cm round spring-for...
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Chocolate sponge

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, In : big cakes 

Made with love for our wedding anniversary, 12.12. The keys to a light sponge are: no butter, separate the eggs and 50% cornflour.

3 eggs 
110g sugar (I used powdered coconut sugar)
60g flour (I used organic spelt)
60g cornflour
2 tbsp dutch cocoa
1 tsp baking powder

For the filling:
1 can coconut cream that's been refrigerated for at least 24 hours
1 tsp rice malt syrup
cut strawberries
strawberry jam if desired (I use a sugar-free brand, or make your own chia jam)

Line 2 sponge tins with baking paper a...
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Double chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, November 6, 2017, In : cookies 

160g butter or non-dairy spread (I used Olivani)
3/4 c coconut sugar or brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c oats, ground in a coffee grinder to make flour
2 c buckwheat flour
2 tbsp cacao powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 c dark chocolate chips or 150g dark chocolate cut into chunks

Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add in egg. Then mix in flours and dry ingredients. Lastly mix in the chocolate chips.

Wrap dough in cling film and chill in freezer for half...


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Trio of bliss balls - chocolate, strawberry, cookie dough

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 3, 2017, In : sweets 

It all started with our daughter wanting chocolate chip cookies. I decided to make healthy chocolate chip cookie bliss balls and found this easy recipe from Wholefood Simply. Then I decided to make my own recipes using different sweeteners, flavours and flours, but all still raw, whole, organic, sugar and gluten free.

Makes about 24
2 c rolled oats
1/3 c tahini
2 tbsp honey or rice syrup
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
1/3 c dark chocolate chips
Blitz the oats in a ...
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Raspberry rose macarons

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, October 22, 2017, In : small cakes 

This is adapted from Crazy Vegan Kitchen, I've cut down on the sugar a bit. My first time making macarons with aquafaba. I know they're not perfect, they don't have macaron 'feet' and they're not completely smooth on top (I ground up almonds with the skins on), but they're good enough for me and they taste delicious. Our 5-year-old proclaimed it the best thing I've ever made!
Macarons take an age to make, you need to start the night before. It's a real process, and it makes you understand why ...
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Healthy Shrewsbury biscuits

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 19, 2017, In : cookies 

Shrewsburys, also known as Jammie Dodgers in England, are two shortbread-style biscuits with jam in the middle. I found this healthy version from Niomi Smart's Eat Smart (HarperCollins, 2016). The biscuits are not too sweet, however, they don't have a super crunch, as they use a liquid sweetener, not sugar. I would make these again a little thinner and maybe add some coconut sugar for crunch.
Makes 25
1 1/2 c ground almonds
2 c buckwheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinna...
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Coconut almond macaroons

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, October 15, 2017, In : cookies 

Whenever I make hummus with canned chickpeas it's an excuse to make something with the aquafaba as well. It's a perfect vegan alternative to egg whites. I've been experimenting to make macaroons with the least amount of ingredients possible.

Makes about 16
1/2 c aquafaba
1 tsp cream or tartar or 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 c brown rice syrup
1 1/2 c desiccated coconut
1 1/2 c ground almonds
150g dark/bittersweet chocolate

Preheat oven to 170C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Simmer the aquafaba in a...
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Gingerbread with coconut icing

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, October 15, 2017, In : big cakes 

This is adapted from Emma Galloway's recipe from My Darling Lemon Thyme and her book A Year in My Real Food Kitchen. My coconut icing didn't work out as nice and white and smooth as hers, even after aaaaages whizzing the coconut in the blender. Well, I tried, and it's edible although probably not Instagram-worthy!
Emma likes to add crystallised ginger but I prefer a smooth gingery cake. My cakes tend to crack so I've baked it at a lower temperature and placed it in the lower third of the oven....
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Healthy caramels

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, October 12, 2017, In : sweets 

Mmmmmm - make your own caramels for a guilt-free sweet treat.

Makes 14-16
1 cup pitted dates (medjools are superior but you can use deglet noors too)
1 tbsp nut butter (peanut, almond or cashew work well)
1 tbsp coconut oil
pinch sea salt
For coating:
150 g unsweetened dark/bittersweet chocolate
or 1/2 c cocoa butter, 1/2 c cacao powder, 1/4 c rice syrup

Line a small tray or plate that you can fit in your freezer with baking paper.
If you are going raw, soak the dates in a bowl with a little bit of wa...
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Chocolate biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, In : cookies 

Our 5-year-old had some fancy biscotti at a cafe this week and asked me to make some. Always up for a baking challenge, I duly produced these. Easy to overbake biscotti, so keep an eye on it.

Makes 12-14 sticks
1/2 c spelt flour
1/2 c buckwheat flour
1/3 c coconut sugar
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For dipping: 50g chocolate, 50g white chocolate

Preheat oven to 190C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
In a bowl mix the flours, sugar, cocoa, bakin...
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Prune chocolate slice

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 28, 2017, In : slices 

This is adapted from Eleanor Ozich's apricot and chocolate slice. I love the combination of prunes and chocolate, and have made my own chocolate in this recipe. This is another entry into #PlantBasedChallengeNZ #LittleBirdGoodness

1 c prunes, chopped
2 c ground seeds/nuts/grains - this is YOUR choice! I used 1 c rolled oats, 1/2 c sunflower seeds, 1/2 c activated buckwheat groats (you can also use pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts)
1 c desiccated coconut
1/3 c coconu...


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Lentil shepherd's pie

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 28, 2017, In : savoury 

Red lentils are great to use in curry or dahl because they cook quickly. This was my first attempt at a caulicashew mash and it turned out great - no one knew it wasn't potato. This is my entry into the #PlantBasedChallengeNZ #LittleBirdGoodness


3 tbsp oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp curry powder
1 medium eggplant, cut into 2cm cubes
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 c red lentils, washed
1 can tomatoes
3 cups water or vege...


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Apricot and chocolate slice

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 7, 2017, In : slices 

It's always a pleasant distraction when a blog I subscribe to posts a new recipe. In the case of Eleanor Ozich's apricot and dark chocolate bumper bars my eyes and tastebuds were duly tantalised and I decided to make them the same day. Key words: apricot, chocolate, fudgy, no bake – and I had all the ingredients in the pantry.

1 c chopped dried apricots (I used organic sulphur-apricots hence they are not bright orange like non-organic ones)
2 c rolled oats
1 c desiccated or shredded c...


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Healthy afghans

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, August 31, 2017, In : cookies 

It's easy to substitute the ubiquitous refined ingredients for more wholesome options that make equally yummy and healthy afghans.

Makes 16
1 c almond meal
1 c buckwheat flour
4 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
1/3 c coconut oil
1/4 c honey, rice syrup or maple syrup
3 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 c gluten-free cornflakes (no added sugar)

For the icing:
60g dark chocolate (I used Whittaker's 72%)
3 tbsp non-dairy milk
1 tbsp honey, rice syrup or maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
desiccated...
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Chocolate beetroot brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, In : slices 

A great way to use vegetables in baking and the kids will never know. I like brownies with raspberries or nuts sometimes, but my kid prefers plain flavours so I've kept it simple.

300g beetroot, boiled, peeled and cut into chunks
3 eggs or make flaxseed eggs
1/2 c sweetener such as rice malt syrup, maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, panela (not agave)
1/4 c melted coconut oil or butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 c cocoa or cacao powder
1 c flour or almond...
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Raw banoffee pie

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, In : desserts 

This is a recipe from Eleanor Ozich. It's delicious, but I will make it slightly different next time. I usually make a raw base with the usual suspects: dates, almonds, coconut oil, but I find it's not crunchy enough for my liking. So I add buckinis (activated buckwheat groats). Or do the easy classic non-raw cheesecake base - bashed up gingernuts or malt biscuits mixed with some melted butter. I wanted more caramel and less cream filling so next time I will halve the cashew cream.

Base:
1 c me...
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Chocolate aquafaba sponge

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 23, 2017, In : big cakes 
 
Make a quick sponge from chickpea brine! Aquafaba, as it is known, is useful if you're doing vegan baking. The brine whisks up like egg white.

1 c flour (spelt, wholemeal, gluten free, whatever you usually work with)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp cacao powder
pinch salt
1/4 c aquafaba (brine from a can of chickpeas, drained)
1/4 coconut oil, melted
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 c applesauce
1/2 c raw sugar

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 loaf tins with baking paper.
Sift and mix all dry ing...
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Strawberry rose cheesecake

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, May 5, 2017, In : desserts 

Another one from Vanelja - a rawish cake with the right combination of strawberry tang, fragrant rose and rich chocolate.

Base:
1 1/2 c almonds
6 dates
2 tbs cacao powder
pinch salt

Filling:
1 c cashews
1 c strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 banana
1 tbs rosewater or extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
juice of a lemon
1/4 c grated cacao butter, melted
1/4 c coconut oil, melted

Icing:
2/3 c grated cacao butter
3 tbs coconut oil
1/2 c cacao powder
2 tbs honey or rice syrup
pinch sea salt

First, soak the cashews...


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Vegan carrot cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, May 4, 2017, In : big cakes 

If you're avoiding dairy and eggs, this carrot cake will hit the spot for you! This recipe is adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie.

1 c grated/shredded carrots
1/2 c applesauce (basically stewed and mashed apples)
1/3 c oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c flour (I use spelt)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 c cane/rapadura/coconut (ground or powdered)
optional - 1/2 c chopped walnuts, raisins, desiccated coconut

Mix the first five ingredients in a bowl and set a...
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Wookie cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, April 27, 2017, In : cookies 

I made these chocolate thins for a Star Wars kids' party. Low in sugar and no gluten, eggs, dairy or nuts, if you're avoiding such things.
1c buckwheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs cocoa powder
1/4 c coconut sugar/rapadura - ground into a powder using a coffee grinder
1/4 c coconut oil
5-8 tbs nondairy milk

Whisk all the dry ingredients in a food processor. Add coconut oil and mix. With the motor running add the milk one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms. Wrap in cling film a...
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Vegan chocolate mousse

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, April 27, 2017, In : desserts 

Super easy chocolate mousse! 

110g dates or apricots simmered in juice and zest of an orange for 15 min

400g silken tofu

4 tbs cocoa

Once fruit is stewed blitz all ingreds in a blender and then pour into ramekins. Store in the fridge until you want to serve. I served mine with toasted coconut flakes and cashew toffee praline. Any thinly sliced fruit or stewed dried fruit will complement the rich mousse.


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Toffees

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, March 26, 2017, In : sweets 

Sugar-free toffees that have healthy ingredients! Thank you Virpi Mikkonen from It's a Pleasure (Weldon Owen, 2016). I used my homemade almond butter too so I'm well chuffed about that.
1/3 c nuts (I used cashews)
1/2 c honey
1 c almond or another nut butter
2 tbs coconut flakes
flakey sea salt (Maldon is my choice)

Have moulds ready or a baking tin lined with baking paper.
Crush or chop the nuts with a knife, in a grinder or mortar and pestle.
Pour honey into a frying pan over medium heat. Stir cont...
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Hazelnut carrot cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, In : cookies 

Hazelnuts! Yummy but expensive little things, aren't they? That's why I don't often bake with them, but I had half a cup in the cupboard for some such occasion. I added some diced dried fruit to the mix to sweeten the package for the 4-year-old. She turned her nose up at them, however. Oh well, more for me. These fall into the brutti ma buoni style of biscuit - ugly but good.

Makes about 20

1 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c rice syrup
1/4 c almond butter (...
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Apricot bites and chocolate brownie chews

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, March 11, 2017, In : sweets 

In my constant search for the perfect muesli bar/granola bar/bliss ball/fruit bites that my four-year-old will eat, I've come across these two recipes that work really well from Wholefood Simply by Bianca Slade (2013). Great lunchbox fillers whatever age you are!

For the apricot bites you only need 1 c organic dried apricots, soaked for 30 min in boiling water then drained. Then put in a blender or food processor with 2 c desiccated coconut. Blitz on high for a while until it's all combined. P...
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Vegan black bean brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, In : slices 

I've made black bean brownies before in a slab tin and they were DF, GF, SF too. This recipe is adjusted slightly, tastes better and the nuts are a good addition.

Makes 18 small brownies about 2 tbsp each

400g can of black beans, drained

2 tbsp ground flaxseed stirred into 4 tbsp warm water and set aside for 5 min

1/4 c coconut oil

1/4 c cacao or cocoa powder

1/2 c rice malt syrup

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract
chopped nuts for topping if desired

Preheat oven to 1...


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Vegan lemon almond cake

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, February 20, 2017, In : big cakes 

A healthy and tasty lemony cake! You could jazz it up with a honey-lemon drizzle or whipped coconut cream icing but really, it's great the way it is - moist, tangy and nutritious.

1 c ground almonds (I use use a coffee grinder and grind as needed)
1/2 c buckwheat flour (you can use any kind of flour or polenta)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
juice and zest of 2 lemons
2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tbsp hot water and left to stand for 5 minutes)
1/2 c rice ma...
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Vegan gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, February 17, 2017, In : cookies 

After the success of my vegan digestives I decided to use the same method to make these crispy healthy gingernuts. Just a couple of adjustments.

1 1/2 c buckwheat flour
1/2 c rolled oats, ground first in a coffee grinder
1/4 c + 1 tbsp rapadura sugar, ground first in a coffee grinder
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp treacle (I used Kokonati's organic wild kithul treacle)
1/4 c + 2 tbsp coconut oil
5-8 tbsp non-dairy milk

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking tray...
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Vegan digestives

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, In : cookies 

Healthy digestive biscuits for my two valentines - my husband and our daughter. You can also make them pure gluten-free by using buckwheat flour or a general gluten-free flour. Variation on a theme of lil digestives and digestives (with butter).

1/2 c rolled oats, ground in a coffee grinder
1 1/2 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon if desired
1/4 c + 1 tbsp rapadura sugar, or coconut sugar (you can grind these granules too if you wish)
1/4 c + 2 tbsp coconut oil
5-8 tbsp n...
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Buckwheat nut crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, February 11, 2017, In : savoury 

Love making my own crackers! Buckwheat flour works really well in combination with nuts of your choice for more nutrients. You can also grind sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

1 c buckwheat flour
1 c ground nuts (I used walnuts and cashews)
1 tsp salt
3 tsp sesame seeds
1/4 c oil
up to 1/2 c water
seasonings of choice - e.g. pepper, cumin, paprika

Preheat oven to 175C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in oil then slowly add water to form into a ball.
Roll ou...
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Cheese crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, January 12, 2017, In : savoury 

These lil' cheesey morsels are great eaten the same day as baking. Because they are gluten free they will soften overnight so put in the oven again for a few minutes to crisp up.

2 c almond meal or flour
2 tsp coconut flour
1/2 tsp xantham gum
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cayenne 
1/4 tsp onion powder if desired
1 egg
3 Tbs butter
2 1/2 c grated cheese

Place all the ingredients in a food process and blitz until a dough forms.Roll into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill in fridge for at l...
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Vegan chocolate chunk cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, In : cookies 

This is adapted from Eleanor Ozich's My Family Table (Murdoch Books, 2015) but I used less sugar and a bit of spelt flour to help bind. The oats add a texture and the sugar helps to make a crispy cookie. You could replace the sugar with a natural liquid sweetener to make a chewy cookie.

2 1/2 c oats (or use any gluten free flour)
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
2/3 c muscovado, rapadura or coconut sugar
1/3 c melted coconut oil
1 linseed egg (1Tbs linseed mixed with 3 Tbs water)
1 tsp vanilla extract
15...
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Chocolate buckwheat crackle bars

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, December 5, 2016, In : sweets 

I came across puffed buckwheat at my local organic shop - brilliant! These easy bars are a super yummy healthy sweet treat.

3 c puffed buckwheat (or puffed rice or spelt)
1/4 c toasted sesame seeds, optional
1/3 c coconut oil
1/3 c rice syrup
2 Tbs cacao powder
150g coconut butter
pinch salt
1 tsp cacao powder

Line a 20cm square tin with baking paper. In a bowl mix the the puffs and sesame seeds.

In a saucepan over low heat melt the coconut oil, syrup, 100g coconut butter and cacao. Once melt...


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Vegan banana loaf

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, In : big cakes 

I made this recipe from scratch! Just to experiment making a GF, DF, SF cake. It turned out a bit holey and dense but delicious all the same, and even better toasted. Without creamed butter and sugar, cakes tend to have a few holes. I will also use a lighter touch next time and not overmix the batter.

2 c flour (I use spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c dates
2 ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c water
1/4 c softened coconut oil

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
Wh...
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Choconut slice

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, In : slices 

This is a simple biscuit base slice adapted from Blissful Bites by Christy Morgan (BenBella Books, 2011). For a crunchier base you could add buckinis as I do in my perfect ginger crunch.

1 3/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 Tbs natural sweetener such as coconut sugar, maple syrup
1/2 c coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp salt
250g dark chocolate (at least 70%)
200ml coconut cream or milk
3 Tbs maple syrup or rice syrup
coconut chips or desiccated coconut and slice...


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Walnut jam drops

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, In : cookies 

These healthy jam drops combine walnuts, coconut and your favourite jam to make a cute cookie reminiscent of a Louise slice. Another one from 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015).

Make about 18
2 c walnuts halves
1/2 tsp salt
1 c dates
1/4 c water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c desiccated or shredded coconut
strawberry or raspberry jam or any other favourite

Preheat oven to 175C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. In a food processor blitz the walnuts ...
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Oatmeal raisin cookies (vegan, gluten-free)

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, November 3, 2016, In : cookies 

I'm really liking 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015). Like her chocolate chip cookies, these oatmeal cookies are sugar-free and gluten-free. I've experimented with cashew nuts, buckwheat and spelt flour and they've all come out well. Everything is done in the food processor - you basically blitz the dry ingredients then add the wet. Dates are a great sweetener.
Makes 18 small cookies
1 2/3 rolled oats
1/2 c almonds
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon...

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Life-changing bread

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, October 31, 2016, In : bread 

This appeared in 2013 on My New Roots and I've finally jumped onto the bandwagon! A dense, filling bread made of just nuts and seeds - genius. All mixed in the tin and you can experiment with different nuts and seeds too.
1 c sunflower seeds
1 1/2 c oats
1 c almonds (or hazelnuts)
1/2 c flaxseed
2 Tbs chia seeds
3 Tbs psyllium husk powder (or 4 Tbs psyllium husk)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs natural sweetener (maple syrup, rice malt syrup)
3 Tbs melted coconut oil
1 1/2 c water

Line a loaf tin with parchment/baking...
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Buckwheat waffles

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, October 29, 2016, In : desserts 

For some reason I had always shied away from using 100% buckwheat flour in a recipe but I gave this a go to expand my repertoire for my gf friends. These turned out so soft with a crisp outside - perfect waffles.
Makes 7 to feed about 3 people
1 c buckwheat flour
1 Tbs rapadura sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 c buttermilk (you can make your own by mixing 1 Tbs + 3/4 tsp white vinegar with 1 1/4 c milk of your choice and letting it sit for 5 min)
1/4 ...
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Chocolate chip cookies (vegan, gluten-free)

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, In : cookies 

A really easy recipe from 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015). The recipe is also refined sugar-free (I used dark choc chips that weren't sugar-free though as I didn't have 85% dark chocolate on hand). You could do many variations on this recipe - raisins or other dried fruit instead of chocolate, add coconut, use hazelnuts, oats, add cinnamon.
Makes about 20
2 c almonds (I used 1 c almonds and 1 c oats)
1 c dates (or about 10 medjool dates)
2 ...
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Nigella's chocolate orange cake (vegan, gluten-free)

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, In : big cakes 

I was pleasantly surprised that Nigella Lawson has a GF, DF recipe for chocolate cake, seeing she is the queen indulgence and full-fat everything. I did not put dark chocolate in my batter, I thought it was sweet enough. A lovely dense cake with gooey icing. Instead of chia seeds you could also make flaxseed 'eggs' - 6 Tbs flaxseed soaked in about 15 Tbs water).

2 oranges
6 chia 'eggs' (6 Tbs chia seeds soaked in 18 Tbs water)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 c almond meal (or hazelnut me...
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Pineapple upside down cake

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, In : big cakes 

Upside down cakes are so much fun to make! I made this gluten free for a morning tea and was much appreciated by my GF friends.
60g butter
1/2 c brown sugar
7 slices canned pineapple and reserve the juice
25 maraschino cherries
1 2/3 c gluten free flour (I used GF mix and buckwheat)
1 tsp xantham gum (be careful not to use more as it will make the mixture too gummy)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
60g melted butter
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c rice malt syrup
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1...
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Black bean brownie

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, August 26, 2016, In : slices 

So rich! So gooey! So healthy!

6 tbsp warm water
2 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed
400g can black beans, drained
3/4 c cocoa/cacao
1/2 c natural sweetener of choice (I use rice malt syrup)
3 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a brownie tin with baking paper.
Whisk water and flaxseeds, set aside 10 min.
Blitz rest of ingredientss with flax mixture in a blender or food processor. Spread into tin and bake 20-25 min until set.

...
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Salted apricot caramels

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, March 13, 2016, In : sweets 

Thank you Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley for this super easy recipe that feels like such a treat.
Makes 40-50 
250g organic unsulphured apricots, chopped
1 tsp salt
80g coconut oil
2 Tbs hot water
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the chocolate coating:
200g cocoa butter
12 Tbs cacao powder
2 Tbs maple syrup or rice syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
In a food processor blend the apricots, salt, oil, hot water and vanilla until smooth.
Roll into little balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. If mixture is...
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Breakfast cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, March 5, 2016, In : cookies 

One of my new favourite blogs is My New Roots by Sarah Britton. In her book of the same name (Clarkson Potter, 2015) is a recipe called Fully Loaded Breakfast Bars. I'm always on the hunt for a healthy cookie I can give my 3-year-old in the morning when she's not fussed by porridge or toast, or if I'm pressed for time.
Makes 12-14
1 Tbs chia seeds
3 1/4 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 c cooked white beans such as cannellini, butter, navy ...

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Coconut macaroons with aquafaba

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, In : cookies 

So easy to make these vegan treats. Instead of egg whites you use the brine from a chickpea can.

1 c aquafaba from 400g can drained chickpeas
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 c golden sugar
1/2 c rice malt syrup
2 c desiccated coconut
2 c almond meal

Preheat oven to 150C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Whip up the aquafaba and salt in a food processor until thick and frothy. Add vanilla and xanthan to combine. Add sweeteners slowly. Transfer mixture to a bowl a...


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Bounty bars with raspberry

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, In : sweets 

Here's a variation on the first raw bounty bars I made. The raspberry powder adds a special touch. You can see the subtle colouring in the pic. I found the chocolate melts really quickly once out of the fridge.

1/4 c coconut butter
2 Tbs coconut oil
1 tsp freeze-dried raspberry powder 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or powder
3 Tbs coconut nectar (I used rice malt syrup)
pinch sea salt
1 1/2 c desiccated coconut

chocolate coating:
1/3 c cacao butter
1 Tbs coconut oil
1/3 c cacao powder
1 Tbs coconut nectar

Soft...


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Fruit jellies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, In : sweets 

A refined sugar free treat the littlies will love.
1/3 c fruit juice or pulp (I used some plums that I had stewed before)
1 1/2 Tbs agar agar powder (find it in Chinese grocers)
1-2 Tbs rice malt syrup
In a small bowl over medium heat, heat up the juice, stir in the agar well, bring to boil, then lower heat and cook the agar for about a minute until the mixture thickens. Work quickly to pour into chocolate moulds or ice cube trays. Put in fridge to set.
You can experiment with any kind of fruit or...
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Raw apple cinnamon crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, In : cookies 

Great little heatlhy naturally sweetened crackers for a seriously moreish snack.
1/2 c flaxseeds (golden or brown)
1/2 c flaxmeal (just blitz in a coffee or spice grinder)
3 apples - 2 chopped into small pieces, 1 grated (leave skin on)
1 Tbs cinnamon
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp orange zest
juice of an orange
1/4 c water

In a blender put in the flaxmeal, chopped apple, spices, juice and enough water to blend into a paste. Transfer into a bowl and stir in the flax seeds and grated apple. Let sit ...
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Lemon sugar cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, In : cookies 

These are quite interesting, from Erin McKenna's Bread & Butter (Clarkson Potter, 2015). She of BabyCakes fame. She's done a whole lotta experimenting with her gluten-free, vegan recipes and is quite firm on using her certain favourite brands of flour and other ingreds, which of course we can't get here in New Zealand. But I get the gist of her style. Note: xanthan gum needs to be used sparingly, too much and it all becomes too gummy!
1 1/2 c gluten-free flour (Erin prefers Bob's Red Mill)
1/2 ...
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Vegan vanilla cupcakes

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, In : small cakes 

This is BabyCakes NYC's recipe. I tried to be as true to her recipe as I could but I didn't have all the ingreds and they turned out a bit heavy cos I didn't put enough hot water in. I had some besan flour I wanted to use up so that was good.
2 c besan (garbanzo bean) flour
1 c potato starch (I used rice flour)
1/2 c arrowroot (I used cornflour)
1 Tbs plus 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp xanthan gum
2 tsp salt
2/3 c coconut oil
1 1/2 c agave (I used 1 c rice malt syrup)
3/4 c applesau...
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Chickpea s'mores cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, In : cookies 

I had some leftover chickpea cookie dough from my kumara brownies so I decided to make s'mores cookies, finally succumbing to our 3-year-old requests for marshmallows. We don't indulge her marshmallows but I consider this a wee Christmas treat. 
400g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 egg
1/2 c rice malt syrup
1/2 c almond butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c flour, more or less (I used gluten-free and brown rice mix)
1/2 c dark chocolate chips
mini marshmallows
Preheat oven to 180C. Line ...
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Sweet potato brownies with chickpea cookie dough

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, In : slices 

This is from a great book called Kenko Kitchen by Kate Bradley (Hardie Grant Books, 2015). It’s sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan. She’s based in Melbourne. This brownie recipe caught my eye because it adds in vegetables where our daughter won't notice them.

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 5cm pieces (I used golden kumara)
14 medjool dates, pitted (I like to soak dates in filtered water for an hour before using, then drain)
2/3 c ground almonds
½ c  buckwheat fl...


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Mars Bars/Snickers Bars

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, In : sweets 

Here's a variation on a theme of homemade raw Snickers bars. Firstly, these ones are not entirely raw - I used toasted peanuts. Toasting just adds an extra nutty flavour. This is adapted from the Not Mars Bars on the Ceres website. I didn't have cacao paste so just used powder. Some great recipes there if you haven't checked it out already. 
For the nougat:
1 c cashews, soaked 2-4 hours
1/4 c coconut milk
1/4 c cacao paste (I just used cacao powder)
1/4 c melted coconut oil
2 Tbs rice malt syrup or...
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Vegan muesli bars

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, November 8, 2015, In : slices 

I’ve made a no-bake seed version and a buttery caramelly one but these muesli bars are dairy- and sugar-free – bonus! Oh She Glows calls this a feel-good hearty granola bar – I second that! I added some extra seeds in mine. 

1 ½ c mashed banana (about 3 ripe bananas)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c rolled oats
½ c dried fruit, chopped if necessary (I used sultanas)
½ c walnuts, chopped (I used cashews)
½ c pumpkin seeds
½ c sunflower seeds
½ c sliced almonds
¼ c ground flax see...


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Raw carrot cake

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, November 8, 2015, In : big cakes 

I’ve been out of commission for a whole month thanks to a perforated ear drum  (yes – ow!) but this weekend I was well enough to do some cooking and baking. It gave me so much pleasure and I’m starting to feel human again! I started with making hummus with canned chickpeas, then made a meringue from the chickpea brine (aquafaba meringue). Then I decided on a ‘major’ project – raw carrot cake from Little Bird’s Unbakery cookbook. I usually go for the cheesecakes at...


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Chocolate & almond butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, In : cookies 

I made these after attending Kelly Gibney's wholefood cooking class from Bonnie Delicious. It was lovely to meet her and see her prepare several recipes. She made sauerkraut and almond butter look easy so I tried them myself and they worked! You can use different nuts or dried fruit in these cookies and their cute size are perfect for little hands.

3/4 c dried dates soaked for 10 min in hot water and drained
1 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c almond butter (homemade in 5 min in the Omniblend!)
1/2 c wa...
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Double chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, In : cookies 

This is adapted from I Quit Sugar. She uses buckwheat flour but I just used a gluten-free mix and added cocoa as well for double the fun!

1 1/2 c flour (I used a gluten-free mix)
1 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
125g softened butter
1/2 c rice malt syrup
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence or powder
100g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used 72% Whitaker's Dark Ghana)

Preheat oven to 160C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa and s...


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Rosewater almond cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 10, 2015, In : big cakes 

This recipe is a combination of Petite Kitchen's almond cake and Bonnie Delicious's cream cheese icing, free of gluten and sugar, which I made for Father's Day. I'm very excited to be attending a wholefood cooking class by Kelly Gibney from Bonnie Delicious on Sep 17 in Auckland.

2 c almond meal
3 eggs
4 Tbs sweetener (I used rice malt syrup)
1/3 c coconut oil
2 Tbs lemon zest
2 Tbs rosewater
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

icing:
250 g cream cheese
seeds 1 vanilla pod
juice 1 lemon
50g butter
1 T...


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Apricot clafoutis

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, In : desserts 


We've made nectarine and feijoa clafoutis on Bake Club but this one is gluten and sugar free, however, you can add whatever flour or sweetener you like.

Fresh or canned apricots, drained
1/2 c milk (I used almond)
1 egg
3 Tbs rice malt syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 Tbs flour (I used spelt)
flaked almonds

Cashew cream:
1 1/2 c cashews soaked in filtered water for at least an hour
3/4 c filtered water
juice of a lemon
1 Tbs rice malt syrup
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 180C. Butter a shallow baki...


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Banana and chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, In : cookies 

An easy gluten-free cookie that especially kids will love! Not too much sweetener and full of good fibre. This is by Nadia Lim from Sunday magazine.
2 eggs
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c sweetener (coconut sugar or brown sugar ok, I used rice malt syrup)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 c ground almonds
1 c rolled oats
1 c mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
1/2 c dark choc chips

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a large bowl mix eggs, milk and vanilla. Add...
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Banana and peanut butter bundt cake with honey glaze

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, February 23, 2015, In : big cakes 

An easy sugar-free, flourless cake from Petite Kitchen. Went down well for a morning tea for 9, including teens and a toddler. I love recipes where you just mix everything in one bowl - less cleaning up!

1 c peanut butter (or any nut butter)
2 mashed banans
3 tbs honey, plus 3 tbs for glaze
3 eggs
1/2 c raisins (or any dried fruit)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 160C and grease and line a cake tin.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl using a potato masher to break up the ban...
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Nut crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, In : savoury 

Continuing my experiments with crackers, here's a recipe from Ceres.
1/2 c almond meal
1/2 c cashews
2 Tbs flaxseed
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 c sesame seeds
1 sprig rosemary, chopped
1 Tbs coconut nectar syrup (I used rice syrup)
1 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs water

Place all ingredients except sesame seeds and rosemary in a food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Add remaining ingreds and pulse for a few more seconds until mixture forms a ball. Wrap dough in plastic film and refrigerate at least an hour.
Preheat oven...
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Nut butter cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, February 13, 2015, In : cookies 

Another simple recipe from Petite Kitchen. Next time I will add more nut butter so the mixture isn't so crumbly.

1 c almond meal
1/2 c nut butter (I used peanut but almond is good)
1/2 c seeds
1 c dates
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 160C and prepare a baking tray.
Put everything in the food processor and process until it forms a dough. Knead for a little bit, add more nut butter to bind if necessary. Roll into a log and divide into 16 or 20 even sections. Roll each int...
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Fig, chocolate, chai, almond biscotti

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, In : cookies 

By Sophie
  • 100 g chopped almonds
    200 g gluten-free plain flour, plus extra for dusting (I used Doves Farm)
    1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
    ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    200 g brown sugar
    30 g dark chocolate (over 70% cocoa solids), optional

    1 large free-range egg
    1/2 cup chopped dried figs
    1 teaspoon chai spices or 1 chai tea bag (cut open the bag and use loose spices)
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    Almond milk or any other type of milk- optional

Spread out the almonds on a baking tray, then place in the hot oven ...

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Lemon tarts with chocolate crust

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, August 31, 2014, In : small cakes 

By Frances
I cobbled this recipe together as I wanted to use up some lemons and make something sugar-free.

For the lemon curd:
3 eggs
1 tbs lemon zest
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (I used 4 lemons)
½ cup rice malt syrup
4 tbs of coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbs cacao butter (optional)
  1. In a saucepan on low heat – whisk together the eggs, lemon zest and rice syrup.
  2. Add the lemon juice, coconut oil, vanilla and cacao butter and continue to whisk on medium heat until everything is melted a...

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Homemade bounty bars

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, June 15, 2014, In : sweets 

By Frances
These raw chocolate covered coconut bars are really easy to make - and delicious and healthy too! I adapted a recipe from Health Yeah.

2 cups desiccated coconut
1 cup of coconut cream or milk
3 Tbs coconut oil or coconut butter
4 Tbs natural sweetener (maple syrup, coconut syrup, rice syrup or date paste)
pinch sea salt

For the chocolate coating:
5 Tbsp of  organic coconut oil
3 Tbsp of raw cacao powder
2 tsp of coconut syrup or maple syrup

Mix all the ingreds except dessicated coconut in...
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Mandarin cake with cream cheese icing

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 5, 2014, In : big cakes 

By Sophie
Another goodie from Julie Le Clerc's Favourite Cakes. It's great the way it uses whole mandarins. I added cream cheese icing and decorated it with almond praline.

6 mandarins (600g) or oranges
6 eggs
1 c sugar (I used rice malt syrup)
1 c dessicated coconut
2 c ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 160C. Grease a 22cm cake tin and lightly dust with flour. Coarsely chop mandarins, including the skin but removing any pips, and place in a saucepan with enough water to cover.
Bring ...
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Pistachio cake

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, June 5, 2014, In : big cakes 

By Frances
I'm on a roll with Julie Le Clerc's Favourite Cakes. I love cakes with nuts in them!
90g butter, softened
1/3 c sugar (I used organic golden)
2 eggs
1/3 c plain yoghurt
1 c gluten-free flour (I used rice)
1 tsp baking powder
2/3 c ground pistachio nuts
2 Tbs extra ground nuts
honey to drizzle

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 20cm cake tin.
Cream butter and sugar until pale. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in yoghurt then sifted flour, baking powder and nuts.
Spread mixture into tin. Bake for 60 min or...
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Almond & lemon cake

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, March 7, 2014, In : big cakes 

By Frances

The neighbours were having a tapas gathering so I dipped into Fresh Spanish (Hachette Livre, 2008) and found this classic gluten-free Spanish almond cake beautifully scented with lemons.

 

4 eggs

175g golden caster sugar

finely grated rind and juice of 1 lemon

400g ground almonds

icing sugar for dusting

 

Grease a 20cm sq cake tin and line the base with baking paper. Preheat oven to 190C.

Beat the eggs with an electric whisk in a large bowl until pale an...


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Chocolate, pumpkin & walnut brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, November 3, 2013, In : slices 

By Sophie
Some healthy Halloween sugar-free, gluten-free brownies! From the Move Nourish Believe website.

500g pumpkin
500g almond meal
1 cup dates
½ tsp. bicarb soda
2 eggs
100g 85% dark chocolate
½ cup chopped walnuts

How To Make It:

  • Prepare the pumpkin puree at least an hour in advance.
  • Chop the pumpkin into small pieces, then steam or boil until soft.
  • Mash the pumpkin and then suspend it in a sieve lined with cheesecloth (or a clean, dry chux cloth) to drain out the liquid from the pumpki...

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Jumble muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, September 1, 2013, In : small cakes 

By Frances
I've called these jumble muffins cos they're just a jumble of whatever I had to hand in an effort to make my daughter some quick mini muffins that are free of gluten and sugar. We're not GF but it's good to have some food without.
1/2 c oat flour (I use the coffee grinder to grind)
1/2 c sunflower seed flour
1/2 c dessicated coconut
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 c carrot pulp leftover from the juicer
1/2 c melted honey
1 egg

Mix all together and plop into 24 greased mini muffins t...
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Frances makes gluten-free chocolate brownies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, February 25, 2013, In : slices 

I had a GF friend staying and made these brownies for her (and me!). Recipe found here

100g butter
150g dark chocolate
100g gluten free plain flour
100g chopped hazelnuts or walnuts
200g sugar (I used 2 tsp stevia powder)
3 eggs
1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 180C. Gently melt butter and chocolate. In another bowl mix dry ingreds. Beat in the eggs followed by melted chocolate. Sitr in nuts. Pour into lined/greased 150x200mm dish. Bake for around 30 mins, making sure the brownie doesn't dry out.
I...
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Frances's granola muffins

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, In : small cakes 

Another one from Nigella Feasts. I always use less sugar than her recipes though.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used Healtheries gluten free baking mix)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1/2 cup Golden Baker's natural cane sugar or other light brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granola (I used my raw granola with strawberries and apple)

Heat oven to 200 C. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt. ...

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Frances makes panforte

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 21, 2012, In : sweets 

My first attempt at panforte turned out pretty good. I used this recipe from the Healtheries website. Have wrapped up wedges for wee Xmas gifts.


250g oven-roasted mixed nuts (I used hazels, blanched almonds and pistachios)

1/3 cup each: glacé mixed peel, figs, apricots; roughly chopped

75g 70% dark chocolate, roughly chopped

1/3 cup Healtheries Gluten-free Rice Flour

1 tablespoon cocoa

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon mixed spice

½ cup each: honey, caster sugar...


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Frances's carrot pulp crackers

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, In : savoury 

OK, these aren't baked, they're dried raw in the dehydrator. It's my new favourite thing. This excellent recipe is adapted from the Foods for Long Life blog. All this time I've been chucking the pulp from my juicer, now I'm freezing it to use later in crackers or baking.
There are 2 batches of crackers pictured here. I used carrot pulp in one and carrot/beetroot/apple in the other.


makes 60 crackers

1/2 cup flaxseeds
1 cup room temperature water

1/2 cup sunflower seeds, soake...


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Frances’s gluten-free chocolate roulade

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, June 29, 2012, In : big cakes 

A GF friend was coming to visit so I made this roulade sponge roll. First time for everything.

 

4 Tbs cocoa powder
100ml milk, plus 3 Tbs extra
5 eggs, separated
125g caster sugar
2 Tbs berry jam (I used cranberry)
whipped cream flavoured with vanilla extract
icing sugar to dust

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 30 x 20cm Swiss roll tin with baking paper. In a bowl mix the cocoa ant 3 Tbs milk. Heat 100ml milk in a pan until almost boiling, then add to bowl, stirring. Leave...


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Frances's gluten-free shortbread

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, In : cookies 

I can't remember which US website I got this recipe. Has some handy tips at the end for GF baking.


1 1/3 cups white rice flour

1/2 cup sweet rice flour (I just used the same rice flour)

1/2 cup cornflour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (this prevents the cookies from spreading)

7 ounces (14 tablespoons) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Preheat oven to 150°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In sma...


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Frances's lemon polenta cookies

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, May 14, 2012, In : cookies 

These cookies feature on the cover of May's Healthy Food Guide.

100g reduced-fat spread (I used regular butter)
75g caster sugar
1 lemon, zest finely grated
2 egg yolks
1 cup flouro (I used gluten free)
1/2 cup polenta
4 Tbs icing sugar

Beat butter, sugar and zest until light and creamy. Add yolks one at a time. Beat well. Sift flour and pinch of salt into a bowl. Stir in polenta. Add dry ingreds to egg mixture and combine well. Knead lightly for 1-2 min, shape into a ball, cover with plastic wrap an...
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Frances’s Italian carrot cake

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, March 11, 2012, In : big cakes 

Another one of Nigella’s. Very moist and perfect with yoghurt. Gluten free!

 

150g caster sugar

125ml olive oil

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

150g ground almonds

1 tsp nutmeg

2 grated carrots

½ c golden sultanas soaked in rum (I just used normal sultanas soaked in brandy)

grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

pine nuts

 

Preheat oven to 180C. Whisk sugar and oil until thick. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in rest of ingreds.

Pour into 23cm round lined tin. Sprin...


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Frances makes Heidi's brown sugar rosemary nuts

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, September 24, 2011, In : sweets 


Mmm. Nice sweet-savoury snack to take down to Party Central tonight to see the All Blacks beat Les Bleus! (Postscript: NZ 37: France 17 woo ha!) See the full post on Heidi Swanson's site, www.101cookbooks.com. She just uses walnuts but I used walnuts, almonds, hazels and brazils.

1 cup / 5 oz / 140 g brown sugar or natural cane sugar
2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
1/4 cup / 1 oz / 30g sesame seeds
2 large egg whites
1 lb / ~4 cups shelled walnut halves
1/...


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Frances makes Alessandra’s corn loaf

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, July 9, 2011, In : savoury 


Alessandra
does a corn loaf with sultanas in her book Savour. I did a savoury version with cheese and gluten-free flour. Turned out to be a good firm loaf that cut easily. The slices toasted well too.

 

250ml warm water
2 tsp active yeast granules
¼ tsp sugar
200g flour (I used gluten-free mix)
100g fine ground cornmeal
pinch salt
1 c grated cheese

Place warm water in large bowl, add yeast and sugar and set aside. When yeast starts to bubble, add cornmeal, flour and salt...


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Roasted tomato and paprika soup by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, In : savoury 

I'm on a roll with soup. I know this one looks a bit like the gazpacho I made (tomato is tomato is tomato)
but this one is roasted, and uses tomatoes from Nabby, a very special suburb in Auckland
(Nic and Ben’s Back Yard). The recipe is adapted from Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Cooking.

5 tomatoes, cored and quartered
1 large red capsicum, seeded and quartered
3 onions, quartered (Heidi uses brown onions)
salt and pepper
5 cloves garlic, unpeeled
3 c vegetable s...


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Peter's magical melting moments

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 27, 2011, In : cookies 

Peter is our first official male baker on Bake Club! Not only is he a baker, he is also a musician,
and these melting moments are not only delicious, but they also contribute to a special
sound art piece. On Mon Feb 28 Peter is conducting the Melting Moments (7 other likeminded
improv likers) at the first Vitamin-S event of 2011, at the Wine Cellar, St Kevin's Arcade,
K' Rd, from 8.30pm, $5.
The Melting Moments (of which I am one) will be performing Peter's Ritual Recipe, a
meditative improvi...
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Frances’s favourite summer soup – gazpacho!

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, February 27, 2011, In : savoury 


Gazpacho! You need to say it several times in a Spanish accent. GazPAcho! Not baked, but that’s why it’s so easy and quick to make.

 

Chuck in a blender or food processor:
about 1/2 kilo peeled and chopped tomatoes, a variety if you like
1 cucumber peeled, seeded and chopped
1 red pepper seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
1/2 onion chopped if you like, brown or red
1/3 c olive oil or thereabouts
2 tbs vinegar, any kind

1-2 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs wate...


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Espresso banana muffins by Frances

Posted by Bake Club on Saturday, February 5, 2011, In : small cakes 

This is the first recipe I have tried from my latest Amazon purchase, Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson. Mine were a little misshapen as I didn't have a muffin tray at the time. That subtle coffee flavour is very nice. Lovely with a cuppa.

2 c flour ( I used rice and buckwheat)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/4 c chopped nuts (I used hazels and pistachios, Heidi used walnuts)
1 Tbs fine espresso powder
6 Tbs unsalted butter at room temp
3/4 c natural cane sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla...
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For the love of RAW - Frances's rice rolls

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, In : savoury 

OK, I'm branching out here on Bake Club by including something not baked at all! I am embracing raw food much more these days - we try for 50% raw in most main meals. I've been to some great raw/superfood talks and learnt a bit about the importance of enzymes in raw food and fermented foods. So here are some supereasy Vietnamese-style rice rolls. I had them once at my friend Lizzie's dinner party - she laid out all the fillings and we just made them up ourselves. I brought along some ajo blan...
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Alessandra's cute calissons and fab frittata

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, December 23, 2010, In : small cakes 


We were very lucky to have pro chef and food writer Alessandra and her family join us at our second Bake Club meet. She made gorgeous calissons (marzipan-like ground almond bites), petit fours (sponge dipped in chocolate, topped with raspberries) and a super soft spongey frittata with homegrown zucchini and zucchini flowers. Step-by-step pics and more info on her blog here. Yep, she definitely deserved her Bake Club badge!
Bake Club is going through a gluten free phase at the moment so we real...
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Nicola vs Nigella - the rhubarb polenta cake bake-off

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, In : big cakes 

What a huge and beautiful cake Nicola made for our second Bake Club meet. Extra points for the black and white plate and bourgainvillea decoration. Nic noted that last time she made it she used homegrown rhubarb which infused the cake with a stunning pinky colour. Rhubarb is out of season at the mo so the bought rhubarb didn't produce the rich colour, but the cake was still v soft and delicious.

Rhubarb & Cornmeal Cake from Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess'

500g rhubarb
300g caste...

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Ginny does Nigella's lemon polenta cake

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, In : big cakes 

Ginny says: I would recommend NOT doubling the cornmeal, which I did not paying attention to quantities. Made it crunchier than I would have liked.

This cake is a sort of Anglo-Italian amalgam. It is a good marriage: the flavoursome grittiness of the polenta and tender rubble of ground almonds provide so much better a foil for the wholly desirable dampness of the drizzle than does the usual flour. If you were to try to ima...


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Frances’s gluten-free focaccia

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, December 3, 2010, In : bread 


I was inspired by Birg (see previous post) and Alessandra (from her own blog) to make a gluten-free olive focaccia. This was the first time I had used GF flour to make bread – my favourite recipe is usually spelt bread. I decided to use Healtheries GF bread mix and the result looks good but is quite firm throughout. After I baked it I realised the yeast I used was best before 2008! We’ve been enjoying it as toasted slices with pesto.

450 ml warm water
3 tsp yeast
3...


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Frances's frittelle di pere

Posted by Bake Club on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, In : desserts 


OK, these aren’t officially baked goods, they are fried, but definitely worth the effort. I made them for a little dinner party. They looked posh and went down a treat.

2 ½ cups flour (I used gluten free)
¼ c caster sugar
pinch salt
2 eggs, separated
1 Tbs olive oil
about ¾ c ice water
4 firm yet ripe pears, peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch thick wedges
½ c vin santo (I used port)
canola oil for frying
icing sugar for dusting

In large bowl whisk together 1 ¾ c of the f...


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Frances makes Ginny's pumpkin pie and adds kumara

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, In : desserts 

Hard not to be impressed by the deep, malty colours of Ginny's pumpkin pie (see below). So when I just happened to have some leftover roast pumpkin and orange kumara I decided to make a gluten-free version.
I followed Ginny's recipe and used cream instead of evaporated milk. I also made g-f pastry for the first time with butter and a g-f flour mix. I blind baked the pastry shell for about 15 mins. It turned out a bit too buttery and crumbles easily but still nice. I think the kumara and pumpki...
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Frances satisfies craving for gingernuts

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, November 19, 2010, In : cookies 


Contentment is: blogging on Bake Club while dunking homemade gingernuts into a big mug of peppermint tea. Don’t they look cute in my kilt-shaped biscuit tin?! I feel like a decidedly flat-chested Asian version of Nigella Dawson tapping away at my laptop, extolling the virtues of homebaking with a smug look on my face.

But there is a genuine reason for my domestic bliss – our oven has finally been fixed, six months after moving into our house! I have been surviving with ...


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Mama Chan's carrot cake

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, In : big cakes 

Carrot cake ain't carrot cake without cream cheese icing!

2 eggs
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 oil
1 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)
1 1/2 c grated carrots

For icing, mix together:
100g cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 c icing sugar
enough lemon juice to taste

Beat eggs and sugar until creamy. Add oil, then fold in dry ingredients. Pour into greased ring tin or loaf tin. Bake at 150C for 3/4 hour.
Wait till cool to sp...
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Frances takes the easy road and makes gluten-free cookies from a packet

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, In : cookies 

These cookies using Sway's GF cookie mix are quick to make - just add some oil and an egg to the premixed organic ingredients and Robert is your father's brother. The packet made 17 little chocolate chip cookies. I tried it out because it was on special for $6.50. Not a cheap afternoon tea, considering you can get a packet of GF gingernuts for under 5 bucks, but you get a kick out of shaping the mixture and baking it yourself.



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Gluten and dairy free orange and almond cake by Jordan Rondel

Posted by Bake Club on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, In : big cakes 

Our humble Bake Club has been visited by professional cake maker Jordan Rondel! Jordan has kindly sent us her recipe for this superb disc of deliciousness. You can order special cakes by Jordan via her website, www.thecaker.co.nz. She is raising funds to learn further baking techniques in France.

Jordan says:
"This cake is perfect for a sophisticated dinner party or dignified morning tea. In fact, it's perfect for any time of day because it's light and not too sweet. It contains whole orang...
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Raspberry jam sponge puddings by Mama Chan

Posted by Bake Club on Sunday, October 3, 2010, In : desserts 

Bless Mama Chan! She made a little mini-me gluten free pudding for Frances as well as a big one for da family (double the recipe).
 
1/3 c raspberry jam,melted
75g butter, softened
1/3 c caster sugar
1 egg
1tsp vanilla essence
1 c plain flour or gluten-free flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder, sifted
1 Tbs golden syrup
1/2 milk
 
Preheat oven to 160C. If you'd like to do single serve puddings, divide jam between 4 lightly greased ovenproof dishes/tins, or just put all of the jam on the bottom ...
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Frances makes Ginny's cardamom and cashew shortbread gluten free

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 27, 2010, In : cookies 

This is what Bake Club is all about: getting inspired by what your friends have baked, and customising the recipe to suit what you have available. I only have a bench-top oven at the moment so the only baking tin that can fit is 28 x 22 cm.

I adapted GInny's original recipe a little:

250g butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup cornflour
1/2 cup rice flour flour
1 cup gluten free flour mix
1/2 cup cashews, roasted and finely chopped
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground pepper (I only had black...
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Frank's feta, cashew & sundried tomato mini bites

Posted by Bake Club on Monday, September 20, 2010, In : savoury 

My muffins tend to come out dry because: I bake them too long, I probably don't use enough eggs and I need to adjust temps and times for my wee benchtop oven. Still edible though.

375g (2 1/2 cups) gluten-free flour
1 tsp baking powder
150g feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped toasted cashews
finely chopped parsley
330ml (1 1/3 cups) milk
90g butter, melted
1 egg
Finely grated parmesan, extra

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease 2 mini muffins trays (12 muffins in each).
Sif...
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Birg's hummingly good hummingbird cake

Posted by Bake Club on Friday, September 17, 2010, In : big cakes 

This cake was so popular at work, by the time I got to photograph it most of it was gone! Birg also makes a gluten-free version with riceflour and almond meal. Most excellent.

3 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup rice bran or grape seed oil
440g can crushed pineapple, drained of juice (Birg used pineapple chunks, very nice)
2 mashed bananas
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1 1/3 cups self-raising flour
Pinch of salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Cream cheese icing
250g cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cu...


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Frances 'baked' a 3-minute cake in the microwave

Posted by Bake Club on Thursday, September 16, 2010, In : small cakes 

I got this recipe from a Trade Me newsletter and had to give it a go.

It's called: The most dangerous cake recipe 5-minute chocolate mug cake

4 Tb flour, 2-4 Tb sugar, 2 Tb cocoa, 1 egg, 3 Tb milk, 3 Tb oil 3 tablespoons, chocolate chips (optional), a small splash of vanilla extract, 1 large coffee mug
Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug...
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WELCOME 2 BAKE CLUB -
MAY THE CAKE B WITH U

EST. 2010

Frances C loves to bake. She's also a freelance editor and DJ. She shares some of her adventures, culinary or otherwise, on Instagram.


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CAKE — THE FINAL FRONTIER

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