Matcha Pistachio Cake with Mascarpone and Figs
Monday, September 30, 2024This cake is something very special and less guilty as it doesn't contain refined sugar and flavoured with antioxidants-rich matcha. The bright green, Japanese-inspired creation is not just a visual eye-catcher, but also very delicious with its subtle flavour, which contrasts beautifully with the rich mascarpone cream. The fresh sweet figs do the rest to create an unforgettable dessert experience. For the cake batter, I used a mixture of white spelt flour and ground pistachios, but you can replace them with regular wheat flour and the blanched almond flour. Other seasonal fruit can be used instead of figs.
Raspberry Rice Pudding Slices
Saturday, August 24, 2024Ideal for afternoon tea with a cuppa or as dessert, this rice pudding slice is the perfect combination of cake and pudd. You can make the rice pudding a day before and store in the fridge after cooling down. The next day follow the recipe to finish the pudding cake. Store the baked pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze the rest for 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat in airfryer or microwave for 2-3 minutes.
To make rice pudding, you need to use those round grain rice varieties like Comolino and Originario. Arborio rice, which is normally sold as risotto rice, is also suitable for rice pudding. In principle, you can cook rice pudding from all starchy round grain rice varieties.
Gluten Free Aubergine Chocolate Slices
Thursday, August 22, 2024The aubergine makes this chocolate slice wonderfully moist and, with their slightly tart flavour, goes perfectly with the dark chocolate. Once the chocolate cake has cooled, wrap it with a piece of aluminium foil and leave it to rest for another day as it tastes BEST next day. Dare to put these unusual ingredients together? It promises a new taste experience and the flavour is worth it. You will certainly be putting this healthier cake on your coffee table more often.
Blackberry Tart
Thursday, August 01, 2024Finally blackberry time again - and therefore time for a delicious blackberry pastry. Perhaps you have some bushes in your garden or neighbourhood that bear lots of the delicious fruit. If that's the case, then you should definitely try baking this blackberry tart. And of course, you can always go get some from the supermarkets.
Somehow blackberries are always somewhat overshadowed by strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Yet they are so pretty, flavourful and great for our health! In this cake / tart, I replaced the white sugar with sugar alcohol (you can use either xylitol or erythritol) to make it a less guilty treat. Both pastry and filling can be prepared separately one day ahead, then bake next day. Cool the tart thoroughly before slicing to get a nice clean slice. If you can wait, refrigerate the tart until the filling is set, 1-2 hours.
Gluten Free Kidney Bean Brownies
Saturday, July 27, 2024These kidney bean brownies are perfect if you're looking for a healthy twist on the classic. They are super fudgy thanks to the kidney beans, grain-free and gluten-free. And in case you are wondering if they taste like beans, the answer is no. They actually taste like real brownies. The add of espresso powder gives these brownies even more intense chocolate flavour. Alternatively, use pure vanilla powder instead to provide a fully rounded flavour and enhance the sweetness.
Boiled Banana Cake
Saturday, July 20, 2024This boiled banana cake is easy to make, tastes delicious and has a soft and tender texture. It stays fresh, moist for several days if you store it well in an air-tight container. You can make this banana cake plain, or use it as a basic recipe. Add spices, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chunks too. If you don't have spelt, just use regular wheat, plain or whole or a mixture of two. If you fancy, you can always whip up some cream cheese frosting to top the cake or simply dust with some icing sugar.
Spiced Chai Banana Bread
Saturday, May 11, 2024Infused with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg, this spiced chai banana bread is moist and flavourful. The warming spices work really well together and are a good contrast with the sweetness of the banana. The white chocolate topping with extra banana chips and ginger makes it even more indulgent and irresistible, though entirely optional.
Upside-down Carrot Loaf with Honey and Fennel
Wednesday, March 06, 2024A fun twist to a classic pineapple upside down cake. Sweet, rich and delicious, the upside-down cake is one of the easiest cakes you can make. Honey caramelized carrots, Greek yoghurt and fennel seeds add sweet, unique flavour making this carrot loaf cake moist, yet light in texture. It tastes best when served warm with some sour cream and toasted fennel seeds.
Raspberry Streusel Cake with Greek Yoghurt and Almonds
Saturday, December 23, 2023You can't beat an old-fashioned tea treat or dessert like this delicious, buttery streusel / crumble cake, starring fresh plump raspberries, Greek yoghurt, almonds and spelt flour- wholemeal spelt flour gives them a fibre boost and adds to the overall nutty flavour. It is fantastic served with dollop of crème fraîche or custard for added indulgence and extra fresh berries that will make afternoon time with the family and friends all the more special.
Christstollen Traybake
Sunday, December 03, 2023Loaded with dried cranberries, apricots and chunks of marzipan, this well spiced holiday traybake is quick and easy to make, perfect for sharing and gifting. Those stollen bites have all the wonderful festive flavours of German Christstollen without going to the effort of making the real thing. A festive and delightful treat that is sure to please and impress. I used less sugar than the original recipe calls for and used more orange juice, so the batter won't be too dry. You can also replace some sugar with applesauce.
Sauerkraut Chocolate Loaf Cake
Friday, December 01, 2023Sauerkraut as the secret ingredient for ultra-juicy chocolate cake? Sounds kind of strange, but it really works. Don't worry, you won't taste the sauerkraut. Generally I prefer cakes with vegetables in them. Whether it's a carrot cake or zucchini cake, cake with beet, etc. Vegetables turn cakes into a special and very moist treat. If you like your cake a little healthier and nuttier, you can also replace the white spelt flour with wholegrain spelt flour. Leave the chocolate cake to stand in the fridge for at least a day, preferably two days, before eating. It tastes wonderful with whipped cream.
Hazelnut, Rosemary and Maple Syrup Cake
Thursday, November 23, 2023A decadent and unique blend of healthy hazelnuts, rich maple syrup and fragrant rosemary, this earthy flavoured and buttery cake is a real treat for a special gathering at coffee time. Serve the cake with crème fraîche or ice cream if desired. I have used organic Canadian maple syrup for this recipe, as it has rich and deep dark maple flavour that makes it ideal for baking. The nuttiness of the hazelnuts really complements the maple syrup and rosemary flavours in this butter cake as well has giving the cake a lovely crunch.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Persian Love Cake
Thursday, October 26, 2023There is a story behind the name that once upon a time there was a Persian woman madly in love with a prince. To make him fall in love with her, she baked him this cake, filled with magical love powers. The prince returns her love and they live happily ever after. Another version of the story is that the prince swooned over the cake but rejected the girl and she ended up eating it all herself.
There are a few variations of the Persian love cake. Typically it's baked with semolina flour, almond meal or rice flour, or even with regular white flour. But all versions will flavour the cake with cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, rosewater and saffron.
I decided to bake a gluten free version with pumpkin, adapted from DELICIOUS. It is a moist and rich cake made with almond meal, pumpkin and Greek yoghurt, scented with cinnamon, nutmeg, and rosewater, then finished with a tart lemon glaze and a final sprinkle of rose petals and finely chopped pistachio, that make it extra decadent and flavourful.