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familyfood
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Lemon Coconut Slice
This zesty lemon coconut slice is an easy, low-sugar treat that’s perfect for lunchboxes or snacks, and it’s a staple in the Harding household. With simple steps, it’s a great recipe to get the kids involved—little ones can help mix and press the base, while older kids and teens can tackle the whole thing (with a bit of oven supervision). Whether you’re baking solo or with the family, this recipe is sure to become a favourite!
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
For more easy to make, delicious healthy sweet recipes, click HERE.
Lemon Coconut Slice
Ingredients
- 150 g butter or coconut oil
- 85 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup (¼ cup approx.)
- 1 lemon/s – zest (juice reserved for icing)
- 120 g wholemeal spelt flour (1 cup)
- 90 g rolled oats (1 cup)
- 100 g desiccated coconut (1 cup)
Lemon Buttercream (see below note)
- 70 g butter – at room temperature (important it's not over softened or too cold)
- 20 ml lemon juice – no more or it may split
- 3 tbsp rice malt syrup or honey
- 3 tbsp tapioca flour – or arrowroot
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut – for decorating, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (fan forced).
- Melt your butter (or coconut oil) in a large pot. If using a Thermomix 90, 1 minute, speed 3.
- Add the sweetener and mix to combine by hand or in a food processor. If using a Thermomix 30 seconds, temp 90, speed 4.
- Add all of the other ingredients and process or mix well until combined. If using a Thermomix, reverse speed 4, 30 seconds.
- Press firmly into a lined slice tin (approx. 17 x 27cm) and bake for 10-12 minutes. Take care not to overcook this as it can dry out. If your oven runs hot, reduce the temperature to 160°C.
- Allow to cool in the tin (it firms as it cools) and once cooled, pop it into the fridge to chill for 30 minutes or more.
Lemon Buttercream
- Beat the icing by mixing all of the ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Thermomix butterfly, 20 seconds, speed 3.
- Spread over the chilled slice.
- Sprinkle over a little extra desiccated (or shredded) coconut.
- Chill for 10 more minutes in the freezer, remove from the tin and carefully slice into squares by pressing straight down with a large sharp knife.
- Refrigerating before slicing makes it much easier to cut without crumbling.
Troubleshooting the icing…
- If it's grainy or curdled – means the mixture is too cold. It usually needs warming up (either with a hair dryer or a warm towel wrapped around the bowl). Once it is a slightly warmer temperature, whip it up again with an electric beater / Thermomix.
- If it it is very thin – usually means that the butter/ mixture is too warm and needs cooling down. Putting the bowl in the fridge for 15 minutes or so and then beating it afterwards should fix it perfectly. You can also add a bit more tapioca to thicken it.Â
Store
- Store in the fridge or freeze in an airtight container. The butter icing will soften when left at room temperature.
- I enjoy these straight from the fridge or freezer. When packing into school lunches, pack against an ice brick.
Notes
Gluten-free
Substitute the spelt with your favourite gluten-free flour and the oats can be replaced by quinoa flakes.Dairy-free or vegan
Replace the butter in the base with coconut oil (this will produce a tougher/ crisper slice). For the icing a cashew cream would be the best choice.Low-fructose
Use brown rice syrup as your sweetener. Â ÂLet me know how you love this zesty and delicious treat. I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a short comment and 5 stars!
Banana Rhubarb Raspberry Slice
This Banana Rhubarb Raspberry Slice not only looks amazing, it tastes sensational. The sweetness of the ripe bananas paired with the tartness of the rhubarb really is a match made in heaven.
My kids are both back at school as of today and seeing as this Banana Rhubarb Raspberry Slice is their current favourite snack, it’s only fitting that I share it here in the membership. I can’t wait to hear how you love this, I hope it will be added to your planner and become your family’s new favourite too. Feel free to experiment with other fruits for the topping or if you prefer, you could just make the banana cake part.
Health benefits
This slice is packed with fibre from the bananas, wholemeal spelt flour, and raspberries, supporting digestive health. The rhubarb contributes calcium and vitamin K, while the bananas provide potassium for heart health. With minimal added sugar, this slice is a wholesome alternative to traditional sweet treats.
Ingredients
How to make this banana rhubarb raspberry sliceÂ
This banana bread begins with blending the wet ingredients, including mashed bananas, eggs, butter, vanilla extract and milk, into a smooth mixture. Dry ingredients such as wholemeal spelt flour, bicarb, and cinnamon are folded into the wet mix, creating a light batter. The batter is poured into a prepared slice tin and topped with thin slices of rhubarb and raspberries. Bake until the centre is set and golden brown.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve this slice warm as a comforting snack or dessert with a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt. It also pairs well with a hot cup of tea. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze individual portions for convenience.
Vary banana rhubarb raspberry slice to suitÂ
For a dairy-free version, swap butter with coconut oil or macadamia nut oil. Use your preferred gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free. To replace eggs, try chia eggs for a plant-based alternative. Feel free to experiment with different seasonal fruits like blueberries, apples, or pears for variety. For a protein boost, mix in nuts or seeds, or sprinkle them on top before baking.
Tip
Ensure the bananas are very ripe, as their natural sweetness is key to the flavour of this slice, with minimal added sugar used.
For more delicious, easy to make healthy cake recipes and other sweet treats, click HERE.
Banana Rhubarb Raspberry Slice
Ingredients
- 125 g butter - at room temperature
- 25 g coconut sugar or rapadura - 2 tbsp (optional)
- 2 egg/s
- 250 g banana/s - they need to be very ripe (1 cup approximately)
- 1 tsp vanilla - powder, extract or essence
- 100 ml milk (of choice)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 200 g wholemeal spelt flour (1¾ cups approximately)
- 2 stem/s rhubarb - finely sliced
- 140 g fresh raspberries (can use frozen if you like)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/ 350°F (fan-forced). Line a slice tin (approx. 17 x 27cm) with baking paper.
- Mix the butter, sugar, eggs, bananas, vanilla, milk and cinnamon in a high speed blender for a minute. Thermomix, 1 minute, speed 5.
- Add the bicarb and salt and blend for a couple of seconds. Add the flour and fold through the mixture. Thermomix, flour symbol, a couple of turns until the flour is mostly incorporated into the wet. Finish with a spatula if necessary.
- Place in a lined slice tin and top with finely sliced rhubarb and raspberries. Bake for 20 minutes or until the centre is cooked.
Store
- Airtight in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Dairy-free
Replace the butter with coconut oil or macadamia nut oil (the coconut oil does toughen it when it cools, but it's still delicious).Gluten-free
Replace the flour with your favourite GF flour.Egg-free
Rach tested egg-free for me and I'm happy to announce chia eggs were a success.ÂDifferent fruit
You can absolutely switch up the fruit to suit your tastes and what's in season.Boost the protein
Add any nuts or seeds to the batter or top.Tip
The bananas need to be very ripe or it won't be sweet enough as there's very little added sugar. ÂI really can't wait to hear how you love this slice. Post a comment below and feel free to rate the recipe too.Â
Maple Chai Chia Pudding
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Pork and Apple Sausage Rolls
A tasty sausage roll always goes down well at anytime. These Pork and Apple Sausage Rolls offer a delicious combination of savoury pork and sweet Granny Smith apples, wrapped in flaky puff pastry. They’re perfect for snacks, parties, or a quick meal. The hint of mustard and thyme brings an aromatic depth, making these rolls irresistible.
They can also be made ahead and simply baked just prior to serving – which is perfect for entertaining or make-ahead meals.Â
Health benefits
Packed with pork mince, grated vegetables, and baby spinach, these sausage rolls are a protein rich meal or snack and a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients. Spinach adds iron, while apples contribute fibre and a touch of sweetness, balancing the savoury flavours. These are packed with nutrition and additive free unlike so many store-bought sausage rolls.
Ingredients
The key ingredients include free-range pork mince, Granny Smith apples, and flaky puff pastry sheets. Grated carrot and baby spinach add texture and colour, while mustard and thyme provide a punch of flavour.
How to make Pork and Apple Sausage Rolls
The instructions for making these sausage rolls is simple. Preheat your oven. Grate the garlic clove, onion, apple, carrot, and spinach, mix them with the ground pork, dried thyme leaves, mustard, and seasoning (salt and pepper) in a large bowl. Spread the pork mixture along the centre of puff pastry strips, roll them up, brush with milk and sprinkle chia seeds (or poppy seeds or sesame seeds) on top. Bake on a baking tray lined with baking paper (parchment paper) until golden brown.
If you own a Thermomix, we’ve also included Thermomix instructions for this recipe.
Turn them into rissoles or patties
You can make these into rissoles or patties by shaping the meat filling into balls, flattening and cooking on the BBQ or in a pan.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve these sausage rolls warm with tomato chutney or sauce. They are great party snacks or lunchbox treats. To store, refrigerate or freeze them before baking for a quick option later. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or frozen in an airtight container.
Vary these pork and apple sausage rolls to suit your dietary needs
For gluten-free sausage rolls, use gluten-free puff pastry. To make them dairy-free, skip the milk brushing. For an onion and garlic-free version, swap them with finely diced fennel and a pinch of chilli flakes. You can also use chicken or turkey mince for a lighter alternative.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit many specific dietary requirements.
For more easy to make, healthy sausage roll recipes, click HERE.
Pork and Apple Sausage Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 clove/s garlic - peeled
- 1 red onion/s - peeled
- 2 Granny Smith apple/s - moisture rung from them
- 1 carrot/s - small & grated
- 30 g baby spinach - handful (or alternatively parsley leaves)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- ½ tsp sea salt - or to taste
- ground black pepper - good grind
- 500 g free-range pork mince
- 1 sheet Carême All Butter Puff Pastry - I love the wholemeal spelt puff
- 2 tbsp milk (of choice) - to brush pastry
- 1 tsp chia seeds - black
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F (fan-forced) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In a food processor grate your garlic, onion, apple, carrot and baby spinach. Alternatively, grate / finely chop by hand.
- Mix together with the thyme, mustard, salt, pepper and pork mince until well combined.
- Halve the sheet of puff pastry and divide the mince mixture evenly along the centre and length of both halves of the pastry.
- Roll and pinch together the seam, placing it face down on the baking tray.
- Brush with the milk, sprinkle with the chia seeds and cut into approx. 8 pieces (per log).
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Thermomix
- Chop the apple 10 seconds, speed 5, wring out the moisture and set aside. Chop the garlic, 5 seconds, speed 4. Add the onion, carrot and baby spinach. Chop 10 seconds, speed 5 (or until grated finely). Add back the apple.
- Add the thyme, mustard, seasoning and pork mince and mix reverse, 1 minutes, speed 3.
- Continue as above.
Serve
- Enjoy immediately with your preferred tomato chutney or sauce.
Make ahead
- Make and refrigerate or freeze in an airtight containber until ready to bake.
Notes
MYO pastry
This spelt pastry is perfect for sausage rolls (the savoury version).ÂGluten-free
Use a gluten-free pastry for the sausage rolls.Dairy-free
Omit milk.Onion and garlic-free
Replace the onion and garlic with finely diced fennel (from half a small bulb) and a pinch of chilli flakes.Chicken or turkey
Also delicious with chicken or turkey mince.Â
Like these? Why not post a comment below or rate this recipe.
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