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glutenfree
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Ricotta Gnocchi
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Hot Cross Cookies
These easy-to-make Hot Cross Cookies are a nice protein rich Easter treat to make with the kids. They have all of the flavours of Easter hot cross buns, but in a grain-free cookie instead. Using almond meal may mean these can’t be taken to school (maybe make the Hot Cross Buffins instead!), but these are perfect any other time! I love the spices any time of yea,r and the crosses can be swapped for drizzles, swirls, or smiley faces!
Health benefits
Rich in healthy fats and plant protein from almond meal, these cookies are also full of fibre and minerals that support satiety and steady energy. The spices including cinnamon and mixed spice, offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, while the dark chocolate and cacao nibs bring mood-boosting flavonoids. A nourishing, balanced treat made from real ingredients.
Ingredients
Youโll need almond meal, coconut oil, your choice of natural sweetener (rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup), cinnamon, mixed spice, vanilla, dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs, and a little true arrowroot or tapioca flour. The optional dark chocolate drizzle adds a lovely finishing touch.
How to make these Hot Cross Cookies
Preheat the oven to 150ยฐC (fan-forced). In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chocolate in a bowl or food processor until just mixed. Roll tablespoons of cookie dough with wet hands and flatten slightly on a lined baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely before drizzling or piping melted chocolate crosses on top. Let the chocolate set before storing.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Enjoy these cookies with a cup of tea, pack them in lunchboxes, or wrap them up for a thoughtful homemade gift. Theyโll keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Vary these Hot Cross Cookies to suit your dietary needs
For a low-fructose version, use cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips. To make them coconut-free, replace coconut oil with macadamia oil. For a vegan or dairy-free version, use dairy-free or vegan chocolate.
Hot Cross Cookies
Ingredients
- 55 g coconut oil (ยผ cup), melted if solid
- 85 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup (ยผ cup), approx
- ยฝ tsp ground cinnamon
- ยฝ tsp mixedย spice
- 1 tsp vanilla – powder, extract or essence
- 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips – or cacao nibs
- 2 tbsp currants
- 150 g almond meal (1ยผ cups, firmly packed)
- 2 tbsp arrowroot or tapioca starch
- 50 g dark chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 150โ/300ยฐF (fan-forced). Itโs preferable to use weight measurements, the recipe will need less adjusting if you do so.
- In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine all of the ingredients except the chocolate until just combined (Thermomix 5 seconds, speed 4). Scrape the sides to incorporate the bits around the edge.
- The mixture should be thick and sticky, but add more almond meal if you can't handle the dough.
- Roll tablespoons of the mix in wet hands and place them onto a tray lined with baking paper.
- Flatten slightly and bake for 15 minutes or until starting to brown on top. The longer they cook, the crisper they become.
- Allow to cool fully. They will firm up as they cool.
- Once completely cool, melt the chocolate and pipe to form a cross. Allow the chocolate to set completely (you may need to refrigerate if the weather is warm) before storing.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Low-fructose
Use the cacao nibs.Coconut-free
Replace the coconut oil with macadamia nut oil.Vegan and dairy-free
Use vegan chocolate.Home made piping bag
I use recycled snap lock bags to pipe chocolate. Simply snip the corner of the bag, fill with melted chocolate and pipe the crosses working quickly.ย ย ย ย ยLet me know what you thought of these delicious Hot Cross Cookies in the comments below…
Garlic Ginger Soy Caramelised Steak
This simple, very tasty Garlic Ginger Soy Caramelised Steak is a fabulous mid week meal or entertainer. My kids say it’s like the steak at a Japanese teppanyaki grill. It’s such a simple but healthy, delicious way to enjoy a lovely grass-fed steak. Health benefits Grass-fed beef provides high-quality protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins that…
Nut Butter Pudding (3 ingredients)
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Fruit and Veg Breakfast Pancake
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Raspberry Chocolate Slice
This Raspberry Chocolate Slice is quick and easy to make. Even my ‘not fussed on fruit baked into things’ son loves this delicious snack – probably because the raspberries reduce down to a jam-like layer. Including almond meal (or seed meal) with the wholegrains in this slice adds sustenance and long-lasting energy.
Health benefits
The almond meal adds protein and healthy fats, while the oats provide fibre and keep you fuller for longer. Raspberries are a great source of antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, and the chocolate offers flavonoids, which are known to support immune health. The use of natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup keeps the sugar content lower compared to processed treats.
Ingredients
The base of this slice is made from a mix of almond meal, wholemeal spelt flour, and oats, held together by butter or coconut oil. A layer of raspberry filling gives it a fruity zing, while dark chocolate chunks provide a rich, indulgent flavour throughout. For those with dietary restrictions, there are variations for gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options.
How to make Raspberry Chocolate Slice
Start by preparing the crumble base by melting the butter (or coconut oil) and sweetener in a saucepan over a medium heat, then combining with the dry ingredients. Press two-thirds of the mixture with a spatula into a lined tin to form the base. Mix the defrosted raspberries with arrowroot and vanilla, then spread over the base to form the raspberry layer. Add half the chocolate pieces, and the top layer is simply the remaining crumble mixture, and the rest of the chocolate on top. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown, then cool completely before slicing. If you own a Thermomix, we’ve also included Thermomix instructions for this recipe. You can also use a food processor.
Serving suggestions and how to store
This raspberry slice is delicious on its own (or packed into the lunchbox) or served warm with a dollop of cream or yoghurt. Itโs best stored in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it firm, or you can freeze it for a longer shelf life.
Vary this Raspberry Chocolate Slice to suit your dietary needs
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and substitute the oats with quinoa flakes. For a dairy-free or vegan option, replace butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based sweetener like maple syrup. Nut allergies? Swap the almond meal with ground seeds to keep it nut-free.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
For more delicious, healthy sweet recipes, click HERE.
Raspberry Chocolate Slice
Ingredients
Base / Crumble
- 125 g butter or coconut oil
- 170 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup (ยฝ cup)
- ยฝ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 120 g almond meal (1 cup) approx
- 120 g wholemeal spelt flour (1 cup)
- 200 g rolled oats (2 cups) or quinoa flakes (or a mixture)
- 1 tsp vanilla
Raspberry filling
- 120 g frozen raspberries (1 cup) defrosted and most of the liquid strained
- 1 tsp trueย arrowroot flourย – or tapioca
- 1 tsp vanilla – essence
- 100 g chocolate – broken into pieces (or buttons)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180โ / 350โ (fan-forced).
- In a small pot melt the butter (or coconut oil) and sweetener, mixing to combine. Add the bicarb and stir well.
- Mix the almond meal, flour, oats (or quinoa) and vanilla in a bowl.
- Add the butter/ sweetener mix and stir to combine well.
- Line a small tin (approx. 17 x 27cm) with baking paper. Press โ of the mixture into the base of the tin and press down firmly with wet hands (the remaining โ will form the crumble top, so set aside until after the fruit is ready).
- Put the raspberries, arrowroot and vanilla into the small bowl and mix well, mushing up the raspberries.
- Top the base with the raspberry mixture and half the chocolate and with wet hands, place with the rest of the crumble over the raspberries. Top with the remaining chocolate pieces.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until just golden brown.
- Allow to cool in the pan, refrigerate until firm and then cut into slices (cooling it allows for it to be sliced without crumbling).
Thermomix Method
- Melt the butter and sweetener 1 minute, temp 90, speed 3 or until melted and combined. Add the bicarb and mix 5 seconds speed 3.
- Add the rest of the crumble ingredients to the butter/sweetener and mix 15 seconds, speed 3. You may need to scrape the sides to fully combine.
- Assemble as above.
Serve
- I also love this heated up with fresh cream, very indulgent!
Store
- Airtight in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Gluten and grain-free
Substitute the spelt for gluten free flour and the oats with quinoa flakes (rolled quinoa).Dairy-free
Substitute the butter with coconut oil.Vegan
Choose rice malt or maple syrup as your sweetener. Substitute the butter with coconut oil.Nut-free
The almond meal can be substituted with any ground seed mix.Fructose friendly
Choose rice malt syrup for your sweetener. ย ย ย ย ยThis is one of my favourite slices, let me know if you loved this recipe in the comments below…
Lamb Bredie
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Spelt Dutch Baby
This is my spelt version of a Dutch Baby which is essentially a big, puffy, family-style pancake baked in a sizzling-hot buttered skillet. This dish is puffy around the outside and flat in the centre offering the perfect little nest for fresh berries. It has the eggy texture of a crepe with crispy edges and is super simple to make – no flipping, just pour and bake. Make sure you allow enough time for your oven to come up to temperature so that you get a nice puffy pancake – the oven and pan need to be HOT.
Health benefits
This Dutch Baby isnโt just tasty โ itโs packed with some health perks too. Using spelt flour adds a nutritious twist, as itโs rich in fibre and easier to digest than regular wheat. Plus, eggs give you a good hit of protein, helping to keep you full and energised throughout the day.
Ingredients
With just a few simple ingredients like butter, large eggs, spelt flour, half cup milk (of your choice) and only a tablespoon sugar, this Dutch Baby is easy to make with pantry staples. You can even customise the toppings to suit your taste or whatever you have on hand, making it versatile for any occasion.
How to make this healthy Dutch Baby pancake
Making this Spelt Dutch Baby is super easy โ just blend the batter (or whisk by hand in a bowl), melt butter in an oven-safe pan, and pour the batter into the hot pan (preferably a cast-iron skillet). Pop it in the hot oven and watch it puff up in just 15 minutes. The cook time is a lot quicker than flipping individual pancakes! Once itโs golden brown and ready, serve it up with your favourite toppings for a crowd-pleasing dish. If you own a Thermomix, we’ve also included Thermomix instructions for this recipe.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve your Spelt Dutch Baby straight out of the oven while itโs still puffed and golden. Top with a generous amount of fresh berries, a dollop of crรจme fraรฎche or coconut yogurt, and a drizzle of maple syrup. We love it for breakfast, brunch or dessert! If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the oven to enjoy later.
Vary this to suit your dietary needs
To make this Dutch Baby dairy-free, simply swap the butter for coconut oil or ghee. For a gluten-free version, use your favourite gluten-free plain flour instead of spelt. You can also get creative with toppings โ try adding nut butter, fresh lemon juice, sliced bananas, stewed fruit (apple or stone fruit) with a sprinkle of cinnamon to change things up. For a savory Dutch Baby, click here. Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
Spelt Dutch Baby
Ingredients
- 60 g butter – (4 tbsp)
- 3 egg/s – at room temperature
- 120 ml milk of choice (ยฝ cup)
- 60 g whiteย speltย flour – (ยฝ cup)
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar or rapadura
To Serve
- 1 cup/s fresh berries – of your choice
- 2 tbsp crรจme fraรฎche – or coconut yoghurt
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200ยฐC / 390ยฐF (fan-forced).
- Place the eggs, milk, flour and sugar into a blender and blend well to make a lump free batter. If you have a Thermomix 7 seconds speed 5. Rest the batter while you heat the butter/pan.
- Place the butter in an oven proof pan (I used a 27cm cast iron skillet) and pop it in the oven for 5-7 minutes (just to melt the butter and heat the pan). Take care not to leave for longer (you donโt want the butter to burn).
- Working quickly, pour the batter into the hot, buttery pan and return to the oven to cook for 15 minutes until it puffs and is golden. Remove from the oven (it will deflate quickly, this is totally normal).
Serve
- Top with your favourite toppings as listed above.
Doubling
- You can either make another pancake straight after the first or use two pans at the same time.
Notes
Dairy-free
Replace the butter with coconut oil or ghee if tolerated.Gluten-free
Replace the spelt with your favourite gluten-free plain flour.ย ย ย ย ย ย ยWhat did you think of this delicious dish? Let me know in the comments below…
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