Scumptious Oat-Rolled Cookies

These beauties are insane! I know, you're looking at them saying "a porridge cookie, really??" But they're nothing like what you would expect! As a self-proclaimed chocaholic I actually love these, sans the brown stuff. They're buttery yet crunchy, fast to make yet scrumptious, drool-inducing... ENOUGH! Make these now! :)

They're whipped up in less than twenty minutes, are a fraction healthier with the addition of oats plus, when can you go wrong with a cherry on top? ;)

Plus, I think kids would enjoy making these as there's a bit of fun to be had with the oats!

These came courtesy of Mary Berry's The Baking Bible (with a few alterations). I implore you to take time out of your weekend and enjoy these with a cup of tea! 

   

You will need
8oz Butter (softened)
6oz Caster Sugar
2 large Egg yolks
Few drops Vanilla Extract
10oz Self-Raising Flour 
2oz Old-fashioned Porridge Oats (on a separate plate)
12 Glacé Cherries (chopped)

1. Preheat oven to 190degrees Celcius (fan-assisted) or 170degrees Celcius (minus the fan!)
2. Line trays with baking parchment.
3. Chop cherries into 3-4 pieces, whatever's easiest for you!
4. Mix together butter, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla and flour.
5. Form little balls out of the dough.
6. Roll these balls in the oats until covered.
7. Place in tray, flatten slightly and top with a piece of cherry.
8. Bake for 20minutes or until golden.
9. Allow to cool on trays for a few minutes before removing to wire rack.
10. Enjoy!

Come back tomorrow for another fab cookie recipe!

Have a great Saturday and stay sweet! x

Banana and Cherry Muffins

I wanted something a little more fruity last weekend so I whipped up these little beauties! They were scrumptious! Succulent even! ;)

I used the recipe from the original banana muffins (albeit with a few shortcuts), but concocted my own crumb topping. I'll definitely be using this topping from now on, it was delicious!

Some Notes:

• I was lazy and ommitted any other raising agent bar the flour. The original recipe called for both baking powder, and baking soda. But this was after a long day of baking, I had bananas to use up, and I was ravenously hungry so I forewent this step. On the brightside, my version is bite-sized, and this leads to no leftovers. :) I didn't think it affected the taste at all, and the not-so-massive muffins were still quite light.
• If you don't have overly ripe bananas (read Brown/Black!), the muffins won't taste as nice. Instead of letting them go another few days and run the risk of not having the time to bake these treats then, pop the bananas on a waxed baking sheet, and roast in the oven for 15-20 mins at about 180degrees Celcius.
• Make the topping first, this way you won't be so panicked trying to get the muffins into the oven. Preparing your work bench before starting to bake-no matter how excited you are, will most definitely lead to a much happier baking experience, trust me I've made the mistake too many times!

Muffin Ingredients:
1 and a half Cups self-raising flour
3ripe bananas
3/4 cup white sugar
1 lightly beaten egg
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup glacé cherries, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 190degrees Celcius
2. Sieve flour into large bowl
3. In another bowl beat together rest of ingredients
4. Add this mixture gradually to flour while beating.
5. When just about combined, add chopped cherries and beat gently.
6. Spoon into cupcake cases.
7. Top with premade topping.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until an inserted knife/toothpick comes out clean.

Topping:
2parts light brown sugar
2parts packed dark brown sugar
2parts flour
1part cinnamon 
1part butter

1. Mix the dry ingredients together with your fingers in a small bowl. 
2. Add the softened butter and pinch between your fingers to make very dainty crumbs, finer than breadcrumbs.

Et, voila!

These muffins packed a fruity punch and would be a lovely mid-week healthy treat.

Talk to you tomorrow on sUCCulent 98.3 at 11-12!

Stay sweet! x

Friday Fave: Flapjacks

I love, love, love oats!! Not only are they delicious, but they are provide a slow-release of energy, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer, plus they are a heart healthy food! They are delicious in all forms- from porridge, to oat topping on a fruit crumble, and especially flapjacks!!! 

Homemade flapjacks are always nicer but can sometimes be dry, or else overly buttery. To combat this I added some special ingredients...

Without a doubt this is the best thing I have ever baked! These are beyond delicious!
I adapted the recipe found here. This literally took five minutes from stove top to oven, so they are a quick treat to whip up!

For perfect flapjacks you will need...

• 8oz rolled oats
• 4oz margarine
• 4oz brown sugar
• 3tbsp golden syrup
• Half packet glace cherries, chopped
• Handful miniature chocolate chips

1. Line a 9x9 tin with greaseproof paper. Preheat the oven to 180degrees Celsius.
2. Melt margarine, sugar and syrup over a medium heat.
3. Empty pan into a mixing bowl. Quickly add oats, cherries and chocolate chips.
4. Mix until binded. Work quickly or the chips will melt.
5. Pour into baking tin and flatten using spatula or back of spoon. Ideally it should be between 1/2-3/4 inch thick. 
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until brown. Don't overbake or they will be too dry!

After all of this hard work comes....

Enjoy!