Small Bakes & Cakes

Best Scone Recipe

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I’ve tried a few scone recipes and found this one and this method to be the most successful for me every time. Great big high scones are a pleasure to eat and this recipe is so easy to adapt so you can make different types of scones to suit your occasion.

Scones are really best eaten on the day they are made unless you freeze them and then you can pop them in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes to have lovely, fluffy perfect scones again. I’ve made the ones in the pictures here a Lemon flavoured scone with a Lemon Glaze but will give alternative flavour options for you to choose.

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Hidden Heart Cake – Standard and Gluten Free Options

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Soooo I’ve been looking at this cake for over a year now and really wanted to make it. The problem I had is the person I wanted to make it for is coeliac so I had to find a recipe that was gluten free and would work in holding up the style of cake. After a couple of attempts, I found a good one and it worked! I was so pleased with how it turned out that I sort of glowed happily for a while 😉

heart cake, hidden heart cake, gluten free heart cake, gluten free cake, sponge cake, gluten free sponge cake, valentines cake, heart cake, coeliac friendly bakingWith this cake, it’s not particularly difficult but it does take time. If you want, you can make it over two days. The issue is that each cake takes 65 – 75 mins to bake and can’t be made at the same time so plan ahead for this but otherwise, it’s so simple that it’s definitely worth trying to impress your loved ones.

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Low Fat Banana & Blueberry Muffins

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A great recipe for a low in fat muffin that tastes great with the bursts of fresh blueberries in each bite and the sweetness of very ripe bananas.

You can use regular self raising flour but for a higher fibre, more healthy option, you can completely replace with self raising wholemeal flour (or wholemeal spelt as I did) or go half and half. I replaced the muscovado sugar with a sugar substitute and instead of buttermilk, I used 0% fat free yoghurt.

The original recipe called for olive oil but living in Ireland we have fantastic Rapeseed oil grown here and readily available and it’s a healthier option.

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Biscotti Recipe

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Biscotti are different from other biscuits in that they are baked twice so they dry out and are very crispy. Don’t let this put you off making them though as it’s a simple process just with one extra step.

Traditionally they are dipped into dessert wine but are equally delicious dipped into a cup of coffee.  Once made, they will keep for a couple of months if you store them in an airtight container. Nice! They make ideal gifts to give as they look so lovely in a cellophane bag tied with festive ribbon.

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Cranberry Banana Loaf Cake

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If you have ripe bananas in your house and want something a little different, then this recipe is perfect. It’s so light and moist with the banana which contrasts so well with tart, fresh cranberries.

Making it with spelt wholemeal flour adds a lower calorie content and it’s one of the healthier recipes to try. I think it has about 92 calories per slice. If you don’t have spelt flour, use normal wholemeal instead.

The original recipe is made in a 2lb loaf tin but I made mine in two of the 1 lb decorative card cases. They look lovely and are perfect for gift giving.

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Cinnamon Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins

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Found this recipe on the web and wanted to try it for ages. We are split down the middle in our family over sweet potatoes. Half love them and half don’t so it was going to be interesting to see the results.

My first attempt wasn’t great. There was too much oil in the recipe and too much sugar. They tasted nice but I knew they could be made better so went about working it out and now I’m really happy with the final results.

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Apple, Cinnamon & Pecan Muffins

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Definitely one of my most favourite flavour combinations, I am always drawn to anything that combines apples and cinnamon. Throw in pecans and I’m hooked. A mixture of apple, pecans and coconuts give these cinnamon spiced muffins a fabulous texture and flavour. They are light and the little bite of tart apple is just perfect!

I spotted this delicious recipe in a U.S. magazine and had to make it as soon as I got home. Literally from start time to eating time, took 1 hour and 20 mins and that included getting ingredients out, bowls and cooling time. I had all the ingredients at home and what I didn’t have, I substituted and it all worked out very well.

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Doughnut Muffins

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What’s the next best thing to a deep fried doughnut?? One of these heavenly and totally delicious Doughnut Muffins which are simply divine and really do taste like doughnuts but they are baked in the oven! Must be better for you right??

Eat them warm from the oven for a little slice of heaven!

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Banoffee Bites

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If you love Banoffee Pie but don’t have time to make the traditional version, here’s a very quick, very simple, no bake recipe which will fit the bill perfectly and the bonus is they are surprisingly light so you don’t feel very full after one or two 😉

You only need 4 ingredients, some freezer time and a quick 60 seconds in the microwave. What could be easier?!

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Gluten Free Strawberry Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

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I wasn’t sure about making these as strawberries can misbehave when baking and become mushy and unpleasant to eat but this recipe proved to be the exception and got thumbs up from everyone, even non gluten free tasters. It simply is a delicious recipe and the pretty pink frosting really finishes them beautifully. I like them without the frosting and they would be perfect for breakfast or a mid morning treat this way.

Decorated with pink frosting, fresh strawberries and freeze dried strawberries, they make a perfect tea party addition. You would not know these beauties are gluten free as they turn out so light and fluffy.

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