4 'Healthier' Muffins and Bakes
I love to bake – it’s my therapy! But I never usually follow a recipe to the letter. I like to experiment by substituting ingredients, reducing the sugar and adding different flavourings. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Here are 4 of my favourite tried and tested creations – perfect for a quick breakfast, snack time or even as dessert for the kids.
Banana bread
Ingredients:
75g plain flour
40g wholemeal flour
80g butter, softened
50g sugar
1 egg
50g raisins
Pinch each of salt, bicarbonate of soda & baking powder
3-4 mashed ripe bananas
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 190*C and line a loaf tin with baking paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg.
3. When light and fluffy, add the mashed bananas and sultanas.
4. Sift flours, salt, baking powder & bicarbonate of soda. Add to the mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Bake 25 minutes until well risen and brown.
Oaty raisin muffins
(Makes 12-15)
Ingredients:
125g rolled oats
250ml semi-skimmed milk
175g flour (half plain/half wholemeal)
1 tsp each cinnamon & baking powder
0.5 tsp each bicarbonate of soda & salt
75g raisins (or chopped dates or dried apricots)
60ml vegetable oil
75g brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180*C.
2. In a large bowl, stir the oats into the milk and leave to stand for 10 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
4. Stir the oil, sugar and egg into the oat/milk mixture and blend well.
5. Stir the dry ingredients into the milk mixture and stir until just combined.
6. Spoon into paper cases or non-stick muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
Date & apple loaf
Ingredients:
150g butter, softened
2tbsp honey (not suitable for babies <12 months)
3 large eggs
225g self-raising flour
1tsp ground cinnamon
2 eating apples - peeled, cored & diced
125g dates, stoned & chopped
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180*C and line a loaf tin with baking paper.
2. Beat together the butter and honey into a creamy consistency.
3. Add eggs, flour and cinnamon and beat until smooth. Stir apple and dates into the mixture.
4. Spoon mixture into the tin and bake for around 50 mins. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then turn out and cool.
Blueberry Muffins
(Makes 12)
Ingredients:
125g porridge oats
125g flour (half plain/half wholemeal)
75g caster sugar
1 tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp salt
150ml semi-skimmed milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
30ml vegetable oil
1 egg
150g blueberries
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180*C.
2. Combine the oats, flours, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. Milk in the milk, vanilla, oil and egg, and stir until just combined.
4. Fold in the blueberries.
5. Spoon into paper cases or non-stick muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm to the touch. Leave to cool before eating.
Let me know if you try any of these recipes - I’d love to know what you think!