cocoa pudding cake

Ingredients

1 c All purpose flour 3/4 c Sugar 2 tb Cocoa powder 2 ts Baking powder 1/2 ts Salt 1/2 c Soya milk 2 tb Oil 1 t Vanill Nonstick vegetable spray 3/4 c Brown sugar 1/4 c Cocoa powder 1 3/4 c Hot water

Directions

1. Sift together the flour, sugar, 2 T of cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. 2. Add the milk, oil, and vanilla, mixing by hand untill smooth. 3. Pour into an 8x8x2-inch baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. 4. Combine the brown sugar, 1/4 c cocoa powder, and water and pour over batter. 5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Number of Servings: 8

Vegan chocolate cake

Vegan chocolate cake

 August 24th, 2008 |  Author: georgina

If you only bake one vegan cake, make it this one. It is definitely my favourite sweet vegan treat.

This basic sponge recipe works in a variety of ways. It can make a sandwich cake (two round/square tins sandwiched together with butter icing i.e. typical birthday cake), or loads of fairy cakes, or a single square/rectangle tray bake sized tin.

For some reason though it doesn’t seem to work in a loaf tin, too gooey and took ages to cook.

Anyhow, this cake was one of the first I made back in February and I can’t tell you how chuffed I was that good quality chocolate cake was back on the menu. Since then I’ve probably make this cake over ten times. The latest version was a birthday cake for my beautiful Mum and she loved it. Every one loves it. Make it now. Go on. I don’t care what time it is. Just do it. You’ll thank me.

I first got this recipe online at Cooking for Vegans so this is who I will credit, however I have seen this recipe doing the rounds on plenty of sites since which only goes to show how popular it is! I have used both castor and dark brown sugar and both work well. The brown sugar gives it a really fudgey taste and texture so I tend to opt for that if I can. I have tried it with wholemeal flour too as I’m always looking for a ‘healthy angle’ as an excuse to eat chocolate cake. But alas, although it was edible, it was a bit too worthy for me.

Ingredients

• 250g plain flour
• 50g cocoa
• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 250g sugar (castor or dark brown)
• 125g vegan marge
• 300ml soya milk (sweetened or unsweetened is fine)
• 2tbsp golden syrup

Instructions

1. Sieve flour, cocoa and bicarb then mix together in large bowl.
2. Add sugar now if using castor sugar. (If using dark brown sugar then add this to the wet ingredients).
3. Melt marge, syrup and milk in a saucepan. (Add dark sugar now if using).
4. When melted, add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
5. Pour batter into cake tins. (Mixture should be fairly runny, don't panic).
6. Bake at 170 for about 35mins.

Date and seed Teabread

 by Nicki 
Ingredients.
175 grams dates, roughly chopped (not sugar rolled)
125 grams raisins
150 ml hot, strong but not stewed tea
125 grams Butter, allowed to soften, but not melted
50 grams chopped seeds
125 grams muscavado sugar (either dark or light)
225 grams of plain flour
150 ml milk
1 teaspoon (5mls) baking powder
1 teaspoon (5mls) bicarbonate of soda
Optional: 1 teaspoon (5mls) of ground cinamon, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5mls) ground nutmeg
Soak the dates and raisins in the tea for at least one hour but up to 8. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and beat together, an electric mixer is easiest but not a food processor as you lose all the texture. When thoroughly mixed pour into a lined 2lb loaf tin (sorry don't know the metric measurements!) loaf tin and bake for about 1 and 1/4 hours at gas mark 4 or 350 f. Check after an hour and cover with foil if browning. It is done when a skewer or piece of uncooked spaghetti stuck in the middle comes out clean. Leave to go completely cold in tin.
Can be eaten at once but is even better if wrapped in foil and stored in a tin for up to one week. It is surprisingly tasty without the spices but nice with them too. This works with wholemeal flour but will give a dense loaf, our preference is half and half.

Star's Versatile Fruit loaf

This is one of my dad's favourite fruit loafs, he absolutely loves it.

This can be eaten just as it is, or sliced and spread with butter and maybe jam, and if you get fed up of it then use it as a pudding with custard or cream poured over (that is why it is called "versatile" because it is).

Ingredients.
12oz/350g/2 and a half cups self raising flour (or 12 oz plain with 3tsp baking powder added.)
12 oz/350g./2 and a half cups mixed dried fruit
1/2 pint/1 cup/250 ml. tea
4 oz/100g./1 cup sugar (white is ok, brown better and muscavado is the biz)
1 egg


Soak the sugar and fruit in the tea for a minimum of 2 hours, but the longer the better and overnight is ok.
Put oven on at between reg.2 and 3/150C/300F.
Grease a loaf tin with vegan margarine.
Add the flour and an egg mix, till all incorporated, then put in the tin and bake for about 2 hours. I test to see if it is cooked by putting a skewer or thin blade knife in, and if it comes out clean the cake is done. Turn out on rack to cool.

Deep Lemon Tart

If you want to serve it warm you can prepare everything in advance – and pour the filling in just before you bake it.

serves 6-8

Ingredients
For the pastry base:
6 oz (175 g) plain flour
1½ oz (40 g) icing sugar
3 oz (75 g) softened butter
pinch salt
1 large egg, separated
For the filling:
6-8 lemons
6 large eggs
6 oz (175 g) caster sugar
7 fl oz (200 ml) whipping cream
To serve:
a little icing sugar
crème fraîche

Method

The best way to make the pastry is in a food processor. To do this add all the pastry ingredients (except the egg white) to the bowl with 1 tablespoon water and process until it forms a firm dough. Then turn it out and knead lightly before placing in a polythene bag and leaving in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest. To cook the pastry base, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C) and place a solid baking sheet inside to preheat as well. Now roll out the pastry as thinly as possible and carefully line the quiche tin, pressing the pastry around the base and sides so that it comes about ¼ inch (5 mm) above the edge of the tin. Then prick the base with a fork and brush it all over with the reserved egg white, which you should lightly beat first. Bake on the baking sheet on the middle shelf for 20 minutes, then, as you remove it, turn the temperature down to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C). To make the filling, grate the zest from 6 of the lemons, and squeeze enough juice to give 10 fl oz (275 ml). Now break the eggs into a bowl, add the sugar and whisk to combine, but don't overdo it or the eggs will thicken. Next add the lemon juice and zest followed by the cream, and whisk lightly. Now pour it all into a 2 pint (1.2 litre) jug. The easiest way to fill the tart is to place the pastry case on the baking sheet in the oven, and then pour the filling straight into the pastry (this avoids having to carry the tart to the oven and spilling it). Bake for about 30 minutes or until the tart is set and feels springy in the centre. Let it cool for about half an hour if you want to serve it warm. It's also extremely good served chilled. Either way, dust it with icing sugar just before serving and serve with well-chilled crème fraîche.

cocoa pudding cake

Ingredients

1 c All purpose flour
3/4 c Sugar
2 tb Cocoa powder
2 ts Baking powder
1/2 ts Salt
1/2 c Skim milk
2 tb Oil
1 t Vanilla essence
Nonstick vegetable spray
3/4 c Brown sugar
1/4 c Cocoa powder
1 3/4 c Hot water

Directions

1. Sift together the flour, sugar, 2 T of cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

2. Add the milk, oil, and vanilla, mixing by hand untill smooth. 

3. Pour into an 8x8x2-inch baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. 

4. Combine the brown sugar, 1/4 c cocoa powder, and water and pour over batter. 

5. Bake at 350/180 degrees for 45 minutes. 

Real custard

Real Custard or Custard Sauce is the most common accompaniment to English Puddings. Ask anyone what their favourite English Pudding is and they will nearly always tell you and then add "and custard". Here is a simple recipe to make the real thing.

Method

Keep back three tablespoons of the milk and put the rest into a saucepan with the vanilla pod. Brink the milk almost to the boil and then take it off the heat. Leave to cool for about 15 minutes to give the vanilla time to infuse into the milk.

Place the egg yolks and sugar into a bowl with the reserved milk and mix together until creamy. If using vanilla essence add this now. Take out the vanilla pod and gently add the warm milk to the egg mixture and stir. Put the mixture into a clean sauce pan and cook gently until it coats the back of a spoon and acquires the thickness of single cream. Serve the finished custard in a cool jug. Can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Sweet Potato Pie

 This sounds delish, gonna have to try it

The recipe!

 

You'll need:

1 lb sweet potatoes

1 stick butter, room temperature
or
(vegan margarine)

1 cup sugar 

1/2 cup cream
or
(soya cream)

3 eggs
or
(1 egg = 1 Tbsp. oil + 2 tsp. baking powder

2 egg = 4 Tbsp. cornflour)

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 banana

pinch of salt

1 recipe All Butter Pie Crust, prepared in a 9 inch pie plate

Preheat oven to 350F. Wrap sweet potatoes in foil, and bake for an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. They should be very soft when pierced with a fork.

Simultaneously, roast unpeeled banana on a baking sheet for 30 minutes in the same oven. Remove and set aside. Banana will be extremely soft. 

Remove sweet potatoes from oven, unwrap them and allow them to cool until comfortable to handle. Remove the skins, and place the flesh in a mixing bowl. Mash potaotes with a fork. Pull the peel off the banana and add it to the bowl. Mix with sweet potato.

With a mixer, beat butter into sweet potato and banana. Add sugar, cream, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and salt, and mix unti well incorporated. Mixture should be very smooth.

Pour filling into the unbaked pie crust.

Bake at 350F for just at an hour, until a skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Milk Chocolate Cheesecake

How to make the classic cheesecake even creamier? Add milk chocolate with a dark cookie crust for kicks.

Oven Temp: 350

Ingredients 

1 package(s) (9 ounces) chocolate cookies

6 tablespoon(s) margarine melted 

2 package(s) (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup(s) sugar

2 tablespoon(s) sugar

Salt

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup(s) whole milk

 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

1 bag(s) (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips, melted

1 1/2 cup(s) sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse chocolate cookies until fine crumbs form. Add butter to crumbs and pulse several times to combine. Transfer cookie mixture to 9-inch springform pan; press onto bottom and about 2 inches up side of pan to form crust. Bake crust 10 minutes. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 minutes or until smooth, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Reduce speed to low. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla, and beat just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl. Add chocolate and beat until combined.

Pour cream-cheese mixture into crust. Bake cheesecake 45 minutes (cheesecake will jiggle slightly in center). Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir sour cream and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until sugar dissolves; set aside.

Remove cheesecake from oven. Gently spread sour-cream mixture evenly on top of cheesecake. Return cheesecake to oven and bake 5 minutes longer to set sour cream.

Remove cheesecake from oven and cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours until well chilled, or up to 3 days.

No-Bake Cheesecake

Move over, New York cheesecake — there's a newcomer in town: one that has fewer than half the calories and less than 60 percent of the fat, but still boasts the classic's luscious decadence. The sugary glaze is gone, in favor of fresh raspberries. And with no need to bake, it's a guilt-free treat any fast-moving city (or country) slicker could love.

Ingredients
24  reduced-fat biscuits

2 tablespoon(s) margarine melted

1 envelope unflavored gelatin, can use vegetarian replacement

1 large lemon 

3 tablespoon(s) water 

1/4 cup(s) water

2 package(s) (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup(s) sugar

 1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup(s) low-fat buttermilk

Raspberries, for garnish

Directions

Lightly coat 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper; spray paper. In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse biscuits until fine crumbs form. Add butter; pulse until well combined. Transfer to prepared pan; press onto bottom in even layer. Refrigerate.

In small bowl, evenly sprinkle gelatin over 3 tablespoons water. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, from lemon, grate 2 teaspoons peel and squeeze 1 tablespoon juice. In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat juice and water to boiling on medium-high. Remove from heat. Immediately add gelatin mixture (or use as instructions for your vegetarian type); stir until dissolved. Return to small bowl; let cool.

 In large bowl, with mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese and sugar 5 minutes or until fluffy and smooth. Beat in lemon peel and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add buttermilk, then gelatin mixture, in steady stream. Beat 2 minutes or until well combined, occasionally scraping bowl.

Pour onto prepared crust. Refrigerate, uncovered, 4 to 6 hours or until set. Run knife around side of pan; unmold cheesecake. Serve with raspberries.

Delicious Apple Tart Recipe

INGRADIENTS:

Crust:

1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour

1/3 cup (35 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) (113 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Filling:

One 8-ounce (227 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Topping:

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cinnamon

4 cups (500 ml) Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch (.6 cm) slices (about 3-4 large apples)

1/3 cup (35 grams) sliced almonds


PROCEDURE:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.  Grease (or spray with Pam) a 9 inch (22 cm) springform pan.

Crust:
In the bowl of your food processor place the flour and sugar. Pulse to blend together. Add butter and pulse until dough just begins to come together. Pat the dough onto the bottom and one inch (2.5 cm) up the sides of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator while you make the filling.

Filling:
In a food processor process the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and mix well. Blend in the egg and vanilla extract and process until smooth. Remove the crust from the fridge and pour in the filling. Return to refrigerator while you prepare the topping.

Topping:
Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.  Toss the sliced apples in the sugar mixture. Spoon the apples evenly over the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with almonds. Place the springform pan on a larger baking sheet to catch the drips.

Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown (apples are soft when pierced with a fork), and filling is almost set.   Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve at room temperature.  Leftovers can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated.

Makes 1 - 9 inch (22 cm) tart





source:http://www.joyofbaking.com/AppleTart.html

Sticky pear & ginger cake

This is a cross between a sticky toffee pudding and a ginger cake. Serve warm with ice cream or cream as a dessert.

Ingredients

For the cake

250g stone dates , finely chopped 

300ml milk 

100g butter , plus extra for the tin 

140g ginger preserve (you'll find this with the jams) 

140g dark muscovado sugar 

3 large ripe pears

175g self-raising flour 

50g pecans nuts, reserve 10 and chop the rest 

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

2 tsp ground ginger 

½ tsp mixed spice 

2 eggs , beaten

FOR THE BRANDY SYRUP

85g light muscovado sugar 

150ml brandy

 Method

Put the chopped dates in a pan with the milk, butter, ginger preserve and dark muscovado. Heat gently until the butter has melted and the mixture starts to bubble round the edges of the pan. Stir well and set aside for 1 hr to cool.


Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line the base of a buttered 23cm springform tin with baking parchment. Peel and chop the pears into large chunks. Mix the flour, chopped pecans and bicarb with the spices, then stir into the cooled date mixture with the eggs. Pour into the tin and scatter over the pears. Roughly break the reserved pecans and drop on top. Bake for 40 mins, then cover the top loosely with foil and return to the oven for 25-30 mins more until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with just sticky crumbs - the cake may still look a little wet around the pears.


While the cake is baking, make the brandy syrup. Tip the light muscovado sugar into a pan with 50ml water and dissolve over a low heat until syrupy. Stir in the brandy and set aside. When the cake is ready, spoon over half the syrup, then leave the cake to cool before serving with extra syrup on the side.

To freeze, cool the cake in its tin, then wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost and warm through in a low oven. The syrup can be frozen separately, warmed, then drizzled over as before.

Swedish Cinnamon Buns

From Anne's Food
Makes 40

80 g fresh yeast
2 eggs
500 ml finger-warm milk (2 cups)
1 kg wheat flour
200 g demerara or muscovado sugar
150 g butter, softened
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cardamom

Filling:
80 g butter, softened
demerara or muscovado sugar
cinnamon

Decoration:
1 egg, beaten with 1/2 tsp water, and a tiny pinch of salt
pearl sugar

Crumble the yeast into a bowl. Add some of the tepid milk, and stir until the yeast is dissolved. Add the rest of the milk, half of the flour and both of the eggs. Leave to proof, covered, for one hour.

Add the rest of the flour, the sugar, salt, cardamom and butter. Work into a smooth and silky dough. Here's when you might need a bit more flour. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl, cover and leave to proof for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into two. Roll out each part to a large rectangle. Spread with butter, and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll each rectangle into a tight roll, starting at the long edge, and cut each roll into about 20 pieces. Place each piece in a paper cup on a baking sheet (covered with parchment paper so you won't end up with a mess), cover and leave to proof for 30 minutes.

Beat the egg with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp of water, and brush this carefully on the buns. Finish by a light sprinkling of pearl sugar.

Bake at 250°C for 6-8 minutes, until they're as golden as you like them.

Chocolate and Ginger Banoffee Pie

I saw this recipe in this month's free magazine from my local co-op, it sounds absolutely yummy. I love banoffee pie. Unfortunately as I am trying to avoid too much sugar it will have to be a very rare treat for me but my kids will love it.




serves 8
preparation time:
15 minutes, plus chilling time

ingredients

200g digestive biscuits, crushed
110g Country Life butter, melted
405g can light condensed milk
150g Truly Irresistible ginger conserve
3 Fairtrade bananas, sliced
300ml The Co-operative double cream
40g The Co-operative Fairtrade dark chocolate, melted

method

Combine the biscuits and melted butter and press into the base and up the sides of a 23cm loose-bottomed tin - we used a fluted one. Chill until required. Place the condensed milk and ginger conserve in a small pan and bring gently to the boil, stirring continuously, until the colour has become light caramel and the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat and spread over the biscuit base. Chill for an hour or until cold. To serve, carefully remove the tin and base and transfer to a serving plate. Arrange the bananas on top of the caramel. Whip the cream until thick and spoon over the bananas. Drizzle over the chocolate and chill until required. 

nutritional values (approx. per serving)

calories  550,  fat  39.5g,  sat fat  23.2g,  sugars  28.1g,  salt  0.7g

Slow Cooker Apple Bread Pudding

This cozy dessert is a snap to prepare — less than 10 minutes of prep time, and your slow cooker takes care of the rest!

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

• 8 slices raisin bread, cut into cubes (about 5 cups)
• 2 medium tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled and sliced
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 cup sugar
• 11/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) unsalted butter or margarine, melted
• 1/4 cup apple juice

Directions

1 Grease slow cooker lightly. In large bowl, combine bread cubes, apples and pecans. Mix well to blend and spoon into slow cooker.

2 In the same bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and blend well. Add eggs, half-and-half, butter and apple juice, mixing until thoroughly blended. Spoon over bread mixture.

3 Cook, covered, on low setting, for 3 to 4 hours, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and dry. Spoon into bowls and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Slow Cooker Apple and orange Bread Pudding

This cosy dessert is a snap to prepare — less than 10 minutes of prep time, and your slow cooker takes care of the rest!

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

• 8 slices white bread

• 2 medium tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled and sliced

• 1 cup sugar

• 11/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

• 4 large eggs, beaten

• 2 orange juice

• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) unsalted butter or margarine, melted

Directions

1 Grease slow cooker lightly. Butter bread and cut off crusts. Layer half in slow cooker. Sprinkle with a little of the sugar.

2 Layer apples on top and sprinkle with more sugar.

3 Cover with half remaining bread and butter, sprinkle with remaining sugar.

4 Place remaining bread and butter on top.

5 Mix eggs, cinnamon and orange juice and pour over bread and butter. Stand for half an hour so the bread soaks up the eggy mix.

6 Cook, covered, on low setting, for 3 to 4 hours, or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean and dry. Spoon into bowls and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Not just for Thanksgiving, this quick and easy pumpkin pie will soon become a firm favorite. 

-->ingredients

175g granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 eggs 

300g pumpkin purée (tinned or fresh)
350g evaporated milk(soya cream)
1 unbaked 23cm/9in deep-dish pastry case (or line a deep 23cm/9in tart tin with shortcrust pastry)

-->

     Fresh winter squash purée

      winter squashes or sugar pumpkins
spring water or filtered water
large jellyroll pan or baking dish

     Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 400ºF. Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds.
Step 2: Place squash cut side down in the pan. Add enough water to the pan to measure about 1/4″ up the sides of the pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until very tender (the baking time will depend on how big or how old the squash is).
Step 3: Remove from oven and place cut side up on a cutting board. Let cool for 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Place squash in a food processor and process until coarsely puréed. Scrape sides of the bowl and if the flesh is a bit dry, add a little water, 2 tablespoons at a time. Continue to process until the purée is silky-smooth.
Step 4: Once completely cooled to room temperature, refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

-->method

1. Preheat oven to 220C/425F/gas mark 7.

2. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl.

3. Beat the eggs lightly in large bowl.

4. Stir the pumpkin purée and sugar-spice mixture into eggs.

5. Gradually stir in the evaporated milk.

6. Pour into the pastry case.

7. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 180C/350F/gas mark 4.

8. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.

9. Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours.

10. Serve immediately or chill.

Do not freeze.

PREP/COOK
INFORMATION:

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Serves: 4

Chocolate puddle pudding

A really more-ish chocolate and prune pud coated in a delicious sauce and served with a dollop of cream or Greek yogurt. 

Serves: 4-6

Skill level: Easy peasy

Ingredients

100g butter (softened)100g caster sugar 

100g self-raising flour 

25g cocoa powder (sieved) 

2 medium-sized eggs (beaten) 

1 x 425g can of prunes 

25g cocoa powder 

25g muscovado sugar 

1 x 170g can of evaporated milk

To serve:

Icing sugar, with cream or Greek yogurt

Method

Put the softened butter, caster sugar and self-raising flour in a mixing bowl with the sieved cocoa powder and beaten eggs. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined. 

Drain, stone and mash the prunes. 

Add the prunes to the pudding mixture and combine thoroughly. Smooth the mixture into a 1-litre ovenproof dish.
Whisk the cocoa powder and muscovado sugar into the evaporated milk. Pour all the sauce over the pudding mixture and bake for 30-35 mins at 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4 until firm on top.

Serve warm dusted with icing sugar, with cream or Greek yoghurt.

banoffee pie

Banoffee pie

This popular dessert is made with the perfect pair - banana and toffee and couldn't be simpler to put together. Use condensed milk in the banoffee pie for a quick caramel

• Prep time: 10 mins

• Cooking time: 30 mins

(plus 2 hrs chilling time)

• Total time: 40 mins

• Serves: 8

• Skill level: Easy peasy

• Costs: Cheap as chips

• Child friendly

• Make in advance

Ingredients

For a simple way to make the caramel, put an unopened can of condensed milk into boiling water and poach for 2 hrs. After cooling, the condensed milk will have caramelised and can then be poured over the biscuit base, so no need for the butter and caster sugar.

For the banoffee pie base:

• 100g (4oz) butter

• 250g (9oz) digestive biscuits, crushed

For the caramel:

• 175g (6oz) butter

• 75g (3oz) caster sugar

• 397g can Carnation Condensed Milk

For the topping:

• 4 small bananas

• 284ml carton double cream, lightly whipped

• Cocoa powder, for dusting

You will also need:

• 20cm (8in) loose-bottomed cake tin, greased with the based lined

• Piping bag


Method

1. Use a food blender to crush the biscuits into fine crumbs.

2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and stir in the crushed biscuits until the two bind together. Press the mixture into the base and sides of a 20cm (8in) loose-bottomed cake tin. Chill for 30 mins.

3. For the caramel, melt the butter and sugar over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is golden in colour. Add the condensed milk, stirring continuously and bringing to the boil. Keep the caramel boiling steadily for 2 mins, whilst stirring to make a thick golden caramel. Take the caramel off of the heat and cool.

4. Slice the bananas and arrange most of them over the biscuit base then spread the caramel over the top. Chill for 1 hr 30 mins, or until firm.

5. When ready to serve, remove the pie from the tin and place on a serving plate. Fill a piping bag with the whipped cream and squeeze onto the banoffee pie, decorating as desired with the remaining bananas and a light dusting of cocoa powder.

Chocolate and summer fruit sponge pudding with white chocolate sauce recipe.

I finally managed to "steal" my Dad's amazing recipe for chocolate and summer fruit sponge pudding.

This pud is seriously too die for!

Thought I'd share

Summer fruit and chocolate sponge

Serves 4

Preparation time 25 minutes

Cooking time 2 ½ hrs

Cooking temp high

Ingredients

50g (2oz) butter plus extra for greasing

50g (2oz) sugar

50g (2oz) self-raising flour

1 egg

1 tbsp cocoa powder

¼ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

425g (14oz) mixed summer fruit

Chocolate sauce

100g (3 ½ oz) white chocolate broken into pieces

150ml (¼ pint) double cream

Method

Turn on your slow cooker and preheat.

Grease a pudding basin.

Put the butter, sugar, egg, flour, cocoa, baking powder and cinnamon in a bowl and beat them with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Mix the fruit into the mix.

Place mix in pudding basin and cover with pleated greaseproof paper.

Place on an upturned saucer in the slow cooker and pour boiling water into the pot so that it comes halfway up the pudding basin.

Cover and cook for 2 ½ hours.

Sauce

Add the cream and chocolate to a pan.

heat gently untill the chocolate melts.

serve warm.