Lovely lunchbox treats

How has it come around so fast?  Yes, it's back to school time again!  This means that I'm back to super-sonic organisation levels.  I prepare all of our baked goodies for the week on a Sunday.  This can include mini savouries for snacks or lovely little baked treats for morning or afternoon tea.  What I love about preparing these things in my own kitchen is that I know each and every ingredient that goes into them and am guaranteed to be feeding my darling family food that is free of the nasties that exist in most store-bought lunchbox items.  Plus, let's face it, homemade ALWAYS tastes better.

These Blueberry and Coconut Muesli Bars are the perfect addition to my lunchbox repertoire.  They are enough to give you that afternoon sweet boost, without overdosing on sugar.  One small bar is enough to fill you up and get you through your afternoon slump (with a nice cup of tea, naturally).  Even better, they've received the approval of everyone in my house, this afternoon!  They were a sinch to make - all mixed together in a matter of minutes - and you can easily substitute in other dried fruits or flavours.

Blueberry and Coconut Muesli Bars

4 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup plain flour, sifted

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup brown sugar

140g dried blueberries

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup honey

2 tbsp golden syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius and line a large slice tray (mine was 30cm x 30cm).  

Add all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir.  Separately, combine all wet ingredients.  Incorporate combined wet ingredients with dry ingredients and mix well.  Put mixture into your slice tin and press down evenly. Place into your oven for 50 minutes or until golden brown and crisping at the edges.  Allow to cool completely in tin before removing and slicing into bars.  Makes around 30 small bars.

I think it's time to pop the kettle on,

F. x

Afternoon Delight

The brilliant thing about a brownie (well, one of the many brilliant things about a brownie) is that even though it's aesthetically ugly, the uglier, the goey-er, the browner....the better! There's absolutely no fussiness in serving them up.  They are a guilty comfort which should look homemade and rustic.  Having some gorgeous ladies over this afternoon meant that I simply had to bake something.  Not sure how much time I would have (if only babies worked around our schedule!) my decision was based on ease and people pleasing.  Who doesn't love a brownie?!

These brownies are quick and easy but also have a yummy twist - coconut.  I, however, cannot take the credit for this addition after being inspired by my mothers groups' recent obsession with Summer Rolls (hence the name of these delights).  You know, that delicious chewy nougat covered in chocolate and coated in coconut - heaven!  As a result, I have also rekindled my lost love with the humble Summer Roll which has obviously now filtered in other aspects of my culinary existence.  Prepare yourself for mouthfuls of chocolatey goodness as you bite through the crisp exterior to reveal a molten and decadent core.  These glorious things are appropriate for all levels of entertaining, be it accompanying a coffee as you steal a quiet moment at home to yourself, or as a dessert served warm with icecream and a dusting of cocoa as you entertain.  And all put together in 10 minutes before you set the oven timer and forget about it until your house fills with the devine scent of warm chocolate baking.  It's too much!  Do yourself a favour...bake these!

Summer Brownies

175g unsalted butter, chopped

175g dark chocolate, chopped

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

1/2 cup dessicated coconut

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup plain flour

1/3 cup cocoa

Preheat oven to 170 degrees celsius. Melt butter and chocolate together in a microwave safe dish, stirring every 30 seconds.  Set aside to cool slightly.  Sift together flour and cocoa.  In a different bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, coconut and vanilla.  Fold through chocolate mixture and combine well before adding flour and cocoa.  Ensure all ingredients are combined and pour mixture into a pre-prepared 20x20 baking tin (or a slice tin).  Bake for 35 minutes.  Top will be crisp but inside will still be soft.

This will become your 'go to' brownie recipe, I am sure of it!

F. x