Anka's Vegan Cherry, Lemon and Poppyseed Bonanza Cupcakes

Hello hello!

Today I finally got around to make the recipe for these cupcakes that an old colleague and friend sent me a little while back. I was out adventuring, getting a few bits and bobs done and out of the way and thought to myself - I need a treat!

I tweaked the recipe a little bit, and I also asked if it was OK if I shared these with you; and it was - score!

They don't have too much sugar in them, so they are TOTALLY OK to have for breakfast... just sayin' *wink*

Anka's Vegan Cherry, Lemon and Poppyseed Bonanza Cupcakes
(Makes about 12 cupcakes)

I put the buttercream in the fridge to chill, but it seemed to just lump up a little bit - it still tasted great! I suppose it is just due to using vegan spread :)

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup plain or self-raising flour (If using self-raising, cut the amount of bicarbonate of soda in half)
1 1/2 cup poppyseeds, that's right! Three of those jars you get in the spice aisle!
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (or half)
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup of sugar (I used a mixture of demerara and coconut sugar)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 1/2 lemon
400g can of pitted cherries in light syrup, cut into halves (save the syrup!)
Use 1/3 cup of the cherry syrup (You can use the rest in a cherrylicious smoothie!)
1 banana, mashed
2 tbsp neutral oil, like sunflower oil

For the buttercream
1/2 cup vegan spread (I used Pure)
1 cup icing sugar
A few drops of colouring, optional (Make sure it is flavourless)

- Pre-heat the oven to 180C.

-Start by making the batter: In a bowl, have the flour, poppyseeds, bicarb, baking powder, and sugar - and mix well.

- In a small bowl, mix the juice of the lemon, the syrup, 2 tbsp oil, and the mashed banana along with the lemon zest.

- Make a well in the middle of your flour and poppyseed mixture, and pour the liquid in, stir well to combine and then fold in the halved cherries.

- Divide mixture between about 12 medium sized cupcake cases, it should be filled up 3/4 of the way. Pop them on a tray and place them in the middle of the oven to bake for 25 minutes.

- Allow to cool before making the buttercream, spread it neatly over the cupcakes and enjoy!

So many poppyseeeeeeeeds <3

I also enjoyed them just as much without the frosting, making them perfect to serve for breakfast with a cuppa, or as a little treat in your lunch box!

Do you enjoy poppyseeds in baking? I'd love to hear from you!

Today I started doing some homework at MIDNIGHT.... But I got it done eventually, and we are handing some floristry tasks in tomorrow, so it was about time I got it done, phew! I hope you have had a good start to the week!

PS. I know a couple of bloggers have told me that my posts aren't showing up in their reading list, and that it isn't allowing them to comment. You could try and delete and re-add me to your reading list, and then try and see if that works - let me know if it doesn't and I'll try and see if there is something else that needs to be done!

xox Jules

5 Ingredient Vegan Fluffy Pancakes

Good evening!

I'm just back from badminton this fine evening - and I had a blast! And because I will be slightly hyped up for the next hour or two, I thought I'd pop by here and share a little sweet treat with you!

My sister was over earlier, and so I thought I'd rattle up something a little extra - and it was a success!

It's probably the easiest pancakes I have ever made to be fair....

5 Ingredient Vegan Fluffy Pancakes (Makes about 8 medium or 4 large ones)

Ingredients

1 cup plain or self-raising flour (use wholemeal if you prefer)
1 cup yogurt (I used plain Alpro Soy)
1 cup plant milk of choice (Soy Vanilla is what I used)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp coconut oil for frying

To serve: Anything you want! We had layers of redcurrant jelly (a childhood favourite as my grandmother used to make home made redcurrant jelly and diluted juice when we were children!) along with a dollop of the yogurt, and frozen berries. But really just serve them with lemon juice and sugar, any jam, or syrup!

- Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl, then add in the milk and yogurt and stir well to combine. Let it sit for ten minutes, before heating coconut oil in a non stick frying pan. Dollop half-ladlefuls of the mixture and allow to cook a few minutes on each side until golden. They will start bubbling on the surface when they are ready to turn. Repeat (without adding more coconut oil) until the batter is used up.

Serve with your favourite toppings, and tuck in!

This was originally a Pinterest recipe but it is very easy to adapt and I just wanted to share with you what I made of it *smiles*

I hope you have had an amazing day despite it apparently being Blue Monday!

xox J

Snickers Dip

Second sweet recipe in a row? Well.... there is a reason for that - today I have been a vegetarian for 8 months! And what better way than to whip up something sweet (and moderately healthy).

This was meant to be posted closer to Halloween, however I failed due to being ridiculously busy.

Enter: my twist on Ragnhild's caramel dip!

I had to tweak the recipe due to missing a couple of ingredients, but it turned out pretty sweet indeed. Spread it on toast and top it with banana, have it on sliced apple or anything else you reckon this would go well with!

In the picture below, there is home made healthy pumpkin pie, vanilla ice cream, topped with the dip and M & Ms! Went down a treat when I had a couple of friends over for dinner and I served this for dessert.

Snickers Dip
(Makes 1/2 cup)

5 tbsp date syup (or soak 1/2 cup dates in boiling water, drain and whizz until smooth)
2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp agave syrup (optional)

Toast, bananas, apples or other such things to serve

- Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl and store in a small air-tight jar. Due to the healthy fats and natural sugar, this will at least last for 5 days in the fridge. I doubt that it will last that long though!

This weekend has been nothing short from lovely, I had Friday and Sunday off and spent it with a bunch of fantastic people. I had a lot of amazing food, picnic on the floor, I made lots of crafty things this evening (picture above is part of a candle I made earlier... It is still going strong on the table here in front of me *smiles*), I was given a tour of a part of Glasgow I had never seen before, and I received my first t-shirt from RedBubble (check it out for amaaazing tee designs!) - I got the one where there is an overly awesome raccoon doing the dishes... You better believe it!

Now, I am knackered, I have made some home made soup to bring for work the next couple of days, and I am ready for a good, long night's sleep... I hope your weekend has been eventful as well!


Recipe by yours truly, inspired by Ragnhild

- Jules