Soul Cakes

Soul Cakes are traditionally baked to celebrate Samhain, a time to reconnect with our ancestors and to honour those who have passed.  This recipe is my own version and makes approx. 16 small cookies.

Soul Cakes

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour - white, whole wheat or a mixture of the two.
3/4 cup ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cocoa
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Zest of 1 orange
1 egg
1/4 cup butter - melted
1 tbsp orange juice


Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.  Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, beat the egg, then add the butter and orange juice and stir well.

Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until well combined and the dough starts to form into a ball.

Split the ball in half and repeat until there are 16 small balls. Flatten each one slightly and place on baking tray, leaving a little room for them to spread.

Bake for approx. 25 mins, or lightly brown.

Cool on a wire tray.

Enjoy!

Caryl ♥

Spiced Christmas Cookies

I've always loved making Christmas Cookies.  You can use any cookie cutter shapes that you can find. Unfortunately my Angel shapes have flown the nest, but I do still have my Christmas trees! :)

Spiced Christmas Cookies

Ingredients - (makes approx. 70 cookies)

2 eggs

230g butter - melted

2 tsp malt vinegar

3-1/2 cups plain white flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp saffron

1 tsp cinnamon

Icing sugar

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter and malt vinegar until well combined.

Sieve the flour over the top of wet mixture.  Gently stir in with a spoon.  Add the sugar and spices, stir well.

When mixture is thoroughly combined, tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a ball.  It will be quite soft.  Wrap in cling film and refrigerate to allow the dough to harden a little.  (I was busy doing other things and ended up forgetting about the dough until the following day!)

After about 30 minutes - (or the following day if you did what I did) - remove the dough from the fridge and bring almost to room temperature.  It will be quite firm.

Lightly flour your work surface.  Take half the dough and roll it out to desired thickness.  Use cookie cutters to stamp out the shapes and transfer to a baking sheet.  Keep re-rolling the dough until it is all used.

Bake in 180 degree C oven for approx. 20 mins, or until just lightly browned.  Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.  Lightly sprinkle with icing sugar.

These cookies will keep well in an airtight container, for a few days.  They may well last longer, but they are always eaten more quickly than I can get the chance to find out!

Enjoy!

Caryl ♥

Coconut Seed Cookies

Having successfully introduced chia seeds into the household, hubby has recently been asking me to come up with a biscuit or cookie recipe.  So ..... here's my first attempt, which I must say has been rather successful.  

I will definitely do these again, but may add a little rice flour next time.  They are delicious, moorish and full of goodness!


Ingredients

185g butter
3 tbsp Agave syrup (you could use honey instead)
1 large egg
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup Goji berries


Melt butter and syrup together. Transfer to small bowl, add egg and whisk together.

Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl.  Make a well in the centre and add the melted butter mixture. Stir well until completely mixed together.

Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto lightly greased oven trays, allowing some space between each biscuit, as they will spread slightly during cooking.

Bake in a moderate oven (approx. 180 degrees C) for 10-15 minutes, or until a light golden colour. Cool on trays.

Enjoy!

Caryl ♥