Raspberry Scones (Vegan, Sugar Free)

I'm really enjoying trying out my vegan recipes, I'm totally curious to see how they turn out in comparison to non-vegan recipes.  I really loved these scones, I just ate them plain but you could use whatever spread takes your fancy and they were fantastic with a cup of tea (a very important factor for me, you just can't beat a good cup of tea!!).

Ingredients:

240g Doves Farm wholegrain spelt flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

75ml coconut oil, plus more for brushing

75ml agave nectar, plus more for brushing

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

50ml hot water

150g fresh raspberries

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) Gas Mark 4

Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.  In a medium bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt together.  Add the coconut oil, agave nectar and vanilla extract and mix until everything comes together into a thick slightly dry mixture is formed.  Pour the hot water in and continue to mix.  Using a rubber spatula, fold in the raspberries until they are marbles through the mixture.  For each scone, scoop 75ml of the mixture onto the prepared baking tray (I used a 1/3 cup for this - 1/3 cup = approx 75ml) leave 2.5cm between each one to allow them to expand.  Lightly brush each mound with extra oil and agave nectar and then bake in the oven for 14 minutes, rotating the baking tray 180 degrees after 7 minutes has passed.  Once they have baked, let them stand on the baking tray for 15 minutes and then use a spatula to gently move them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.  Mixture makes 8 scones.

Yum yum yum!!

Banana Bread (Vegan, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Sugar Free)

Everything I have ever baked has been full of eggs, butter, milk etc.  I have wanted to try out vegan recipes as well as gluten free/ wheat free for a long time so I got myself some recipes and sourced ingredients for them.  I have always loved banana bread so when I saw this I knew it would have to be one of the first things I tried out.  I have to say, for somebody who has always been a little wary of gluten free baking, it was pretty darn good!

Ingredients:

300g Doves Farm plain white gluten-free flour (available in Tesco)

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp xanthan gum (available in Tesco)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

125ml coconut oil [melt the oil before measuring], plus more for the tin (available in Holland & Barratt)

150ml agave nectar (available in Holland & Barratt)

150ml rice milk (available in Tesco and Holland & Barratt)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (I got mine on eBay)

6 medium bananas, mashed

Preheat oven 170°C (325°F) Gas Mark 3

Lightly grease the loaf tin with some coconut oil.

In a bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon.  Add the coconut oil, agave nectar, rice milk and vanilla to your dry ingredients and mix until smooth.  Using a spatula fold in your mashed bananas until they are evenly distributed in the mixture.  Fill the loaf tin halfway with your mixture.  Bake in the centre of the oven for 35 minutes, rotating it 180 degrees after 20 minutes.  When the banana bread it ready it will bounce back when pressed and a cake tester/ toothpick will come out clean when inserted.  Let the banana bread cool for about 20 minutes.  After the 20 minutes, run a knife along the edges to loosen.  Cover the loaf tin with a cutting board and turn out onto the board.  Get another cutting board and carefully turn the banana bread onto it so that it is right side up once again.  Can be eaten warm or cooled and stored for up to 3 days at room temperature, in cling film.