Gluten free – Feasting Is Fun

Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova

Sometimes ideas that seem to come out of nowhere, using simple, on hand ingredients, are the very best. And that’s exactly how this Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova came about. Since having egg whites left over, making a meringue is my go-to recipe. While adding in stem ginger for flavour and warmth, tinned pear halves, from the cupboard, as a topping seemed a no brainer! Finally, adding whipped cream, a dark chocolate drizzle and you have an elegant dessert that looks as sensational as it tastes.

Using leftover egg whites to make Pavlova is a really great way to create something incredible. Since they whip up to a much greater volume when not fridge cold, I leave them out on the worktop the night before I need them. While it may seem strange to add white wine vinegar to meringue, it’s use results in a marshmallow, chewy inner. Resulting in a great texture contrast with the crisp outer shell.

FF Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova — Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova a celebration centrepiece.

The Beauty Of Baking A Pavlova

Baking low and slow, dries the outer Pavlova shell, whilst protecting that cloud like inner. While the chopped stem ginger provides hits of warmth in every mouthful. Cool, flavoured whipped cream is the perfect topping for any Pavlova. And soft, yielding pears, drizzled in deep, dark chocolate complete the flavour profile of this dessert.

Glittering, sparkly and beautiful, this dessert is perfect to serve at the end of an elegant dinner party. Also, with Christmas, Thanksgiving and the holiday season coming up, not only do the flavours reflect the colder months of the year, it’s a simple dessert to pull together. And, aside from the initial whipping of the meringue, you need do nothing while this beauty bakes away in the oven. Since it’s really an assembly job, needing only a little whipping, a ping in the microwave. Resulting in an elegant dessert to share and wow your guests with.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova serves 8-12

1/2 Fresh Lemon

4 Large Free Range Egg Whites at room temperature

200g/7oz Caster Sugar

1tsp Cornflour – I use Doves Farm as it is certified gluten free

1tsp White Wine Vinegar

2 Balls Stem Ginger chopped finely

400ml Double Cream

1tsp Ground Ginger

1/2tsp Vanilla Bean Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

2tbsp Syrup from Stem Ginger Jar

2 x 415g tins Pear Halves in natural fruit juice

50g/2oz Dark Chocolate minimum 70% cocoa

Optional – Edible Gold Stars available from Lakeland

Method: Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan, 350F. gas mark 4

You will need a large baking tray lined with baking parchment. Draw a 22.5cm/9″ circle, in pencil, on to the baking parchment and then turn the baking parchment over. As soon as the meringue is made stick it down with a little of it. Also an electric whisk, either hand held or using a stand mixer, will make the whole process much easier.

Making And Baking The Ginger Spiced Pavlova

First of all, take the bowl in which the eggs will be whisked and rub the inside liberally with the lemon half.
Now add the egg whites to the bowl.
Whisk on a high speed until the whites are light and voluminous.
Add the caster sugar one tablespoon at a time, continually whisking on a medium/high speed. Whisk for 2-3 minutes between each addition.
As soon as half of the sugar is added, up the amount to 2 tablespoons each time.
Continue whisking until all of the sugar is added and has a glossy sheen.
Stop the whisk and rub a little of the meringue between your forefinger and thumb. If it feels gritty whisk for another couple of minutes.
When the meringue is silky and smooth add the cornflour, white wine vinegar and chopped stem ginger.
Using a large spoon fold the ingredients into the meringue, taking care to knock out as little of the whipped in air as possible.
Spoon the meringue on to the baking parchment.

Using a palette knife spread the meringue out to fill the circle template.
Slightly build up the sides of the pavlova.
Place the pavlova into the centre of a preheated oven and immediately turn the heat down to 140C/120C fan, 275F, gas mark 1.
Bake for 2 and 1/2 hours.
After the baking time has elapsed turn the oven off and allow the meringue to cool slowly, as the oven cools.

Filling The Baked Meringue

When the meringue has completely cooled it can be filled and decorated.
Drain the pears from the juice and leave in a bowl to slightly dry out.
Chop up the dark chocolate, place in a heatproof, microwaveable bowl and heat on medium power for 30 seconds at a time. Stir the chocolate after each heating burst. As soon as it starts to melt remove from the microwave and continue stirring until it is fully melted. Set to one side to cool slightly.
Pour the chilled cream into a clean large bowl. Add the sugar, ground ginger and vanilla bean paste.
Whisk the cream until it is thickened, stopping when it is still smooth and floppy.
Remove the meringue from the parchment paper and place on to a plate.
Spoon the whipped cream on to the centre of the pavlova, inside the raised rim.
Drizzle two tablespoons of ginger syrup over the whipped cream.
Arrange the pear halves on top of the whipped cream.
Finally, drizzle dark chocolate over the entire pavlova.

Filling and decorating the Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova

Finish with a sprinkle of edible gold stars, or alternatively a dusting of edible glitter.

Most importantly, assemble at the last possible moment. While the meringue can be made earlier in the day or even the night before, whipping cream, melting chocolate and assembly should, at the earliest, take place just prior to serving dinner. Also, any remaining Pavlova should be covered with cling film and eaten within 24 hours.

Festive looking Pear and Ginger Pavlova with a dark chocolate drizzle and sprinkle of gold stars.

Since all food tastes better when shared, why not wrap up any leftovers and send them home with your guests?

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Dark Chocolate Drizzle Pear Ginger Pavlova you may also like these:

Raspberry Chocolate Pavlova

Strawberry Topped Chocolate Heart Pavlova

Raspberry Coulis Mixed Berry Pavlova

Since Christmas is a time for giving, getting together and sharing, why not make and take this meringue to a family gathering, or dinner party. Because, almost everything can be prepared beforehand. And here are some shortcuts, use thickened cream and bought chocolate sauce. While this dessert is simplicity itself, a few added cheats are always helpful during a busy time of year. Finally it is the people with whom you share this dessert, that ultimately make it a feast.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard

Custard, we British adore it. I adore it. Pour over hot fruit pies, or puddle around steaming puds. We simply cannot get enough of this delicious dessert accompaniment. So easily bought, ready made in cartons, or from the chilled cabinet in supermarkets. Also deliciously made using ‘Birds’ custard powder. While all of these are good options, the very best is to make your own, from scratch, at home. Let me show you my simple, yet Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard.

Since this recipe uses fresh egg yolks and cornflour, it is virtually foolproof. And also gluten free! Indeed, it takes no longer to create this fresh custard from scratch, than it does to make a jug of ‘Birds’ custard by hand. Yet the taste is far superior in every single imaginable way. Creamy, with a distinct vanilla flavour. Also known as Creme Anglaise, this is THE custard to serve alongside a hot dessert.

FF Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard — Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard

As egg yolks are essential to a great custard, it really does make sense to buy free range or organic eggs. While you are rewarded with deeply golden yolks, it’s handy to know that the whites can be frozen for up to one month. Simply defrost, bring up to room temperature and bake a Pavlova, such as my Mixed Berry Pavlova.

Homemade Amazing Apple Pie cries out to be covered in creamy, delicious, Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard. Also, if you, like me, enjoy the hot/cold combination of custard and vanilla ice cream. Well, let’s just say I’m absolutely not going to judge. If you haven’t tried it, you are seriously missing out!

Note: To make a thicker custard for trifles, increase the cornflour to 3 teaspoons.

Recipe: Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard makes 500ml

300ml Double Cream

200ml Whole Milk

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – the whites can be frozen for up to one month

1 Vanilla Pod or 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Extract

1 tsp Cornflour also known as corn starch – I use Doves Farm as this is certified gluten free

4 tbsp Caster Sugar

Scant 1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon

Method:

Making The Custard

First of all, pour the milk and cream into a heavy bottomed saucepan. Place over a medium heat. Heat until bubbles appear around the edge of this liquid. This is known as the scalding point. Once scalding point is reached, remove the saucepan from the heat.
While the cream mixture is heating, make the egg base. Separate 4 eggs, placing the yolks into a large, heatproof bowl.
Next, add the cornflour, sugar and seeds from a vanilla pod, or vanilla bean extract.
Whisk the ingredients in the bowl together until fully combined.
With the whisk on slow, pour the scalded cream mixture slowly into the bowl, increasing whisking speed at the end.

Pour the hot, liquid back into the saucepan and place back over a medium/low heat.
Stir continuously and the custard will start to thicken. DO NOT heat the custard until it bubbles vigorously, as could will result in a burnt, scrambled egg like mixture.
When the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon remove from the heat.
Pour the custard through a sieve into a heatproof bowl. If making ahead, place cling film directly on top of the custard, to stop a skin from forming. Allow to cool and then refrigerate. To reheat, pour the custard back into a saucepan and heat over a low/medium temperature, stirrring continuously until it is hot. Don’t reheat in a microwave, as the custard may scramble.
To use immediately, pour the hot custard into a jug.

To serve, simply pour the custard over, or around your favourite dessert.

Store freshly made custard, cling filmed as above, in the fridge for up to 2 days.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Luxury Homemade Vanilla Bean Custard then you may also like these:

Boozy Berry Sauce

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Toffee Apple Crumble

Since I use cornflour that is guaranteed to be gluten free, people with certain dietary restrictions can also enjoy this custard. Hot, homemade desserts are made more delicious when accompanied by this easy to make custard. There will always be a time when it’s pre-made alternative is necessary. Yet special occasions, such as Christmas are the perfect opportunity to treat your tastebuds to the very best.

Whatever you are baking, making and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of its owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Strawberry Rose Ice Cream

Strawberries are THE taste of Summer. While I love eating strawberries with a tiny sprinkle of sugar and splash of cream, or fresh from the plant warmed by the sun, I also wanted to make a beautiful ice cream with them. Except with a twist! Because summer, is also synonymous with roses blooming in our garden, I decided that would be the additional flavour to compliment the strawberries in this ice cream. And, the addition of rose extract elevates the final flavour to another level. One taste and you are transformed into a bygone era, where life seemed easier, simpler and slower. So, whatever you do this summer, don’t miss out on making this Strawberry Rose Ice Cream.

A Summer Dessert Of Your Dreams

Removing all the pips are during the making of this dreamy dessert, ensures the ice cream has silky texture that lingers on the tongue. As both fresh strawberry and rose flavours meld together, they create a unique flavour experience. Likewise, this truly is a dream ice cream where the finished recipe is so much more than the addition of its component parts. Sieving the strawberries is very important in creating the smooth, finish. And as this small, important step only takes a couple of minutes, it is worth it to ensure the final ice cream has the silky, smooth, texture.

Finally, this ice cream is the epitome of summer in a dessert. And as summer is the season when strawberries and roses are celebrated as being at their best, what better way to celebrate them. While all roses included in the pictures for this post, are from our own garden, I haven’t gone as far as to make my own Rose Extract. That process can safely be left in the hands of Nielsen-Massey , the professionals. Rather, the roses in the photos hint at their presence within the ice cream.

Note: Prior to starting this recipe ensure that the frozen bowl of the ice cream maker is placed in the freezer overnight for at least 8 hours. Or as per manufacturer’s instructions.

Recipe: Strawberry Rose Ice Cream makes approx. 1L

400g Punnet of Strawberries hulled and larger ones cut in half

3tbsp Sugar

4tbsp Tap Water

Scant 1/4tsp Rose Extract- I use Nielsen-Massey

20-30mls Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks

1tsp Cornflour – I use Doves Farm as this is guarenteed gluten free

5tbsp Caster Sugar

300mls Double Cream

300mls Whole Milk

1tsp Vanilla Extract

Method:

For full step by step instructions with photos on how to make the custard ice cream base, please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream.

Making The Strawberry Puree

First of all place the prepared strawberries into a heavy bottom, medium sized saucepan. Sprinkle over 3 tablespoons of sugar and 4 tablespoons of tap water.
Place the pan over a medium heat and cook the strawberries until the liquid starts bubbling.
Swirl the pan to ensure that the sugar is dissolved and then let the strawberries cook for a further 5 minutes.
While the strawberries are cooking place a sieve over a heatproof bowl.
Once cooked pour the strawberries and liquid on to the sieve.

Use the back of a dessert spoon and gently press the strawberries into the sieve. The juices and flesh will pass through the sieve. Keep running the back of the spoon over the pulp until all that’s left are seeds and the remaining strawberry fibres.
Scrape the underneath of the sieve with a clean spoon. This ensures all of the strawberry that’s passed through the sieve goes into the bowl underneath.
Discard the seeds and pulp left in the sieve.
Cover the bowl with cling film and chill.

Making The Ice Cream Base

To make the ice cream base, first place the cream and milk into a heavy bottom saucepan over a medium heat. Heat to scalding point, where little bubbles form around the rim prior to boiling.
While the cream mix is heating place the egg yolks, cornflour, sugar and vanilla extract into a large heatproof bowl. Whisk together until thickened.
As soon as the milk and cream have reached scalding point remove from the heat.
With the whisk on slow gently pour the hot liquid into the egg mix, increasing the whisk speed to medium.
Pour the custard base back into the saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until the custard is thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
Once cooked pour the custard through a sieve into a heatproof bowl.
Place cling film directly on to the custard to stop a skin from forming.
Leave the custard to cool before placing in the fridge to chill.
Once the strawberry juice has cooled add the Rose extract. Take care not to add more than the recipe indicates, as the finished result will taste soapy. Also add the juice of a small lemon 20-30mls and stir.
As soon as the custard base is chilled, remove the cling film and add the strawberry mix, then stir.

Churning And Freezing The Strawberry Rose Ice Cream

Set up the ice cream maker as per manufacturer’s instructions.
With the machine switched on pour in the flavoured custard base and churn until softly frozen. Similar in consistency to whipped ice cream in a cone.
When the right consistency has been reached switch off the ice cream maker and dismantle.
Spoon the churned ice cream into a freezer proof container with an airtight lid. I used a clean loaf tin to store the ice cream. This was purely for the photos, having seen similar images on Pinterest! The tin was then double wrapped in freezer proof cling film.
Place the container into the freezer and leave overnight, or for at least 12 hours, to allow the ice cream to fully freeze.
To serve, remove the ice cream from the freezer 10-20 minutes prior. As there are no artificial, only natural selection ingredients, this allows the ice cream to soften, so that it can be easily scooped.

So easy to scoop!

Serve in tea cups for dessert or afternoon tea. Likewise, scoop into cones for a delicious fun treat. Also, by using a certified gluten free cornflour, the ice cream is naturally gluten free.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Strawberry Rose Ice Cream you may also like these:

Amaretto Creamy Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Triple Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Making ice cream at home, is such a creative and fun process. As you choose flavour combinations the possibilities become endless. Also by only using certain ingredients, homemade ice cream can easily be made gluten free. Finally, I would not be without an ice cream maker now, using it to make countless different flavours.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun!

Sammie xx

Please note that no part of this post may be reproduced or replicated without the specific, written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Lime Ripple Luxury Ice Cream

Hi to all my fabulous readers. Are you enjoying the current spell of warm weather here in the south of England? While it is so hot, a no churn ice cream recipe is ideal. And this Lime Ripple Luxury Ice Cream can be made in the morning, ready to enjoy by the evening.

Loving Limes

Currently I am in the middle of a full blown love affair with limes. I make no apology, because they taste so good. And having a softer, less sour flavour than lemons, they work well in many savoury dishes such as Lime Couscous . While in sweet dishes limes add a rounder, less tart, more subtle flavour. So my kitchen is never without lemons or limes.

FF Lime Ripple Luxury Ice Cream — **Lime Ripple Luxury Ice Cream** refreshingly good.

This ice cream recipe uses homemade lime curd. Since lime curd is readily available online and in the shops, feel free to substitute. My recipe for lime curd will be posted on here in the next week or so. Importantly, as a food blogger I always double check a new recipe before sharing it. Resulting in a reliable and consistent recipe that you may then follow in confidence.

Because not everyone owns an ice cream maker, this no churn recipe allows anyone to make great ice cream at home. So easily made with three main ingredients, a delightful dessert, to share with family and friends.

A quick note before starting. Depending on what the flavour is to be added to the base, has a direct impact on the quantity of condensed milk used. The lime curd used in this recipe is reasonably tart, as it is homemade. Shop bought curds should be similar. Yet if making, for example milk chocolate ice cream, the condensed milk should be reduced. Otherwise the result may well be an overly sweet ice cream. This is not a one size fits all recipe.

Recipe: Lime Ripple Luxury Ice Cream makes 1L approx.

600ml Double Cream

250g Condensed Milk – I use Carnation

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

150g Lime Curd

Method:

This recipe forms part of my review for Andrew James and uses their Set of Five Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls With Air Tight Lids. The largest bowl holds 4500ml and has a splatter proof lid, meaning that a handheld whisk can be placed through the central hole where part of the lid is removed. This bowl proved excellent for whisking this ice cream.

Making The No Churn Lime Ice Cream

First of all, pour the cream into a large bowl and then weigh the condensed milk directly into the bowl. Add the vanilla extract.
Whisk the ingredients in the bowl. For this bowl the lid was attached with the centre removed and the ingredients were whisked until thickened. The thickness of the cream mixture should easily hold a figure of eight.

The splatter guard on this bowl only let through the tiniest spots of cream. Usually there is a massive kitchen clear up, wiping cupboards and floors! So the splatter guard is something that I find a huge bonus on this bowl
Next add in 50g of lime curd and give the mixture a quick mix, so that it is fully incorporated.
Pour the ice cream base into a freezer proof container, which has a secure fitting lid.
Now pour over the remaining 100g of lime curd and ripple it through the whipped cream.
Finally swirl the lime curd through using a wooden spoon handl

Freezing The Ice Cream

Snap the lid on to the ice cream container and place in the feeezer. If made in the morning ready for eating later in the day, switch the freezer to fast freeze mode and the ice cream should be frozen after 6 hours. The fast freeze setting is not required if freezing overnight.

Remove from the freezer 10-20 minutes prior to serving. As there are not any preservatives or additives added, it needs a little time to soften up, before scooping.

Because coconut, lime chocolate, extra lime curd all compliment the lime beautifully, have fun and play around with toppings. Alternatively simply enjoy it as it is!

If you have enjoyed the recipe for Lime Ripple Luxury Ice Cream you may also like these:

Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Triple Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Since creating recipes and sharing them is the heartbeat of Feasting is Fun. Therefore each recipe is always double checked. Most importantly is sharing tasty, consistent and reliable recipes that you can easily follow.

Whatever you are making, creating and baking in your kitchens, have fun creating your feast.

Sammie xx

Please do not copy any part of this post without my specific written agreement. See my Disclosure Policy

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

Are you a fan of ice cream? I am and I absolutely love making it myself. The reason for that is, firstly I own an awesome ice cream maker from Andrew James and secondly any flavour combination is possible.The only limit is your own imagination. So welcome to my Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream.

So, yesterday I was going to make a batch of Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream. Yet while foraging around in the cupboard for ingredients I came across a bar of Lindt Cherry Chocolate. And an idea started to form. Further rummaging and the second ingredient was found. A can of tinned cherries. Not sure if they would make it to the final recipe I hooked them out anyway. So it was time to start experimenting!

A tub of frozen swirled ice cream. — A tub of frozen Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream.

Flavours That Compliment Each Other

Cherry and chocolate are a classic combination. In truth, during cherry season I may try this recipe with gorgeous, glossy fresh cherries. Especially as we have a cherry tree in our garden. Instead their flavour is imparted firstly through the cherry chocolate bar. Resulting in a pleasantly mild flavour. However, once frozen the flavours dull. Resulting in the decision to use a full can of cherry pie filling (please don’t hate me) with the additional dark chocolate chunks added as well.

Scoops of flavoured ice cream in a bowl with a spoon. — Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

Taste is an important part of developing a recipe, is key. As soon as the ice cream is churned, frequent tastings are made and more cherries are added. It’s a hard life! Eventually the balance was perfect using the entire can. Dark chocolate chunks transform any ice cream, with both flavour and texture. Here they provide deep chocolate flavour within the silky, mild chocolate ice cream. Resulting in this incredible Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream, my hubby’s all time favourite.

Scoops of ice cream in a glass bowl. — Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream makes approx. 1L

300ml Double Cream

300ml Whole Milk

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – the whites can be frozen for up to 1 month

1tsp Corn Flour – I use Dove’s Farm as it is certified gluten free

4tbsp Caster Sugar

100g Bar Lindt Cherry Chocolate

1 x 410g Can Cherry Pie Filling – check that the pie filling is gluten free. Alternatively use frozen, pitted cherries available from most supermarkets.

100g Dark Chocolate Chunks/Bar

Method: Place the bowl of the ice cream maker in the freezer at least 8 hours/overnight or follow the manufacturer’s instructions, prior to making this ice cream.

For step by step instructions and photos please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream .

Making The Custard Base

First of all pour the cream and milk into a heavy based saucepan placed over a medium heat.
While the cream is heating place the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract and corn flour into a large heatproof bowl.
Whisk the ingredients together until pale and frothy, keeping an eye on the heating cream.
Heat the cream and milk to scalding point, when a ring of bubbles appear around the rim of the saucepan, just prior to the liquid boiling. Remove from the heat once scalding point has been reached.
With the whisk on slow, gently pour in the heated cream, increasing the speed once it is all added.
Pour the custard mixture back into the pan and place over a medium heat. Stir to ensure that the base doesn’t burn. Continue until the custard is thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat.

Turning The Vanilla Custard Into A Cherry Chocolate Base

Break up the cherry chocolate bar and place into a heatproof bowl. Place a sieve over the bowl.
Next, pour the thickened custard through the sieve into the bowl.
Stir the custard until all of the chocolate has melted. Cover the custard with cling film placed directly on to the top of the hot, thick liquid, this will stop a skin from forming.
Set the hot, flavoured custard to one side and allow to cool.

FF Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream — Churning The Ice Cream And Adding Cherries And Chocolate Chunks

When the ice cream base has cooled place in the fridge to chill.
While the ice cream base is chilling prepare the chocolate chunks. If using a bar chop into pieces.
Set up the ice cream maker once the ice cream base is cold.
Pour the base into the ice cream maker and churn until softly frozen.
Decant the ice cream into a freezer proof container with a tight fitting lid.
Add the cherries and chopped chocolate.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon swirl the ingredients together.

Clip on a tight fitting lid and place in the freezer for 6 hours or ideally overnight.
Remove the ice cream 10-20 minutes prior to serving to allow it to soften, which will allow easy scooping.

Serve generous scoops of this utterly scrumptious ice cream in bowls or cones. And watch the smiles on faces as they discover whole cherries, nuggets of dark chocolate and enjoy feasting.

Why not turn this delicious ice cream into a Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae?

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream there are many other ice cream recipes on Feasting is Fun, here are a few:

Triple Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream

Nothing beats homemade ice cream, especially on a hot, sunny day. And the flavour combinations are limitless. Since you are in control you can simply make flavours that aren’t available in the shops. I could not be parted from my ice cream maker. So the bowl has a permanent place in our freezer, ready for whenever the need for ice cream arises. And yes sometimes it is a need!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating this weekend have fun.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be copied without my specific written agreement. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake

I adore lemons. They are used in both sweet and savoury cooking in my kitchen. So, in honour of our eldest daughter’s birthday and inspired by last week’s first Great British Bake Off episode, I bring you my 100% gluten free Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake.

This gluten free cake tastes no different to a regular cake made with ‘wheat’, which I am really pleased about, as it means more people can make and eat this delicious treat!

That said this Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake can be made with regular, plain white flour if you do not need to make it gluten free.

Such a delightfully light, moist cake, with the tang of limoncello spiked drizzle soaked through the entire cake.

My Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake, is a true lemon drizzle cake, in the sense that it has hot lemon syrup poured over a skewer spiked cake. Using a Bundt pan means that the syrup soaks from the bottom to the top, creating a fabulously flavoured cake.

As this cake was made for my daughter, to be shared with family and friends, I was very restrained when it came to adding the limoncello. For adults you could easily double, or triple the amount stated. Remember though it is the lemon flavour that needs to hit the palette first. Don’t knock everyone out with too much vodka 😉.

The colours used to decorate this cake are simply her favourite. I piped a line of thick, lemon icing along each ridge of the cake and then added sky blue sugar sparkles, pressing them in gently to the icing so they would stay. A finial dusting of white, edible glitter in the centre adds the necessary sparkle, even if it doesn’t show up in all of the photographs.

I chose to use the Heritage Bundt Pan by Nordicware.

Recipe: Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake serves 10-12

I highly recommend Wilton cake release spray to grease the Bundt pan, alternitavely use melted butter and brush every part of the inside of the pan, then add 1 tablespoon of gluten free flour, tip the pan around until it is completely covered and tip out any excess flour – I cannot guarantee the same sharp edges using the butter/flour method.

For the Cake

275g/10oz Unsalted Butter softened to room temperature

275g/10oz Caster Sugar

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon Sea Salt

275g/10oz Certified Gluten Free Flour – I use Doves Farm

2tsp Baking Powder – I use Waitrose as it is gluten free

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey extracts

1tsp Lemon Extract or juice of half a lemon

Zest of one lemon

6 Large Free Range Eggs

For the Drizzle

Approx 50ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice – juice of 2 lemons

Approx 50ml of tap water to make up to 100ml with the lemon juice

100g/4oz Caster Sugar

2tbsp Limoncello – more can be added for a pronounced flavour if desired

Icing to Decorate the Cake

200g/7oz White Icing Sugar

Juice of one whole lemon – approx 30mls, make up to volume with water if needed

Optional – sprinkles and edible glitter – ensure they are gluten free

Method: Preheat the oven to 170C/150C fan, gas mark 3.5

Prepare the Bundt pan by spraying or brushing on cake release, ensuring every part of the inside of the pan is covered.
Into a large bowl add the butter, sugar and salt. Whisk/beat until pale and creamy.
Weigh the gluten free flour and sift into a separate bowl with the baking powder.
Add the 6 eggs to the butter/sugar mixture and 2 tablespoons of the pre weighed, sifted flour – this will stop the mixture from splitting, which can lead to a denser cake. Whisk/beat the eggs into the butter and sugar until you have a fully combined, light mix.
Add the rest of the flour/baking powder, the lemon extract, vanilla and lemon zest.
Using a metal spoon fold all the ingredients together until they are fully combined.
Spoon the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan.

Place the Bundt pan in the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.
Whilst the cake is baking make the drizzle:
Squeeze the strained juice of 2 lemons into a measuring jug, make the volume up to 100ml with tap water. Place 100g of sugar into a small saucepan and add the lemon juice liquid to it. Swirl to mix and place over a medium heat. Do not stir! Swirl occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the liquid starts to bubble. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add your desired amount of limoncello and place a lid on the saucepan.
The cake is cooked when it is golden in colour, coming away from the sides of the pan and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
Once baked remove the cake from the oven. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes in the Bundt pan.
After 10 minutes use a wooden skewer to create holes right through the cake. I poked approximately 25 holes in the cake, this will allow the syrup to moisten the entire cake, not just the bottom – remember the Bundt cake is upside down.
Drizzle over the warm, boozy, lemon syrup, making sure you cover the entire base of the cake.

Leave the cake for a further 5 minutes in the pan, to allow the drizzle to soak right through to the top of the cake.
Now turn the Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake out on to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

To Decorate the Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake:

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Add 30mls of lemon juice and stir.
Add extra water to create a thick icing, that can still be piped.
Spoon the thick icing into a disposable piping bag (or piping bag fitted with a 3-4mm piping nozzle). Snip the end off of the disposable bag to leave a 3-4mm opening.
Place the cooling rack over a large baking tray – this will catch all the drips.
Starting from inside of the Bundt hole pipe the icing, following the lines of the swirl. Keep the pressure steady and pipe into the groove of the swirl, finishing when you reach the edge. Pull the bag away from the cake and any excess icing will drip through the cooling rack.
Continue working around each swirl until the cake is completed.

If adding sprinkles, either follow my design, adding them just away from the centre of the cake, or let your imagination take over and create your own design!
Finally add a dust of (I used) white edible glitter, to give your cake some added sparkle.
Carefully transfer the cake to a board/stand/plate.

Take photos of your beautiful creation.

Then serve it sliced with a cup of tea or coffee, or if it’s adults only, a shot of limoncello alongside 😉.

I am so pleased our daughter chose the light blue sprinkles for this cake. To be honest, it isn’t a colour I would put with a lemon cake and yet it looks so beautiful. She has a brilliant eye for design and I regularly ask her opinion on colour schemes/layouts and photographs for Feasting is Fun.

Thank you Star and very happy birthday.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake you may also like these:

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake

Lemony Strawberry Pavlova

Swirl Lime Drizzle Cake

I have other gluten free cake recipes such as my Marshmallow Frosted Mango Cupcakes and my Strawberry Whipped Cream Giant Doughnut.

My aim is to make as many recipes as possible gluten free. Obviously this is going to take some time to retest recipes and make adjustments as needed.

Next on the agenda is cracking gluten free pastry. I’ve been asked many times for a recipe, so I will be working on that over the coming weeks.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, remember food always tastes better when it’s shared. So why not invite your neighbours round for a cup of tea and a slice of something delicious?

Sammie xx

My Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake has also been submitted for this weeks #GBBOTwitterBakeAlong on Twitter. Click on the hashtag on Twitter and join in the Baking Community fun!

Refreshing Tropical Fruit Sorbet

The smell of Summer. Sun tan lotion, seaside air and luscious seasonal fruits. Ok, I accept that the fruits in this Refreshing Tropical Fruit Sorbet are not necessarily grown in this country, although they are cheaper and more readily available during the summer.

Making your own Refreshing Tropical Fruit Sorbet is so worth it. Forget about the adverts telling you that ‘you’re worth it’ this is a delicious, good for you treat, that tastes of fruit heaven!

The marriage between the flavours will make your tastebuds sing in harmony.

There are a couple of steps needed to prepare the fruit for this sorbet, but they are absolutely worth it to extract every drop of flavour from the fruit.

Once the fruit is prepped it is then cooked for a short time. This breaks down the pineapple and separates the passionfruit seeds from their surrounding juice. The cooked fruit mixture is then sieved, to remove the very crunchy seeds. A quick whizz with an immersion blender, or liquidiser, cool and your sorbet is ready to be churned.

This sorbet tastes of Summer. Light, intensely fruity, sweet – but not overly so and with a colour to brighten the dullest of days.

A light dessert or a delightful palette cleanser between courses for a more formal meal.

The mangos I bought for this recipe spent a few days on our sunny lounge window ledge ripening up, in fact they were warm when I prepared them. The passionfruit were smooth skinned when bought and ripened to a prune-like wrinkling of the skin. To test if a pineapple is ripe I suggest smelling it. If it smells of pineapple then it’s ripe.

Recipe: Makes 1L Refreshing Tropical Fruit Sorbet

6 Passion Fruit

2 Large Mango

1 Medium Pineapple

400mls Water

100g/4oz Sugar

Optional – see note at the end – Orange Blossom Water 1/4tsp – I suggest Nielsen-Massey

Method: Ensure the frozen compartment of your ice cream maker has been in the deep freeze overnight or according to manufacturers instructions.

Scoop the contents of the 6 passion fruit into a large heavy based saucepan. Squeezing the empty skins to ensure every drop of precious juice is used.
Next prepare the mangos. Cut down either side of the central stone, you will have three pieces. Take a fleshy side of the mango and score into three pieces using a sharp knife. With the blade flat to the skin, run the knife along each third, releasing a long slither of juicy, ripe mango. Repeat for the other side. Place the mango slices into the saucepan. Hold the central flesh and skin covered stone over the saucepan and squeeze as hard as you can. Scrape all of the pulp and juice from your hand into the pan.
Prepare the pineapple by cutting off the green spiky top and the flat base. Cut the pineapple into half and then divide each half into 3 sections. Cut down the outside of the central hard core – it will be the point of the pineapple. As with the mango, lay the blade flat between the fruit and the skin and slice to separate the two. Chop the pineapple into large chunks and add to the saucepan. Squeeze the skin and the hard core pieces over the saucepan to extracte as much juice as possible.
Pour the water over the fruit.
Add the sugar and turn the heat on to high under the pan.

Once the contents of the pan have started to bubble reduce the heat to medium, keep an eye on the fruit to ensure it doesn’t boil over.
Continue cooking for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove a spoonful of liquid from the saucepan, allow to cool and taste. The flavour should be pure fruit, not watered down and not super sweet – just as if you had eaten a slice of ripe mango. If the flavour is a little weak, continue cooking for a further 10 minutes and taste again.
When you are happy with the tropical fruit flavour, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Place a sieve over a large bowl.
Carefully pour the hot fruit mixture into the bowl through the sieve.

Using a strong dessert spoon press all of the fruit through the sieve. Occasionally clearing the underside of the sieve with a clean spoon, so that all the fruit pulp and juice goes into the bowl below.
This takes about 10 minutes to get it to this stage.

I did taste the remaining pulp and although crunchy it was pretty flavourless, that said you could still have it swirled through yoghurt for breakfast.
If you have an immersion blender or liquidiser, blend the resulting lumpy liquid until velvety smooth.
Place the bowl on a trivet, to aid cooling air circulation and cover with a net food tent, or cling film to stop flies having a taste!

Allow the sorbet liquid to cool and then place in the fridge to chill.
Once chilled set up your ice cream maker according to manufacturers instructions.
Transfer the sorbet liquid to a jug, this makes pouring the liquid into the frozen chamber much easier.
With the machine churning pour the sorbet liquid into the ice cream maker and churn until slushy like.
Stop the machine, remove the paddle and scoop/pour the slushy mixture into a freezer proof, resealable tub.

Pop the lid on and place in the deep freeze, generally I leave ice creams and sorbets overnight, until frozen through.

To serve, remove the sorbet from the freezer 15-20 minutes to allow to soften slightly.

For me, this is the perfect dessert after a hot spicy meal such as a curry or my Chunky Chilli. The cool, fruity sorbet, soothing on your tastebuds.

This is the perfect sorbet to make if you happen upon marked down fruit in the market or shops. It will keep for 3 months in the deep freeze and brighten a dull Winter’s day.

If you have enjoyed the recipe for my Refreshing Tropical Fruit Sorbet here are some others you may also like:

Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

I love creating, experimenting, tasting and testing different recipes. If you love mangos but aren’t a fan of pineapple, add more mango and leave the pineapple out.

Being allergic to oranges, means I always have to double check when I buy anything labelled ‘tropical’. Making my own Refreshing Tropical Fruit Sorbet means I know exactly what has gone into it. By all means adjust the sugar quantity if your fruit is sweeter, or riper. That’s why it is important to taste the liquid from the pan, remembering all the flavours will be dulled slightly by the freezing process.

I hope I have inspired you to get creative in your kitchens. Cooking should be fun. Combining flavours, adding a little something here or there, I hope that you take my recipes, try them and then change them to suit your tastes. I very much suspect a drop or two of orange blossom water would work very well in this recipe. But then I’ll never know 😉

Sammie xx

Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream, perfect on it’s own or to accompany sweet, hot, fudge brownies.

Using Callebaut Dark Chocolate Belgian Chips ensures this ice cream has more than a touch of luxury to it.

Vanilla bean speckled ice cream, crammed full of dark chocolate chips is the perfect treat for those who enjoy a not-too-sweet-treat. It also is the perfect accompaniment for a sweet treat, such as my Vanilla Fudge Chocolate Brownies. Balancing out and complimenting the sweet, chocolate and vanilla fudge brownie with dark chocolate chips in a vanilla ice cream.

Ok so that’s the technical side to things, in my mind there is only one way to improve a brownie and that is by warming it slightly, 10 secs on medium, in the microwave and crowning it with one great big scoop of ice cream!!!!

The ultimate combination.

So much so, I actually created this Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream to go with Brownies. By all means serve it in a cone or bowl, but my recommendation is to serve it on top of a homemade Chocolate Macadamia Nut Brownies.

Just a quick note about the chocolate chips – I use chocolate chips that are designed for melting, that is they are not the chocolate chips you find in the baking isle with added stabilisers to make them bake stable. Alternatively use a couple of bars of good quality (70% cocoa) chocolate chopped up into chunks.

Recipe: Makes 750ml Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream

300ml/ 1/2pint Double Cream

300ml/ 1/2pint Milk – Whole or Semi Skimmed – not skimmed

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – I use Nielsen-Massey

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – freeze the whites in bags for meringues, for up to one month in the freezer.

6tbsp Caster Sugar

1tsp Corn Flour – I used certified gluten free by – Doves Farm

250g/9oz Dark Chocolate Chips – I use Callebaut

Method: Ensure the freezing compartment of your ice cream maker has been in the freezer overnight, or according to the manufacturers instructions.

For step by step photographs showing how to make the ice cream custard base please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Place the cream and milk together in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan, over a medium heat. Heat to scalding point – this is just before boiling and you will see a ring of bubbles appear around the rim of the liquid. Once scalding point is reached remove from the heat.
Meanwhile in a large bowl whisk together the egg yolks, vanilla bean paste, sugar and corn flour until pale and creamy.
With the whisk running on slow, gradually add the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture in the bowl.
Once combined pour the custard base back into the saucepan and place over a medium heat.
Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard is thickened and coats the back of the spoon.
Pour the cooked custard, through a sieve, into a clean bowl.
Cover the top of the custard base with cling film, so that it is in direct contact with the liquid, this prevents a skin from forming.
Allow the liquid to cool on the work top, I place the bowl on a trivet to aid air circulation.

When the liquid is just warm place the bowl into the fridge until chilled.
Set up your ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions.
With my Andrew James ice cream maker the machine must be churning as the liquid is poured in. If it is easier, transfer the custard base to a jug for pouring.
Pour the liquid into the ice cream machine and churn until you have a soft set ice cream.
Stop the machine, remove any paddle and scoop the contents into a freezer proof, sealable container.
Add most of the dark chocolate chips to the soft ice cream and swirl through using the handle of a wooden spoon.
Sprinkle the remaining dark chocolate chips on to the surface of the ice cream. Clamp on the lid and place in the deep freeze until fully frozen.

To serve, remove the Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream from the freezer 10-20 minutes before needed, so that it can soften and be easily scooped. One of the fantastic advantages of making your own ice cream at home, is, that no preservatives or additives are present. Yes this means waiting for the ice cream to soften a little prior to scooping. For me I’m willing to wait!

The contrast between the clattering, crunchy chocolate chips and the smooth, velvety, vanilla ice cream simply creates one of the best ice creams I have tasted so far. Trust me, that says a lot.

I have made plenty of ice creams this year with my beloved Which Best Buy Andrew James Ice Cream Maker, some haven’t made it on to the blog yet as they either haven’t delivered on taste and texture, or simply need tweaking. I really am tough on the recipes that I’m willing to post. They have to be excellent, not just ok!

Trust me this Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream is excellent.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream then you may also like these:

Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream

FF Dark Chocolate Chip Ice Cream — **Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream**

Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Making ice cream at home is so simple, the range of flavours are limitless and the cost of the ice cream maker justified by the quality of ice cream you can make at home.

I have put this Andrew James Ice Cream Maker, which has been awarded a Which Best Buy, through rigorous testing and I thoroughly recommend it.

Have fun, making, creating and baking in your kitchens.

Sammie xx

Andrew James provided me with the ice cream maker for the purposes of a review. All opinions, views, recipes, content and photographs are my own. please see my Disclosure Policy.

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream. Silky, chocolate ice cream packed full of chocolate/caramel Rolos.

The idea for this recipe came from my friend and amazing fellow blogger Jane from Jane’s Patisserie. While creating the most wonderful recipes, she also has just got a new puppy called Rolo. So you see I had to create something to celebrate the new puppy Rolo coming home. Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream seemed the perfect solution.

This Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream recipe is so versatile. Once you have made the chocolate ice cream base you can add whatever you like. I rather like the idea of a Mars Bar version, with big chunks swirled through the ice cream.

I am loving my Andrew James Which Best Buy Ice Cream Maker. In fact I now have a second bowl, which I can pop in the freezer. This means I can either make one big double batch of the same ice cream or split it into two different flavours.

Making ice cream at home is easy, inexpensive, you have control over what goes in AND you are only limited by your imagination as to how many flavours you come up with! Someone asked me today why they’d never had Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream before, my answer was I’d only just invented it!!

Recipe: Makes 750ml Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream

300ml Double Cream

300ml Whole or Semi Skimmed Milk

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – freeze the whites in a bag for up to one month

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste/Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

1tsp Corn Flour – I use Doves Farm as it is certified gluten free

5tbsp Caster Sugar

100g Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa

4 Packets of Rolos

Method: Ensure the frozen bowl part of the ice cream maker has been in the freezer for at least 8 hours, or according to manufacturers instructions.

Note – for step by step photographs of how to make the custard base please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Making The Chocolate Ice Cream Base

Pour the milk and cream into a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat.
Heat until the milk is scalded – little bubbles will appear around the rim of the liquid just before it boils. Once it has reached this point remove from the heat.
In a large heat proof bowl add the egg yolks, vanilla paste, corn flour and sugar.
Whisk until pale and creamy.
With the whisk still running on low, slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the bowl – this creates the custard base.
Pour the custard base back into the saucepan, over a low-medium heat, stirring continuously.
When the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon remove the pan from the heat.
Chop up the dark chocolate and place into a clean bowl – I quickly rinse out the original bowl used.
Place a sieve over the bowl and pour the hot custard through the sieve on to the chocolate.
Stir the custard with a wooden spoon and the chocolate will melt into it.

FF Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream — Chocolate melting into the custard ice cream base.

Cover the chocolate custard base with cling film, so the film lays directly on the surface of the custard. This will stop a skin from forming.
Once cooled to warm on the work top place the bowl in the fridge to chill.
As soon as the base is chilled it is ready to be churned.

Churning The Ice Cream

Set up your ice cream maker as per the manufacturers instructions.
Mine has to be churning, prior to adding any liquid.
Pour the chocolate custard into the churning machine through the opening and leave to churn until frozen – for me that is when the ice cream is turning as one clump with the beater.
Switch the machine off and remove the top part of the ice cream maker.

Remove the beater, scraping off as much of the ice cream as you can. Then lick off the rest of the ice cream 😉
Decant the chocolate ice cream into a freezer proof tub.
Unwrap 3 packets of Rolos and cut each one in half.
Add to the ice cream and swirl through using the handle of a wooden spoon.
Unwrap the fourth packet and place the Rolos directly on top of the ice cream.

Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream ready for the freezer.

Pop on a tight fitting lid and place the Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream into the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until fully frozen.
To serve, remove the ice cream from the freezer 15-20 before scooping. As our delicious Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream doesn’t have any artificial softener, preservatives or additives added to it, it’ll need a few minutes to soften up.

Serve in cones, bowls or these fun cups I found.

Why not have a go at making your own ice cream at home. It really is so much fun.

If you have enjoyed this Chocolate Rolo Ice Cream Recipe here are a few more you may like:

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Chocolate Honeycomb Ice Cream

Blackberry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

I hope these recipes have inspired you to make your own ice cream at home? It tastes so much better than most of the ice creams you can buy and you can create your own ice cream sundaes like my Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens this very warm weekend, here in the South East of England, have fun feasting with family and friends.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Muesli Flapjack Squares

Muesli Flapjack Squares are THE answer to rushed mornings and missed breakfasts. Make these at the weekend and you’ve got brekkie covered for the whole week. Ooh and did I mention they’re gluten free too!

Most people I know don’t have hours of time to spare in the mornings, during the week. They know breakfast is THE most important meal of the day, so in a bid to give their body something they grab a latte and coffee shop choccie muffin on the way to work. Then wonder why they are starving again by 10am if not sooner.

One of these Muesli Flapjack Squares will keep you going until lunchtime!

Breakfast – The Most Important Meal

Now eating one of these delicious Muesli Flapjack Squares isn’t the same as sitting down with a bowl of muesli, or a plate of wholemeal toast and homemade jam and a cup of coffee. But, they are a whole lot better both for your body and you wallet, than the take out option.

Flapjacks do contain both sugar and butter, as do the take out muffins. I have tried to reduce both and even tried to switch to honey, but, unfortunately I haven’t cracked that recipe code yet.

What I have done is taken a fabulous gluten free, muesli mix made by Delicious Alchemy and turned it into the gluten free Muesli Flapjack Squares. So yes you’ll get the initial sugar hit and a wee bit of caffeine from the dark chocolate, but instead of the post sugar slump, the oats, seeds and dried fruit will start slowly releasing their energy – sustaining you until lunch.

With everything made in one bowl, a little mixing, 20 minutes in the oven, cool then swirl on some chocolate, these can easily made by anyone.

If buying a different muesli from the one suggested ensure that it has no added sugar, salt or fat and of course, that it’s gluten free if you have dietary intolerances.

Recipe: Makes 12 Muesli Flapjack Squares

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter

100g/4oz Light Soft Brown Sugar

1/4tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

100g/4oz Golden Syrup – light corn syrup

425g/15oz Muesli – I used Delicious Alchemy

100g/4oz Chopped Dried Fruit – I used mango and apricots (dried)

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4, 350F

Making The Muesli Flapjack Mixture

First of all, line a 8″ x 11″ 20cm x 28cm Swiss roll, or 2″ deep baking tin with baking parchment. I have found it unnecessary to grease my tin prior to lining, however, using a little butter in the corners, should help the parchment to stick without fully greasing the tin.
In a large heatproof and microwaveable bowl add the butter and then sugar.
Place in the microwave a heat on low until the butter is just melted.
Once melted remove from the microwave and add the golden syrup. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is well mixed.
Add the muesli, salt and chopped, dried fruit.

FF Muesli Flapjack Squares — Now to get mixing!

Next stir everything together until it is all covered in the glossy butter mixture.
Tip the mixture into the prepared pan and press flat and even using the back of a dessert spoon.

Baking The Flapjacks

Place in the centre of the oven and bake for exactly 20 minutes.
As soon as the baking time is up remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the tin.

When cooled lift the flapjack slab from the tin on to a board.
Cut into 12 even squares (if you look mine aren’t that even – oops)!
Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof, microwaveable bowl until almost melted. Remove and stir until completely melted.
Drizzle over the squares, or fill a small piping bag and pipe hearts on each square.

During hot weather it might be worth popping the Muesli Flapjack Squares into the fridge for an hour. This will set the chocolate and really firm up the bars.

I like to wrap them in baking parchment for packed lunches, cling film and foil work well too.

Store them in an airtight container. I use an old biscuit tin and separate layers with baking parchment.

Give yourself a pat on the back knowing you have breakfast sorted for the week!!

If you have enjoyed these Muesli Flapjack Squares you may also like these:

Double Cherry Drizzle Oat Bars

Macacdamia Apricot Flapjacks

Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars

All of the recipes above are easy to make and are fabulous food on the go. Ideal for packed lunches, picnics, or simply having something on hand at home that easily fits in a tin.

I deliberately left nuts out of this recipe so that more people on a restricted diet can enjoy it. I’ve also successfully switched butter for coconut oil in my Coconut Almond Date Flapjacks, which would make this recipe suitable for those with lactose intolerance.

It is my intention to make as many recipes as possible versatile, so that those with dietary restrictions can also have fun feasting!

Sammie xx

Delicious Alchemy provided the muesli mix for me to try. All opinions, views, content and photographs are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.