A day of baking

In an ideal world, I would have time to bake healthy snacks and treats for my children to take to school every day. But I work. Full stop. I just don’t have time to do that. I would love my children to take healthy salad sandwiches, ham wraps, mini quiches or various other delights that I see on the ‘school lunch ideas’ websites. But my children wouldn’t eat it. They are fussy at the best of times. So basically every day my son goes to school with a vegemite sandwich and my daughter goes twice a week to kinder with a jam sandwich. I know they will eat that and I would prefer they eat something than nothing. Plus I always ensure that their dinner at night is full of the protein and vegetables they need. 

Anyway I digress. Yesterday I decided to bake some biscuits for school this week (whipped up before breakfast – this recipe is that quick). Shame there was just four left this morning for school! I believe the original recipe is from the wonderful mum behind 4 ingredients but since this was passed on by a friend, I can’t be sure. 

4 ingredients and just 30 minutes!

Mix half a cup of butter or margarine (we use a spreadable butter) with half a cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of either maple syrup or golden syrup. Add one cup of self raising flour. 

Plain, with sprinkles and with white choc buttons

Place teaspoon sized balls on a lined baking tray and bake in a moderate oven (180 degrees) for 15-20 minutes. My oven isn’t fan forced and is super temperamental so mine take a little longer. Basically until they are nice and brown on top.

They will be soft so let them cool down on the tray before removing them. 

Variations – add sultanas or oats, add sprinkles or choc chips on top (as I have here). 

Basic muffin recipe

I then decided to bake some muffins. I thought I would try this recipe which had so many great reviews.

Banana and apple cinnamon

I substituted one cup of wholemeal flour (it was actually plain flour so I also added a teaspoon of baking powder for lift!)

I split the mixture in half and made one with half a grated apple (probably could have had a little more), one tablespoon of apple juice and one teaspoon of cinnamon.

The other half I put in one mushed up banana (I have these in abundance in my freezer!) and one teaspoon of vanilla.

This recipe is lovely and light. I think I’ll be experimenting a lot with different combinations. What is your favourite? Thinking orange and poppyseed for Mr Pip and raspberry and white chocolate for me!

 

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