Healthy Cinnamon Scroll Anybody?

It was such a cold, grey Sunday today!  Really made me crave hot, sugary-sweet Cinnamon Scrolls, so I went on a quest to track myself a recipe down, preferably dairy-free and semi-healthy.  By the time I had found what I wanted, the sun had come out, and 1/2 the day was over, but nevermind!  I discovered a wholemeal recipe, that promised to be done in 30mins (no ridiculous dough-rising-waiting-times for me!), and even dairy free!  If you like the nuttiness of wholemeal flour, you'll probably like this.  

Here is what I found, and adapted to suit my tastes:

Wholemeal Cinnamon Scrolls (makes 9 guilt-free, snack sized scrolls) 

Dough:
1 1/2 cups wholemeal flour (surely it would work with regular flour, too?)
1 teaspoon raw sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
3/4 cup buttermilk 

(remember buttermilk substitute: 3/4 cup milk/soymilk with 1 teaspoon vingar/lemon juice)

Filling:

2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)

1/3 cup raw sugar

2 teaspoon cinnamon

handful of sultanas

Icing:

1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon soymilk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Preheat the oven to 180C.  Prepare muffin tray with cupcake cases (you'll only need about 9).  Combine all the dough ingredients in a bowl and mix until a dough forms.  Turn out onto a heavily floured surface, making sure the dough won't stick to the board.  Roll the dough out into an a rectangle about 5mm thick.  If the dough sticks add a dusting more of flour, but try and  keep the additional flour at a minimum.

Brush dough surface with melted coconut oil (you probably don't need it all).  Sprinkle with raw sugar, cinnamon and sultanas.  Carefully roll into a log and cut into 9 equal portions.  

Place the scrolls into the prepared muffin tray, squish them down a bit and brush with any left over coconut oil.  

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the scrolls spring back.  In the meantime make the icing by mixing the three ingredients together until smooth.  Allow to scrolls to cool for about 5 minutes and spoon icing over top each mini scroll.  EAT! 

Honey

A jar of honey, just a little something I picked up from the Gordonton Country Market yesterday. I was told by the stall holder that I might end up eating this creamy honey by the spoonful. He may just be right, as I absolutely LOVE honey (plus it's healthy!). My father used to keep bees, and there is something simply magical about the whole process. x

Lemsip

'Tis the season to be sick.  This little chook as been fighting germs all week.  Hence the mostly closed nook.  I must admit, I am not usually one for taking medicine really.  Natural goodies, like sage, lemon, echinacea and honey are one the top of my list when it comes to fighting a cold; and then I discovered Lemsip!  Bliss!  

Mandarins

Mmm... mandarins! Sweet, seasonal deliciousness! x

Pumpkin Galore

There sure will be a lot of Pumpkin Soup on our dinner menu this winter. These beauties are from a self-less, self-seeded pumpkin plant that made itself at home in our backyard during the warmer months! x

Update: In fact we made some pumpkin soup that very evening.  Super easy, of course, but also very satisfying with only 4 magic ingredients:

Pumpkin (steamed, then smooshed up)

Coconut Milk

Salt to taste

A pinch of Nutmeg

Now, I would really love to try my hand at pumpkin pie!

Handmade Gifts

Nothing quite like a quiet winter's evening in, curled up on the sofa, browsing the internet for crafty inspiration and creative goodness, dreaming of all the pretty possibilities... One of my resolutions this year is that I really want to give handmade gifts to loved ones for all those special occasions throughout the year.  While I would love to make as many as possible by myself, I will happily shop around in local craft markets or even buy online, as long as it supports home- and handmade!  

I wonder how many handmade gifts the Queen got for her birthday... Hope you're all relishing the long weekend! x

First Day of Winter

Today is the first day of winter.  Short days, limited sun, especially with fog lifting late and setting early again.  Plenty of cold, dark evenings, which calls for a cosy, warm atmosphere inside (my tummy!).  What better way to achieve this than by baking a batch of comforting cookies?

I was semi-desperate to have a biscuit with my cup of tea, so I looked for a quick and easy cookie recipe, found one and adapted it to my taste (see below).  If you like coconut, you will love these cookies!  They taste almost like shortbread, and leave the whole kitchen smelling like a tropical island - YUM!

Coconut Cookies (makes 18)

1 1/3 cup plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 cup sugar (i originally used 3/4 cup, but that was too sweet for my liking) 

1 egg

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

1 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup coconut threads

1/2 cup rolled oats

NB: If your mixture is too dry, add a little splash of warm water, to make it into a cookie dough consistency.  Of course, if your mixture is too wet, add some more rolled oats to soak up the excess moisture.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.  Line a tray with baking paper.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate bowl cream together the sugar, egg, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.  Combine with dry ingredients, stirring in coconut threats and rolled oats.

(Or, if you're too inpatient, like me, simply add all ingredients together  - dry then wet - at once in one bowl, without any drama!)

Time to get your hands dirty (wash them first though!):  Roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture the palm of your hand.  Place balls evenly spaced onto prepared baking tray.  Gently flatten each ball with the prongs of a fork - this will give the cookie a nice imprint.

Bake cookies at 180 degrees for 10-15mins, or until the cookies are ready and slightly browned.  Let the cookies cool on the tray for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack.  Good luck waiting for them to cool completely.  If you're like me, and you simply have to try one, go for it and enjoy with a cup of peppermint tea!