3 Wonderfully Warm Desserts To Try This Winter
Winter is here! And the good news is that this is the perfect time to indulge in some sweet treats. So, if you want to make your winter days a bit brighter and sweeter, here are three desserts to try.
Vegan chocolate cake
Whether you’re vegan yourself or want to try something new, this vegan chocolate cake recipe is the one for you!
Cake Ingredients:
275g self-raising flour
25g cocoa powder
175g caster sugar
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
3tbsp golden syrup
150g vegan spread
300ml soy or nut milk
A squeeze of lemon juice
Topping Ingredients:
200g icing sugar
25g cocoa powder
75g vegan spread
2tbsp water
Method:
Start by heating your oven to 180°C (or 160°C for fan assisted).
Melt vegan spread.
Squeeze lemon juice into milk and set aside.
Sieve caster sugar, flour, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa powder into a large mixing bowl.
Add in the spread, along with the lemon and milk mixture, and golden syrup, before mixing to a smooth batter.
Pour equal amounts of your mixture into two lined and greased baking trays.
Once you’re ready, put your cakes into the oven and bake for around 35-40 minutes.
Move onto making the icing once the cake is baking. Give the vegan spread, icing sugar, water and cocoa a good mix, and once it’s smooth leave it ready for topping.
Check to see if the cakes are ready by poking a skewer or point of a knife into the middle of each one. If it comes out sticky it needs more time, if it’s clear they’re done!
Once the cakes are ready, place them on a rack to cool a little. Pour on chocolate icing and enjoy!
There’s nothing quite as comforting in the winter as a delicious crumble, and here’s how to make one.
Compote ingredients:
30g demerara sugar
2 medium diced Braeburn apples
125g blackberries
Pinch of cinnamon
30g unsalted butter
Crumble ingredients:
60g unsalted butter cubed
120g plain flour
60g caster sugar
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 190°C (or 170°C fan assisted).
Pour caster sugar and flour into a bowl, add 60g of unsalted butter and rub together to make a light crumble. Pop on a tray and bake for 15 minutes.
Melt demerara sugar with the rest of the butter on medium heat, until the mix becomes a light caramel.
Add apples and after 3 minutes add blackberries and cinnamon, cooking for a further 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and cover.
After 2 to 3 minutes spoon your compote into a dish, sprinkle on the crumble and reheat for 5 minutes. Serve with ice cream, custard, or cream… whatever you like!
Banana bread and butter pudding
Bananas conjure up an image of tropical summer sun but, add them to a hearty bread and butter pudding, and you’ve got a delicious winter warmer on your hands! Here’s how.
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
400g white bread (if you want a little more sweetness and luxury, brioche is great!)
100g golden syrup
500ml whole milk
1 vanilla pod
4 large egg yolks
2tsp caster sugar
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 150°C.
Split your vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds, adding both to a pan of milk on low heat. Once it starts blipping with bubbles, remove from the heat and leave to cool.
Add egg yolks and sugar to the cooled mix and whisk until you have a pale custard.
Pour the golden syrup into a pan and heat until it bubbles. Slice the bananas lengthwise and add them to the pan. Turn when golden and remove when both sides are done.
Line a deep baking tray or tin with parchment and butter. Add layers of bread, custard and bananas, repeating until you’ve run out of room or ingredients. Put the pudding in the oven for around 30 minutes or until the custard has slightly set.
Once removed you can serve with leftover custard or maybe a spoonful of ice cream