Buttermilk cake

This is a super moist cake recipe you are bound to fall in love with. The buttermilk makes a difference in the moistness and taste. It's a sure hit!!!

*Always start by pre-heating your oven (baking on gas Mark 5 for 45-50mins depending on oven)

For the cake:

*3 cups self raising flour (320g)

*1 cup caster sugar  (200g)

*225g butter

*1 tsp vanilla extract 

*250ml buttermilk 

*5 eggs

For the glaze 

*60g butter 

*11/2 tbsp water

*1 tbsp vanilla extract

*1/3 cup caster sugar (67g)

1. Cream butter and sugar together for 6mins on high speed

2. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, then continue to beating on high speed 

3. Add in the buttermilk (don't worry the batter will cuddle up)

4. Then the flour (use a wooden spoon at this point) mixing thoroughly 

5. Pour batter into a baking pan, and bake 

6. While the cake is baking, measure the glaze ingridents into a pan. Place on the cooker, while stirring continuously (don't boil). Until the sugar dissolves then set aside.

 7. Once the cake is well baked, poke through then drizzle the glaze over it. (Tip** don't take the cake out of the pan, drizzle the glaze over then leave for few hours before putting a knife through... Resistant lolll)

I left my for 10hours before digging it, ever bite was a piece of heaven hmmmmmmm

Coconut bread

This is a guaranteed easy bake for anyone. This nutty tropical loaf gives you all the goodness of a loaf and a cake in one bake. It can be served with any spread of your choice with a hot cuppa or ice cream as a dessert.

INGREDIENTS 

*420g  (3 cup)plain or all-purpose flour (if using self raising leave out the baking powder and salt)

*11/2 tsp baking powder

*1/2 tsp salt

*200g (1cup) caster or granulated sugar 

*1 tsp vanilla and almond extract

*1 egg

*11/2 cup (375ml) coconut milk (homemade preferable)

*100g (1cup) coconut flakes 

1. In a bowl, measure all the ingredients then mix with a whisk or hand mixer 

2. Mix till well combined 

3. Pour into a well greased baking tin, then bake for 45-50mins or until a toothpick comes out clean 

Smells super amazing .. Leave in the tins to cool for few mins before removing and placing on a cooling rack 

Laced with my weighwatchers dairy spread, I'm tucking in!!! 

Blueberry muffin pancake

INGREDIENTS

*1/2 cup fresh blueberries

*2 tbsp sugar 

*1 cup wholewheat flour (140g) or any flour of your choice 

*1/2 cup water (125ml)

*1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

*1 egg

*1/2 teaspoon lemon zest 

*1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

*1tbsp Olive oil (any oil of your choice)

*Cooking spray or butter to fry

1. Gently blend the blueberries, olive oil, egg with water

2. Pour the blended mix into the the flour, sugar, nutmeg, vanilla extract and lemon zest 

3. Mix thoroughly together with a whisk or spoon 

4. Place pan on the cooker, then spray. 

5. Pour batter into pan, fry on low heat turning both side until it turns golden brown 

Super yum yum healthy muffin pancake , I topped mine with double cream, little brown sugar, nutmeg and some fresh berries FAB!!!!

Moist chocolate chip cake (chocolate cake)

Can you mention a kid who doesn't like chocolate cake??? I can't because my kids and their mates are such a huge fans of my chocolate cakes; they love it with whipped cream, ice cream and fruit. The adults aren't exempted too, we find chocolate cake to be very sexy and consider it sheer indulgence, who doesn't deserve that?
 This recipe is super moist, spongy and fluffy, give it a try and I guarantee no turning back. 

*Pre-heat oven before mixing batter

Ingredients 

280g self raising flour, 2cups *If using plain flour add in 1tsp baking powder and pinch of salt

250g butter 1,3/4 cup

250g Sugar 

6 eggs

125ml double cream or full fat milk(1/2  cup)

3 tbsp cocoa powder 

1tsp mint flavour (or any you prefer)

100g chocolate chip

1. Cream together butter and sugar , until pale and doubled in size (roughly 5mins on high speed)

2. Next mix the cream and cocoa powder together, making sure it contains no lumps 

3. Add in the eggs.. While still whisking on high speed for another 3-4mins

4. While still whisking add in the cocoa paste 

5. Next the chocolate chips 

6. The flavouring

7. Remove the whisk, grab a spatula or a spoon or wooden spoon.. Add in the flour, then gently fold in the flour 

8. Pour batter into cake tins, then bake on gas Mark 5 for 40mins *depending on cake tins (I poured into 2 81/2 cake tins.  (To check if the cake is well baked, put a toothpick through... If it comes out clean the cake is cooked, otherwise allow few more minutes)

Yummmmm fresh out of the oven, super moist and the smell is amazing!

Plantain loaf

Often times, the question comes up, I have plantains getting overripe and I don't want to waste it, what do I do?

This is one of my favorite recipes for utilizing plantains. Whats more its a healthy powerhouse of goodness as it combines nuts and seeds that are super healthy and uses no butter. If you ever needed a guilt free treat, this is it!!!..  Remember to preheat you oven, before preparing your loaf

INGREDIENTS

1 ripe plantain

3/4 Cup linseed or flaxseed 

3/4 Cup pistachios (break/blend into piece)

3 eggs

1tsp baking powder

For topping 

1tbsp stevia sweetener or any powdered sweetener/sugar

20g slivered/sliced almonds

1/2 tbsp pistachios 

PREPARATION

Start by mashing the plantain 

Next add in the eggs, then whisk 

Whisk until frothy

Next add in the linseed

Then the crushed pistachios

Tip in the baking powder

Combine gently using a wooden spoon or spatula 

Next pour into a grease floured tin, Top with sweetener, almond and done pistachios then bake in the oven for 25-30mins on medium heat.

Looks so yummy, fresh and tasty

Perfect with a hot mug of green tea, on a lazy afternoon all 100% guilt free

Meatpies, just the way Africans love it (Nigeria Meatpies)

I love meatpies, and nothing beats good old homemade meatpies. 

At the right size, your favorite meat pie qualifies for small chops as well!!!

Small chops are small finger foods served as appetizers or snacks at Nigerian parties. Whether you are hosting a small intimate event in your home or you just want to give your family a treat, this is one recipe you need to have!!!

INGREDIENTS

For the filling 

250g beef minced meat (fish,chicken, turkey or pork mince can also work).

Chilli pepper

1/2Tsp ground ginger

1/2Tsp ground garlic

2 eggs (one to add to the dough mix and the other to coat the Dough)

1stock cube

11/2 Tbsp flour or cornstarch

170ml water 

For the dough

500g plain flour (self raising flour can also be used. If using self raising, just leave out the baking powder and salt).

250g baking fat or just regular butter

140ml cold water 

2 eggs (1 for the dough and the other to wash the dough)

Pinch of salt

1 Tsp baking powder

PREPARATION

1. Add oil to a small pan, then pour in the minced meat

2. Add in stock cube, garlic,diced chilli peppers and ginger

3. Stir to combine.. Then allow to cook for 5mins

4. After 5mins add in the water, cover with a lid allowing to cook for 3mins before adding in the flour (the flour helps to thicken the broth and create the right pasty consistency for the filling).

5. It should look like the picture below. Pour in a small clean bowl to cool.

6. In a big bowl measure in the flour, baking powder, salt, butter, one egg, then add in the water.. (Another option will be to crumb the dough - dry ingredients with butter- before adding in the wet ingredients). But I prefer this method. 

7. With your hands or dough mixer, combine the mix together until the dough cleans off the bowl 

8. Place in the fridge or in a cold place for 45mins or more (I leave mine for up to 24 hours.. The longer the better in my opinion)

9. Now we are ready to make our pies (make sure to get the dough out from the fridge or cold place 10mins before rolling out... Start by deciding what size of pie you need (big or small).

10. Now roll out, using a rolling pin.. Then cut out the shapes required, next add in the cold cooked minced meat.

11. Now brush one side of the dough with egg wash.. (This helps to seal the pastry when folded)

12. Then fold over, using the tip of your fingers to press the edges down to seal.

13. Lock in the edges, using a fork

14. Next, pierce some holes (this allows air to escape, and gives the distinct look we've come to associate with our meatpies) 

15. Once all done, wash the dough with egg wash.. Then bake in the oven for 20-30mins depending on size and oven temperature. I baked at 180oc electric fan oven. 

16. And they are ready, place them on a airy rack to cool down 

Don't dey look absolutely gorgeous??? Would be a sin to eat them... NOT lollll!!!