This oven-friendly recipe is made with vegetable suet to create a plant-based option.

What is Suet?

Suet in the traditional sense is a raw animal-derived fat. It’s usually sourced from beef or mutton and has many cooking applications from pastry to dumplings. It is not the same as lard.

Since this recipe for Jam Roly Poly is vegan, it calls for vegetable-based suet. Vegetable suet is made from vegetable fats and tossed with wheat flour to keep the fat pellets separate.

The texture is wax pellet-like and soft when pressed between the fingers. Buy it from the supermarket and store in a cool, dry place. I like this brand of vegetable suet.

Jam Roly Poly without suet

It’s entirely possible to make Jam Roly Poly without suet. The texture will however, be different if you use a hydrogenated fat (fat with water) such as vegan butter or spread.

Suet is a form of non-hydrogenated fat which produces a crumbly, soft pastry-like finish. Therefore, if you use vegan block with water listed in the ingredients, the finish will be more doughy.

For a vegan Jam Roly Poly without suet, virgin or refined (odourless) coconut oil is a better option than vegan block or butter.

Step-by-step: How to make Vegan Jam Roly Poly

How to roll Jam Roly Poly

Think cinnamon roll! Indeed, if you can make cinnamon rolls, this process will be a breeze. Due to the sticky and splodgy nature of jam, be sure to leave a border around it to avoid overspill.

Why has my Jam Roly Poly cracked?

It’s normal for Jam Roly Poly to crack a little while it cooks. The foil and baking parchment wrap should be left slightly loose so the pudding has room to expand.

Can you freeze Jam Roly Poly?

Allow the cooked Vegan Jam Roly Poly to cool completely. Wrap it in cling film and then a layer of aluminium foil. Place into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Instructions to re-heat

Defrost at room temperature and then reheat in a pre-heated oven at 180°C/350°F for 10-12 minutes.

How to make Vegan Custard

I love this recipe for thick and creamy Vegan Custard from The Veg Space. It’s my go-to recipe and tastes so wonderful with this Vegan Jam Roly Poly. The perfect plant-based pudding!

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Flavour ideas for Jam Roly Poly

Types of Jam

I use raspberry jam but strawberry, blackberry, cherry or even plum jam would be delicious options for Roly Poly.

Vegan Jam Roly Poly with spices

Cardamom is optional in this recipe. Feel free to leave it out for a more traditional take on Vegan Jam Roly Poly.

You can replace the cardamom with 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon which is especially delicious with a strawberry jam filling.

Vegan Jam Roly Poly with citrus zest

Fresh orange zest or lemon zest also make for great additions to the suet dough.

Vegan Jam Roly Poly recipe

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Vegan Jam Roly Poly

A vegan take on Jam Roly Poly, the classic British steamed pudding I loved so much at school. Serve hot with custard for a nostalgic dessert you'll crave often. This oven-friendly recipe is made with vegetable suet to create a plant-based option.

Course Dessert

Cuisine British

Keyword cardamom, dessert, jam, pudding, raspberry

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Large, deep baking tray
• Oven-safe wire rack
• Aluminium foil
• Baking parchment
• Pastry brush

Ingredients

• 225 g self-raising flour (or plain flour with 2 1/4 tsp baking powder added)
• 25 g caster sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom or 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 100 g vegetable suet
• 120 ml dairy-free milk room temperature
• 175 g raspberry jam stirred to loosen
• 3 tbsp dairy-free milk
• 1 tbsp Demerara sugar

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4.
• Lay a 50cm wide piece of foil on a work surface. Place a 30cm piece of baking parchment on top of the foil and grease it lightly with oil. Set this aside.
• In a bowl, mix together the flour, caster sugar, cardamom, salt and vegetable suet.
• Add the milk and mix to form a shaggy dough. Knead gently for 2-3 minutes until the dough is soft and slightly elastic.
• Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30cm x 15cm.
• Spread the jam all over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1cm gap at the edges to prevent overspill.
• With the longest edge closest to you, begin to roll the dough into a log, like how you’d roll up the dough for cinnamon buns.
• Carefully lift the roll and place it on the greased baking parchment, near the edge. Roll the log in the baking parchment/foil loosely. If it’s too tight, it won’t have enough space to expand.
• Fill a large roasting tin with boiling water and place an oven-safe baking rack on top. Place the wrapped Roly Poly on top of the rack.
• Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C/400°F.
• Unwrap the Roly Poly and brush the with the milk. Sprinkle with Demerara sugar. Return the Roly Poly to the oven for 5 minutes until golden all over. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Cut the Vegan Jam Roly Poly into thick slices and serve with hot custard.

Video

Notes

How to freeze Vegan Jam Roly Poly

Allow the cooked Vegan Jam Roly Poly to cool completely. Wrap it in cling film and then a layer of aluminium foil. Place into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and then reheat in a pre-heated oven at 180°C/375°F for 10-12 minutes.

Vegan Custard

I love this recipe for thick and creamy Vegan Custard from The Veg Space. It’s my go-to recipe and tastes so wonderful with this Vegan Jam Roly Poly. The perfect plant-based pudding!

Flavours

Cardamom is optional in this recipe. Feel free to leave it out for a more traditional take on Vegan Jam Roly Poly.

I use raspberry jam but strawberry, blackberry or even cherry jam would be delicious options for Roly Poly.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Masala Cheese Scones

Love Sanjana

The post Vegan Jam Roly Poly appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

One bite of spicy cheese scone followed by a swift sip of sweet chai and I’m transported back to my childhood kitchen.

From picnic blanket to kitchen table

I grew up in a town in West Yorkshire. It was a picturesque place full of friendly people. My family made life-long friends there. We lived above our newsagents for many years before moving to a more spacious home.

The kitchen above the shop was incredibly compact. We’d lay a picnic blanket out on the floor to roll Daal Kachori and fold Samosas. Sitting cross-legged, we’d hum to Anup Jalota bhajans.

His rendition of Hanuman Aarti will forever be etched in my mind as the soundtrack that fortifies mum’s Saturday morning Urad (black lentils). This experience bore and fostered my curiosity for cooking, from the age of just six or seven.

When we moved some years later, I remember my mum’s joy at having a modern kitchen where she could cook her heart out. She loved that her new kitchen was an ‘L’ shape with enough room for a table.

Sunday lunchtime Masala Poori, Bateta nu Shaak and Shrikhand may have tasted the same but now they were now enjoyed at the table, not on our laps. We ate every meal there as a family for the next eight years.

I learnt to cook a great deal in both kitchens but my sweetest memories came from that tiny kitchen above the corner shop.

I’ll keep the chai warm

Sunday afternoons would be spent browsing through well-thumbed cookbooks together, chatting about what we can cook up next. Mum’s collection of recipe books blew my curious mind. Never one to miss a trick, she would translate the ones written in Gujarati to English for me.

No matter how un-traditional my recipe ideas were, mum would always encourage me to try them out. Shrikhand-filled Doughnuts and Naan Pizza Pockets, anyone?

It was this encouragement, peppered with her sage advice that nurtured my passion. Everything grew from these moments we shared, from the picnic blanket on the floor, to the kitchen table.

With multiple lockdowns this past 12 months, having tea, scones and chats with her have been the thing I’ve missed the most. I’ll keep the Chai warm until we can do that again.

What’s in Masala Cheese Scones?

Aside from the basic flour, butter, milk and leavening agents, I add a blend of two cheeses, chilli, coriander, onions and garam masala.

I use my Homemade Garam Masala in these scones. The flavour you get from home-roasted and ground spices is wonderful. Indeed, if you don’t have time, you can use shop-bought garam masala.

How long does it take to make Masala Cheese Scones?

These vegetarian Masala Cheese Scones can be ready in under 40 minutes, including prep time.

How to serve these Scones

Serve them with chai, your favourite mango chutney or even alongside a bowl of tomato soup. They’re light, flaky and full of spiciness. Feel free to reduce or increase the amount of chillies as per your taste.

These Masala Cheese Scones are…

• Quick & easy
• Vegetarian
• Egg free
• Easy to veganise

How to make Vegan Cheese Scones

You’ll need to make a few swaps to the recipe below. Instead of butter, use any soft, plant-based spread (vegan block) of your choice. Don’t use oil.

Swap the milk in both the dough and for the milk wash for any unsweetened dairy-free milk.

Instead of the dairy cheese, use your favourite brand of vegan cheese. I love vegan Applewood Smoked Cheese.

Other recipes you might like

• Indian Cheese Twists
• Chilli-Cheese Churros
• Halloumi 65
• Garam Masala Potato Gratin

3 ways to make “egg wash” without eggs

Option 1: Turmeric “Eggwash”

If you’ve been following me for a long time, you’ll remember these Mini Mushroom & Feta Pies. This was one of the first times I made an eggwash without eggs and the results were perfect.

I usually mix together warm milk and a very small amount of ground turmeric. And there you have it. A perfect “eggwash”, minus the eggs.

Option 2: Coconut “Eggwash”

Mix together warm coconut milk, a tiny pinch of turmeric and a drizzle of agave for a shiny finish. This is how I give my Vegan Curry Puffs a glorious egg-yellow colour.

Don’t worry, the agave in such a small amount won’t make your finished bake taste sweet.

Option 3: Mustard “Eggwash”

This is my no-egg “eggwash” of choice in this recipe for Masala Cheese Scones. Not only does it give the flaky scones another dimension of warmth, it turns the tops so beautifully golden.

If you choose to add any seeds to the top, this will also help them stick.

Simply mix together English mustard powder and warm milk. Brush this all over the top of the scones before you bake them.

How to make light scones: Freeze and grate your butter!

For the lightest and flakiest scones, pop your butter in the freezer for 30 minutes or so. Grate on the coarse side of a cheese grater to ensure it combines with the flour quickly and easily.

Like making shortcrust pastry, light and flaky scones require as little handling as possible. Every ingredient should be cold before you begin.

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More topping ideas for your Masala Cheese Scones

• Nigella seeds (kalonji)
• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Poppy seeds
• Cumin seeds
• More cheese (never a bad idea)

Masala Cheese Scones recipe & video

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Masala Cheese Scones

Never underestimate the power of a Masala Cheese Scone and a mug of hot tea. This casual comfort combo is my go-to for when I need a dose of nostalgia.

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Indian

Keyword afternoon tea, bread, cheese, pastry, scone, snacks

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Equipment

• 7cm (2.7-inch) round cookie or scone cutter

Ingredients

• 250 g plain flour
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 50 g mature Cheddar grated
• 50 g Red Leicester grated
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
• 50 g red onion finely chopped
• 75 g unsalted butter frozen or very cold
• 175 ml full-fat milk cold

For the mustard "eggwash":

• 2 tsp English mustard powder
• 1 1/2 tsp full-fat milk

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
• Start by grating your butter on the coarse side of a cheese grater. This will help incorporate the butter quickly and easily.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, garam masala and salt. Add the grated butter and using your fingertips, swiftly rub the flour and butter together to form a fine, breadcrumb-like texture.
• Add the onion, chilli, coriander and cheese. Mix together.
• Next, pour in the milk. Use a spoon or your hands to bring the mixture together as a soft dough. Be very gentle and do not knead it. Light and flaky scones require as little handling as possible.
• Flour a clean surface and pat or roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1 1/2-2cm. Stamp out rounds using a cookie cutter. Pick up any scraps of dough and bring them back together to cut out more rounds. Remember to handle the dough quickly and with a light touch. Cracks on the surface are fine. Scones should be rustic looking.
• Place the scones on a large baking tray lined with baking parchment. Arrange the scones on the tray, leaving a small gap around each one as they will rise a bit. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

To make the mustard "eggwash":

• In a small bowl, mix together the mustard and milk. Stir until no lumps remain.

To bake the scones:

• Brush the scones with the mustard wash and sprinkle on your kalonji (nigella) seeds and sesame seeds. Alternatively, you can keep them plain or choose an alternative. I've included some different topping ideas in the blog post above.
• Bake the scones in the pre-heated oven for 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before eating.

Video

Notes

• Serve these scones with Masala Chai and if you like, mango chutney. I sometimes like to add a blob of whipped cream cheese and mango chutney together, cream tea style.
• Cut the scones into any shape you like. Note that larger scones may take longer to bake.
• Store the scones in an airtight container, somewhere cool. Enjoy within 2 days. Refrigeration may make the scones stale.

 

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Indian Cheese Twists

Love Sanjana

The post Masala Cheese Scones appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

These vegetarian cheese twists can be ready in under 40 minutes, including prep time.

These Indian Cheese Twists are so simple to prepare and can be made with mostly store-cupboard ingredients. Serve with chai, your favourite glass of fizz or even as a dunker for soup. They’re divine!

These Indian Cheese Twists are…

Quick & easy
Vegetarian
Egg free
Easy to veganise

How to make Cheese Twists with Puff Pastry

The process is so simple. All you need are two sheets of ready-rolled puff pastry, cheese and any extra fillings of your choice. I’m using garam masala, onions, chilli flakes and fresh coriander for an Indian twist (literally!).

If you want to make vegan cheese twists, be sure to grab yourself a roll or block of vegan puff pastry. I use Jus Rol for a vegan version, along with plant-based cheese like Violife and an oat milk “eggwash”.

What’s in Indian Cheese Twists?

My favourite way to make Indian-style cheese twists is with puff pastry, a blend of two types of cheese (Cheddar and mozzarella), onions, chillies and this Homemade Garam Masala.

You can use shop-bought garam masala if you like and reduce or increase the amount of chillies as per your taste, too. I like them to be medium-hot.

How to twist Cheese Twists

Step 1

The most important thing is to begin with very cold pastry. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before you start. Only take it out of the fridge after you’ve prepared your filling ingredients.

Step 2

Take a sheet of puff pastry. Top it with your prepared cheese filling mixture, leaving a 1cm gap at the edges of the pastry.

Step 3

Gently press the cheese down with your hands, taking care not to press it into the pastry too hard. Top with another sheet of puff pastry and press again gently to compact the cheese so it doesn’t all fall out when you twist.

Step 4

Use your fingers to press and seal all the edges closed. You can add a small amount of water to wet the pastry if you like but I don’t always find this necessary.

Step 5

Return the sealed pastry to the fridge for 10 minutes or so to chill again. If your pastry is still super cold, you can skip this step.

Step 6

Cut the pastry into long rectangles about 5-6cm wide. My 320g sheets of puff pastry makes 6 large cheese twists.

Step 7

Now take your first cheese twist and use both hands to hold either end. Twist both hands in opposite directions (one going clockwise and the other anti-clockwise) to form a twisted shape.

How many twists you get depends on the size of the pastry. I get about 1-2 full twists with each hand. They will puff up in the oven so the shape won’t matter too much. They don’t have to look perfect.

Step 8

Brush with the eggless “eggwash” (turmeric, milk & agave combo) and sprinkle over some kalonji seeds. You can also use sesame seeds.

Step 9

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200C/400F for 20-25 minutes until golden all over. Serve hot.

How to make Cheese Twists with shortcrust pastry

If you prefer shortcrust pastry, you can make this recipe with ready-rolled shortcrust sheets. As with the recipe below, ensure the pastry is very cold before you begin filling, cutting and twisting.

I recommend cutting each twist about half the size of the puff pastry version for a more dainty cheese straw to serve with drinks.

The result will be a little less puffy and more like a biscuitty cheese straw. Both versions are delicious but the puff pastry style will always have my heart.

Are supermarket Cheese Twists Vegetarian?

Supermarket-bought cheese twists are not always vegetarian. Some may contain cheese which is made from animal-sourced rennet. If you’re not sure, check the ingredients label. This will usually list the type of cheese in the product.

How to make “eggwash” without eggs

If you’ve been following me for a long time, you’ll remember these Mini Mushroom & Feta Pies. This was one of the first times I made an eggwash without eggs and the results were perfect.

Simply mix together warm milk of your choice, a very small amount of ground turmeric and agave. And there you have it. A perfect “eggwash”, minus the eggs.

Milk for spreadability, agave for a shiny finish and turmeric for this glorious egg-yellow colour. Don’t worry, the agave in such a small amount won’t make your finished bake taste sweet.

How to make Vegan Cheese Twists

Yes, it’s entirely possible! Many brands of packaged puff and shortcrust pastry are vegan. Read the label and most importantly, make sure it’s made with shortening instead of butter.

As for the cheese, you can substitute the dairy cheese for your favourite plant-based blend of cheese. There are tonnes of options on the market now, most made with nuts or coconut.

Finally, replace the milk in the no-egg “eggwash” with any plant-based milk of your choice. Enjoy your vegan cheese twists!

Can you freeze Cheese Twists?

Absolutely. I like to freeze these prior to the baking stage. This way, you can pop them on a lined baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

To freeze: Follow the recipe instructions up to the point before baking, arrange in a lined, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. Bake straight from frozen and do not allow frozen cheese twists to thaw.

Watch the video: How to make Cheese Twists

What flavours of Cheese Twist can I make?

Other delicious flavour options you have are pesto and olives, sun-dried tomatoes and wholegrain mustard or even a Greek-inspired version with spinach and feta.

For something more festive, try brie or camembert with cranberry sauce. The options are truly endless!

Indian Cheese Twists: Recipe

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Indian Cheese Twists

Ultra flaky, buttery cheese twists baked with a blend of Indian-inspired spices inside. Use ready-rolled puff pastry sheets for a quick-fix snack with drinks or even with tea for breakfast.

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Indian

Keyword cheese, christmas, dinner party, masala, party, pastry, puff pastry

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 2 x 320 g sheets ready-rolled puff pastry cold
• 75 g mature Cheddar, grated (or vegan alternative)
• 75 g low-moisture mozzarella, grated or cubed into very small pieces (or vegan alternative)
• 1 small red onion very finely diced
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander finely chopped
• 1 tsp garam masala recipe linked below
• 3/4 tsp red chilli flakes
• 2 tsp kalonji seeds (nigella seeds)

For the egg-free "eggwash":

• 2 tbsp warm milk (any of your choice)
• < 1/8 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp agave

Instructions

• In a bowl, mix together the cheese, onions, coriander, garam masala and chilli flakes.
• Take your first chilled puff pastry sheet and set it out on a work surface lined with a sheet of baking parchment about the size of your tray. Top with the cheese mixture, leaving a 1cm gap at the edges of the pastry. Gently press the cheese into the pastry, taking care not to push it in too far. It just needs to be even.
• Top with another sheet of puff pastry and press again gently to compact the cheese so it doesn't all fall out when you twist.
• Use your fingers to press and seal all the edges closed. You can add a small amount of water to wet the pastry if you like but I don't always find this necessary.
• Return the sealed pastry to the fridge for 10 minutes to chill again. If your pastry is still super cold, you can skip this step.
• Cut the pastry into long rectangles about 5-6cm wide. Pop the twists on a large, flat baking tray on top of a sheet of baking parchment. My 320g sheets of puff pastry makes 6 large cheese twists.
• Now take your first cheese twist and use both hands to hold either end. Twist both hands in opposite directions (one going clockwise and the other anti-clockwise) to form a twisted shape. Don't worry if any cheese falls out, just put it back in.

For the egg-free "eggwash":

• Mix together the warm milk, turmeric and agave.
• Brush with the eggless "eggwash" (turmeric, milk & agave combo) and sprinkle over some kalonji seeds. You can also use sesame seeds.
• Bake the cheese twists in a pre-heated oven at 200°C/400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden all over. Serve hot.

Video

Notes

• Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Eat within 48 hours. To re-heat, pop the cheese twists in an oven preheated to 200C/400F for 3-4 minutes or in an air fryer at the same temperature for 2 minutes.
• To freeze: Follow the recipe instructions up to the point before baking, arrange in a lined, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. Bake straight from frozen and do not allow frozen cheese twists to thaw.
• For a vegan version of these Indian Cheese Twists: Use a vegan brand of puff pastry (Jus Rol in the UK and Pepperidge Farm in the US) have vegan products available. Use your favourite plant-based blend of cheese. I recommend using at least one mozzarella-style cheese for added cheese pull action. There are tonnes of vegan cheese options on the market now. Most are made with nuts or coconut. Finally, replace the milk in the no-egg “eggwash” with any plant-based milk of your choice. Enjoy your vegan cheese twists!

How to make Homemade Garam Masala

Homemade Garam Masala

Learn how to make a cracker of a Garam Masala blend using whole roasted spices. Here's a list of spices you need to jazz up any North Indian dish, from curry and pulao, to samosas and parathas.

Check out this recipe

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Homemade Vegetable Samosas

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The post Indian Cheese Twists appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

I almost lost my marbles trying to perfect this recipe for homemade ladyfingers and after many attempts, the result is beautifully-light, spongy and perfect for soaking up espresso.

My Eggless Ladyfinger journey

You know how people say, “Third time lucky”? Well for me, this Homemade Eggless Ladyfingers recipe was more of a ninth-time lucky project!

To achieve a perfectly light egg-free ladyfinger (savoiardi) requires both the sponge to be lower in fat than a traditional cake, yet still moist enough to rise adequately in the oven.

After what’s felt like a mammoth task, I present you with my perfectly-delicious Eggless Ladyfinger recipe. They drink up espresso like no man’s business and remain super light inside our favourite desserts.

While they may no be piped into oblong “fingers” like their traditional eggy counterparts, I guarantee you’ll never know the difference when you eat your dessert. Neither will your friends and family.

Here’s how I make them.

How to make Eggless Ladyfingers (Savoiardi)

1. Mix up the batter for the Eggless Ladyfingers

With the combination of self-raising flour, potato starch and DIY buttermilk, our egg-free savoiardi will have both the lightness and sponginess of shop-bought ladyfingers.

2. Pour and bake

Spread the batter quite thinly onto a lined baking tin. It will seem like there’s no enough batter but it will rise to double the height in the oven. Be sure to use the correct size tin.

See notes in the recipe card below for tin dimensions.

3. Top with sugar

Like any good shop-bought ladyfingers, our sponge must have a crunchy sugar top. Only scatter the sponge with sugar once it’s cooled a little or the sugar will start to melt. I speak from experience!

Allow the eggless sponge fingers to cool

Be patient, this could take about an hour.

4. Cut and dry

No, I’m not talking about what you ask for at the hairdressers. Carefully lift the sponge out of the tin and cut it into rectangles (approx. 2.5cm x 8.5cm).

Okay, so this isn’t the typical shape of ladyfingers you buy from the shop but hey, this is homemade. Also, nobody will even see the shape once you blanket them in mascarpone cream and cocoa powder.

Gently peel the cut eggless ladyfingers from the baking parchment and lay them on a wire rack.

Now leave them there, uncovered for 24 hours. Yep, a whole day.

This last step is a crucial step in making good Eggless Ladyfingers that soak up lots of espresso! We want them to become stale and hard so they keep their shape and drink in all those delicious coffee flavours.

Video: Learn how to make amazing Eggless Tiramisu from scratch

How to make Eggless Tiramisu with Mascarpone

1. Make the eggless ladyfingers. Don’t forget the wait 24 hours after they’re cut. The drying time is essential!
2. Pour some strong espresso. I use instant Arabica coffee granules and boiling water. You can add some booze if you like. Allow to cool.
3. Whip up the mascarpone and sweetened condensed milk. Fold in whipped cream.
4. Dunk the dry eggless ladyfingers in the cold espresso and arrange them in a dish.
5. Top with mascarpone cream and a flurry of cocoa powder and cinnamon.
6. Repeat!
7. Pipe the final third of mascarpone cream on top. This is totally optional. Just spread it if you want something simpler.

8. Dust with more cocoa and cinnamon.

9. Cover and chill in the fridge for 24, 48, 72 hours… whatever. The longer the better. It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.

Can I add alcohol to this Eggless Tiramisu with Homemade Ladyfingers?

Be my guest! I normally would but not everyone in my family drinks so I thought I’d give it a miss this time.

If you like your eggless tiramisu boozy, add 3-4 tablespoons of marsala, Bailey’s, dark rum or whiskey to the cold espresso.

Can I make this Tiramisu in advance?

Yes! Please do. It tastes so much better after 72 hours in the fridge. 24-48 hours ahead of time are also fine. It will last for a week in the fridge (covered) since there are no raw eggs in the recipe.

Can I skip the cinnamon?

You sure can. If cinnamon isn’t your thing, just leave it out of the cocoa mixture. I do recommend using the best-quality cocoa powder you can afford. In this recipe, I’m using this Valrhona Cacao Powder.

Why do you use potato starch in the Eggless Ladyfingers recipe?

For a much lighter sponge. Too much and the sponge will turn gummy so be sure to weigh your ingredients with precision.

I have tried the recipe with cornstarch but find potato starch produces a better texture.

Shop my Eggless Tiramisu essentials!

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. These are all products I have purchased of my own accord and ones that I use myself. None of the products mentioned have been gifted to me. By using an affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no expense to you. This commission helps to support this blog. Thanks in advance if you choose to make a purchase through these links!

Eggless Tiramisu with Homemade Ladyfingers (+ Video) recipe

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Eggless Tiramisu with Homemade Ladyfingers (+ Video)

A creamy, dreamy eggless Tiramisu recipe. Make your own spongy ladyfingers with my easy step-by-step video. No eggs required!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Keyword christmas, coffee, dessert, dinner party, eggless, pudding

Prep Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• 20 x 3.5 x 31.5 cm cake tin or traybake tin
• Deep ceramic or glass dish

Ingredients

For the sponge layer:

• 280 g self-raising flour
• 180 g caster sugar + 4 tbsp
• 330 ml full-fat milk at room temperature
• 2 tsp white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract not vanilla essence
• 30 g potato starch
• 70 ml any flavourless oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the coffee:

• 20 g instant Arabica coffee
• 650 ml boiling hot water

You will also need:

• 500 g mascarpone
• 600 g double cream divided
• 200 g sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

To make the eggless ladyfingers:

• Pre-heat the oven to 175°C/350°F. Line a baking tray with baking parchment, leaving a 3cm overhang at the longest sides for easy removal from the tin later.
• Sift together the flour, 180g caster sugar, potato starch and salt.
• In a jug, whisk together the milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 10 minutes. Once it looks like its curdled a little, add the vanilla extract and oil. Whisk briefly.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the sifted dry ingredients and whisk until smooth, about 90 seconds. It should be of a flowing, ribbon consistency.
• Immediately pour HALF of the batter into the lined tin and spread it out using a spatula. Rasp the tin on the counter top a dozen times to encourage any air bubbles to rise to the surface. This will give you a more even bake.
• Bake the sponge in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. It should be springy to the touch and slightly golden on top.
• Remove the sponge from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. After this time, scatter 4 tbsp caster sugar over the top and give the pan a gentle shake to distribute it evenly. The surface of the sponge should look beautifully frosty. Carefully lift the sponge from the tin.
• Repeat the same baking steps above to bake the second half of the batter.
• Once both sponges have cooled, slice them into rectangles, about 2.5cm x 8.5cm. Carefully peel the sponge fingers away from the baking parchment and set them on a wire rack. Leave them out at room temperature, uncovered for 24 hours. Do not skip this step. The air-drying ensures the sponge fingers become dry enough to dip into the coffee without breaking.

To make the espresso:

• Mix together the instant coffee and boiling water. Allow to cool completely. Now is the time to add any alcohol if you like. I kept mine alcohol free.

To make the mascarpone cream:

• In a bowl, mix together the mascarpone and sweetened condensed milk. Once combined, whisk until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream until it produces soft peaks. Don't overwhip.
• A little at a time, fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. The finished mascarpone cream should be smooth and able to hold a peak.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder and cinnamon.

To assemble to tiramisu:

• Take a large glass or ceramic dish. Dip the now stale ladyfingers in the cold coffee until soaked, about 5-6 seconds and then arrange in the base of the dish. Top with 1/3 of the mascarpone cream and spread out into an even layer.
• Use a tea strainer to sift half of the cocoa powder and cinnamon mixture on top of the mascarpone cream.
• Repeat the sponge finger and espresso layering process. You can plug any gaps with broken sponge fingers to fit. Top with another 1/3 of the mascarpone cream.
• Place the remaining mascarpone cream in a piping bag fitted with a large, round nozzle. Pipe little blobs of cream on the top of the tiramisu for a pretty finish. Sift the remaining cocoa powder and cinnamon mixture over the top of the tiramisu.
• Cover the dish, taking care not to smudge the top. Refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 24 hours (or up to 72 hours) before serving.

Video

Notes

• Since this tiramisu is eggless, it will keep well in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freeze any leftover tiramisu in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and consume within 24 hours. Do not re-freeze.
• If you don’t want to pipe a design on top of the tiramisu, divide the mascarpone in half rather than thirds. Use half in the first layer and half on top.
• Decaf coffee can be used in place of regular coffee.
• Cinnamon is optional. Leave it out if you don’t like it.
• If you like your eggless tiramisu boozy, add 2-3 tablespoons of marsala, Bailey’s, dark rum or whiskey to the cold espresso.
• This recipe makes approx. 52 ladyfingers/sponge fingers.

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There’s a soft and juicy gulab jamun surprise hidden inside this fluffy eggless red velvet cupcake.

Use either shop-bought Gulab Jamuns or make your own. I have a video tutorial and recipe for Perfect Gulab Jamun here. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as making gulab jamun at home.

Can I bake these eggless red velvet cupcakes without the gulab jamuns?

I know you’re thinking it. Of course you can bake these cupcakes without the Gulab Jamuns.

Be sure to fill the cases 3/4 way up and bake at 170°C/340°F for 22 minutes. This recipe calls for standard-sized cupcake cases (not fairy cakes and not muffins, somewhere in between).

Note: Smaller cupcakes will take less time at the same temperature. Larger muffin-sized cakes will take longer at a slightly reduced temperature.

How to make Gulab Jamun-Stuffed Cupcakes

1. Make the eggless red velvet cupcake batter

2. Fill the cupcake cases and add your surprise inside

3. Frost and serve!

Eggless cupcake FAQs

Q. Is there a single egg replacer that works for all baking recipes?

A. There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer as the techniques and make-up of different bakes all require different approaches and ingredients.

E.g. Mashed banana, flax eggs and applesauce are fine for eggless bakes like banana cake, dense muffins and crumb cake but they don’t work so well in red velvet cakes.

The eggless cake would end up tasting of those ingredients rather than having the light, white, fluffy texture we all want in a good red velvet cake.

Q. Can I swap the sugar in the recipe for a sugar alternative?

A. No. Sugar helps proteins bind and form a good structure in cakes. In the absence of eggs, sugar plays a vital role in binding proteins, forming a good crumb and holding the cake together.

Using liquid-based ingredients like honey will change the texture of final cake.

Coconut sugar and sweetener have a different make-up to regular sugar too and swapping them in place of sugar will also change the final result of the eggless cake.

Q. My eggless cupcakes are tough. Where did I go wrong?

A. Overworked batter can produce a dense, tough cake. This is the case with all cakes, not just the eggless kind. If you overbeat cake batter, the in the flour gluten develops and this results in tough, stodgy eggless cupcakes.

Q. Can I veganise these eggless cakes?

A. Yes, you can but again, the texture and flavour of the finished cake may vary slightly.

Increase the amount flour by 1 tbsp (8g) and switch the milk for unsweetened almond milk (at room temperature).

Do not add the gulab jamuns unless you happen to have vegan gulab jamuns to hand.

The butter in the frosting can be swapped with your favourite vegan spread. Use your favourite plant-based cream cheese.

Q. What type of food colour should I use?

I recommend using a gel-based red food colour, such as Wilton or Americolor for the best results. Liquid food colours can affect batter consistency when we add larger amounts.

Q. Can I use normal self-raising flour?

You can use either regular self-raising flour or cake/sponge flour. Note that sponge flour has a lower gluten content which will result in a lighter cake. Normal self-raising flour is fine to use, but your cake won’t be as light.

Handy equipment & tools for this recipe

If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a review and comment below.

Eggless Gulab Jamun-Stuffed Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe

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Eggless Gulab Jamun-Stuffed Red Velvet Cupcakes

There's a soft and juicy Gulab Jamun surprise hidden inside this fluffy red velvet cupcake. Perfect for celebrations!

Ingredients

For the gulab jamun-stuffed red velvet cupcakes:

• 180 g extra-fine self-raising cake flour
• 20 g cocoa powder
• 150 g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp skimmed milk powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp fine salt
• 240 ml milk room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 100 ml oil any flavourless oil of your choice
• 1 tsp red gel food colour
• 12 gulab jamuns

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 180 g unsalted butter
• 180 g cream cheese
• 125 g icing sugar
• 2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
• 1 tbsp reserved gulab jamun syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 12 gold dragees to decorate (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F. Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with cupcake cases.
• Gently press each gulab jamun between your fingers to remove excess syrup. Don't squeeze them too hard or they will break. Reserve 1 tbsp gulab jamun syrup for the frosting.
• In a jug or glass, mix together the milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 5 minutes, undisturbed. After 5 minutes, add the oil and vanilla extract and give it a brief whisk.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, milk powder, cornflour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
• Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and gently whisk for 40-60 seconds until smooth. Add the red food colour and mix well until incorporated. Don’t overbeat the cake batter or you could end up with tough cupcakes.
• Pour the batter into the paper cases, about halfway full. Place a gulab jamun in the centre of each case. Top with more cake batter, about 3/4 way up the case and so that the gulab jamuns are covered. Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes. It’s okay if some of the tops crack a bit where they gulab jamuns are.
• Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin. Ensure they’re completely cool before adding the frosting.

For the frosting:

• To make the frosting, mix together the milk powder and 1 tbsp reserved gulab jamun syrup. Mix well until smooth.
• Beat the butter until pale. Add the milk powder mixture and vanilla extract. Beat briefly. Next, the icing sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Add the cream cheese and continue to beat until smooth. Refrigerate until cold, about 2-3 hours and whip once more. The cream cheese frosting ready to use when it's thick and can hold a stiff peak.
• Frost the cooled cupcakes however you like. I often use the Wilton 1M tip fitted in a piping bag for cute ruffles and rosettes. You can also just use an ice cream scoop to heap the frosting on. This time I liked the idea of a chubby blob piped with a simple large, round piping tip to reflect the roundness of the gulab jamuns. Add a gold dragee for sparkle.

Video

Notes

The unfrosted cupcakes can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Cover well and store at room temperature. Frost immediately before serving.

Make frosting ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Frosted cupcakes are best eaten on the day. Refrigerated cupcakes may dry out.

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I remember feeling incredibly grown up the first time I was asked if I wanted sweet aan from the paan shop.

What is Paan Masala?

Paan Masala is an Indian after-dinner mouth freshener consisting of peppery betel leaf wrapped around a filling of rose petal jam, candied fennel seeds, salted sesame seeds and sweet betel nut (areca) flakes.

You can get it in many different varieties, some containing chewing tobacco and some colourful, fun to eat and delightfully sweet.

Each specialist paan wala will have their own secret blend of ingredients.

Why Paan Masala Cookies?

I want to take my love of sweet paan to the next level by sharing a fun take on it that doesn’t require a visit to a specialist paan maker.

These sweet little cookies are such a great after-dinner sweet to pair with coffee or tea. As paan masala or mukhwas is usually an after-dinner treat, these cookies take that classic ritual to the next level.

How to make Paan Masala Cookies in 4 easy steps

1. Make the dough

Beat together butter, condensed milk and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Add your dry ingredients and use a spatula to form a soft dough.

Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for a couple of hours.

2. Add the paan masala

Break the dough up and add the paan masala. Bring everything together using your hands to press the paan masala into the dough.

The reason we add it as this stage and not earlier is because the colours often run and we don’t want them streaking through or discolouring the cookie dough.

3. Roll and stamp out your cookies

Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll the dough out to around 3-4mm in thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice to stamp out your cookies.

Gather up any dough scraps and repeat the rolling and stamping process until all of it is used up.

Tip: Try to work quickly so the dough doesn’t soften too much. If it does become very soft, wrap it up again and chill in the fridge until firm before continuing.

The warmer the dough is, the more likely it is that the paan masala colours will bleed.

4. Bake the cookies

Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Bake in your oven preheated at 175°C/350°F for 12-14 minutes.

The cookies will not brown a great deal so the colours of the paan masala stand out beautifully.

Where can I buy Paan Masala?

You can pick up a packet paan masala (sometimes labelled mukhwas) in most Indian shops or buy it online. The other ingredients in this recipe are things you’ll probably already have a home.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. These are all products I have purchased of my own accord and ones that I use myself. None of the products mentioned have been gifted to me. By using an affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no expense to you. This commission helps to support this blog. Thanks in advance if you choose to make a purchase through these links!

Paan Masala Cookies recipe

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Paan Masala Cookies

The ultimate after-dinner cookie to pair with coffee. Buttery, bakery-style biscuits laced with candied fennel seed and rose petal paan masala.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Indian

Keyword baking, biscuits, cookies, paan masala

Servings 25 cookies

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Cookie cutters of your choice
• 2-3 large, flat baking trays

Ingredients

• 200 g plain flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 125g g butter softened
• 100g g sweetened condensed milk
• 25g g icing sugar
• 25 g gulab mukhwas (or paan masala/mukhwas of your choice)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 175°C/350°F.
• Place the butter in a large bowl. Beat with a whisk until very soft. Add the condensed milk and continue to beat until smooth.
• Add the icing sugar and whip until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Tip in the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Use a spatula to fold the flour in until no more dry flour is visible. It will be a very soft dough.
• Place the dough onto a large piece of cling film and flatten into a rough 15cm x 15cm square. Wrap well and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. We flatten it so the dough chills quickly.
• Break the chilled dough into small pieces and tip the paan masala on top. Bring everything together using your hands to press the paan masala into the dough. The reason we add it as this stage and not earlier is because the colours often run and we don't want them streaking through or discolouring the cookie dough.
• Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll the dough out to around 3-4mm in thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice to stamp out your cookies. Gather up any dough scraps and repeat the rolling and stamping process until all of it is used up. Try to work quickly so the dough doesn't soften too much. If it does become very soft, wrap it up again and chill in the fridge until firm before continuing. The warmer the dough is, the more likely it is that the paan masala colours will bleed.
• Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Bake in your oven preheated at 175°C/350°F for 12-14 minutes. The cookies will not brown a great deal so the colours of the paan masala stand out beautifully.
• The cookies will seem quite soft when they come out of the oven. They will firm up as they cool. Allow to cool on the baking trays completely before placing in a biscuit tin. These cookies taste better the next day.

Video

Notes

• These Paan Masala Cookies will keep will in an airtight biscuit tin for up to 2 weeks. Store at room temperature.
• You can make the cookie dough up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to use. Add the paan masala right before you want to bake them.
• The cookie dough freezes well. Wrap the dough (without paan masala added) it well in cling film and freeze for up to 3 months. Add the paan masala right before you want to bake them.

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The highlight of every gathering

I have fabulous memories of digging in to fresh cream cakes at almost every family birthday party I went to. We never had novelty fondant-covered cakes at our gatherings.

My mum would spend all day baking, listening to her favourite songs on the cassette player and letting me lick the spoon. In our family, it’s tradition that when you make something sweet at home, the youngest child must have the first taste. It’s something we do to honour the memory of my great uncle, Velji bapu who died very young. We remember him always.

Can a vegan cake still taste good?

The sponge for this Vegan Fresh Cream & Fruit Cake is entirely vegan and the cake itself can be topped with your favourite vegan whipped cream, too. Nature’s Charm do a fantastic one. It’s light, fluffy, not too sweet and tastes like it came from a bakery. I add a combination of vanilla and almond extracts to give the cake that “just baked” flavour. It’s absolutely delicious and I defy you to notice the lack of eggs or dairy in this cake.

Can I make this Vegan Fresh Cream & Fruit Cake ahead of time?

I’d recommend baking the cake a few days before you want to eat it. Decorate it with jam, whipped cream, fresh fruit and chocolate curls the night before. Keep it covered and refrigerated and remove it from the fridge an hour before serving to let it come to room temperature. Ultimately, this makes ALL the difference. If eaten cold, the sponge may feel too heavy.

FAQ: How to bake a vegan cake

Ingredients you’ll need for this Vegan Fresh Cream & Fruit Cake

• Extra-fine self raising cake flour or sponge flour
• Caster sugar
• Almond milk (or your favourite plant-based milk)
• Cornflour (cornstarch)
• Lemon juice
• Baking powder
• Soy milk powder (NOW is a great option)
• Oil (any unflavoured – I use sunflower)
• Pure vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Salt
• Vegan whipping cream (I use Nature’s Charm Coconut Whipping Cream)
• Mixed fresh fruit of your choice (I use strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwis, mandarins, peaches and pineapples)
• Chocolate curls (optional)

How to make Vegan Fresh Cream & Fruit Cake

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Vegan Fresh Cream & Fruit Cake

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword almond, baking, birthday, cake, fruit, party, vanilla, vegan

Prep Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

4 hours hours

Total Time 5 hours hours 55 minutes minutes

Servings 16

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• 20cm x 25cm x 10cm-deep (8" x 10" x 4"-deep) non-stick baking tin or 9" x 4"-deep square
• Wire cooling rack
• Baking parchment
• Whisk
• Large bowl
• Large jug

Ingredients

For the vegan vanilla sponge cake:

• 480 ml almond milk, room-temperature (or any plant-based milk)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional, or enhanced flavour)
• 180 ml oil (any unflavoured)
• 340 g extra-fine self-raising cake flour (sponge flour)
• 300 g caster sugar
• 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 25 g soy milk powder
• 1/4 tsp fine salt

To decorate the cake:

• 300 ml vegan whipping cream, cold (I used Nature's Charm)
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 200 g mixed fresh fruit of your choice (I used strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, mandarins, peaches and pineapples)
• Chocolate curls (optional)

Instructions

For the vegan vanilla sponge cake:

• Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/320°F. Grease and line a 20cm x 25cm x 10cm-deep (8" x 10" x 4"-deep) non-stick baking tin (or 9" x 4"-deep square) with oil and baking parchment. Leave an overhang at either side to lift the cake out easily later.
• In a jug, whisk together the plant milk, lemon juice, vanilla extract and almond extract. Allow to stand for 10 minutes and then whisk in the oil.
• Combine the remaining dry ingredients for the sponge in a large bowl.
• Add the milk and oil mixture to the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth, about a minute. Do not overwork the batter.
• Pour the batter into the lined tin and rasp the base of the tin on the worktop a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. This cake will not brown too much.

To decorate the cake:

• Whip the coconut cream with some sugar. Refrigerate. Prep the fruit. Wash and dry all the berries, slice the pineapples, kiwis and peaches and drain the mandarins (I used tinned so drained the extra water, but you can also use fresh). Keep the fruit covered in a large plate in the fridge.
• Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 15 minutes and then carefully run a knife around the edges. Lift the cake out using the overhanging baking parchment. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Once cool, brush the cake with the warm jam and top with whipped cream. Decorate with fresh fruit and chocolate curls.

Notes

HOW TO STORE THIS CAKE:

Keep the cake covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Remove the cake from the fridge 1 hour before serving to allow it to come to room temperature. Slice and serve.

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Question: When a muffin is packing this much chocolate, can it still legitimately be considered breakfast?

The secret to big, fluffy vegan muffins

The secret is that there is no secret! This recipe is so basic. Using only a handful of ingredients for the muffin base batter, you’ll wonder why muffins ever need eggs or dairy at all. These muffins puff up like magic and dome beautifully on top. The chocolate chips remain suspended so you get a welcome chocolatey hit with every mouthful.

My love affair with salted hot chocolate

I had my first taste of salted hot chocolate roaming the restaurants of Vienna in search of apple strudel. When I found churros with salted hot chocolate instead, I forgot all about the strudel.

Ultimately, if you love sea salt-sprinkled chocolate chip cookies, you will go nuts for these jetpuffed muffins.

The magical almond-hot chocolate topping

They have a crunchy topping of flaked almonds, hot chocolate powder and sea salt. I stir these ingredients with melted vegan butter to create a paste that is spooned onto the muffin batter once the cases are filled.

The salty-nutty-chocolate mixture bubbles and toasts in the oven to create a nobbly, domed top that tastes intensely like almond praline.

Ingredients you’ll need for Salted Hot Chocolate & Almond Muffins

• Plain flour
• Caster sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Oil (any unflavoured)
• Aquafaba (water from a can of unsalted chickpeas)
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate chips (any vegan)
• Your favourite vegan hot chocolate mix (I use this one)
• Flaked almonds
• Vegan butter
• Sea salt flakes

Step-by-step: How to make Salted Hot Chocolate & Almond Muffins

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Salted Hot Chocolate & Almond Muffins

Tall, dark & handsome vegan SALTED HOT CHOCOLATE & ALMOND MUFFINS; you’re looking hella fine, babes! Studded with dark chocolate chips and topped with a crunchy almond hot chocolate crown, this is a muffin for serious chocolate lovers only.

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword almond, cake, chocolate, dark chocolate, hot chocolate, muffins, vegan

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

For the muffins:

• 350 g flour
• 100 g caster sugar
• 100 g light brown sugar
• 200 ml unsweetened almond milk room temperature
• 100 ml unflavoured oil of your choice
• 100 ml aquafaba
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 75 g vegan dark chocolate chips tossed in 1 tbsp plain flour

Topping:

• 4 tbsp your favourite vegan hot chocolate mix
• 2 tbsp flaked almonds
• 1 tbsp melted vegan butter
• 1 tsp sea salt flakes
• Extra chocolate chips if desired

Instructions

• Pre-heat the oven to 175°C/350°F. Line a 6-cup muffin tin with large tulip cases.
• In a small bowl, mix together the hot chocolate powder, flaked almonds and vegan butter. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, fine salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the almond milk, aquafaba, oil and vanilla extract. Whisk until just combined. It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfectly smooth. Fold in the flour-dusted chocolate chips.
• Fill the muffin cases, a little over 3/4 of the way up. Top with some of the hot chocolate and almond mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt and extra chocolate chips if desired.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden and risen. If a metal skewer inserted into the centre of the muffins comes out clean, they’re done. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin and then remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

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In an attempt to create all that I seek in a good brownie, I’ve tried no fewer than 25 variations of this recipe before . My aim? To strike the perfect balance between fudgy and cakey, chocolate-rich but not overwhelmingly so, and of course, to produce the highly-coveted glossy, crackly top.

The entire process has been as intense as the cocoa solids in the chocolate I was baking with.

A great vegan brownie recipe

My final bar is everything I look for in a truly wicked brownie. Squares of dense chocolate fudge, 2.5cm deep, encased in light chocolate cake, and crowned with a glossy, paper-thin “meringue-ish” patina. They’re moist, but not so much that they don’t benefit from being washed down with a glass of cold milk. And most importantly, they’re not so intensely flavoured that they feel too grown up to be a nostalgic treat.

Brownies will only be as good as the chocolate you use

Brownies made with dark chocolate will produce a brownie with more more bitter notes than brownies made with milk chocolate. I follow the school of thought that advocates the use of the best quality chocolate you can afford. After all, brownies are all about showing off great chocolate.

I’m yet to find a vegan milk chocolate I love, so I stuck to my two favourite dark chocolate brands in this recipe. If you do makes these brownies with milk chocolate, note that the recipe will result in brownies that are lighter in colour and much sweeter than the original.

My best advice is to choose the chocolate brands you actually like the taste of. It sounds silly but this is an easy thing to overlook. Having said this, feel free to mix things up with a couple of different brands. Baker extraordinaire, Stella Parks suggests blending multiple chocolate brands in her fabulous cookbook, Bravetart. Using multiple varieties allows you to build depth of flavour in your brownies. It works.

These vegan brownies are the ultimate balance between fudgy and chewy, chocolatey and sweet.

Finding your flavour inspiration

Whilst the most important flavour of any brownie comes from the chocolate, there is a simple beauty in being able to customise them to your taste.

Some great brownie mix-in ideas

• Chopped nuts
• More chocolate (your favourite candy bar, for example)
• Crushed cookies or cookie dough
• Fruits like cherries or raspberries
• Spices. If you know me, I’m all about masala magic

My midnight brownies are flavoured with star anise and orange zest. It’s a truly breathtaking combination that was meant to be paired with chocolate.

The eight-pointed star releases a delicious liquorice aroma when ground into a fine powder. Muddling it with the zest of an orange mellows it down for Asian vibes your brownies will welcome.

Baking for relaxation

Do you ever get an itch to wander into the kitchen and bake? I do. It’s an inexplicable longing to make magic for the people you love (including yourself because self-love is important too).

It’s not often I go in to the kitchen completely sure of what I’m going to make. I’ll have something in the fridge or cupboard I know I want, then I forage about until I find the perfect partners for what I fancy and they could be totally bizarre combinations I’ve never tried before.

If I’ve learned anything from all my years of experimental cooking is that you have to be fearless. FEARLESS. Yeah sure, sometimes things don’t turn out the way you plan but that’s what takeaway pizza and shop-bought ice cream is there for.

Ingredients you’ll need to make my Vegan Crackled Midnight Brownies

• Plain flour (all-purpose flour)
• Icing sugar
• Cornflour
• Cocoa powder (not hot chocolate mix)
• Baking powder
• Ground flax seeds
• Aquafaba (water from a can of unsalted chickpeas or beans)
• Water
• Refined coconut oil
• Dark chocolate (1-2 of your favourite brands)
• Light brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground star anise
• Orange zest
• Fine salt

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Vegan Crackled Midnight Brownies

Named so because of all the nights I stayed up until midnight trying to perfect the recipe! These vegan brownies are the ultimate balance between fudgy and chewy, chocolatey and sweet.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword baking

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 16

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• 20cm x 25cm x 10cm-deep (8" x 10" x 4"-deep) non-stick baking tin or 9" x 4"-deep square

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 120 ml aquafaba hot
• 100 g plain flour
• 50 g cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 125 g dark chocolate chopped (I used a blend of two of my favourite brands)
• 60 g coconut oil
• 200 g icing sugar
• 50 g light brown sugar
• 60 ml hot water
• 1/4 tsp ground star anise
• Zest of 1 medium orange

Instructions

• Grease and line a 20cm x 25cm x 10cm-deep (8" x 10" x 4"-deep) traybake tin with coconut oil and baking parchment. Leave an overhang at either side to lift the brownie out easily later.
• Pre-heat the oven to 175°C/350°F.
• In a small bowl, mix together the ground flax seeds and hot aquafaba. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cornflour, baking powder and salt.
• Place the chocolate and coconut oil over a bain-marie and allow it to melt, stirring gently. Once melted, remove from the heat and set aside. You can also microwave them in a glass bowl on high power in 30 second intervals until melted. Stir gently between each blast. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Add the icing sugar, brown sugar, flax-aquafaba mixture, hot water, orange zest and ground star anise. Whip for 2-3 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and shiny.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients and whisk again until smooth and glossy, about 90 seconds.
• Pour into a lined pan and bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the tin before slicing for perfect squares.

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If you like this recipe, you’ll love these Vegan Rice Krispie Treats made with REAL vanilla!

Love Sanjana

The post Vegan Crackled Midnight Brownies appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

I think this cake is my spirit animal.

What are Gulab Jamuns?

If you’ve never had them, traditional Gulab Jamuns are basically doughnut holes on crack. They get their signature burnished bronze exterior from a high milk solids content that caramelises as it fries.

Yes, like any dessert worth its salt (or should that be sugar?), Gulab Jamuns are deep fried before being dunked in a bath of rose-scented syrup.

Here’s my mum’s annual batch of Gulab Jamuns for the Hindu festival, Diwali. They’re amazing and she is the master!

When do people eat them?

They’re the original “golden balls” (sorry Mr. Beckham) and an iconic dessert at weddings. No religious festival would be complete without a bowl of a hundred sticky Gulab Jamuns either.

Sweet memories

As a child, I would snaffle down a minimum of three at any sitting. Each jamun is basically a carrier for an outrageous volume of rosy-cardamom syrup.

For the uninitiated, they can cause quite the sugar rush. Some go a step further and serve them warm with ice cream. Too far?

Sadly, I no longer have the metabolism of an eight-year, but I do need my Gulab Jamun fix once in a while.

Gulab Jamuns, reinvented: The Eggless Gulab Jamun Cake

Enter, the Gulab Jamun Cake. This is one recipe I’ve gently modified to preserve all the things I love about the original dish.

Ultimately, the cake has all the treasured flavours of classic Gulab Jamun without the deep frying or long soak in sugar syrup. What’s not to love?

How can this Gulab Jamun Cake be Eggless?

Yes, my recipe is made without eggs so is suitable for lacto vegetarians or anyone with an egg allergy.

Is this Gulab Jamun Cake vegan?

No. I developed my recipe to pay homage to the rich, milky flavour of traditional Gulab Jamun. I use full-fat milk powder to enrich the cake batter with a subtle creaminess reminiscent of the Gulab Jamuns I ate growing up.

A note on milk powder

Classic Gulab Jamun recipes feature grated milk solids (mawa). Having said this, milk powder is a more readily-available substitute. It works beautifully in this recipe. If you’d like to have a go at making a vegan version, you can try swapping this for soy milk powder, for example.

How to serve Eggless Gulab Jamun Cake

Ultimately, you want to serve it with ice cream for a truly royal pudding. You could also enjoy a naked piece with masala chai.

Ingredients you’ll need to make this Gulab Jamun Cake

Here’s a list of ingredients you need to make this recipe. You can find exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.

• Plain flour (all-purpose flour or maida)
• Coarse semolina
• Caster sugar
• Full-fat milk powder (whole milk powder)
• Cornflour (cornstarch)
• Baking powder
• Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• Fine salt (table salt)
• Full-fat milk (whole milk)
• Lemon juice
• Rosewater
• Almond oil (or any flavourless oil of your choice)
• Saffron strands
• Green cardamom pods
• Water
• Dried petals and/or rosebuds (optional)
• Slivered or chopped pistachios

How to make Gulab Jamun Cake

Print

Eggless Gulab Jamun Cake

This simple, yet beautiful cake sees the queen of Indian sweets transformed into an easy-to-make dessert. Rose, cardamom and saffron give the syrup-glazed sponge its iconic “gulab jamun” flavour. Serve it with ice cream for a truly royal pudding, or enjoy a piece with masala chai.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword baking, cake, eggless, gulab jamun

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Equipment

• 18cm Dia. x 8.5cm small ring cake/bundt tin
• Sugar thermometer/candy thermometer

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 250 g plain flour
• 40 g full-fat milk powder
• 50 g coarse semolina
• 20 g cornflour
• 125 g caster sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 420 ml whole milk room temperature
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp rosewater (I used Nielsen-Massey)
• 125 ml any flavourless oil of your choice
• 8-10 saffron strands
• 4 cardamom pods seeds removed and crushed

For the syrup:

• 80 g sugar
• 50 ml water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp rosewater
• 8-10 saffron strands
• 2 cardamom pods seeds removed and crushed

To grease the cake tin:

• 1 tsp any flavourless oil of your choice
• 1 tbsp plain flour

To decorate:

• Dried rose petals/rosebuds
• Slivered or chopped pistachios

Instructions

For the sponge:

• Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/320°F. Grease the cake tin with 1 tsp oil and dust with 1 tbsp plain flour. Set aside.
• In a jug, mix together the whole milk and lemon juice. Set aside for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Whisk in the oil and rosewater.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, milk powder, semolina, cornflour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom and saffron.
• Gradually whisk in the milk mixture and beat briefly until smooth, about a minute. Don't overwork the batter but be sure to get all the lumps out.
• Pour the cake batter into the greased and floured tin. Bang the tin on the work top 3-4 times to remove any unwanted air bubbles.
• Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Do not open the oven door in the first 40 minutes of cooking. This can cause the cake to collapse.
• Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack. It should come away from the tin easily since it was greased and floured. You might need to give it a gentle wiggle. Allow to cool slightly while you prepare the sugar syrup.

For the sugar syrup:

• In a small saucepan, mix together the sugar, water, lemon juice, rosewater, cardamom and saffron. Bring to the boil and simmer until it reaches 104°C (119°F) on a sugar/candy thermometer. It should be ever so slightly sticky. The lemon juice will stop the syrup crystallising.
• Set the warm cake (on the wire rack) over a roasting tray or oven tray to catch the excess syrup as it falls. You may need to set this over a heatproof mat to protect your work surface. Carefully drizzle the syrup over the cake. Repeat, transferring the cake to another roasting tray or oven tray and drizzle over the syrup from the first tin. Keep doing this until all the syrup is used up. I repeated this step 4-5 times.
• Decorate with pistachios. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.
• Optional: Fill the centre of the bundt with dried rose petals and rosebuds for a show-stopping finish. Slice and serve.

Notes

• Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours.
• Refrigerating the Gulab Jamun Cake will cause it to harden and dry out.
• Serve the cake as it is, with masala chai or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• This cake can be baked into cupcakes. It will make around 18 small cupcakes. Bake at 175°C/350°F for 18-20 minutes. The tops will turn slightly golden.
• You can also bake this cake in a 25cm x 4cm (10-inch x 1.5-inch) round cake tin. Bake at 160°C/320°F for 45-50 minutes.

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Finally, if you like this cake, you’ll love these Rum-Soaked Kala Jamun

Love Sanjana

The post Eggless Gulab Jamun Cake appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.