Vegan Scones (and your guests won’t even notice!)

img_8915How good are scones?! Afternoon tea with jam and clotted cream. Last minute Saturday breakfast, warm with butter. Stale the next day, perked up in the toaster for an afternoon pick-me-up. Yep scones are amazing.

I’m not sure I know anyone who doesn’t like them,  so why should those who can’t/don’t eat dairy and eggs miss out?

Here’s my recipe for honestly delicious dairy and egg free scones, your afternoon tea guests won’t believe they’re vegan!

Fair warning: scones don’t keep well usually but these butter-free vegan scones really don’t keep at all, so don’t hold back! (a 10 second zap in the microwave will do something towards making your dry-next-day scones enjoyable)

Makes 12 scones

800g/28oz self-raising flour (800g all purpose flour + 10 tsp baking powder)
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp Baking powder
170g/5oz chilled dairy-free baking block (I use Trex)
150g/5oz caster (superfine) sugar
300ml/10 fl oz milk alternative (I like oat milk)
1 tbsp vanilla essence
70g/2.5oz raisins/sultanas

Pre-heat the oven to 180 c (350 f)

Step 1 – mix the flour, salt and baking powder together in a large bowl with a whisk
Step 2 – add the baking block, it is much softer than butter – use a spoon.
Step 3 – use a knife to mix the dry ingredients with the baking block until it’s well coated, then get your hands in a rub together like regular scones
Step 4 – add the sugar and rub until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs
Step 5 – make a well and add the milk, stir with your knife until the mixture clumps
Step 6 – add the dried fruit
Step 7 – tip the mixture onto a clean surface and knead together, if it’s sticky add a little flour
Step 8 – flatten with your hands to around 5 cm (2in) making sure it is totally level (no sloping edges) but BE GENTLE!
Step 9 – use a circle cutter to cut out your scones, don’t twist the cutter. Ball and flatten until all the dough is cut.
Step 10 – brush with milk alternative and bake for 17-19 minutes.

They should be honey coloured on top, well risen and pale on the sides. Cool for at least 10 minutes on tray or rack.

 

 

Dairy Free Kids Party Food

I just hosted my daughter’s third birthday party and we had a couple of guests who couldn’t eat dairy. I wanted to use buttercream on the main cake so I made some extra cakes and treats to make sure there was something yummy and exciting for these kids to eat.

The dairy free options were ‘record’ cupcakes, Rice Krispy cake ‘microphones’ and chicken drumsticks. This party had a (loose) music theme.

‘Record’ Cupcakes

Yields 9 cupcakes

150g dairy free spread. I used dairy free flora

150g caster sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

150g self raising flour

100g marshmallows

10g dairy free spread

Oreo biscuits

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Line a cupcake tin with paper or silicone cases.

Cream together the DF spread and sugar until pale and creamy.

Slowly add the beaten eggs, mixing well between additions.

Add the vanilla essence and mix well.

Gently fold in the flour.

Fill the prepared cases 3/4 full and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Allow your cupcakes to cool until possible to handle. Cut the top so it’s as flat as possible.

Melt your marshmallows with the spread, this is best done on the stove but you can do it in the microwave in 20 second bursts.

Spoon the liquid marshmallow onto the top of the cupcake and spin to cover the top, gently press an Oreo in the middle while still hot so it sticks as it cools.

(It looks a bit like a vinyl record if you want to see it!)

Rice Krispy Cake ‘Microphones’

Yields 12 cones

300g marshmallows

45g dairy free spread (or 30g of veg oil in a pinch!)

170g Rice Krispies

Flat bottomed ice cream cones

Silver balls

Method

Melt together the marshmallows and DF spread over a medium-low heat. I always let the marshmallow colour on the bottom just a tiny bit at the end to give a caramely flavour.

Meanwhile, stand your cones in a cupcake tin (a mini cupcake tin works best).

As quickly as possible stir in the Rice Krispies.

Oil your hands with a flavourless oil (sunflower/veg) and push a small handful of mixture gently into a cone with a domed top. Roll the some in the silver balls to make the microphone effect.

Rolling in sprinkles would make it look like an ice cream, if you prefer.