Desserts, Cakes & Pies

My Aunty Shila’s Cinnamon Raisin Cookies

A few years ago, I was in Blackpool (my hometown in the UK) and went to see my Aunty Sheila and Uncle Neville. I took my son Marc with me to meet them for the first time. She served afternoon tea and these cookies. I forgot what a good baker she was, so I immediately asked for the recipe…here it is. She has since passed away, so I am thrilled I got this treasured EASY recipe. Except she called them biscuits 

🔥 Prep Time: 15 mins. | ⏱ Cook Time: 10 – 15 mins. | 🍽 Serves: ? could be just you LOL

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Ingredients:

· 3oz. Margarine or butter

· 2 oz. Castor sugar (fine white sugar)

· 3 ½ oz. soft brown sugar (packed)

· 1 egg

· 1 tsp. vanilla essence

· 3 ½ oz. chopped raisins. (you could also use cranberries, chocolate chips, )

· 6 oz. self raising flour (or 1 cup all purpose flour mixed with 1 ½ tsp. baking powder and ½ tsp. salt)

· 2 tsp. cinnamon

· ½ tsp. baking soda

· Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 375*f 

2. Grease a cookie sheet or put parchment paper on.

3. In a bowl mix all the dry ingredients together and put to the side.

4. Mix with an electric beater, the butter and sugars together for about 5 mins till the mixture is creamy.

5. Add the egg and vanilla and beat till mixed in and fluffy.

6. Take the flour mixture and stir it into the mixture with a wooden spoon till well blended

7. Place 1 tbsp. mixture on the cookie sheet, repeat till all the mixture is done, till all done, leaving space for spreading, approximately 2” apart

8. Bake 10 – 15 mins on the top shelf till golden in colour.

9. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before taking a spatula and placing them on a cooling wire rack

*Not sure how many they make, as they get eaten off the cooling rack before I have a chance to count them  :)

Chewy Fudge Brownies

This easy brownie recipe is rich, fudgy and oh so chewy. It’s a one-bowl recipe that can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. Bet you can’t just eat 1 

BTW, if you use margarine or dairy-free butter, no onewill know except the people who can't have dairy.

🔥Prep Time: 10 mins. | ⏱Cook Time:25 – 30 min. | 🍽Serves: 9 - 12

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Ingredients:

· 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, melted and lukewarm

· 1 tbsp (15ml) vegetable oil

· 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

· 2 large eggs

· 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract

· 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour

· 1/2 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

· 1/4 tsp (1g) salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350f* 

2. Lightly grease an 8×8″ square baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

3. Put the flour in a medium bowl, then take the 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and put it in a fine mesh sieve and shake it over the flour, add the salt, then mix it all together and place it to the side.

4. Melt the butter in the microwave for about 20 – 30 seconds

5. Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, oil and sugar for about a minute.

6. Add in the eggs and vanilla. 

7. Whisk again for about a minute until glossy and smooth.

8. Gently stir in the flour, cocoa and salt until JUST combined. 

9. Spread evenly onto prepared baking pan.

10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the centre is just set when lightly touched.

Let cool before slicing into the brownies.