Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Mascarpone Tarts

Don’t be fooled. This is not a healthy recipe. Although it has no added sugar, it is very rich and indulgent, thanks to the butter, creamy cheese and refined flour! However, I find that because they aren’t overly ‘sweet’, one is enough to satisfy. My husband disagrees.

I had planned to share this recipe a few weeks ago – to the point where I had made my ‘final’ batch one Sunday afternoon, after a series of test-batches over many weeks, in order to take some photos before we ate them for afternoon tea, pop them on here and publish the post that evening. Unfortunately I had a DREADFUL photo-shoot. Just as I was putting the final touches on the tarts, a dark, dismal storm suddenly appeared over my house, and took all the nice daylight with it. I tried to take some photos anyway, but they were blurry and hideous. It could not be done. I also had three hungry males impatiently waiting for their afternoon tea, so I gave up, feeling pretty sorry for myself (first world problems, hey!?). I shouldn’t complain really – eating strawberry tarts while having a cup of tea on a stormy Sunday afternoon at home is a pretty good situation to be in!

Naturally, the sun came out again as I took my last bite.

But no matter, here we are! Just in time for the end of season strawberries – though feel free to use your favourite fruit – peaches, nectarines, raspberries and sliced banana would be delicious too. Continue reading →

Easy Apple and Hazelnut Frangipane Tarts

I’m very happy to share this recipe, which I have made several times over the last few months. These apple and hazelnut frangipane tarts are quick to make and tasty. I find it hard to stop at one, so it’s best to make them while other people are around too. 🙂 I think a nectarine variation will be nice in summer!

Although these use only a small amount of rice malt syrup instead of refined sugar, I should clarify: they are definitely still a treat! I’m pretty sure that puff pastry doesn’t really qualify as a ‘whole food’. Feel free to change up the frangipane mixture – use all almond meal or all hazelnut meal if that’s what you have. Sometimes I make a double batch of frangipane and keep the leftovers in the fridge to make another round later in the week! Continue reading →

Happy Easter! Sugar-free Hot Cross Buffins and a Choc Raspberry Cake…

I hadn’t intended to write a blog post over the Easter weekend, but when I made these healthy hot cross ‘buffins’ from Well Nourished, I had to share them with everyone.

I had been eyeing off these buffins since last Easter, when Georgia first released the recipe. Back then I didn’t know what spelt flour was, which probably put me off. But now I use it all the time! These buffins have all the flavour of a hot cross muffin, without the sugar and artificial ingredients. I used rice malt syrup as my sweetener of choice, and added a small handful of dried cranberries instead of the recommended half cup of sultanas. They got a big thumbs up from the boys. Continue reading →