Traybakes and Cookies

Edible Flower & Lavender Shortbread Cookies – Gluten Free

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

I adapted this shortbread recipe from another one which had chocolate and raspberries. Sounds pretty good and I definitely might try it later but I wanted to try something I had seen on Pinterest and couldn’t wait!

So I decided to try and bake with edible flowers and the lavender that grows in my garden. I used a shortbread recipe but I think a plain, vanilla biscuit recipe would probably also work. The reason I chose the shortbread is because it comes out of the oven really soft which allows you to VERY gently press in the flowers and then return to the oven for the last 5 minutes of baking.

As I was using violas and also the lavender from the garden, I decided to add lemon flavour to the shortbread also as I felt they would work well together.

Continue reading →

Gluten Free Shortbread Recipe

~ cozebakes ~ 5 Comments

I’ve made shortbread before and I’ve tried two recipes. Both are here on cozebakes for you to try – A traditional shortbread recipe and a lemon shortbread recipe. One of my sons is a big fan of shortbread and even bigger fan of anything with lemon so I wanted to make him Gluten Free Lemon Shortbread.

You can change it up and try orange zest and even lime zest for a citrus shortbread. Don’t be tempted to add liquid flavourings so stick with chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, etc.

Continue reading →

Oaty Chocolate Chip Bars – Gluten Free Version included

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

Found this recipe in an American magazine from Sugar Spun and converted it to a gluten free and metric version and I’ll give both below. It’s chock full of healthy oats and a sweet treat when you want something but can’t find just the right thing. These bars are thick, chewy and totally delicious!

I love the fact you don’t need to take out any machinery to make these. It’s all done by hand which is always a bonus.

You can of course make them plain by leaving out the chocolate chips and they are very good that way too. I used dark chocolate chips and there are lots of variations you can make. I’ll list them below.

Continue reading →

Lemon Brownies

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

There are no preparation pictures for this recipe because it’s just everything in one bowl so nothing very interesting or difficult to see. Don’t you just love an “all in one” bowl recipe? Just so simple and easy to clean up too.

So a bit different from the usual brownie recipe are these Lemon Brownies. You expect to have a light cake when you see them but they are brownies and brownies are more dense than traditional sponge cakes and these have a nice bite to them plus they have a great lemon kick!

Continue reading →

St. Patrick’s Day Chocolate Cookies (Gluten Free Adaptation Included in Recipe)

~ cozebakes ~ 2 Comments

Get your Irish on by making these great chocolate cookies which are packed full of green candies such as M&M’s and Mini Eggs. I did wonder could I get white and orange M&M’s to really fly the flag but it was becoming expensive and time consuming to try and locate them but if you’re in a position to get them … wouldn’t it be so great! I’ve included Gluten Free options in the recipe content below if needed so no one gets left out.

I didn’t go with mint flavoured M&M’s as it might not appeal to everyone and they can be bit strong, but what I did do is to mix the type of M&M’s to add a surprise element to my cookies so in some bites it’s chocolate, some are crispy, some with peanut and some salted caramel – went down a major treat! People’s faces when they bit into a salted caramel … fantastic!

Continue reading →

Apple Tart Cookies – Gluten Free

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

These Apple Tart Cookies are soft and chewy and there’s no shaping to be done before baking. They are full of delicious pieces of apple and you can add white chocolate chips for extra sweetness if you like.

I always think of just “pure comfort” when it comes to apple tarts and they are always such a big hit with everyone. To have them in cookie form is another lovely element without having to make pastry.  I love the fact these cookies don’t have lots of sugar in the ingredients and adding a glaze at the end just adds a nice touch of sweetness.

Continue reading →

Gluten Free Flapjacks

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

I love Flapjacks but the commercially baked ones are so high in processed sugar that they are a rare treat and sometimes just so sweet, they are not really a healthy choice.

This recipe is adapted from a Dove’s Farm original and as I prefer soft and chewy flapjacks, they are perfect for me. If you prefer yours crisp and crunchy, then leave them longer to bake. Simple!

The recipe is vegetarian and free from gluten, egg, soya, wheat and nuts so everyone should be able to enjoy them 🙂

Continue reading →

Traditional Scottish Shortbread

~ cozebakes ~ 5 Comments

This recipe is based on Mary Berry’s Traditional Scottish Shortbread Recipe. It’s perfect for making with kids as they will love the kneading that has to be done to bring the dough together. It’s wonderful in the simplicity of ingredients that produce such delicious, buttery, melt in the mouth results.

I made mine for Christmas gifts so that’s why there are snowflakes and bauble shaped shortbread biscuits but I also cut them into rectangles for a more traditional look.

Continue reading →

Brownie Christmas Trees

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

These are just so sweet and make a real impact. They are all over the web so I can’t claim any right to them and certainly not my idea but everyone has their own little interpretation and this is mine.

You don’t need any electric mixer for this recipe. A good whisk, spatula and large spoon for the final bit and you’re good to go.

I make them in a 20cm square tin which should give you 5 trees measuring about 9cm x 6cm but it depends on your cutter. You do need a decent sized one otherwise once you try to cut them out, they will fall apart. Now if you’re handy with a knife then cut out triangles but as I’m totally useless, I rely on a tree cutter!

Continue reading →

Light & Delicious Ginger Cake

~ cozebakes ~ Leave a comment

 

So I know there seems to be an excess of ginger related recipes happening now but I have a tin of treacle that’s about to run out and a tub of bicarbonate of soda that has a “use before” date drawing near so I’m using them up with my ginger recipes. If you don’t like ginger, I apologise in advance 😉

This is a light and moist ginger cake which is just so delicious. It’s made in a brownie tin or you can make it in a 2lb loaf tin, with a few tweaks in baking time. Oh did I mention no mixer? Yes I love a recipe that just literally needs mixing and no equipment.

Oh the smell in the house! Seriously, the smell was heavenly and just full of comfort. It was like Christmas was bottled and let loose at ours.

Continue reading →

Spiced Fruit Biscuits

~ cozebakes ~ 1 Comment

I’m still on my biscuit baking drive and thought these looked perfect to have with my cup of tea. I love using spice in baking (and cooking) and was expecting these biscuits to be a spicy bite but instead I discovered a recipe that is very, very close to the traditional McVitie’s Fruit Shortcake biscuits. I kid you not! They are way too good and were a huge hit with everyone. Wrapped with pretty ribbon, they are a really great gift to give and will be very much appreciated.

Continue reading →