From the Barn brings you recipes straight from the kitchen of one of our local Care Services Co-ordinators — a fantastic cook and baker who always spoils us in the office with their homemade treats. They know first-hand what our clients living with chest, heart, and stroke conditions need to eat to stay well.
’Tis the Season – Handmade Edible Gifts
Why not try these delicious recipes for little handmade gifts? The biscuits look lovely and will stay fresh in a small glass jar, while the truffles look pretty in little cellophane bags tied with a ribbon – perfect for a thoughtful homemade present.
Orange and Cranberry Biscuits
Ingredients
200g margarine
150g soft brown sugar
75g muesli (sugar free)
200g plain flour
75g porridge oats
75g coconut
1 level teaspoon baking soda
25g dried cranberries
Rind of one large orange
Method
Cream the margarine and sugar together until light and well combined.
Gradually add all the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a walnut in its shell and flatten slightly.
Bake at 180°C for approximately 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Allow to cool on a wire tray before placing in a glass jar.
Date, Oat and Hazelnut Truffles
Ingredients
10 Medjool dates
2 tablespoons boiling water
½ cup oats (blended to a fine powder)
3 tablespoons cacao powder (plus extra for dusting)
3 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
20 toasted hazelnuts
Method
Soak the dates in the boiling water for 1–2 hours.
Add the dates and any soaking liquid to a blender and blend into a thick paste. Add the blended oats, cacao powder and peanut butter, then blend again until the mixture forms a soft paste.
Scoop out a teaspoon of the mixture and roll it around one toasted hazelnut to form a small ball.
Place a little extra cacao powder on a plate and gently roll each ball until coated.
Repeat until all the mixture is used, making around 16–20 truffles.
Chill in the fridge to allow them to firm up. Place three or four truffles in small cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon for a lovely handmade gift.
