Gluten & Dairy Free Blueberry Almond Crumble Muffins

When I was little I had a good dentist, who happened to live in our neighbor hood and on Halloween would give out toothbrushes and Trident sugar free gum. I didn’t realize how great he was until we moved states and I encountered a capable, but horrendous dentist.

Which is why I really appreciate our current dentist, he’s pretty cool and my girls love visiting him. They don’t see the dentist as something to fear and I thank him for that. I think it really does matter how you feel about going depending on who you’re going there to see.

If it were not for my friend who used to work with him, we’d still be with our old dentist who just wasn’t great with kids.

To make sure he knows he’s appreciated I occasionally bring him baked goods. The first time I brought a big plate of Rocky Road, however unbeknownst to me he cannot have gluten or dairy. So, he was unable to enjoy the Rocky Road due to all the chocolate and biscuits.

This time round, as our appointment was in the morning, I brought him these Blueberry Crumble Muffins. They were a bit heavier then regular muffins but they were good. The blueberry and almond flavors really go well together.

It will be six months before I get to ask him about them, but I really hope he’s enjoyed them. Wonder what I should bring him next?

The recipe was adapted from Ms Cupcake’s The Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town! It’s one of those books I highly recommend to any one who is after Vegan or dairy free cakes and bakes. Plus all of the recipes can be adapted like I did to this one to be gluten-free as well!

Blueberry Almond Crumble Muffins

crumble:

100g gluten free self-rising flour

50g demerara sugar

50g dairy-free margarine

Put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix together with your hands until it’s all crumbly.

blueberry almond muffin:

500g gluten free self-rising flour

60g ground almonds

1 tsp bicarbonate soda

1 tsp baking powder

250g golden caster sugar

500ml Oatly Oat Drink

320ml sunflower oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract

100g whole blueberries

Heat the oven to 180C/350F and line a muffin tin with paper cases. I had enough batter for 18 muffins. In a big bowl mix the dry ingredients together. In another bowl mix the wet ingredients together. Then pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and quickly fold together with a metal spoon until just combined. It will be a bit lumpy but that’s exactly how it should be, if it starts to fizz just bang the bowl on the counter a couple of times. Then fill the paper cases about ¾ full before dividing the blueberries between the cases and sprinkling with the crumble. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool in the tins for at least 10 minutes before placing on a cooling rack to finish cooling off. Then package up and give to really cool dentists who can’t have gluten or dairy.

notes: I used Dove’s Gluten-Free Self-Rising flour and Vitalite Dairy Free Margarine. I also used Oatly Oat Drink that was leftover from a previous post I did for them. Feel free to use a soya or rice milk. Be sure to check that your baking powder is gluten free. None of these brands are sponsoring this post, but thought I would mention it as I felt it would be helpful. All opinions are my own please see my contact/policy page for more information.

If you enjoyed this post here are a few others you might like:

My first attempt at Vegan Cupcakes

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting 

Oatly Espresso Cupcakes

Oatly Chocolate Mini Donuts

Baking Book Gift Guide

It is the day after Thanksgiving. 

Sometimes it's also known as Black Friday. In the states after Thanksgiving people start getting ready for Christmas. A lot of families will be putting up trees and other decorations this weekend, along with starting their Christmas shopping.

It makes a bit of sense really, if the stores know that people are going to be shopping over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend then why not entice them in more with some great savings? 

It suits both retailers and shoppers. One makes a lot of money while the other gets some great savings. I don't like the chaos and you will never find me going out on Black Friday, but I don't hate it either.

So, because a lot of people will be starting their shopping this weekend I though I would write up a quick "gift guide" based on baking and cook books that I own. Then at the end of the post I have included my book "wish list" for books I wold love to read!

I have chosen these books because I think they would make great gifts for bakers with particular tastes! Some are just because they are a good read! 

To me it's not just about the recipes, it's about what they have to say as well! I like a cookbook that I can read and get into too! 

 

Cake by Rachel Allen

This literally has every and any cake you’d ever want to make in it! A great book for cake lovers!

Cake Days and Home Sweet Home by Hummingbird Bakery

Cake Days is the book that really started my baking and blogging life. I can’t recommend it enough. It has amazing recipes perfect for every season. 
Home Sweet Home is just as good! Perfect for a new or experienced baker! 

Chocolat by Eric Lanlard

~ For the chocolate lover in your life! 

Crumb by Ruby Tandoh

It is one of the most informed baking books I have ever read. Perfect for a new baker! 

Fat Witch Brownies by Patricia Helding

I think this has some of the best bars and brownies I have ever come across! Perfect for brownie lovers!

Jamie Magazine

Not a book, but I love this monthly addition to my recipe collecting habit. I should probably get a subscription!

Kitchen by Nigella Lawson

 I find myself engrossed in this book whenever I read it. Perfect for any cookbook lover!

Leon: Family & Friends (book 4) by John Vincent & Kay Plunkett-Hogge

Great book for anyone who likes to cook for their friends and family! 

Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town! by Ms. Cupcake

Not just for Vegans, but a must this Christmas for the Vegan in your life!

Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz

Perfect gift for ice cream lovers! Make sure they have an ice cream maker!

Robicelli’s A Love Story with Cupcakes by Allison & Matt Robicelli
The funniest and most real cookbook I have ever read. For cupcakes biggest fan! 

Sprinklebakes by Heather Baird

 Need an artistic twist to your baking, then this is the book for you!

Sweet Treats for a Sugar Filled Life, Presented by Cakespy by Jessie Oleson-Moore

 This book is your guide to taking dessert above and beyond your wildest dreams!

The Vintage Sweets book, The Vintage Tea Party Book, The Vintage Tea Party Year by Angel Adoree

If you know someone who loves vintage, afternoon, tea, sweets, parties and more then this is the book for them! 

Warm Bread & Honey Cake by Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra

Great read and recipes in this book! Great for someone who loves to learn about food from all over the world. 

Now for the books I wouldn't mind appearing under my Christmas Tree this year!

Bake to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share, and Enjoy by Anna Olsen

My Paris Kitchen: Recipes & Stories by David Lebovitz

Sweet by Valerie Gordon

Paris Sweets by Dorie Greenspan

Baked Elements: The Importance of Being Baked in 10 Favorite Ingredients

& Baked Occasions by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito

Sugar Rush: Master Tips, Techniques, and Recipes for Sweet Baking by Johnny Iuzzini & Wes Martin

Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes from our Kitchen by Zoe Nathan

Marshmallow Madness!: Dozens of Puffalicious Recipes by Shauna Sever

What is your favorite baking and/or cookbook that you think would make a great gift? Any book that you think everyone you know should own? Just leave a comment below because I am always looking for new cookbooks!!

notes: To see my full list of baking books and a handful of my cookbooks check out the tab above! I really need to update it! All opinions and suggestions are my own I have in no way been compensated for this post by any of the publishers or authors. Please see my contact/policy page for further information. The black box on the top is intentionally a black box. 

A Love/Hate Relationship & Vegan Cupcakes

I sat down to write this post and soon realized I was going on a rant about the Internet.

Then I thought I best rewrite and get to the point. The point being these cupcakes made for my daughter's birthday lunch with her friends.

My youngest turned 4 last Saturday and we had a few friends around for lunch the day before. One of her friend’s parents are vegan and they are raising their children as vegans too.

Since I've made some amazing vegan cupcakes using Ms. Cupcake's book, I turned to it again. 

She has a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake in the book, but Baby Baker wanted a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting so that’s what I made her!

They turned out pretty good! Of course the cakes turned out to be more for the parents then the children. Frosting was licked off and tiny bite marks were left on the cakes.

I consider that a success!

The cake was soft and chocolaty and the frosting was full of peanut buttery goodness! The parents liked them! 

In a nutshell, referring back to my rant I mentioned above, I do have a personal love hate relationship with the Internet.

However, when it comes to my children, I tend to err on the side of caution. I personally don’t think I would have appreciated my parents plastering my childhood over the Internet for the world to see. 

I respect that my children will one day be adults and, as I can’t predict how they will feel about it I don’t offer much information about them on here. Or to be far on any social media site - much to my long distance family and friends distress. 

I could go on and on about this subject, but since I already wasted about 20 minutes doing so then realizing I was rambling and it made no sense as a blog post I took a break and wrote something that made a bit more sense.

Question: Am I the only one who feels the same way? If you're of a generation, like me that grew up without the internet reflecting back would you like anyone being able to access your childhood photos and stories? Also would you like to try these cupcakes? Please leave a comment below or on twitter or facebook (oh the irony)! 

notes: for more vegan cakes and bakes check out Ms.Cupcake’s The Naughtiest Vegan Cupcakes in Town! I've had nothing but success following her methods!