Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies

Had a craving for something sweet today so thought I'd put the baking gloves on. End result? Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies! Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside...can't go wrong.
Don't forget, this recipe is customizable-I added some walnuts and dates in here so feel free to throw in what you like. Also, for all you vegetarians/vegans out there, this recipe is egg-less so get on it!

Makes Approx 24

What we need:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
Flax seed powder (optional)
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
3 cups oats
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts/almonds/dates (optional)

How we do:

• Preheat the oven to 180* C/ 350*F
• In a bowl, cream the sugar and butter. Add the vanilla essence and milk.
• In a separate bowl add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon powder, salt and flax seed. Mix well.
  
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and add the oats, raisins, walnuts and dates. Mix well.
  
• The mixture should be binded and sticky. If you find it's a little dry, add a little milk.
• Using wet hands, make little balls out of the dough and place on a lined tray. Flatten so they are 1/4" thick.
  
• Cook for 10-12 minutes or until cooked and golden brown.
  
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire tray.
• Balle Balle! You're done. Enjoy these delicious cookies with a glass of chilled milk :D
  

Vanilla Cupcakes

I've been experimenting with cup cake recipes for a while and these are by far the simplest recipe I've come up with. Have a go with it..let me know how it works out for you!

What we need:

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 egg whites
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
Vanilla frosting
Sprinkles/Topping of your choice

How we do:

• Preheat oven to 350*F/180* C and line cup cake pan with cup cake liners
• In a bowl, cream the butter with the sugar
• Add the flour, salt, and baking powder and mix together
• Now add the egg whites and vanilla essence. Slowly add the milk and beat well until batter is smooth
• Bake for approx 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cupcake comes out clean
• Let cool and apply vanilla frosting and sprinkles. Best served warm with ice cold milk.
  
• BALLE BALLE! How easy was that? Enjoy!
  

Valentines Cookies

Here's a recipe to sweeten up your Valentine!

Makes around 25

What we need:
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp of salt
1 egg
1 cup of butter
1 tsp of vanilla essence
Frosting
1 tsp Red Coloring
Sprinkles :D

How we do:

• Preheat the oven to 400F/200C
• In a mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
• Add the butter and cream it in so the mixture is of a bread crumb consistency.
• Add the egg and mix well.
• If the consistency is not binding well or is too dry add 1 tbsp of milk.
• Once the mixture has binded into a dough, flour a surface.
• Roll out the cookie dough so it is about 1/4 inch thick.
• Now the fun bit! Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out the cookies.
• Place on a baking sheet/grease proof paper lined baking tray.
• Place in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
  

NOW FOR THE BEST BIT!
As you can tell I tend to get excited when it comes to frosting. To make, simply mix 3/4 tsp of red coloring to 1 container of frosting. There was about 12 oz in the one I bought.
Once the cookies are removed and cooled, spread on the frosting.
Finish with sprinkles!
BALLE BALLE COOKIE TIME!