Rabbit Food

So if you think vegans only eat rabbit food think again! These treats I picked up at the Vegan Abundance Festival were delicious and two of my favourite brands. Whole Earth is a great brand, I love their healthier versions of fizzy drinks. This elderflower drink is amazing and definitely my favourite in their range. They are made with sparkling water and natural flavourings and you can't beat the refreshing taste of elderflower. The chocolate 'Round Up' from Anandas is a vegan, gelatin free, version of a wagon wheel. The new flavours are mint and orange and there are always seasonal options to choose from. The chocolate on this biscuit is thick and crunchy with a deliciously sweet soft centre. This is an amazing product and I can't wait to try more flavours. 

Find them here: http://www.anandafoods.co.uk/store/c5/Round_Ups%21.html

Alpen Light Jaffa Cake- Accidentally Vegan

Going vegan is the best thing I've done but I do admit to missing Jaffa Cakes. They used to be one of my favourite biscuits. I'm looking forward to the day someone makes a vegan version of these biscuits as I'm sure it can't be long before someone decided to do it! Until them I have found a nice alternative to stop those Jaffa cake cravings. These bars by Alpen are chocolate and orange flavour and they are accidentally vegan. 

They come in packs of five and are only 70 calories each making them a great option for a snack. These would make great additions to lunch boxes or make a handy on the go option. I loved the chocolate and orange flavour, they are really sweet and actually do taste like Jaffa cakes. The only thing is as they are low in calories they are not exactly filling but you can't have everything. I also like the orange packaging and they are often on offer in supermarkets so look out for some deals. There are so many accidentally vegan options out there it is amazing when you get great brands like this which turn out to be dairy free. 

Oat and Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are an amazing snack. They are easy to make, filling and a firm favourite. These oat and seed chocolate chip cookies are delicious with the added health benefits of seeds and oats mixed in. I love guilt free snacks and these are quick to make, tasty and will make you popular with all your friends. I made them into bite sized biscuits but you can make larger ones too if you don't like to share! 

You will need: 

• 4oz dairy free butter
• 4oz brown sugar
• orgran no egg, egg replacer (equivalent of 1 egg) 
• 4oz oats 
• 2tbsp of mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, linseed)
• 2tbsp chai seeds
• 5oz flour 
• 1 packet of dark chocolate chips (about 100g) 

Instructions: 

• Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 5
• Cream the butter and sugar together
• Mix the egg replacer and water in a separate bowl (follow the packet instructions to replace 1 egg), add this to the mixture and stir in
• Add the oats and seeds
• Add the flour and mix until a thick dough is formed and all the flour is mixed in
• Add the chocolate chips and stir until evenly mixed
• Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture out and place on a baking tray lined with grease proof baking paper
• Flatten the balls with a fork
• Bake in a hot oven for around 15 minutes, leave for 5 minutes longer if you like them browned 
• Leave to cool on a wire rack

This mixture makes around 16 small biscuits, which can be stored in an air tight container and enjoyed over a few days, however the mixture can also be used to make biscuits of any size. 

It is also very versatile recipe as the seeds can be replaced with chopped nuts and the chocolate can be taken out if you prefer plain biscuits. The best part about them is they are vegan and delicious! These will shock your non vegan friends. Let me know if you try the recipe in the comments and enjoy the cookies! 

Jam Biscuits- Simple Recipe for a delicious treat

If you are a fan of Jammy Dodgers you will love this recipe. It is so quick and simple and uses minimal ingredients but creates a delicious dessert. 

You will need:

• 4oz vegan butter (eg. Pure or Vitalite) 
• 2oz Sugar
• 6oz plain flour 
• Raspberry jam to fill 

Instructions:

• Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until smooth
• Add the flour and mix to make a firm dough 
• Knead the dough briefly until smooth and then shape into a ball
• Chill the mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes (Wrap it in cling film or store in an airtight container) 
• Once chilled roll the dough out and cut using a biscuit cutter. You can use any shape you want but they all need to be the same
• Transfer to a baking sheet using either baking paper or a greased tray cook the biscuits in a preheated oven on the middle shelf at gas mark 6
• Cook for 10-15 minutes until the biscuits are turning golden brown- you can turn them over half way through to ensure even cooking
• When cooled add the jam and sandwich together or cut the circles in half and sandwich each half depending on how many you want to make

The biscuits before cutting, you can sandwich them together like this to make larger biscuits or cut in half

Seedless jam is nice to use as it creates a smooth filling for the biscuits 

Only minimal ingredients are used so it is a simple recipe to try 

These biscuits really taste like Jammy dodgers but the home made version has no additives and is all natural ingredients

The biscuits themselves are soft and crumbly and so easy to make! Who needs shop bought snacks! 

This is a great recipe for anyone new to biscuit making, it is a cheap and easy way to practise your baking skills and these make amazing gifts as they look and taste great

Biscuit break

A cup of tea and a biscuit, the perfect pair, a classic combination, the dream team! 

Vegan options are easy to find so your tea doesn't get lonely. 

I only recently found out Lotus biscuits were vegan. This is amazing as they are served in a lot of cafés as a standard accompaniment to a hot drink, so now you know this is a vegan option you can have them whilst you are out. Even better they are now sold in supermarkets and at 0.99p a packet you can recreate your favourite cafe treat at a fraction of the price. Your guests will be impressed by the tasty snacks that melts in your mouth when dipped in a brew.

Another classic biscuit are jammy dodgers. 

These accidentally vegan treats are available in most shops. They are not labelled vegan like the lotus brand but contain no dairy. 

Grab a packet of biscuits, put the kettle on and invite a friend for a brew and a biscuit. And the best part is it's all vegan! 

* for non dairy milk options see my earlier blog on oat milk there's a vegan option for everything! 

http://vegoutveganguide.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/fancy-cuppa.html