Double Chocolate Muffins

Valentines Day has somehow become a bit of a family day in our house with the kids wanting to 'do something' involving hearts and / or chocolate, but preferably both. Valentines Day coincided with Lily having a friend over for a sleepover, so I made these Double Chocolate Muffins, which I served with vanilla ice cream for a 'Valentines' pudding, which according to the three children round the dinner table that evening 'ticked all the boxes'.

This is another one of my forever-recipes, as in I never need to find another Chocolate Muffin recipe as this one is, in my opinion, perfection. I love the addition of linseeds, which I like to think makes these muffins a little healthier than most. 

Double Chocolate Muffins

125g plain flour 

40g cocoa powder 50g linseeds (ground to a powder)

100g soft brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp baking soda 
½ tsp salt 

1 large egg 
1 tsp vanilla extract 

60 ml vegetable oil 
235 ml milk 

85g chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350℉ / 180℃. Grease a muffin tin or line with baking cups.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, ground linseeds, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the egg, vanilla, vegetable oil, and milk, mixing until the batter is evenly incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Divide batter evenly between baking cups, filling each ¾ full. Sprinkle the tops with chocolate chips and granulated sugar, if desired. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Recipe: Pastry Affair
Photography: Buttercup Days

Banana Granola

Have you ever made your own Muesli or Granola? It is well worth the effort; though actually there is very little effort involved. I love the fact that you can tailor the ingredients to suit your taste and you know exactly what you are putting into it. Earlier this week I had an urge to fill a Kilner jar with something wholesome and delicious to start the day with. So I did.

These days as well as dipping into my growing library of cookbooks for inspiration, I find myself looking at some of the amazing food blogs that are out there. Green Kitchen Stories, Pastry Affair, What Katie Ate, My Darling Lemon Thyme and Pratos Travessa are just a few that I follow with a passion.

It was Green Kitchen Stories that I turned to for this recipe. I didn't tweak or tamper with it in any way or form. It was a Lily that needed no guilding. In a mere half an hour you can have yourself a jar of this good stuff that will last you a week or more. You can find the recipe here. I like it served with plain yoghurt and fresh berries, Arthur opts for yoghurt and raisins and Lily prefers just plain old milk. David on the other hand sticks to his usual bowl of branflakes. Oh well, that's his loss.

Photography: Buttercup Days