Desserts

Pistachio & Cardamom Jam Thumbprint Cookies

If you're looking for a really easy recipe to make, then these pistachio & cardamom jam thumbprint cookies are for you! They're simple, fun to make and so pretty to look at. Oh and they taste amazing too :D  I think pistachios are such an underrated and under appreciated nut. Even though I always say that I love all nuts equally, pistachios have a special place in my heart. And if I had to had to choose a favourite it would definitely be pistachios. Growing up in the Middle East it was one of the most used nuts in cooking and especially desserts.  Cardamom is another underrated ingredient. It's such a beautifully aromatic spice and I absolutely love using it in [...]

Date & Pistachio Rolls

These date & pistachio rolls are the perfect healthier sweet treat that takes no time at all to prepare! You only need a handful of ingredients to make them and they're so moreish! Up until recently I've always considered being multicultural (half English and half Arab) as more of a curse than a blessing. I've always struggled with identity issues - I never felt I belonged to either ethnicity. I felt I wasn't Arab enough when I was growing up in Iraq, then moving to the UK I felt too Arab/foreign. Basically always an outsider. Now I realise how lucky I am to have grown up and been influenced by two different cultures that are so disimilar from one another. [...]

Healthy Cookie Dough Easter Eggs

These healthy cookie dough Easter eggs are a great lighter treat that you can make over the Easter holidays. They're quick, easy to make and require no baking. They also happen to be vegan and gluten-free!  Easter is all about chocolate and indulging, but if you're looking for a lighter dessert that's better for you but still satisfies your sweet tooth, you need to give these healthy cookie dough Easter eggs a try!  I've always been a huge fan of easy treats that don’t take much time to prepare and require no baking. Recipes where you can simpley throw together a few basic ingredients in a bowl, then shape and refrigerate.  Even better when they're made with better-for-you ingredients like [...]

Crunchy Chocolate Tahini Cookies (Vegan & GF)

If you're a crunchy cookie person, you need to give these crunchy chocolate tahini cookies a try! They're easy to make & so tasty. They also happen to be vegan, gluten-free + egg-free!  These crunchy chocolate tahini cookies were inspired by these tahini cookies that I created a few years ago. They're so crunchy, easy and yummy that I HAD to make a chocolate version. I do believe chocolate + tahini work so well together. If you haven't tried this combination before, you need to asap! Similar to the way peanut butter (and nut butters in general) work really well with chocolate, tahini is no exception to the rule. The richness of the chocolate and the nuttiness of the tahini [...]

Healthy Date Oat Squares (Oil-free No Added Sugar)

A delicious treat made using better-for-you ingredients. These healthy date oat squares make the perfect lighter treat when you're craving something sweet, but still want it to nourish your body. Would you believe me if I said you can make a delicious date oat bar without any processed sugar or oil? That's exactly what I did to create these healthy date oat squares. I'm using whole dates only to sweeten and tahini as a healthier alternative to oil or butter. This recipe is inspired by my favourite sweet treat growing up in Iraq called Kleicha - a date swirl cookie/pastry spiced with cinnamon and cardamom. They're usually served during celebrations and the holy month of Ramadan. Since we're already a week [...]

Crunchy Nut & Seed Rounds

These crunchy nut & seed rounds are my new favourite way to get some heart healthy nuts and seeds into my diet.  We should all be increasing our nut/seed intake. They're associated with so many health benefits, mainly because they're packed with fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats. They're also satiating and satisfying because of their fat content. Plus they contain some plant-based protein, which helps make them even more satisfying and filling.  Many of us crave things like crisps/biscuits because we find that crunch when we bite into them so satisfying. Nuts & seeds make such a great snack alternative because they also offer that satisfying crunch. They're even tastier when roasted!  These crunchy rounds are so handy to have [...]

Vegan Raspberry Pudding (Healthier Dessert)

A beautifully vibrant dessert that's really easy to make and using healthier ingredients. This vegan raspberry pudding is the perfect dessert when you're craving something light, creamy and fruity. Spring is almost here and I couldn't be more excited! I've always been an autumn/winter person, but this winter was different for me. The shorter, colder days really affected me this time around, not sure why. As a result I am glad to see the back of it for now. My body and mind is yearning for longer, brighter and warmer days.  I'm also excited to start making more spring/summer recipes. Lighter chilled treats with brighter colours and fruity notes. This vegan raspberry pudding would be perfect for this Mother's Day. [...]

Vegan High Protein Tofu Pancakes

A yummy pancake stack made with healthier ingredients - these vegan high protein tofu pancakes are a great way to start your day with a nutritious meal that tastes like a dessert! Pancakes aren't known for their health benefits, but there's not denying they taste darn good! They're usually high in sugar, simple carbs and low in protein and fibre.  What if I told you I created a pancake stack that tastes delicious, but is also good for you? A stack that's high in protein and also a great source of fibre. A much more well-rounded, balanced and nutritious meal that won't spike your blood sugar levels.  Each serving offers 26g of protein and 7g of fibre. Not bad for [...]

Healthier Vegan Heart Sandwich Cookies

These healthier vegan heart sandwich cookies would make a great treat for Valentine's Day. Whether you're celebrating with your significant other, friends or family - these cookies are a cute way to say 'I care'. You can also make them as a treat for yourself! Nut butter sandwiched between two crunchy oat cookies. This recipe is easily adaptable to your likes and dietary needs. You can use any filling you like. I've made them before with jam and chocolate hazelnut spread, but this time I opted for a chocolate peanut butter. Basically anything you can spread will work. I wanted to make a healthier treat for Valentine's Day that can also be enjoyed any time of the year. You can [...]

Chocolate Fudge Tahini Cookies

Rich, dense and chewy chocolate cookies made using healthier ingredients - these Chocolate Fudge Tahini Cookies are completely plant-based and gluten-free. If you love chocolate and tahini, then these chocolate fudge tahini cookies are for you. In fact if you love cookies, full stop, you need to try these! I made these cookies years ago and posted them on my blog (click here for the original recipe), but I've had a lot of requests for an egg-free version and I've finally managed to get the chance to re-test the recipe and found the perfect ratio of ingredients for them to work without the eggs. They're super dense and so chocolatey and lush :D and best of all they only call for 7 ingredients! [...]

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