Vegan Effect

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 25th of November 2024 Christmas is the time for baking!  If you would like to have a little treat that is like a Christmas cake, but much quicker and easier, this cake is for you.  It is full of flavour and different texture to delight the senses with every bit. It is full of fruit such as figs and cherries has nut too and looks great dusted with a little icing sugar.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 23rd of September 2024     I like a plain vanilla cake with just a little bit of fancy for my birthday. Nothing to flash because I love the flavour of vanilla. This cake is so easy to prepare, is ready in 45 minutes and can be decorated any way you like. In addition, and most importantly of all, it is really tasty and holds together beautifully.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 2nd of September 2024 I really missed Dutch apple cake, so I started looking around for a recipe.  I used to buy Dutch apple cake from Holland & Barrett, but they don't seem to do it any more.  I have tried to recreate that cake from memory and with no recipe to guide me. Much to my amazement, I couldn't find one suitable recipe anywhere.  Since I was really missing it, I decided to make my own by modifying a banana bread recipe I had made years ago.  This cake is stodgily delightful and sweet, which is exactly what I was looking for!

    By McDonald, T.   |  Date 20th of May 2024 I have tried making these before, but something was not quite right.  Last time I used flax egg, which may have added too much moisture.  I concluded that next time I would use an egg replacement such as Orgran and leave it in the oven for just a bit longer.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 13th of May 2024 This is a bit of a combination between a fruit loaf and banana bread.  I love this bread so much and make it all the time.  It is great at any time of day as a snack or even as a dessert. It is easy to make and keeps for a week or more in the fridge.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 6th of May 2024 This is a simple little cake made without oil for Pentecost. However, it is fine to have any time of the year.  It has a great texture and wonderful strawberry flavour.  Perfect for a little treat.

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 29th of April 2024 Although I'm not a great chocolate fan, occasionally, I do like some brownies.  I also like apples, so when I found this recipe, I just had to give it a go.  The original used 2 eggs, which I have to change; thus, I went for flax egg.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 18th of March 2024 You will never believe just how easy this cake bread is. So tasty, so moist and good! The preparation is mega quick because all you have to do is mix it all together and pour the batter in a loaf tin and it is ready to go in the oven. No yeast, so no proofing it is ready so fast and bakes in 45 minutes. The result is a sweet tasting cake that you can cut into slices and eat like bread. Notes Don't beat the batter or it will turn out tough after baking.   If you use Green Ginger Wine, be sure it is vegan.     Ingredients  Dry  300 g of self-raising flour 120 g of dark brown sugar 2 tsp of ground ginger   5 crystallised ginger cut into pieces 30 g of grated fresh ginger 1 tsp of ground cloves 1 tsp of mixed spice 1/4 tsp of salt 1 tsp of baking powder Wet 40 ml of vegetable oil  240 ml of water  150 g (about 4 tbsp) of plan or vanilla vegan yoghurt 50 ml of ginger wine 2 ...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 24th of January 2024 I love this loaf because it needs no proofing since it contains no yeast.  Once you have mixed all the ingredients together, you can put it straight in the oven.  This banana bread has a warm spiced flavour due to the mixed spice and rum soaked raisins.  Notes I used stevia to reduce the calories. Make sure you use really rib bananas.  Most recipes will tell you to mash with a folk; however, I use a masher, it's much quicker. I used dark rum to soak the raisins.  Check the rum is vegan.    Ingredients 3–4 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 400 g – 500 g peeled) 1 tbsp of caster sugar or stevia 200g of self-raising flour 100g of strong wholemeal flour 100g raisins soaked in rum or other flavouring 2 tsp ground mixed spice 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp of vegetable oil  120 ml of water Apparatus H 6 cm x W 11 cm x D 21 cm loaf tin Large mixing bowl Wooden spoon Ba...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 18th of December 2023 I discovered this by accident and I am so glad that I did! Although it is not a traditional seasonal cake, it can and does make a great addition to any festive season. For a vegan cake, it is surprisingly firm.  Although firm, this cake has a light texture and is moist with a good flavour that more than hints at the brandy.   Notes I used a kebab skewer or even a metal thermometer as a cake tester.   Works just as well.  I used almond milk because it goes well with the brandy. I'm using metric cups.   The vinegar is to react with the bicarbonate of soda.  It helps the cake to rise as does the baking powder, which also help to keep it soft and light.  Wait t'ill you see how to make the brandy frosting!    Makes a cake with dimensions of 22 cm x 11 Time, about an hour. Ingredients  Some vegan butter to grease the tin Wet ingredients 2/3 cup plain vegan yogurt 1/2 cup o...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 11th of December 2023   This is something I have heard of, but never tried before.  Usually, we have traditional Christmas cake in my house, but last year I wanted to try something different and this was it.  Rest assured, I will be having it again this year too! At first, it seems like a lot of effort, but you will soon see that it is straight forward to make and definitely worth it.  However, it will need proofing and the dried fruit will need soaking, which will all take time, so plan ahead.  Notes I used French Brandy Marzipan and so used brandy to flavour the raisins and cranberries. I used almond milk. A good tip is to dust the soaked fruit with a little flour before adding the dough. You have 3 options with the marzipan:  Roll it out  Chop it up Have a thick bar of it running through the centre I soaked the dried fruit in brandy, but you can make it without the alcohol is you wish or use rum instead. ...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 13th of November 2023 Christmas is just around the corner and you need to start your Christmas cake now!  Yes, it needs time to soak and feed.  You will have to soak the dried fruit for a week or so and once the cake is baked, you will need to feed the cake with more brandy.  Don't worry, all will be explained in this post.  This cake is completely vegan and has an amazing taste.  Holds together perfectly.  

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 2nd of October 2023   What better way to celebrate a festival or just the weekend than with a slice of English apple cake?  This cake is flatter than most cakes, but is spread out more in a larger baking tin.  You can cut it into squares or into fingers. Notably, it is very easy to make and so tasty!

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 22 of May 2023     I loved this cake as a boy, but never got to have it much.  How things have changed!  This cake has a pineapple topping often with cherries.  I love the different textures and sweet tastes this cake has to offer. It is great warm or cold.  You can have it with cream, ice-cream, custard or just on its own.  Ingredients For the topping 5 – 6 pineapple rings, fresh is better. 50 g softened vegan butter 50 g light soft brown sugar 7 glacé cherries For the cake Wet Ingredients 2/3 cup plain vegan yogurt 1/3 cup of vegan milk 1/3 cup rapeseed oil (any vegetable oil will do)  1/3 cup of pineapple juice 1 tbsp of white vinegar 1 tsp vanilla extract Dry Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups of self rasing flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 and 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1/4 teaspoon salt  Method Mash the light brown sugar and vegan butter together into a paste. Spr...