Chai-spiced Honey Brioche Knots

Life seems to be ever changing at the moment but at the same time, standing completely still. Life’s never been so different with current politics and Covid. We’ve all had to adapt and change our everyday routines although life is quite stagnant. Days which I would usually look forward to celebrating seem to be passing me by like any other. So how do I find joy in what could be seen as a grey world right now? Well, the comfort of food.

I seek solace in my kitchen whether it be a simple slice of hot toast, or one of these fragrant buns. I can forget about the world outside and its just me and my bakes. I hope that these can also bring you a lift in times when other little happiness’s are absent. Lets revel in the smaller delights.

Chewy Macadamia + Apricot Oat Cookies

Cold brisk mornings, cosy evenings spent at home and light salads exchanged for filling, rich comfort foods. With this Autumnal weather having arrived in full force I’ve been craving a more hearty biscuit. One that will accompany an afternoon cupper on a cool October day.

I think that Oat cookies are so underrated. I feel like they’re kind of overlooked in the baking world but I’m here to give them a moment in the spotlight.

These beauties have a thick chewy centre with a thin crisp golden edge. The toasted macadamia nuts give you a great savoury bite amongst the sweet morsels of dried apricot. I’ve used a mixture of soft brown sugar and caster sugar to give them a slight caramel flavour, while the added malt extract gives these they’re distinct chew.

Peanut Butter, Date and Fig Granola (Vegan/GF)

Breakfast is by far my favourite meal. It’s maybe the only thing I’ll get up early for in the morning. Theres not a better prospect going to bed at night, than knowing that there’s a beautiful planned breakfast awaiting you in the morning. However, on a week day working 60 plus hours, something I’m short on (as many of you probably are), is time.

I simply don’t have time to stir porridge on a stove top or whip up a batch of pancakes. Especially on only a few hours sleep after staying up late in bed scrolling through the internet (I’m sure we can all relate.)

Something I really love to make is Granola. Make a large batch to last you the week on your days off and you have one less worry for the week ahead. Weekday breakfasts needs to be quick, filling and satisfying. Bland, sugary, box cereal simply doesn’t cut it anymore.

So venture into your store cupboard, follow my recipe or pick out what you love and make it your own. Change the peanut butter for almond butter or switch out the dried cranberries and add in some cocao nibs for some chocolatey crunch. Now I’ve typed that, that sounds damn good! Definitely going to throw some of those in my next batch.

Heres to easy fulfilling breakfasts which hit the spot on a monday morning.

P.s my recipe and video use honey as part of the ingredients, but for a totally vegan granola, change the honey to another sweetener (agave syrup/coconut nectar/maple syrup.)