Parsnip and Walnut Loaf Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

I got this recipe from my mother in law. It's a great way to use up left over parsnips and bananas. Its a great weekend bake.

Prep 40 mins
Cooking time : 1 hour
Serves: 8 - 10

150ml sunflower oil
150g soft brown sugar
1 large egg
1 ripe medium sized banana, mashed
150g self-raising flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon mixed spice
125g grated parsnip (Approx 2 parsnips)
100g walnuts roughly chopped

Icing

60g very soft butter
75g icing sugar
75g full fat cream cheese
2 teaspoons maple syrup

1. Preheat the oven to 170oC (150oC Fan oven) gas mark 3. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin.
2. Whisk the oil, sugar and egg together until lighter in colour. Whisk in the banana.
3. Fold in the flour, baking powder and mixed spice, followed by the parsnip and walnuts. Turn into the prepared tin and bake for 50 - 60 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Leave the cake to cool in the tin.
4. To make the icing cream/ beat the butter and icing sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the cream cheese a tablespoon at a time, followed by the maple syrup.

Enjoy with a nice cuppa tea or coffee x x x

Linked to http://caroleschatter.blogspot.co.nz/p/link-ups-wip.html

Plum / Fruit Clafoutis

When I saw this recipe I had to try it. It's a lovely dessert. It is very simple but looks very stylish so would be great for entertaining. It was delicious warm topped with a scoop of melting ice cream our favourite flavour is caramel but any will do.

Serves 4

4 eggs
150g (5oz) caster sugar
150ml (1/4 pint) double cream
1 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp ground almonds
Grated zest of 1 lime
225g (8oz) fruit ( plums, strawberries, apples, blueberries)

1. Preheat the oven to 190oC (fan oven 170oC) gas mark 5. Using an electric mixer beat the eggs with the sugar until really thick and voluminous.

2. Lightly whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Fold the cream into the egg mixture together with the flour, ground almonds and lime zest.

3. Divide the scrutiny among 4 heatproof bowls or one large one. Spoon over the batter and bake for 12 mins until golden. Serve warm topped with a scoop of ice cream.

Enjoy x x x

Cinnamon, Banana and Maple pancakes

Super simple tasty pancakes. Wanted to make something nice for breakfast but didn't want anything greasy. I usually put a serving plate in a warm oven too keep the pancakes warm.

Serves 4 - 6

125g (4oz) plain flour
2 tsp cinnamon (can use less)
Pinch salt
1 egg
300ml (1/4pint) milk
Sunflower oil / butter for frying

To serve

4 large bananas
Honey or maple syrup to drizzle

1. Sift the flour, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and crack in the egg. Using a balloon whisk, gradually beat in the milk to make a smooth batter.

2. Heat a pan add a few drops of oil or butter, when hot not smoking, ladle in batter and quickly swirl it to cover the pan thinly. Cook for a minute or so on each side, then place on to a plate(s) in a warm oven.

3. Repeat until all the pancakes are cooked. Serve on warm plates with sliced bananas, drizzled with your favourite syrup.

Enjoy. X x X