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As-Salaamu Alaykum,

Baking in recent months has taken a bit of a back seat but that doesn't mean I've lost my passion for it, no siree!

These chewy crusted, rich fudgy Brownies engrained in me that yes you can be pushed for time, with children pulling at your apron strings (metaphorically speaking) and still make a really tasty treat in less than an hour.

I used a naturally flavoured cherry cocoa powder I bought from sugarandcrumbs they stock a variety of flavoured cocoas and icing sugars all a bit pricey but a little goes a long way as they are strongly flavoured.

The kids and I lapped these brownies up and although yes the cherry flavour was pleasant it was the texture that made these brownies irresistible.

I'm not a black sour cherry fan, which begs the question I ask myself, why go out of your flavour comfort zone? Well I did get inspired when I saw the hairy bikers make a B.F.G. (Black Forest Gateau) a while ago on TV and thought yes I'm onto a winner so when I was umming and arrring (Yorkshire talk for pondering) over which flavour to choose from the array of flavoured cocoa and icing sugars over at sugar and crumbs, cherry came in at no.1 I have to say I can't wait to try their coffee and caramel flavoured icing sugars next, insha'Allah

For the original recipe click here but as I used wholemeal flour and I reduced the sugar a little due to the flavoured cocoa containing dextrose here is my recipe.

Fudgy Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Ingredients

Method

Salam Alaikum Sisters, Hello Readers,

This is another treat stemming from my recent obsession with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, i just can't seem to get enough of the stuff Masha'Allah I use it in it's pure form as a moisturiser, hair conditioner, in my cooking/baking and I've even read you can use it combined with bicarbonate of soda as a toothpaste(yet to try that but let me know if you already have and how it was)

There seems to be no limit to what this oil can do for your body's health and the smell wafting through your home as you bake these snack bars will surely make you smile and you will wonder why you have never used it in your baking before.


I never thought i would be so into this oil, as i have never really liked coconut in anything before such as the famous coconut chocolate bar that was once said to be a taste of paradise! astagfirullah how people will speculate on things far beyond ones imagination.

By using the extra virgin coconut oil and just a small amount of dessicated coconut you will never get that overpowering coconut flavour but a mild and more palatable flavour in my opinion with these bars.


Recipe adapted from my cereal bar recipe template

Coconut Rice Krispie Snack Bars

Ingredients

• 125g extra virgin coconut oil
• 125ml golden syrup (you could use honey)
• 75g demerara sugar (any brown sugar)
• 150g rolled oats
• 100g rice krispies (you can use puffed rice but the bars end up huge so you may want to change the ratio i.e. more oats less puffed rice)
• 25g dessicated coconut
• 25g linseed's (if you want to treat yourself use chocolate chips instead!)

Method

1. Pre-Heat oven to 180C/160C (fan), line the bottom and grease the sides of a 20x20cm square baking tin
2. In a saucepan melt coconut oil, syrup and sugar.
3. In a large heatproof bowl stir together oats, rice krispies, dessicated coconut and linseed's.
4. Pour liquid ingredients over dry mixture and stir slowly until all the ingredients are combined, pour into tin and using a angled palette knife level the mixture.
5. Bake in oven for 20minutes or until edges are darker than the center. Remove from oven and leave for few minutes but whilst still hot, portion by cutting with a knife (be careful very hot) the number of bars depends on how many you want and then leave to cool completely in tin.
6. Decorate with a pinch of dessicated coconut.

"And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men's) habitations.... there emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is a healing for people. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought".

           Translation of the meaning of Quran Soorah Nahl: 68-69

This template is back from my school days when i studied food technology/home economics, we were tasked with designing a healthy cereal bar. The baker in me was graded a B and although i was keen on baking back in the day, i never thought of pursuing it as a career choice as i was also a bit of a science geek too,Which is funny because people say baking is a science!

Tomorrow i will post my Blackseed and Honey Oat bar recipe but until then here is the template recipe which it is based on

Ingredients

125g Butter/Margarine  or 100g Vegetable fat/shortening
125ml Clear honey /Golden syrup/ Date syrup/ Agave nectar/ Maple syrup etc or a combination
75g Brown sugar (light or dark)

250g Cereal
Rolled oats/ Crushed branflakes/ Muesli mix / Puffed rice cereal, OR Crushed biscuit crumbs/ Popcorn etc

25g Chopped nuts or seeds
Peanuts/ Hazlenuts/ Walnuts/ Cashews/ Almonds/ Chestnuts/ Pistachios/ Pine Nuts/ Brazil Nuts/ Shredded Coconut/ Sunflower seeds/ Watermelon seeds/ Pupmkin seeds/  Sesame seeds(Tahini paste would work too) or any other that takes your fancy

25g Dried Fruit
Sultanas/ Figs/ Dates/ Raisins/ Currants/ Apricot/ Apple/ Peach/ Pear/ Banana chips/ Candied Peel/ Glace cherries, pineapple/ Pomegranate or Passion fruit pips and pulp

Other Flavourings you might like to try
Stem Ginger, Chocolate chips, Vanilla, Lemon, Lime, Orange Zest, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Coca, Coffee Powder

YOU WILL NEED
Saucepan, wooden spoon, tablespoon,greased baking tray (18x28cm ideally) or foil dish, knife, cooling rack

1. Set the oven to Gas 4/ 180C/ 160C Fan/ 350F
2. Melt butter or alternative, honey/syrup and sugar in the saucepan over a low heat.
3. Stir in the cereal, nuts/seeds, fruit and any other flavourings mix well.
4. Spoon into a greased baking tray and smooth down/spread to an even consistancy.
5. Bake for 20-30mins (bars should be golden with darker edges), cool for 2mins, cut into slices and remove from tray. Leave to cool completely on a cooling rack.

You may want to coat the bars or layer them(depending on their thickness i.e. which size tray you use.)

Make these bars as healthy or indulgent as you desire. Experiment and enjoy something new for breakfast or snack throughout the day.