Eggless baking...

Wheat Flour, Oats, and Almonds cookies

Crunchy, chewy, and mildly sweet, these cookies are so yummy to munch on with a cup of hot evening tea. They are easy to make, healthy, and can be packed in kids snack box too.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
• Rolled oats or instant oats - 2 cups
• Slivered or coarsely chopped almonds - 1/3^rd cup
• Unsalted softened butter - 70 gms
• Milk @ room temperature - 1 tbps
• Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp
Note: If adding salted butter, reduce the salt quantity by 1/2 tsp.

Preparation Method

1. Whip butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and light in texture.
Tip: The color of the butter and sugar mixture will turn pale and will be very creamy in texture.
2. Add whole wheat flour, rolled oats, crushed almonds, baking soda, salt, and bring the dough together. Make a crumbly dough.
Note: Save a few almonds for garnishing the cookies.
3. Add 1 tsp milk at a time and make a tight and non-sticky dough.
4. Preheat oven to 180^o C for 10 minutes.
5. Divide the dough into equal parts into round balls and place them equidistant on a baking tray.
6. Gently press them out evenly to a cookie shape, keeping the thickness to about 1^1/2".or as thick as you want.
7. Make any indentations if you like, and press in some crushed almonds.
   
   
   
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until done.
9. Allow them to cool for at least 30 minutes.
   
   
   

Important Tips

• Use soft butter and make sure it is light and creamy in texture. This will give a good texture to the biscuits.
• After adding the dry ingredients to butter and sugar mixture, ensure that you rub in the butter thoroughly. This will not only breakdown any lumps, but also will give a very good crumbly sand-like texture to the dough.
• Allow the biscuits to cool down completely before you store them in an air-tight container.

Preparation time - 30 minutes

Whole Wheat Jeera Biscuits

Whole wheat jeera biscuits are healthy, and can be consumed guilt-free. These biscuits remind me of my childhood jeera biscuits, but never attempted to make them at home. This is a very basic and a fool-proof recipe, which can be prepared in a jiffy.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour - 1 ^3/4 th cups
• Cumin seeds - 3/4^th tsp + 1/4^th tsp for sprinkling
• Unsalted softened butter - 100 gms
• Milk @ room temperature - 3-4 tsps
• Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp
Note: If adding salted butter, reduce the salt quantity by 1/2 tsp.

Preparation Method

1. Whip butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and light in texture.
Tip: The color of the butter and sugar mixture will turn pale and will be very creamy in texture.
2. Add whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, 3/4^th tsp cumin seeds, salt, and bring the dough together. Make a crumbly dough.
3. Add 1 tsp milk at a time and make a tight and non-sticky dough.
4. Preheat oven to 180^o C for 10 minutes.
5. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll out one part as thick as you want on a smooth and clean surface.
6. Sprinkle few cumin seeds (from the 1/4^th cumin seeds), and gently roll so they stick to the dough.
7. Cut them into any shape and place them in a baking tray.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown in color.
9. Allow them to cool for at least 30 minutes.

Important Tips

• Use soft butter and make sure it is light and creamy in texture. This will give a good texture to the biscuits.
• After adding the dry ingredients to butter and sugar mixture, ensure that you rub in the butter thoroughly. This will not only breakdown any lumps, but also will give a very good crumbly sand-like texture to the dough.
• Allow the biscuits to cool down completely before you store them in an air-tight container.

Preparation time - 30 minutes

Whole Wheat Masala Buns

Masala buns or Khara buns, which means spiced buns in Kannada were originally served in Iyengar bakery in South India, specifically in Bangalore. Now-a-days, it is easily available in most of the bakeries.

The recipe is much similar to plain buns, also known as Pav, but for the spice mixture that goes into this recipe.

Ingredients

For dough
• Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
• Roasted masala - see below
• Yeast -1 tsp
• Warm Milk - 1/2 cup
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Oil or butter - 1/2 cup, plus 2 tsps to drizzle
• Water - to knead
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
For masala
• Onions - 1 large, finely chopped
• Garlic - 3-4 pods, finely chopped
• Green chillies - 2 tsps, finley chopped
• Coariander leaves - a few sprigs, finely chopped
• Cumin seeds - 3/4 tsp

Preparation Method

1. In warm milk, add sugar, yeast, and allow it to bubble.
2. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and add the finely chopped onions, garlic, chillies, and saute until onions turn tranluscent.
3. Add finely chopped coriander.
4. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
5. In a large bowl, add whole wheat flour, salt, oil, yeast mixture, and the cooled onion mixture.
6. Mix it well.
7. Knead the dough for at least 15 minutes. Add water, if required. Allow it to prove for about 2 hours.
8. After two hours, gently knead the dough and pinch out equal quantities of it and roll it into roundels.
9. Take a baking tray, grease it with oil, and place these a few inches apart.
10. Cover it and allow it to prove for the second time -- for about 15-20 minutes.
11. Preheat oven for 15 minutes at 180^oC.
12. Apply some milk, oil, or butter, and bake it for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
13. After you remove it from the oven, apply butter over the buns.
    Baked masala buns are ready. It is a must try recipe and is an excellent tea-time snack.

Storing Tips

• You can refrigerate in an air-tight container or in a foil for about two to three days.

Preparation time - Advanced preparation

Herbed Focaccia Bread

Focaccia bread is an Italian bread. It is simply a pizza bread without the sauce, but crisp on the outise and soft inside. Tha characteristics of this bread that stand out are the infused herbs in olive oil.

Focaccia can be served as a part of a meal - started, appetizer, or as a soup dip. Regardless of how it is served, this bread is extraordinarily rich and flavourful.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Italian herbs (anything of your choice) - 2 tsp
• Yeast -1 tsp;
• Milk - 3/4^thcup
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Olive oil - 3/4^th cup, plus 2 tsps to drizzle
• Water - to knead
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Olives - 6-7 pitted, cut into halves
• Brocoli - 5-6 florets, cut into equal parts
• Coariander leaves (I did not have parsley) - a few sprigs
• Garlic - 4-5 pods, finely chopped

Preparation Method

1. In warm milk, add sugar, yeast, and allow it to bubble.
2. In a large bowl, add whole wheat flour, salt, olive oil, and herbs of your choice.
Note: You can heat 3/4^th cup of olive oil and add the herbs, half of the chopped garlic; stir it up and then add this mixture to the flour.
3. Mix it well.
4. Add the yeast mixture and give it a good mix.
5. Knead the dough for at least 15 minutes. Add water, if required. Allow it to prove for about 2 hours.
Note: If you want a no-knead dough, just mix the ingredients and allow it to rest for 14-15 hours.
6. Take a baking tray (any shape) and grease it with olive oil. Spread the dough uniformly, spreading evenly on all the sides of the tray.
   
   
7. Cover and allow it to prove for another time, for about 15-20 minutes.
8. Preheat oven for 15 minutes at 180^oC.
9. Make dents with your four fingers and gently stuff in the toppings - olives, broccoli, garlic, and coriander. This step is optional, and it is only to enhance the flavour of the bread.
   
10. Sprinkle some herbs and finally drizzle with some olive oil.
11. Bake at 180^oC for 13-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown in color.

Baked focaccia bread is ready to serve.

Storing Tips

• You can refrigerate in an air-tight container or in a foil for about two to three days.
• You can toast the left overs until crisp and use it in soups or as tea-time snacks.

Preparation time - Advanced preparation

Baked Baati (Dal Baati)

Baati is a hard bread cooked in most of areas of Rajasthan, and in some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states of India. It is known for its long shelf life and high nutritional content as in desert areas water is very minimal or scarcely found. This recipe calls for minimum quantity of water for its preparation.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Carom seeds, slightly crushed - 1 tsp
• Ghee - 3/4^th tsp
• Water - to knead
• Salt - to taste

Preparation Method

1. Take a large bowl, add whole wheat flour, carom seeds, ghee, and salt.
2. Mix it well. It should hold the flour when you press it in your palm.
3. Make a tight dough, by adding water little at a time.
4. Roll it into small balls and make a dent with your thumb or cross with ends of your palm and roll into round shape.
5. Line a baking tray with butter paper and place these baatis on them.

6. Bake it at 220^oC.
Simple and crispy yet soft baked baatis are ready to serve with dal.

Preparation time - 1 hour 30 minutes minutes

Baked Vegetable Cutlets

Ingredients

• Cornflour - 1 1/2 tbsp
• Boiled and grated potatoes - 1 1/2 cup
• Grated carrots - 1 cup
• Grated Cottage cheese or Paneer - 3/4^th cup
• Green chillies, finely chopped - 1/4^th tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
• Chat Masala - 1/2 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1/4^th tsp
• Coriander leaves, finely chopped - 1 tsp
• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Salt - to taste

Preparation Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200^oC.
2. Line a baking tray with butter paper.
3. In a large bowl add all the above ingredients (except oil) and mix it well. The resultant dough should be thick. If required add a little more cornflour.
4. Grease your palms and divide the dough into equaly parts.
5. Shape each part into pattice or croquettes and place them on the lined baking tray.
6. Drizzle some oil on each of the pattice and pop it into the preheated oven for atleast 25-30 minutes.
Scrumptious baked cutlets are ready. Enjoy them warm with ketchup or just plain!

Preparation time - 45 minutes

Croissants

French croissants are perfect for breakfast and/or a tea-time snack. The flavor of butter with a crispy, golden layer on the top and a soft crust with layers is deliciously sinful. You can bake plain croissants or modify it slightly by adding some stuffing (paneer/cheese with italian herbs; or dark chocolate, etc.,).

Ingredients

For making pastry dough
• All purpose flour - 2 cups (approx. 500 gms)
• Yeast - 1 tsp
• Lukewarm water - 1/4 cup
• Salt - 1/4 tsp
• Cold and hardened butter (unsalted) - 1 cup (approx. 250 gms) + 50 gms soft butter for dough
• Sugar - 2 tsps
• Milk - to knead the dough

Preparing the dough
• In a small bowl, add sugar, lukewarm water, and yeast. Stir once and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
• In a big bowl, mix - all purpose flour, salt, and 50 gms of butter. Add the yeast mixture, milk (little at a time) and knead it to a stiff, yet, soft dough (do not knead it to a sticky dough).
• Let it rest and rise in a warm place for atleast 30 minutes.
• Cut the butter into even cubes and place them on butter paper. Cover it with another sheet of butter paper and using a rolling pin, roll it into a 6x6" rectangular sheet.
Note: If the butter is starting to melt, cover with butter paper sheets and refrigerate for ~30 mins.
• After working with the butter, refrigerate it.
Note: Always remember to keep the butter sheet in a cold and hard form.
• Roll the dough into ~8x8" rectangle. Place the rolled out butter sheet diagonally and roll the dough up (stretch, if required) to cover and seal the butter completely. Do not tear the dough.
• Roll this dough into ~8x24" rectangle and fold it equally from both ends.
• Refrigerate for an hour.
• Now, roll the dough into ~8x24" rectangle and fold it equally from both ends.
• Refrigerate for ~2-3 hours.
• Repeat steps 9 and 10 two more times and the pastry dough is now ready to use.

Preparation Method

1. Preheat oven to 180^oC.
2. (Optional) Line a baking tray with butter paper.
3. Cut the dough into two equal halves. Wrap one part and refrigerate. Roll the other part of the dough into ~8x16" rectangle. Cut 6" lengthwise.
4. Cut each length-wise diagonally (turns out into two triangles).
5. Very gently, roll the base of the triangle or gently stretch with your hands.
6. Gently roll from the base of the triangle and pinch the end of the dough.
Tip: If you have some filling/stuffing, place them in at this step.
7. Roll all the triangles into croissant shaped and place them in the tray. Cover completely and leave it aside for ~30 minutes to rise another time.
8. Bake them for ~25-30 mins until they are golden brown.

It sure is a lengthy process, but an easy one and worth every minute of effort.

Preparation time - Requires advanced planning

Death By Chocolate (with chocolate ganache)

Ingredients

For cake
• All purpose flour - 1 ^{1/4 th} cups
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Cocoa powder - 4 tbsp
• Oil (vegetable/odorless) - 6 tbsp
• Sugar (powdered) - 1/4^th cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Vinegar - 1 tbsp
• Water - 3/4^th cup
For Ganache

• Heavy cream - 1 cups
• Dark chocolate - 3/4^th cup
• Vanilla essence (optional) - 1 tsp

Preparation Method

Cake
1. Preheat the oven to 175^o C.
2. (optional) Line a 6-inch cake pan with butter paper.
3. Grease a cake tin and keep aside.
4. In a large bowl sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder together. Add sugar and mix well.
5. In another bowl mix together the water, oil, vanilla essence.
6. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and mix gently until fully incorporated, without lumps.The batter should be thin.
7. Pour the batter into the cake pan and place it in the preheated oven for approximately 30mins or when the toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool the cake completely before you begin the frosting.
Ganache
9. Boil the cream. Add dark chocolate and stir well for 1-2 minutes or until it slightly thickens.
10. Keep aside.

Preparation time - 3 hrs

Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting

Ingredients

For cake
• All purpose flour - 1.5 cups
• Baking powder - 1.5 tsp
• Salt - 1/4 tsp
• Cocoa powder - 1 tbsp
• Oil (vegetable/odorless) - 1/2 cup
• Sugar (powdered) - 1 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Buttermilk (milk + 1 tsp vinegar) - 1 cup
• Red food coloring - 1-2 tsps
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting
• Heavy whipping cream - 1.5 cups
• Cream cheese - 1/2 - 3/4 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Icing sugar (powdered sugar) - 1/2 - 3/4 cup

Preparation Method

1. Preheat the oven to 175^oC.
2. (optional) Line a 6-inch cake pan with butter paper.
3. In a large bowl sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder together.
4. With a whisk beat well the oil, sugar, vanilla essence, buttermilk, and red food color.
5. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and mix gently until fully incorporated, without lumps.
6. Pour the batter into the cake pan and place it in the preheated oven for approximately 30mins or when the toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool the cake completely before you begin the frosting.

Cream cheese frosting

1. Whisk the cream until soft peaks are formed. Add icing sugar, little at a time and beat to stiff peaks.
2. Soften the cream cheese and ensure there are no lumps. Add this to the whipped cream and whisk very gently until it is fully incorporated.
3. Decorate it the way you want to.

Preparation time - 3 hrs

Garlic rolls

I love breads and buns, especially so, when they are baked with healthy ingredients: wheat flour and less fat. So, who doesn't want to indulge in these flavorsome, soft, and divine rolls. This is a fool proof recipe and you can try and experiment other variants too.

Ingredients

• Wheat flour - 1 ^1/2 cups
• Yeast (active dry) - 1 tsp
• Softened Butter - 30 gms (for making the dough + for smearing on the rolls)
• Sugar - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp or as required
• Luke warm water - 1 cup
• Water - to knead the dough
• Chilli flakes - 2 tsps
• Finely chopped garlic - 10 pods
• Finely chopped coriander - 1/2 a cup

Preparation Method

1. In a wide bowl, add lukewarm water, sugar and yeast. Stir well and keep it aside for a few minutes until the yeast is proofed.
2. Add wheat flour, salt, yeast mixture, chilli flakes, garlic, and coriander leaves and mix well.
3. Make a very soft and smooth dough by kneading and adding very little water at a time.
4. When the dough is smooth and springy to the touch, rub in 3/4th quantity butter and knead it for about 10 minutes.
5. Cover and keep this dough aside to rise, for at least 1 hour.
6. When the dough rises, it is doubled in size. 
7. Knead gently and divide equal portion of the dough and gently roll them into round balls. Or roll a large portion of the dough into 1" thick rectangle and cut them into vertical strips that are 2" in width. Now roll each strip and gently press them to flatten them a little.
8. Place them in a baking tray. Cover and leave them aside for a few minutes to rise again (until the oven is preheated).
9. Now, preheat oven to 180^o C for about 10 minutes and place this tray for baking. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until done.
10. Generously apply butter on the rolls and allow them to cool before serving.

We devoured these rolls and they were done within no time!

Preparation time - 3 hrs

Banana-walnut cake

Ingredients

Most simple and easy cake with least preparation time. Tastes yum!

• Ripened banana - 2 (dole or long ones)
• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1 tsp
• Butter/Oil - 3/4 cup
• Walnuts - 1/2 cup, chopped
• Sugar - 1/3 cup or less
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Preparation method

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Brush the cake tin or bread mould with butter or oil and keep aside.
2. Mash the bananas to a smooth paste, add the softened butter or oil, sugar and vanilla essence and mix well. Keep it aside.
3. Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder.
4. Add this mixture to the all purpose flour. Add the walnuts and fold well.
5. Pour this mixture in the cake tin or bread mould and bake for 28-30 minutes.
Make sure there is enough room for the dough to rise while baking.
To check if the cake is baked, prick a toothpick and if it comes out clean, then it is ready to be removed.

Yummy banana cake is ready to serve!

Preparation time - 10 mins

Bake time - 30 minutes

Chocolate cake with ganache

Satisfy that "chocolate craving" with this chocolate cake, rich with chocolate ganache and topped with chocolate chips or grated chocolate. Here goes the recipe...

Ingredients - for the cake

• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Cocoa powder - 1/2 a cup
• Condensed milk - 200 gms
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter, softened - 1/2 cup
Ingredients for the chocolate ganache
• Heavy cream - 150 gms
• Grated or chopped dark chocolate - 150 gms
• Butter - 1 tsp

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees centigrade.
2. Grease the cake tin and keep it aside.
3. Sieve the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder, twice. Keep aside.
4. Mix butter and condensed milk to a very smooth and creamy consistency. Add the chopped cherries to this and mix well.
5. Add the all purpose flour -cocoa mixture, little at a time and fold it well into the condensed milk-butter cream.
6. Pour this mixture into the cake tin and tap it once.
7. Place the cake tin in the pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes. Mine got done in just 20 minutes.
8. Do the tooth pik test and once it is baked, remove the cake tin and cool it for a few minutes. Run a knife through the edges and invert the cake carefully.
9. Cool it on the grill.

Preparing the ganache

1. Boil the cream until it bubbles up.
2. Pour this cream over chocolate.
3. Add butter and let it be untouched for about 10-12 minutes.
4. Stir it after 10 minutes.

When the cake is completely cooled, pour this ganache generously over the cake and spread evenly or leave it as it is.

Sprinkle the chocloate chips or grated chocolate.

The ganache slightly thickens as it cools.
Cut the cake and serve it when the ganache is smooth or slightly hardened.

Mango cake

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Mango puree - 1 cup
• Yogurt - 1/2 cup
• Condensed milk - 200 gms
• Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter, softened - 1/2 cup

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees centigrade.
2. Grease the cake tin and keep it aside.
3. Sieve the all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder, twice. Keep aside.
4. Mix butter and condensed milk to a very smooth and creamy consistency. Add the mango puree to this and whip.
5. Add the all purpose flour, little at a time and fold it well into the condensed milk-butter cream.
6. Pour this mixture into the cake tin and tap it once.
7. Place the cake tin in the pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes.
8. Do the tooth pik test and once it is baked, remove the cake tin and cool it for a few minutes. Run a knife through the edges and invert the cake carefully. Cool it on the grill.
9. Decorate with glazed mango sauce, grated chocolate or gems.

Cut the cake into equal pieces and serve!

Pav

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 1/4 cups
• Yeast (active dry) - 1 1/2 tsp
• Butter (softened) or oil - 1/2 cup
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Luke warm water - 1 cup

Preparation method

1. Take a bowl, add lukewarm water, sugar and yeast. Stir well and keep it aside for a few minutes.
2. Take the all purpose flour in a wide bowl. Add salt and mix well.
3. Make a very soft dough by adding the yeast/sugar water little at a time. Knead thoroughly.
4. Slowly add the butter, little at a time and knead well.
5. Keep this dough aside for an hour. The dough will rise to double its original size.
6. Knead gently and make them into smooth balls. Keep this in the oven tray and leave it for another 30 minutes, for it to rise again.
7. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C for about 5-7 minutes and place this tray for baking. Bake for about 20-25 minutes.
Serve warm with bhaji.

Preparation time - 2 hours 30 minutes

Strawberry cup cakes

Ingredients

• Strawberries (pureed) - 3/4 cup
• All purpose flour - 1 1/4 cups
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter (softened) - 3/4 cup
• Cornflour - 2 tsp
• Condensed milk - 3/4 cup
• Yogurt - 1/2 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp (optional)

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.Brush the muffin pan/liner with butter and keep aside.
2. Mix butter and condensed milk until creamy. Add yogurt and whip.
3. Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder.
4. Slowly blend this all purpose flour to the yogurt mixture and fold well.
5. Add the strawberry puree and mix gently.
6. Fill the cup cake liners and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Decorate with whole or cut strawberries, chocolate sauce and enjoy!

Preparation time - 40 - 45 mins

Basic chocolate cake

Satisfy that "chocolate craving" with this simple chocolate cake. Here goes the recipe...

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Cocoa powder - 1/2 a cup
• Cherries - 1/2 a cup, finely chopped
• Condensed milk - 200 gms
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter, softened - 1/2 cup

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees centigrade.
2. Grease the cake tin and keep it aside.
3. Sieve the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder, twice. Keep aside.
4. Mix butter and condensed milk to a very smooth and creamy consistency. Add the chopped cherries to this and mix well.
5. Add the all purpose flour -cocoa mixture, little at a time and fold it well into the condensed milk-butter cream.
6. Pour this mixture into the cake tin and tap it once.
7. Place the cake tin in the pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes. Mine got done in just 20 minutes.
8. Do the tooth pik test and once it is baked, remove the cake tin and cool it for a few minutes. Run a knife through the edges and invert the cake carefully. Cool it on the grill.

9. Decorate with grated chocolate and cherries.

Cut the cake into equal pieces and serve!

Orange cake

This Orange Cake is both light and fluffy with a mild orange flavor and is moist with a tender crumb.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 cup
• Orange zest (orange/yellow skin of the fruit) - 2 tsps
• Condensed milk - 150 gms
• Orange juice - 1/4 cup
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter, softened - 1/2 cup

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees centigrade.
2. Grease the cake tin and keep it aside.
3. Sieve the all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder, twice. Keep aside.
4. Mix butter and condensed milk to a very smooth and creamy consistency.
5. Add the grated orange zest and mix well.
6. Add the orange juice and give it a good whip.
7. Add the all purpose flour, little at a time and fold it well into the orange batter.
8. Pour this mixture into the cake tin and tap it once.
9. Place the cake tin in the pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes. Mine got done in just 20 minutes.
10. Do the tooth pik test and once it is baked, remove the cake tin and cool it for a few minutes. Run a knife through the edges and invert the cake carefully. Cool it on the grill.

Cut the cake into equal pieces and serve!

Vegetable pizza

This is a tried and tested pizza recipe (except the pizza base), and it tasted just awesome! There is nothing better than a freshly baked home-made pizza.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat pizza base - 1
For topping

• Mozarella cheese - 75 gms, grated or cut into cubes
• Garlic - 4-5 pods, very finely chopped
• Green chillies or red chilli flakes - 1 tsp or as per taste
• Tomato spread/sauce - to spread
• Olives (green or black) - few
• Jalapenos - as per spice level
• Capsicum/bell peppers (evenly chopped) - few
• Onions (evenly chopped) - few
• Baby corn (evenly chopped) - few

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees centigrade.
2. Evenly spread the tomato sauce on the pizza base.
3. Add the toppings, one by one, and spread them evenly (vegetables, chillies/jalapenos and finally cheese).
4. Pop the ready-to-bake pizza into the pre-heated oven and bake it for about 20 minutes. You might like to check it after 15 minutes onwards.
5. Take them out of the oven when the cheese slightly turns golden brown.

Yummy and spicy vegetable pizza is ready to serve!

Preparation time - 45 mins

Garlic bread

Baked garlic bread the pizza hut style for the first time and they turned out delicious! Here's the simple recipe for making garlic bread.

Ingredients

• French loaf - 1, horizontally cut into even slices
• Mozarella cheese - 50 gms, grated or cut into cubes
• Garlic - 4-5 pods, very finely chopped
• Green chillies or red chilli flakes - 1 tsp or as per taste

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees centigrade.
2. Top each slice of the loaf with chillies/flakes, garlic and mozarella cheese.

3. Pop them into the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
4. Take them out of the oven when the cheese slightly turns golden brown.

Yummy garlic bread is ready to serve!

Preparation time - 25 mins

Blueberry cup cakes

All this while, we have just been munching upon berries as a snack. I just tried out cup cakes with blueberries - they turned out to be really yummy! Tangy, soft and spongy in texture :)

Ingredients

• Blueberries - 3/4 cup
• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter - 3/4 cup
• Cornflour - 3 tsp
• Sugar - 3/4 cup
• Yogurt - 1 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.Brush the muffin pan/liner with butter and keep aside.
2. Mix yogurt and sugar well. Add softened butter and vanilla essence, cornflour and mix well. Keep it aside.
3. Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder.
4. Add the yogurt mixture to the all purpose flour and mix.
5. Add the blueberries and mix gently.
6. Fill the cup cake liners and bake for 28-30 minutes.

Make sure there is enough room for the dough to rise while baking.
To check if the cupcakes are baked, prick a toothpick and if it comes out clean, then it is baked.

Yummy bluberry cup cakes - ready to eat! :)

Preparation time - 40 - 45 mins

Banana-walnut cup cakes

I've been just reading this recipe online for a while now and longing to make these cup cakes. Finally made them :) They turned out to be soft and spongy in texture and tasted good as well!

Ingredients

• Banana - 3 (dole or long ones)
• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Baking soda - 1 tsp
• Butter/Oil - 3/4 cup
• Walnuts - 1/2 cup, chopped
• Sugar - 1/3 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.Brush the muffin pan/liner with butter and keep aside.
2. Mash the bananas to a smooth paste, add the softened butter, sugar and vanilla essence and mix well. Keep it aside.
3. Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder.
4. Add this mixture to the all purpose flour. Add the walnuts and fold well.
5. Fill the cup cake liners and bake for 28-30 minutes.
Make sure there is enough room for the dough to rise while baking.
To check if the cupcakes are baked, prick a toothpick and if it comes out clean, then it is baked.

Yummy banana walnut cup cakes!

Preparation time - 50 mins

Naan

Naan or Indian bread is a perfect main course with any of the North Indian curries.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Yogurt/buttermilk - 3/4 cup
• Lukewarm water - as required to make a soft dough
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Baking powder -
• Sugar - pinch
• Salt - pinch
• Oil - 1/2 tsp

For the dough

Mix the above dry ingredients well. Add buttermilk and knead well to make a non-sticky, smooth dough. Add water, if required. Leave it aside for at least an hour.

Preparation method

1. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll them in oval shape, 1/4" thickness.
2. Make equal balls of the dough and roll it length-wise and place them in the oven-tray.
3. Apply a tsp of water on one side of the rolled naan.Place the wet surface on hot skillet on a high flame. When cooked on the lower side, the color on the upper surface will change. At this stage, turn the skillet over direct flame/heat until it is cooked on both sides.
4. Smear a small amount of mixture of butter and garlic and serve hot with any curry of your choice.

Preparation time - 30 mins

Rest time - 1 hour

Chocolate cup cakes

Moist, fluffy, light and flavorful. If a first time baker like me can successfully bake it with ease, I am sure you too can! :)

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 2 1/2 cups
• Baking powder - 1 1/2 tsp
• Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• Butter - 3/4 cup
• Yogurt - 1 cup
• Milk - 1 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Dark chocolate - 150 gms
• Sugar (powdered) - 1 1/2 cups or little more
• Chocolate vermicelli (for topping)

Preparation method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees for 10 minutes. Brush the muffin pan/liner with butter and keep aside.
2. Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder and keep aside.
3. Soften the butter, dark chocolate and add the powder sugar and mix well until fluffy.
4. Mix the yogurt, milk and essence and whisk well. Add this mixture to the butter and sugar mixture.
5. Add the flour to this mixture slowly and just fold it well.
6. Pour them into each muffin liner. Sprinkle with chocolate vermicelli and bake them for 15-18 minutes.
To check if the cupcakes are baked, prick a toothpick and if it comes out clean, then it is baked.

I enjoyed baking and this is the output :) Simple pleasures in life!!!

Preparation time - 30 mins