In today’s fast paced busy life, it has never been more important to make sure that not only are we feeding our families nutritious meals, but that their snacks are nutritious and wholesome too. It might be easy to grab a packet of chips, or cheez-its to get yourself or your children through to the next meal, but every time you do it you are compromising their health. Making snacks might seem out of reach, but I am here to tell you, cooking from scratch snacks is easy, delicious and very affordable.
As a busy homeschooling, homesteading mum of seven, I know what it is to be on a time crunch. I understand all too well the pressure we all feel to fit more into the day. What I have learned is that we have time for what is of value to us.
Feeding my family nourishing whole foods, is very important to me. It is something I am willing to prioritize over certain other things to make it happen.
However I have also discovered, that the more I cook from scratch, the more it becomes second nature, quick and easy… something I don’t have to think too much about.
Below are three simple snacks that I make for my family either for road trips, when I want snacks for a basketball game or just for morning tea (when we take a cup of tea break half way through our morning). These would also work very well for packed lunches.
Tea Cake
2 cups Self Raising Flour (or two cups all purpose flour plus two teaspoons baking powder)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Cup of hot tea (allow to cool)
Tablespoon honey (melted in hot tea)
1 egg
Cinnamon to taste
1 cup saltanas, raisins or mixed fruit and nuts of choice
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Put in greased loaf tin, lined with parchment paper. Cook in moderate oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius) for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven when a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle. Allow to cool for a few minutes before turning out on chopping board to cut. Serve with lashings of butter!
Anzac Bicky
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut
125g butter
2 tablespoons Golden Syrup (or Molasses or Cane Syrup)
1 Tablespoon water
1/2 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Melt butter and syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix soda into water then pour over melted butter and syrup mixture. This will froth up. Pour liquid over dry ingredients and mix to form dough. Form into balls and place on a cooking tray. Bake in moderately slow oven (320 degrees Fahrenheit or 160 degrees celcius) for about 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool on tray before removing.
Sourdough Bread Roll Snacks
I love these bread rolls from Farmhouse on Boone. I will make them regularly for hamburgers but they are also great as a snack. You can top them with ham and cheese, peanut butter and jam, just jam or any other topping that you choose. Wrap them individually and place in a plastic or glass container to take with you. Great for an on-the-go snack. Try the recipe here at Farmhouse on Boone Sourdough Buns
Peanut Honey Slice
This recipe has a special place in my heart. It is a childhood favourite. My mum used to make it for us on special occasions. I have tweaked the recipe a little to make it more nutritious… subbing out rice bubbles or weetbix for rolled oats. But I actually like my new version even better – although the original was certainly tasty and will always have many fond memories attached. The adjusted recipe is nutritious, filling and delicious!
125g butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons honey
Rolled oats (several cups – enough to make mixture firm but not dry)
Saltanas (or raisins) approx. 1 cup
Melt butter, sugar, peanut butter and honey in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Mix in oats and raisins. Press into a lined lamington tray (9 x 13 inch tray). Refrigerate until set firm. Lift out and slice into squares. Enjoy!
Check out the video of me making these with Jess on The Farmers Table
You may also be interested in this article on Easy Sourdough Bread is an Art
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