Tana Ramsay’s Family Kitchen: Simple and Delicious Recipes for Every Family

175g/6oz Muscovado sugar

75g/3oz wholemeal self-raising flour

50g/2oz bran cereal

50g/2oz crushed hazelnuts

100g/4oz stoned dates, chopped

Makes: 12 fingers

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25–30 minutes

1 Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/GM4.

2 First, line and lightly grease a baking tin 11 x 7" (28 x 18cm).

3 Put the eggs and sugar into a large mixing bowl and whisk together until light and fluffy.

4 Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix together well. Pour the mixture into the lined baking tin and smooth evenly.

5 Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes.

6 When cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin.

7 Cut into finger slices and serve!

Tip

• Keep in an air-tight container if not eating straight away.

tea-time treats (#ulink_04964b8d-13db-512b-bffc-a22d1a340078)

I think it would be terribly unrealistic to say that children should never have snacks – I love them, and certainly as a child it was one of the comforts that I needed!

Quite often children need a little pick-me-up when they finish school. It is a little too long to wait until supper is ready, yet lunch was hours ago. A small snack is a very welcome treat, but you want to give a little more than just a packet of sweets or a chocolate bar, not least because these will just not satisfy.

Not all of the recipes in this section are the healthiest option, but in moderation and given as a snack at the right time they certainly will not hurt. They give the right kind of energy pick-up and help to wean children off the typical packet of crisps or sticky sweets. I also feel a sense of relief knowing exactly what is in the snacks I’m giving my children.

These will all last a couple of days if stored correctly in an air-tight container, and the children can even help you make many of them – you have to let them make a mess sometimes!

banana and apple loaf (#ulink_e0671b53-aec8-5ade-997a-3c0510e83202)

A slice of this loaf is a very satisfying treat – the banana makes it a substantial snack and a real energy boost.

150g/5oz light Muscovado sugar

85g/3¼oz unsalted butter, softened

2 large free-range eggs, beaten

4 medium-sized ripe bananas, mashed

1 apple, grated

250g/8oz self-raising flour

¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

¼ tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

Makes: a small loaf of approximately 15 slices

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

1 Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/GM4. Grease and line a 900g/2lb loaf tin.

2 Cream together the sugar, butter and eggs.

3 Stir in the mashed bananas and apple and sieve in the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.

4 Once well mixed, tip into the loaf tin and bake for 40–45 minutes.

5 Remove to a wire rack and cool in the tin for 20–30 minutes. Remove from the tin onto the rack and finish cooling completely before slicing.

6 Serve.

Tip

• Also great to have a slice for breakfast!

chocolate crunch brownies (#ulink_192ca2da-27c2-5605-8ecd-f7df026d8e0b)

Naughty but nice is the only way to describe these! Definitely one to keep for special occasions.

250g/8oz unsalted butter

425g/14oz golden caster sugar

4 large free-range eggs, beaten

100g/3½oz plain flour