Now... don't think I bake like this all the time because that would be untrue. I also use packets in the lunchboxes as well as sandwiches and fruit, the same as most parents but freshly baked food is a hit with my kids and doesn't take that long, if you can get yourself organised.
From start to finish it took me 2 hrs to make these 5 recipes:
- Apricot balls
- Mini quiches
- Mini cream cakes
- Anzac biscuits
- Pikelets
I hope you enjoy these recipes and keep them in mind when you need something to fill the lunchboxes.
Apricot balls - only 2 ingredients!
Super healthy and a great snack for any time of the day or night. My kids absolutely love them and with only 2 ingredients and only a few minutes to make, they are a winner in my opinion!
Makes approx 30 balls
- 1 ½ cups dried apricots (270g)
- 1 cup rolled oats
2. Process to form a sticky dough.
3. Roll into small balls & refrigerate until set.
Note - you can also add desiccated coconut for a flavour variation.
Storage - in fridge, in airtight container for up to 1 week.
Storage - in fridge, in airtight container for up to 1 week.
My eBook '3 ingredients or less - 18 sweet treats' can be purchased for only $4 from my website www.foodbefore5.com.au
Mini quiches
These are handy to have in the freezer for a lunch box snack or kids party food.
Makes approx 48
- 4 slices of puff pastry
- 4 slices bacon, finely diced
- 1 small onion, very finely diced
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup cream
- ¾ cup grated cheese
- ½ Tbspn chopped parsley
- salt & pepper to taste
2. In a microwave safe bowl, add onion & bacon & cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 mins or until soft.
3. In a separate jug, add eggs, cream, parsley & salt. Whisk to combine.
4. Using a cutter or the rim of a glass, cut out 12 circles from each pastry sheet. Push them into the muffin pan.
5. Place a small amount of bacon & onion mixture into each case. Pour a little egg mixture into each case & sprinkle with grated cheese.
6. Bake for 12 mins or until puffed & golden. Repeat with remaining pastry & mixture.
Tips - try adding diced tomato, capsicum, fetta, spinach or mushrooms.
Storage:
In fridge for up to 3 days.
In freezer, in airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook in preheated oven for 10 mins.
Mini cream cakes
A great lunch box filler that taste great with honey
drizzled over them.
Makes approx 24
- 1 cup self raising flour
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 3 Tbspn sugar
1. Preheat oven to 180 °C. Grease a 24 mini muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together.
3. Spoon into muffin tin & bake for 10 mins or until golden. Leave in tin for 5 mins before transferring to wire rack to cool.
Storage - at room temperature, in airtight container for up to 2
days.
Anzac biscuits
A classic recipe that will never go out of date. Awesome to keep in the freezer.
Makes 25
- 1 cup plain flour, sifted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup coconut
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 125g butter
- 2 Tbspn hot water
- 3 Tbspn honey
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, add flour, sugar, coconut & oats. Stir to combine.
3. In a saucepan, add butter, hot water & honey & cook over medium to high heat until
combined. Remove from heat. Add bicarb of soda & stir. Pour over oat mixture & stir to combine.
4. Place tablespoons of mixture onto oven tray, leaving space between each one for spreading to occur. Flatten with a fork.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 mins or until golden.
6. Cool slightly on tray before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Storage - Room temperature, in airtight container for up to 5 days.
- In fridge, in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze, in airtight container/freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Pikelets
This is my grandmas's recipe for soft & fluffy pikelets. Makes approx 25.
- 2 cups self raising flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 30g butter, melted
- spray oil
1. Sift flour & bicarb of soda into a large bowl.
2. Add sugar & stir to combine. Add eggs.
3. In a cup, warm milk in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add vinegar to the milk. Then add this to the pikelet batter & whisk.
4. Add melted butter & whisk until smooth.
5. Heat a non stick frypan over medium heat. Spray with oil. Spoon small amounts of batter for each pikelet into the pan.
6. Cook for 2 mins or until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip pikelets over. Cook for a further minute or until cooked through.
7. Transfer to a plate & cover. Repeat with remaining mixture.
Serving suggestions include strawberry jam & cream or lemon juice & sugar.
All of these recipes are from my cookbooks which are all available from www.foodbefore5.com.au
Food before 5 - $19.95 free postage
Kids party food eBook - $5.95
3 ingredients or less, 18 sweet treats eBook - $4
Awesome post. Inspired by reading this I just did a giant lunch box prep myself. I had to tweak a few things based on what I had but it went good. Mine took me a bit longer than two hours but I also have three boys under 5 running around me today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea. I shared your post on my blog facebook group, and will be sharing it on my blog in a future post if that's ok?
I did: Pickelets, the apricot balls (but did half raisins, added honey, rolled in coconut), raspberry mini muffins, mini pizzas and rice krispie bars.
Hi there, thanks very much! I don't mind at all if you post on your blog :)
DeleteA big cook-up is much more challenging with 3 kids running around but hopefully worth the effort. I'll try and post another cook-up soon.
Cheers
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for some great ideas! A couple of questions - do you freeze your pikelets? Also, are the cream cakes like scones and can they be frozen?
Thank you,
Kate
Hi Kate,most definitely I freeze pikelets. Great to go straight from the freezer into the lunchbox. The cream cakes are like little scones and I freeze them too. Any other questions, please let me know.
DeleteAmanda :)
Thanks Amanda, much appreciated.
ReplyDelete