Stewart - Nourish cakes: baking with a healthy twist

Publishing Director Sarah Lavelle

Project Editor Kathy Steer

Editor Harriet Webster

Creative Director Helen Lewis

Designer Gemma Hayden

Photographer Catherine Frawley

Props Stylists Catherine and Michael Frawley

Food Stylist Marianne Stewart

Nutrition Consultant Dr Rebecca Hiscutt

Production Director Vincent Smith

Production Controller Tom Moore

Published in 2018 by Quadrille, an imprint of

Hardie Grant Publishing

Quadrille

5254 Southwark Street

London SE1 1UN

quadrille.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and copyright holders.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

Text Marianne Stewart 2018

Design and Photography Quadrille 2018

eISBN 978 178713 243 6

The publisher wishes to thank the following for their generous loans of props and equipment for this book:

The Linen Works (www.thelinenworks.co.uk)

KitchenAid (kitchenaid.com)

Microplane (microplaneintl.com)

Kitchens Cookshop, Bristol (steamer.co.uk)

Toby Gamston (tobiasgeorge.com)

WAB Home (wabhome.co.uk)

Notes on the recipes

WF = wheat-free

GF = gluten-free

DF = dairy-free

VG = vegan

Ingredients are listed in UK metric followed by US imperial/cup measurements. Please follow one system of measurement when following the recipes.

Eggs are medium unless specified otherwise.

Salt is Maldon sea salt unless specified otherwise.

Lemons and limes should be unwaxed.

I prefer to use Doves Farm rice flour but find a brand you like.

Contents

NOURISH CAKES BRING US A SCRUMPTIOUS COLLECTION OF CAKES, SHOWING HOW WE CAN ENJOY THE DELICIOUSNESS OF FOOD WHILE ALSO NOURISHING OUR BODIES.

Marianne and I share the same love and passion for good food based on real ingredients that have been grown or produced with love and care. This beautiful book encourages readers to discover new ingredients and nourish their bodies while making amazing cakes to share with family and friends.

Food has such an impact on our everyday lives. It affects our energy levels and influences our mood and health. As a nutrition consultant I spend every day helping people to utilize the power of food to feel as good as they possibly can, and to love everything they eat. Nourish Cakes encourages you to eat nutrient-packed, wholesome food while enjoying the whole experience.

Imagine enjoying a recipe does this beautifully! This means blood sugar levels remain far more stable after eating a treat.

Eating a variety of natural unprocessed foods is the best way to optimize your health and well-being. I love the diversity of the ingredients used in the recipes in this book, with an array of vegetables, fruit and spices, as well as nuts and seeds. The uses three different varieties of carrot, all of which are rich in different health-promoting plant compounds.

In Nourish Cakes you will find recipes to suit all dietary needs and preferences, so everyone has the chance to enjoy a piece of cake whether they are gluten-free, vegan, or if you simply enjoy good food! How wonderful that you can bake a cake to share with everyone, no matter what their allergies or intolerances.

Baking can be a wonderful way to focus the mind and get lost in the art of making a cake. I find it incredibly relaxing and love making cakes and nourishing sweet treats for my family and friends. Nourish Cakes will have a permanent position on my cake stand as I work my way through the recipes to make cakes for lunchboxes, to give to bake sales, to bring out proudly after a meal or simply to have on hand to share with friends who pop in. Im constantly asked for ideas for puddings or alternatives to the (less nourishing) snacks and cakes available everywhere, so now I can recommend a book jam-packed with delicious cakes to nourish both the body and the soul.

Thank you for giving us cakes we can enjoy together, Marianne.

Happy eating and baking!

Food is a necessity, as we need it to nourish and nurture our bodies, but treating ourselves shouldnt mean leaving our bodies feeling sick and sluggish. Say goodbye to guilt!

This cookery book is a celebrated collection of good quality ingredients that will leave you feeling healthy and energetic. A true discovery of new and exciting free-from ingredients, taming them to behave in a way that works wonders in the kitchen. The focus is on all those amazing things you can eat that make you feel alive. Its about baking your cake and eating it too.

I became a cake-maker because I have always loved treats. When I was a child one of my favourite games to play with my step-grandfather and sister Rosie was Hunt the Peppermint and the Coin. Rosie would hunt for the coin and, you guessed it, I would hunt for the peppermint. Years later she became an accountant, and I became a pastry chef!

In my heart of hearts, Im really a cake geek. As a priority, treats from my own oven must always taste good, but I no longer believe that to taste good they have to be filled with bad-for-you ingredients. I love figuring out new ways to create great flavour and texture using nourishing ingredients. Fresh fruit and vegetables add moisture and texture in gluten-free bakes, nuts and nut butters help replace dairy-based fats. Ingredients like flaxseed play a structural role, and deliver essential fatty acids that are good for brain and heart health. And the highly celebrated coconut in all its forms is super-useful for adding creamy richness and texture and is packed with health-promoting nutrients.

I relish my time working with a variety of ingredients that creatively bring a wider set of flavours and nutrients to the tables of my friends and family. These ingredients now make it possible to share my baking with everyone, no matter what their food intolerances.

As a final note, many of the recipes in this book have been crafted in small quantities. The whole cakes are perfect for small to medium gatherings, while the individual treats are easily divided over afternoon tea or in the office. With these portions, I aim to encourage balance and allow your treat to feel truly special and make sure theres still enough for sharing.

Welcome to a new approach to baking and creating some delicious sweet treats (not just cakes) for yourself, your friends and your family in your own kitchen. Cake is still cake, and you dont want to eat it at every meal, but you can bake better, smarter and more inventively.

Long live cake!

Marianne xx

Make sure you read through the whole recipe, so you know how much time you need and what equipment to have ready. It sounds simple, but most baking requires a little planning, so looking ahead helps make the whole process easier.