Recipe: Spelt Waffles & January Waffle

Over the week I've enjoyed a few leisurely breakfasts with a few leisurely days off. My favourite breakfast being these spelt waffles with banana, currants and maple syrup. 

I also got the chance to try out my new waffle iron which was chosen specifically for the shape of waffles it makes. 

Taking stock of the month of January, here are a few other favourites...

A chilly 24 hours in Berlin including Boy, bratwurst and burgers. 

A lazy lunch in Reigate, having a mooch around the shops and a stop of at Cullenders for pea and bacon soup and the best flat white I've had for a while. Including an obligatory stop at Chalk Hill bakery to pick up a loaf or two to take home. 

Making the perfect snickerdoodles. Probably won't be long before there's a dog with a similar name, that's what they're doing with breeds these days, right?

Hearing in the news that a French court has overruled parents naming their child Nutella and named their child Ella instead for them. How considerate. 

That picture of a Daschund reading Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food on the loo. 

A visit to Joe's Southern Kitchen to start this year's chicken escapades. Could this replace my love of burgers?

Friendly deliveries from Abel & Cole and Ocado. They've got it just right. 

And whilst we're talking food (always) some of my favourite recipes from some friendly bloggers include Rosie's spicy chicken pho and Lucy's chocolate chip cookie dippers. 

And if you're looking for the waffle recipe, you can find it here. Regular flour would work also. 

Leiths: Raisin Bran Muffins

   Another recipe from my Baking workshop at Leiths, these raisin bran muffins are really 100 times better than they sound. Imagine an Elvenses bar, but better and so quick and easy to make. This recipe can also be found in Leiths Baking Bible. I'll be baking more of these pretty soon, such an easy breakfast to grab on the go!

Makes 12

     200ml semi-skimmed milk

     115g butter, softened

     100g All-Bran cereal

     115g golden caster sugar

     2 eggs, beaten

     170g self raising flour, sifted

     1 teaspoon baking powder

     Half teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

     Half teaspoon ground cinnamon

     140g raisins

     Honey and oats for decoration

• Preheat the oven to 190 degrees and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases.
• Warm the milk and butter in a saucepan on a low heat until the butter has melted.
• Place the cereal and sugar in a bowl, stir in the butter and milk.
• Allow to cool to lukewarm before adding the eggs.
• Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and raisins. Try to incorporate the mix well without stirring more than 20 times - other wise the muffins will become tough.
• Divide between the paper cases and bake for 25-30 minutes. 
• Cool on a wire rack before glazing with honey and adding a sprinkle of oats.

See my other post from this workshop for a raspberry sponge with elderflower mascarpone recipe.

Low-Fat Banana Muffins

Perfect low-fat muffins for an 'on-the-go' breakfast, or for snacking during the day. The original recipe can be found here. Below is a UK conversion of ingredients:

3 bananas (mashed)
1 egg
60g apple sauce
45g rolled oats
120g wholewheat flour
100g brown sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
60g raw cacao