Desserts and Cakes

Sweet treats and celebration bakes for every occasion — from birthday cakes to cool summer lollies!

Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes

Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes

Prep 15 min180°C / 18–20 min
12cupcakes

Ingredients

  • Cupcakes
  • 200g gluten free self-raising flour
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 200g softened butter or margarine
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • Buttercream
  • 150g softened butter
  • 300g icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp milk

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Line a muffin tray with cupcake cases.
  3. Add the flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk into a large bowl.
  4. Beat together until smooth and creamy.
  5. Spoon the mixture evenly into the cupcake cases.
  6. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden and springy.
  7. Leave to cool completely.
  8. Beat the butter until soft, slowly add the icing sugar, then vanilla and milk.
  9. Beat until fluffy and smooth, then pipe or spread onto the cooled cupcakes.
  10. Add your favourite decorations.

Nanny Bea says: cupcakes are one of the happiest bakes to make because everyone can decorate their own! There's no such thing as too many sprinkles.

Gluten Free Banana Traybake

Gluten Free Banana Traybake

Prep 15 min180°C / 30–35 min
12slices

Ingredients

  • 250g gluten free self-raising flour
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 150g softened butter or margarine
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Grease and line a rectangular baking tin.
  3. Beat together the butter, sugar, eggs, mashed bananas and vanilla.
  4. Add the gluten free flour and milk.
  5. Stir gently until smooth.
  6. Fold in any optional extras.
  7. Pour into the prepared tin.
  8. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  9. Leave to cool fully before slicing.
  10. Decorate with buttercream or banana slices if desired.

Nanny Bea says: banana cake always makes the kitchen smell warm and cosy! If your bananas go spotty and brown, don't throw them away… bake with them!

Gluten Free Strawberry Trifle

Gluten Free Strawberry Trifle

Prep 25 minChill 2 hours
6servings

Ingredients

  • Jelly Layer
  • 1 packet strawberry jelly (gluten free)
  • 300ml boiling water
  • 200ml cold water
  • Fruit & Custard
  • 300g fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 500ml ready-made gluten free custard
  • Cream Layer
  • 300ml double cream
  • 1 tbsp icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

  1. Dissolve the jelly in boiling water, add the cold water and stir.
  2. Pour into a large glass bowl and add sliced strawberries.
  3. Chill until set.
  4. Spoon the custard gently over the jelly layer and spread evenly. Chill for 20 minutes.
  5. Whip the cream with icing sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  6. Spoon or pipe onto the custard layer.
  7. Add strawberries and decorations. Chill until ready to serve.

Nanny Bea says: trifle looks fancy, but it's actually super easy to make! The best part is all those yummy layers.

Gluten Free No-Bake Cheesecake

Gluten Free No-Bake Cheesecake

Prep 25 minChill 4hrs+
8servings

Ingredients

  • Biscuit Base
  • 250g gluten free digestive biscuits
  • 100g melted butter
  • Filling
  • 500g cream cheese
  • 100g icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 300ml double cream

Method

  1. Crush the gluten free digestive biscuits into crumbs and mix with melted butter.
  2. Press firmly into the bottom of a springform cake tin.
  3. Chill in the fridge while making the filling.
  4. Beat together cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whip the double cream until thick.
  6. Fold the whipped cream gently into the cream cheese mixture.
  7. Spoon onto the chilled biscuit base and smooth the top carefully.
  8. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  9. Add favourite toppings before serving. Slice carefully and enjoy!

Nanny Bea says: no-bake cheesecake is one of the easiest desserts to make, and one of the yummiest too! The best bit is decorating the top with lots of tasty treats.

Gluten Free Victoria Sandwich Cake

Gluten Free Victoria Sandwich Cake

Prep 20 min170°C / 25–30 min
10slices

Ingredients

  • 200g gluten free self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp gluten free baking powder
  • 200g softened butter or margarine
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • Filling
  • 4 tbsp strawberry jam
  • 200ml double cream, whipped

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C fan / 190°C / 375°F.
  2. Grease and line two round sandwich tins.
  3. Beat together the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, vanilla and milk until smooth and creamy.
  4. Divide evenly between the tins.
  5. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and springy.
  6. Leave to cool completely.
  7. Spread strawberry jam onto one sponge.
  8. Whip the cream until thick and spoon or pipe over the jam.
  9. Place the second sponge on top carefully and dust with icing sugar.
  10. Decorate with strawberries if desired.

Nanny Bea says: a Victoria sandwich may look simple, but it's one of the prettiest cakes when cut into slices! Jam and cream together make the perfect combo.

Gluten Free Apple Crumble & Custard

Gluten Free Apple Crumble & Custard

Prep 20 min180°C / 35–40 min
6servings

Ingredients

  • Apple Filling
  • 6 apples, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Crumble Topping
  • 200g gluten free plain flour
  • 100g cold butter
  • 100g brown sugar
  • 50g certified gluten free oats

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Place the apples into a saucepan with sugar, cinnamon and water.
  3. Cook gently for 10 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Pour into an ovenproof dish.
  5. Add the gluten free flour and butter into a bowl. Rub together until it looks like breadcrumbs.
  6. Stir in the brown sugar and gluten free oats.
  7. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
  8. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  9. Leave to cool slightly, then serve warm with custard, ice cream or cream.

Nanny Bea says: there's nothing cosier than warm apple crumble and custard on a chilly day! The crunchy crumble topping is everybody's favourite part.

Gluten Free Rice Crispy Squares

Gluten Free Rice Crispy Squares

Prep 15 minChill 1 hour
12squares

Ingredients

  • 150g gluten free puffed rice cereal
  • 300g mini marshmallows
  • 75g butter

Method

  1. Line a square baking tin with baking paper.
  2. Melt the butter gently in a large saucepan.
  3. Add the mini marshmallows and stir slowly until melted and smooth.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the gluten free puffed rice cereal.
  5. Stir gently until fully coated.
  6. Spoon into the prepared tin and press down gently with the back of a spoon.
  7. Add sprinkles or decorations while soft.
  8. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour until firm.
  9. Slice into squares.

Nanny Bea says: these sticky marshmallow squares are so much fun to make together! Little jobs like melting, stirring and pressing make the best memories.

Gluten Free Cornflake Cakes

Gluten Free Cornflake Cakes

Prep 15 minChill 30 min
12cornflake cakes

Ingredients

  • 200g milk chocolate
  • 50g butter
  • 3 tbsp golden syrup
  • 100g gluten free cornflakes

Method

  1. Line a cupcake tray with paper cake cases.
  2. Break the chocolate into pieces and place into a saucepan with the butter and golden syrup.
  3. Melt gently over low heat, stirring until smooth.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the gluten free cornflakes carefully.
  5. Stir gently until fully coated.
  6. Spoon the mixture into the cake cases.
  7. Add decorations while still soft.
  8. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes until set.

Nanny Bea says: these are one of the easiest treats to make, and one of the quickest to disappear! The best cornflake cakes have LOTS of sprinkles on top.

Gluten Free Microwave Mug Cake

Gluten Free Microwave Mug Cake

Prep 5 minMicrowave 1–2 min
1mug cake

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp gluten free self-raising flour
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 0.5 tsp gluten free baking powder
  • 1 small egg
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Method

  1. Add all ingredients into a microwave-safe mug.
  2. Mix well until smooth.
  3. Stir in any optional extras (cocoa powder, chopped strawberries, sprinkles or mashed banana).
  4. Microwave on high for 1–2 minutes.
  5. The cake should rise and feel springy on top.
  6. Leave to cool slightly before eating.

Nanny Bea says: watching the cake rise in the microwave feels like magic! Mug cakes are perfect when you want a quick sweet treat in minutes.

Gluten Free Fruit Kebabs

Gluten Free Fruit Kebabs

Prep 15 minNo cooking
8kebabs

Ingredients

  • Strawberries, grapes, banana slices, melon cubes, pineapple chunks, blueberries, kiwi slices, apple chunks, mango cubes
  • Wooden skewers (blunt-ended for little ones)

Method

  1. Wash and prepare all fruit carefully.
  2. Chop larger fruit into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Thread fruit onto wooden skewers in colourful patterns.
  4. Mix yoghurt and honey together for the dip.
  5. Drizzle with chocolate if desired.
  6. Chill until ready to serve.

Nanny Bea says: the rainbow kebabs are always the prettiest! Fruit on a stick makes healthy eating so much more fun.

Home Made Healthy Ice Lollies

Home Made Healthy Ice Lollies

Prep 10 minFreeze 4–6 hrs
6ice lollies

Ingredients

  • Strawberry Smoothie
  • 200g strawberries, 1 banana, 150g yoghurt, 1 tsp honey
  • Tropical Sunshine
  • Pineapple chunks, mango cubes, orange juice
  • Berry Blast
  • Blueberries, raspberries, Greek yoghurt
  • Ice lolly moulds & wooden sticks

Method

  1. Add fruit ingredients into a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Stir in yoghurt or honey if using.
  4. Pour into ice lolly moulds.
  5. Add fruit pieces for extra colour.
  6. Insert sticks carefully.
  7. Freeze for 4–6 hours until solid.
  8. Run warm water over the mould briefly to remove the lollies easily.

Nanny Bea says: rainbow lollies are almost too pretty to eat… almost!

Gluten Free Fruit Smoothies

Gluten Free Fruit Smoothies

Prep 10 minNo cooking
2smoothies

Ingredients

  • Berry Blast
  • 150g strawberries, 100g blueberries, 1 banana, 200ml milk, 1 tbsp yoghurt
  • Tropical Sunshine
  • Pineapple, mango, 1 banana, orange juice, ice cubes
  • Chocolate Banana
  • 1 banana, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 250ml milk, 1 tsp honey
  • Green Super
  • Spinach, kiwi, apple, banana, apple juice

Method

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add extra milk if needed.
  4. Pour into glasses.
  5. Decorate with fruit, cream or sprinkles if desired.
  6. Serve immediately.

Nanny Bea says: you can invent your OWN smoothie flavours using your favourite fruits!

Gluten Free Fruit Milkshakes

Gluten Free Fruit Milkshakes

Prep 10 minNo cooking
2milkshakes

Ingredients

  • Strawberry
  • 200g strawberries, 400ml milk (or 2 scoops vanilla ice cream), 1 tsp honey
  • Banana
  • 2 bananas, 400ml milk, 1 tsp honey, ice cubes
  • Berry Blast
  • Mixed berries, vanilla ice cream, milk
  • Tropical
  • Mango, pineapple, coconut milk, vanilla yoghurt

Method

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add extra milk if needed.
  4. Pour into tall glasses.
  5. Decorate with cream, fruit or sprinkles.
  6. Serve immediately with colourful straws.

Nanny Bea says: the taller the milkshake, the more FUN it feels!