Looking for a gift … head down to Flo & Frankie

It feels like Christmas has hit early!

Home life has become chaotic, school fundraisers are coming and going realy fast, school holidays are creeping up on me and the best part, the sun keeps popping out more and more!!

As most of you know, we love a good BBQ, we do it differently, we do it on open coles patiently waiting for the fire to die down and make the perfect coles to BBQ on!

For us, its always some sort of meat a realy good wholesome salad and well, a Beer Bread of sorts!

One of my favorite ways to do the Beer Bread is to make it on the fire!

I’ve never been able to get a photo of this, hopefully this year, it will get done! The recipe is tricky, as there is no temperature, no exact cooking time! I make up a batch, grease out the black cast iron pot ( potjie pot) add the dough and wait… see why I don’t realy talk about it- I don’t know how to give you the directions! But, it’s amaaaaazing! The extra butter, from the greased sides is delicious, the smokey vibes from the “potjie” gives it the perfect BBQ feeling and the fact that hubby makes it…. Well that’s priceless!

Last yeat I did a realy big drop that went straight to Flo & Frankie in all their stores in their gifting section! I am so proud and humbled to be part of such an iconic store, working with their team and being part of Flo and Frankie, is just amazing!

This year, we are doing it again, bigger and better! I am dropping more stock, more of the goodness and they have 2 more stores added to the mix! So thats more for you to choose from and hopefully closer to home!

Added to the Flo and Frankie range will be our Chewy Chocolate Brownie baking mix and also the Fudgy White Blondie baking mix!

All these baking mixes make perfect gifts for yourself or for someone special for a christmas gift!

Head down to your nearest Flo and Frankie store for some great christmas gifts, beautiful clothes and of course Flour and Dough baking mixes from November!

Xxx

How Chocolate Brownies Can Boost Your Mood

If you're craving a sweet treat that not only satisfies your taste buds but also boosts your mood, look no further than chocolate brownies. These delectable desserts are more than just a guilty pleasure; they actually have science-backed benefits for your emotional well-being.

The secret lies in the power of chocolate. Known for its mood-enhancing properties, chocolate contains compounds like phenylethylamine and serotonin, which can stimulate the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones in our brain. Combining chocolate with the comforting texture and rich flavor of brownies creates a double dose of happiness.

But it's not just the chocolate that makes brownies so satisfying. Research suggests that the act of baking and indulging in homemade treats can increase feelings of relaxation and contentment. The process of mixing ingredients together, and waiting for the brownies to bake can be therapeutic and stress-reducing. And when you finally bite into that warm, gooey brownie, the reward centers in your brain light up, further boosting your satisfaction.

So, the next time you're feeling down or in need of a little pick-me-up, consider reaching for a chocolate brownie. Indulging in this sweet treat might just be the science-backed remedy to brighten your day.

Food has always had a powerful impact on our emotions. We often turn to comfort foods when we're feeling down or stressed, seeking solace in the familiar flavors and textures that bring us comfort. But what if there was a scientific reason behind why certain foods make us feel better?

Chocolate, has long been associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. This is due to its unique combination of compounds that have a direct impact on our brain chemistry. Phenylethylamine, for example, is a compound found in chocolate that stimulates the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones in our brain. Serotonin, another compound found in chocolate, acts as a mood enhancer, promoting feelings of relaxation and contentment.

Now that we understand the psychological effects of chocolate, let's take a closer look at the ingredients that make brownies such a mood-boosting treat. The key components are cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids, which have been linked to improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression. Chocolate chips, on the other hand, provide an extra dose of chocolatey goodness, intensifying the overall flavor and satisfaction.

The combination of chocolate and the comforting texture of brownies creates a double dose of happiness. When we consume chocolate, it stimulates the release of endorphins in our brain, which are responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. Additionally, the act of baking and indulging in homemade treats can increase feelings of relaxation and contentment. The process of measuring out ingredients, mixing them together, and waiting for the brownies to bake can be therapeutic and stress-reducing. And when you finally bite into that warm, gooey chocolate brownie, the reward centers in your brain light up, further boosting your satisfaction.

To truly understand why chocolate brownies can boost your mood, it's important to delve into the science behind mood regulation. Serotonin and dopamine are two neurotransmitters that play a key role in regulating our emotions. Serotonin is often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone, as it helps to promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Dopamine, on the other hand, is associated with pleasure and reward. When we consume chocolate, it can increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our brain, leading to an overall improvement in mood.

Now that we know the science behind why chocolate brownies can boost our mood, let's explore how we can make these mood-boosting treats at home. You can grab one of Flour and Dough easy to mix and easy to bake baking mixes and bake it in your own home. Fresh from the oven and ready for an endorphin filled happy vibe!

Tips for incorporating mood-boosting foods into your diet

Now that you know the mood-boosting properties of chocolate brownies and other foods, here are some tips for incorporating them into your diet:

- Enjoy in moderation: While these foods can have a positive impact on your mood, it's important to enjoy them in moderation. Too much of a good thing can have negative consequences, so be mindful of portion sizes.

- Pair with other nutritious foods: To create a balanced diet that supports your overall well-being, pair mood-boosting foods with other nutritious options, such as lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

- Get creative in the kitchen: Experiment with different recipes and ingredients to keep things interesting. Try adding berries to your morning oatmeal or incorporating nuts and seeds into your salads.

- Practice mindful eating: Slow down and savor each bite. Pay attention to the flavors, textures, and sensations of the food you're eating. This can enhance your enjoyment and satisfaction.

In conclusion, Flour and Dough chocolate brownies are more than just a tasty treat; they have the power to boost your mood and uplift your spirits. The combination of chocolate's mood-enhancing properties and the therapeutic act of baking and indulging in homemade treats creates a double dose of happiness. So, the next time you're feeling down or in need of a little pick-me-up, consider reaching for a chocolate brownie. Indulging in this sweet treat might just be the science-backed remedy to brighten your day.

Remember, moderation is key, and it's important to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of mood-boosting foods. So go ahead, treat yourself to a delicious chocolate brownie and enjoy the benefits it brings to your emotional well-being.

It's time for soup...and bread

I love winter, I love the rain, I love sitting by the fire and toasting but most of all I LOVE SOUP!

Soup for me, is the soul of comfort food! From vegetable to cold tomatoe soup, I eat it all and I love it all!

Once upon a time, we, hubby and I, had a client whom we built a house for. It was a Friday night, it was raining and them, being the young funky type, whom we loved to go to the club with and have a good laugh about after a day grueling on a construction site, asked us what are we doing for dinner.

My hubby looked sheepishly at me, as, most of you know, we BBQ ALOT, we do it on real wood, with fires and a great time is had by everyone. He said, soup and bread, it was a beer bread to be precise, the exact beer bread baking mix you will find on our Flour & Dough site!

Holy moly, did they laugh! On a Friday, soup!

This is how much I love soup and bread! The best part of this story being, it was summer. It was just a small rainfall that had come through to cool us all down and passed the next day!

To this day, whenever we talk to them or to anyone, we mention this and my poor hubby has learnt to embrace it, that when it rains, or looks like it might rain - he gets soup. He is welcome to go grab Mc Donalds :) just btw!

My soup making skills have become incredible, from slow cooker, to pressure cooker to one man stirring on the stove, I can literally do them all without fail!

Everyone of them being treated to a perfect dunking bread! From our Beer Breads through to our keto loaves baking mixes, every one of them working perfectly in soup!

Winter is the time for me to embrace my skills and make pot after pot of soup! I look forward to seeing what soup you make and which one of our baking mixes you pair it!

8 Secrets on how to make box (pouch) brownies awesome

Box or in my case, pouch brownies always get a bad rep! They are made to be cheap, easy and quick so major food producers whip them out as a add on to an already great line! But this, gives them the terrible feedback they seem to be getting!

I am writing this to convince you, that not all box (pouch) brownie mixes are the same! Small, local companies like Flour and Dough, make ours the way you would at home, with good ingredients, loads of chocolate chips and just the right amount of everything!

These Chewy Chocolate Brownies are made to be chewy, gooey and fudgy and loaded with yummy chocolate pieces, that when baked and melted are still there and not disintegrated into nothingness!

This baking mix, will taste like they came from the best bakery in town, I promise!

If you still don’t believe me, here are a few more tips on how to make your brownie baking mix, better than ever!

1 - START WITH FLOUR AND DOUGH CHEWY CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX

This is a easy one, right? Obviously, it’s a blog about Flour and Dough baking mixes, brownies to be exact!

2 -WE USE BUTTER AND NOT OIL

DONT EVER USE OIL!! That’s it, don’t you dare do it!

Butter adds a certain richness and depth to your brownie. Ever had a slice of cake and it left you with that horrible oil taste in your month…think of that when reaching for you oil when trying to make a batch of brownies!

3 - EGGS

Now, being in New Zealand and currently struggling to keep up with the prices of eggs, I know this is a hard one. But don’t replace eggs for something else, use eggs. Use the amount of eggs as suggested on the baking mix, if you really want to add one more, you can, but remember it will need to bake longer and it will be more cake like. Eggs help to give that perfect crack on the top of the brownie.

That look that just screams, professional!

4. DO NOT OVER MIX YOUR BAKING MIX

Now, I have said this before, I say it on the back of the baking mix, don’t do it. It makes the batter dense, thick and just not airy. Your brownie will come out, thick, clunky and hard!

All you need to do is mix until you have no dry parts left, that’s it, now scrape it into your baking pan!

5. COOK THEM LOW AND SLOW

Now this is something that I love to do! Cook them on a lower heat, say 160 degrees C, and then push up the time between 40 and 50 minutes - depending on your oven. This makes them even fudgier! I dont even think that’s a real word, but it works here!

NOW COMES THE PART WHERE I TELL YOU THAT ITS OK TO ADD THINGS - YES IT REALY IS

6. ADD COFFEE

Who doesn’t want a brownie that’s rich and extra chocolaty? Add 1 teaspoon of coffee to a small amount of water, you don’t want to make your brownies watery. Stir it up and add it to the brownie batter.

You know that coffee and chocolate are a match made in heaven, right? Coffee intensify’s the flavour of chocolate, it makes it deeper, richer.

7. ADD MARSHMALLOWS, PRETZELS, PEANUTS,CRUSHED COOKIES, M&M’s….

You get what I am trying to say here?! Add whatever you like, to the batter, even sprinkle some on top! Give it a swirl of peanut butter or my personal favorite some Biscoff!

8. AGAIN, I AM TELLING YOU IT’s REALY OK TO MAKE SOMETHING ELSE FROM YOUR BROWNIE BAKING MIX

Make a brownie cake, tart cups, brownie crust for your favorite cheese cake…this is topic for a different day, but go ahead, experiment and you will be pleasantly surprised!

So go on, have some, get the kids involved and make some awesome memories, and some amazing brownies too!

Keto Pizza - from a baking mix

When I say our baking mixes are versatile, I really mean it!

One bread baking mix can absolutely make you that low carb, gluten free bread you have been dreaming of, in record time. But when you feel like something else and bread is not going to cut it, make a low carb / keto pizza base from our baking mix!

Now you can make your very own keto pizza right at home, so when the craving strikes, you will be prepared!

why you will love it

The best part of a pizza, is the base, you can add your favorite toppings and cheese, but if the base is terrible, your entire pizza is terrible!

This is where this base comes in handy! The Almond flour and other ingredients has already been mixed in the right ingredients for you. It’s healthier than the normal wheat (white ) flour that most pizza bases are made from, and its even gluten free, for those that need it.

It is really easy to make at home, saving you time and money, in this time we find ourselves in, saving money is absolute key!

You can have the baking mix ready in your pantry for months, so you wont even have to leave the house to go and grab some ingredients!

Have a look at the video here, made by the amazing @sezzy_keto, who is one of our very amazing brand reps!

KETO PIZZA BASE

How is that for a keto pizza base!

Sezzy used the Rosemary Garlic and Thyme baking mix for this base as it already has some amazing herbs mixed into it, and in the perfect quantities. The Original bread baking mix will also do the trick, but you will have to add herbs and spices, if you want them in your base!

INGREDIENTS

1 Baking Mix - Rosemary Garlic and Thyme ( recommended)

3/4 cup parmesan cheese

2 eggs

2 tablespoons water ( maybe a little more)

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

instructions

1.In a large bowl, combine your baking mix and cheese.

2. In a small bowl/jug mix up your eggs, water and oil.

3. Add the wet mixture into your dry ingredients and give it a good mix, until a nice dough is formed. Make sure you have added enough water. you want it to look like a dough, not crumbly, but all stuck to gether without being sticky.

4. Form dough into a nice ball. Here you need to decide if you are making 2 bases or 1. I prefer to make two, as the dough makes a large size pizza and I like it quite thin, so it became a little tricky to manage.

5. Transfer your dough ball/s onto baking paper, place another piece on top, and roll it out!

6. Transfer your pizza/s to a pzza stone/pan - I use a cookie sheet, that all I had! Bake at 180 for 15-20 mins. You want your crust slightly brown and for me, crispy on the edges. Cool your pizza for 10-15 minutes

7. Now, flip it over, still on the pan/stone and remove the baking paper. Add your toppings here!

8. Give your pizza a nice grill on 220 degrees celsius, until the cheese is nice a bubbly!

tips

Roll out your pizza to the thickness and size you want. I prefer a thinner crust and also a rectangle size. Remember to make your baking paper the correct size

Add your favorite toppings

If you are using the Original baking mix, add some herbs and spices, to make the pizza base your own!

If you are going to use the Original, why not make it into something sweet? Think dessert pizza!

Your pizza can go into the fridge, the crust held, for me, for a day, then I ate the rest, so beyond that, I actualy dont know!

You can prepare keto pizza bases before hand and freeze them! Freeze them in layers in between the baking paper, then wrap them in plastic wrap. Thaw them out before you bake them. I would recommend that you don’t keep them longer than 3 months in the freezer.

Have fun and let us know how your keto pizza from a baking mix, turned out!

How to start keto - for beginners

Are you looking to make a lifestyle change?

I know so many people, me included, who battle with weight issues, health issues or overall confidence issues and diet is a way to combat all of these! Allot of people take keto extremely serious, some do dirty keto. It is up to you and what results you want to see.

If your new to keto and are really interested in getting started, start here and give this low carb diet a go!

What is the keto diet you ask?

It is short for ketogenic diet, it’s a nutrient rich lower carb, moderate-high protein and healthy fat diet that results in nutritional ketosis. This is how you switch your body from being a sugar burner, into being a fat burner. Honestly, what more could you want when trying to loose weight?

Being in ketosis is the best way to boost your energy levels, 3 pm slump anyone, and burn your body fat! There are also health benefits to gain from following this diet!

what is ketosis?

Ketosis is the process your body takes on to start burning fat stores as it’s number one source of fuel, instead of carbohydrates, as we all think! I remember having being fueled up on carbs, pasta was my number once choice, before any sport event the night before!

Getting started with the keto diet is about changing the macronutrients in your diet to go into a state of nutritional ketosis.

To know when you are in ketosis, you have 3 tests

• Blood testing

• Breath Meter

• Urine Strips

Next up - how to actualy get to ketosis?

To get into a state of ketosis, you need to maintain a state of ketosis! Sounds harder than what it is!

You need to limit your total net carb intake! To calculate this, in simple form, deduct the fibre content from the total carbs in your food! There are alot of macro calculator’s available to download, which will make life alot easier! you can also set your own personal goals and thresholds. Something to remember on your journey, grab some blue tack and pop it in your pantry - CARBS ARE A LIMIT, PROTEIN IS A GOAL!

Starting keto is easy, maintaining the diet is where allot of people fall off the wagon! You need to stay in ketosis to actualy loose the weight. You need to go into this diet accepting that you are changing your eating habits one meal at a time and leaving behind the food that simply just is not working for you!

Starting keto in this millenial era is alot easier than you can imagine. We at Flour and Dough have 4 baking mixes made keto! Out of these 4 baking mixes you can make a variety of great foods to help curb the cravings! Keto bread, keto crackers, keto bagels, keto biscuits, keto stuffing, keto crumbs and the list is endless!

Clean keto and dirty keto

Clean keto is a term used when focusing more on the quality of foods but still staying in the guidelines of your daily carb intake. In simple words, wholefoods are prioritised when adding it to your daily carb intake instead of refined and processed foods!

It is so much better for you and your health when trying to reach your goals by eating nutrient dense foods than going for your favorite take out!

Wholefoods should be what you consume the majority of the time, having a sneaky take out once in a while is not something you should avoid, but most definately dont overdo it!

These treats and processed foods are exactly that, a treat, and you should keep that in mind when planning out your diary! Keep these meals to special occasions and stick to your goals!

No one has ever benefitted from eating processed, sugary foods! In actual fact these foods are triggers to make you hungry and make you crave more!

Dirty keto is something different, I have never been able to follow this diet, but some follow the dirty or lazy keto with great success. In simple terms, a dirty keto follower can meet their daily macros by eating fast food!

By using this method, you most likely wont be eating a single vegetable, a good piece of protein or having your food swimming in unhealthy oils. You most likely will be eating out and not making your own food. Again, alot of people get to where they want to be, health and or weight loss, by using this keto diet.

Use this guide to start your keto journey and keep an eye out for more articles on this topic! Flour & Dough have perfected the baking mixes for you, to have your breakfast, lunch and dinner with low carb bread, bagels or how ever you please to bake it up!

chocolate brownie recipes for Valentines Day - from a baking mix

Oh my goodness, Valentines Day! So, New Year is done, and now we start with all the special days, I honestly can’t believe it!

For Valentines Day I like to do a special dinner for the family and then get the kids involved in making desserts and little paper garlands, hanging balloons and doing the overall pink and red heart decorations!

This year will be no different! We have decided on doing chocolate brownies, a little different this year!

I have made these before and for me the best way to do it is to make the brownies ahead of time as they need to be super duper cool to add the ice cream, otherwise that will become one great mess! Prep everything and then use the same heart cutter to cut out the ice cream and sandwich in between the two brownie layers! Keep in the freezer while your making the rest! It helps to keep the ice cream frozen but won’t freeze the chocolate brownies!

For a special treat we are doing chocolate brownie hearts filled with ice cream and dipped into chocolate and rolled into crushed hazelnuts!

It seems like a lot of work when looking at it, but honestly, it’s not! The ice cream is store bought, for the brownies I use the Flour & Dough baking mixes, it’s important to use a good brownie mix that tastes great as this really is the winner here, and chocolate chips to melt and dip! You can use whatever ice cream and nuts or sprinkles, or whatever you really feel like! I prefer vanilla ice cream as it doesn’t take away from the chocolate brownie flavour and hazelnuts, as hazelnuts and chocolate are just the best!

Remember that these ice cream filled chocolate brownies need to be served immediately, I don’t recommend freezing them for longer than 30 minutes!!

This really is the best brownie recipe, you can use this baking mix to make a lot of special treats for your family! It doesn’t use a ton of pantry stuff and doesn’t take hours to make! We love doing all sorts of interesting things to this mix!

Here are a few more ideas that I found that you can use to make brownies a little more special!

Flour & Dough meet stickerdot

A few months ago I launched our very first Vanilla Cake gift set, which included a vanilla cake mix nz made, but you can alter it to make cupcakes or even a chocolate cake! A chocolate cake mix, a chocolate cupcake baking mix, a vanilla cake mix or vanilla cupcake baking mix - all in one? All you have to do is choose! How cool is that?

I wanted to have a all inclusive cake mix and one that would be easy and versatile to add to the Flour and Dough baking mixes range!

I had the idea, I had the launch plan, I had the all so delicious cake mix recipe, I had it all, so I thought…. How was I going to put this all together that it actually looks as good as it is too eat?

I needed something to “add” to the design element, to round off the design that I also had! So, in came Stickerdot!

Not only did Stickerdot supply me with the stickers I needed to glue it all together, they even sent over a ton of samples for my next bright ideas! Now thats pretty smart, I reckon!

The perfect cake kits are now available for you to send to someone special! Weather is be for a treat you are baking for a friend or a birthday gift for the very special baker needing a all in one baking kit to make life easier and less messy!

This baking kit is completely full proof and comes with almost everything you need to make a delicious cake or cupcake, cake mix, check, sprinkles, check, piping bag, check, icing nozzle, check, recipe card - with tips and tricks, check and even a pretty handy free gift!

All you have to do is take out your cake mix, pour out the ingredients, add wet ingredients from your pantry and bake it! The perfect baking kit nz made, by you, the easy way!

Have a look at our Cake mix baking kit and grab yours for the next special occasion!

So, if your ever in the need of some “glue” to keep it all together, go have a chat to the team at Stickerdot and I am sure you wont be sorry!

Love Mare’

Flo and Frankie stock drop

I am very excited to share that after months of waiting, we have finally been welcomed into the amazing world of Flo and Frankie!

Who doesn’t own a Flo dress? It seriously is one of New Zealand’s greatest wardrobe staples ever made! Every women out there has a crown embedded on her head whens she struts her stuff in one of these! Now, to have my brand associated with this, well, I could not be more empowered and thankful to the group of wonderful ladies who have made this possible.

I am proud to be associated with an iconic brand that empowers a women just by getting dressed in the mornings!

Here’s to Flo and Frankie and Flour and Dough for teaming up to rule the world! ( I can dream, right? )

NZ ARTISAN AWARDS - WE GOT A SILVER !!

I am not sure if you remember the award we got for the beer bread? This award was won in June 2022! To say I was excited would be a slight understatement! I did alot of happy dances, weird dances, squeals and child hugging! I honestly, wished and hoped, but put it out of my mind as much as possible, to make the shock of not getting it more bearable! Well, it worked, and the Oregano Garlic and Sage beer bread, got a bronze Outstanding Food Producer Award!

So, when I found the NZ ARTISAN AWARDS online, I thought, oh what the heck, lets try again and see if the first award was not a fluke! WELL IT MOST DEFINITELY WAS NOT!!!

I absolutely cannot believe, this time around this little bugger got a SILVER! I mean, a silver, that is a second place!

Not only did they have their biggest year of entries, but they had to extend to make place for more entries and even pushed out the date for the announcements! It was nail bitting indeed!

This time around, on the day of the winner announcements, I was refreshing my emails every other hour! the anticipation was waaaaaay to much for me! Just past 4pm they eventually made the call and sent out the emails!

SILVER….I GOT A SILVER FOR OREGANO GARLIC AND SAGE BEER BREAD!

This is the baking mix that, from day one, I said will be in the range. It was the baking mix that I built the range around! It’s incredibly humbling to have this specific beer bread be the one that has made it!

The one that we make allot, dream up new ideas from and the one that my kids never complain about or get some random “allergy” too! Bring on summer and endless BBQ’s with this beer bread as our favorite side dish!

I can only thank you, you as clients, clients that have turned into friends and some of you have even become my go to for discussing ideas! I thank you all for the part you have played in getting me this far!

Biscoff white chocolate Blondie trend - delicious

To be fair, I have never been a trend setter or really one to follow, I have always liked what I like and leave it at that!

BUT, this trend was bugging me for waaaay to long! I love the Chewy Chocolate Blondie Mix, so much so that I make it every other week! Yikes!

I have added my fair share of goodness and extra’s to this mix! I never documented it, and that I am about to start changing as I got new phone and boy does it take GREAT photos!

The holidays in our house are hard, my oldest is a busy little boy and my youngest is alot younger than him, so they playing time is hard as they want and need different things! When the weather is miserable out, we find it harder it keep busy indoors while I also have to try and work!!

Somehow, when I suggest a day of baking, everyone is in and happy to share and help! Yay!

So, in comes a trend that I have been eyeing and wanting to try and this was the perfect time!

Incoming - Biscoff White Chocolate Blondies loaded with white chocolate pieces, biscoff biscuits and topped off with caramel and more melted white chocolate!

RECIPE

1 x Fudgy White Chocolate Blondie Mix

1 x packet Biscoff Biscuits

2 tablespoons caramel

Handfull of white chocolate - to melt

INSTRUCTIONS

Pre-heat your oven. Mix your blondie mix up according to instructions on the packet. Roughly crumble 6 biscoff biscuits and add them to the mixture and mix well!

Line your baking tin and pour the mixture into the this tin.

Arrange biscoff biscuits on top of the mixture and put into the oven and bake!

Once done, take out and let cool. Add a drop of milk to the caramel sauce and mix well, this makes it slightly easier to dripple over the top! Take a spoon and decorate the top as you want. Melt your chocolate and add this to the top too!

Once all dry and hardend, cut into desired sizes and enjoy!

Dont say I didnt warn you, as here it is, on writing, this is addictive, its delicious and you can’t stop at one piece!

Hope you have fun making this and enjoy it as much as we do!

Mare’ xxx

Pancakes using a bread baking mix

When I started out Flour and Dough, I promised myself Id whip up a new recipe using one or more of the baking mixes AT LEAST once a month - well, clearly that didn’t happen!

So, I have been busy in the kitchen making a mess, so that you don’t have too! I have baked, tweaked, flopped, succeeded and shared heaps of food coming up with some much loved new ideas!

For this recipe I used the Original Baking Mix, jip, a gluten free bread mix turned into delicious fluffy pancakes filled with good for you almond flour and loaded with all the goodness you can think of!

My youngest loves blueberries, my oldest, not so much, both loved whipped cream, but neither enjoy nuts, so it was a pretty dire situation to try and figure out what to use!

Roll on over a bottle of maple syrup, some bananas that I do have to admit HAD to be used! Caramelized banana slices with gluten free pancakes to the rescue for after school, as this is was the time they were done and kids were hungry! Who am I to say they cant have this deliciousness for lunch and not for breakfast!

SOME TIPS TO GET IT RIGHT

• Make your pancakes on the smaller side, ie 3 tablespoons - they tend to be easier to flip when smaller and don’t break

• Make sure your pan is hot before you start - I was too eager and had to leave them too long and ended up burning the first batch

• The pancakes freeze beautifully! Just thaw and re-heat - preferably back in the pan

• They keep for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge

Keto Low Carb Pancakes

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1 x Original Bread Mix

1 cup milk of choice

3 large eggs

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Take care to mix the eggs before you add the melted coconut oil, as when it hits the egg, it slightly cooks it!

Heat your pan to medium heat and add your choice of oil/butter and wait for it to be nice and hot

Add about 3 tablespoons of batter per pancake, if the pancake doesn’t fit nicely onto your spatula, they do tend to break! So see what works for your spatula!

Make sure you keep an eye on them, as soon as the bubbles form and they can be turned, not runny on the top, flip them. You don’t want them too burn

Complete until all your batter is used up

SERVE with your favorite toppings!

MIX IT UP

Why not try adding some extra ingredients before you bake them?

Zucchini seems to be making a big come back in all sorts of baking! Or try some banana mashed up

Enjoy and happy baking!

Competitive eater indulging in baking mixes

Nela Zisser having a go at droolworthy baking mixes

I have been stalking Nela for months, in pure awe of what she eats, how fast she does it and then still smiles when she is done!

I built up the courage and decided to ask her to show case some of Flour and Dough baking mixes. In hindsight I should of asked her ages ago, not only was she friendly but pretty awesome too!

I was a bit skeptical to send her gluten free bread so decided on the Beer Breads, Chocolate Brownies and Blondies! We decided on a date, a little giveaway and off I went to bake!

NEVER, in my mind did I think she would eat ALL the bread! HAHA But she did! Two loaves of bread completely demolished and then nearly all of the chocolate brownies and blondies too!

If you are looking to find a real time review and watch the master of competitive eating in action head on over below and see what Im talking about!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgLWPaEN-Qo

Delicious Blondie Biscuits

When you get a bag of Blondie Mix, you can spice it up or leave it as is, I promise you will like it either way!

We decided with the help of school holidays that these needed to be turned into biscuits! Let me tell you this was such success that we ended up having to make this 3 more times, jup you read that correctly!

This is such a easy treat for your cookie jar and so easy to make, you will do yourself a favour by making two batches! These did not last one full day in our house!

the recipe is simple

You dont need to be great at baking to make this or any of the mixes

1 Pouch of Blondie Baking Mix

1/4 cup of extra plain flour

Mix as per the back of the packet, dont forget to add in the extra 1/4 cup of flour!

Line your cookie baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop heaped tablespoons onto the cookie sheet and leave as is, dont flatten, dont press, just leave the scoops there.

Give them some space to spread their wings!

Bake for 10 minutes - if using multiple sheets, switch half way through!

Take them out and let them cool down before you eat them!

WE WON A MEDAL

You know the feeling of anticipation, when you hope you win, but your just not sure because there are so many movers and shakers out there, but then you just hope and cross your fingers and wait….

When I got the email to say CONGRATULATIONS my heart was pounding in my chest and for a second even then, I was like, neh, its a general email, but when I opened it and saw BRONZE I did literal jumps for joy and squeezed the air out of my poor little one!!

Oregano Garlic and Sage Beer Bread, was the first variation I did on this Beer Bread recipe, this is the baking mix that has been with me for everrrr! I cant believe it, I just cant stop smiling and thinking how on earth did this REALY happen!!

When I made the decision to start making baking mixes, I knew this would be my first “ me approved” package! This little baking mix is now also you approved and I can not be happier!

So here’s to many more lazy bbq’s and soup dipping days with this amazing little piece of decadence!

Supie NZ joins the baking mix love

When I asked for empty boxes from a friend that I could re-use, never did I think it would lead to a wonderful partnership!

Upon receiving Supie boxes, great boxes may I add, to re-use, and the absolute rave reviews she gave about the Supie online supermarket, I had to go an have a look for myself!

There are thousands of Supie reviews online and they certainly do deserve them and not only because they have affordable good quality products that are delivered straight to your door, in great boxes, but they now too have Flour and Dough Baking Mixes on their virtual shelves!

Supie prides itself in coming into the market at a cheaper more affordable price. With their veggie and meat boxes being very popular in our house!

Supie boxes are very well priced and the fruit and veg that we recieve have always been fresh! I honestly cannot fault these boxes in anyway! The amount of fruit and veg in these boxes is also realy amazing! Its definately worth its weight!

Flour & Dough baking mixes are now available at Supie nz at Supie prices, what more could you ask for!

The Supie supermarket has our entire range, from Beer Breads, keto bread mixes, gluten free baking mixes, our baking kits and even our best ever brownie baking mix!

Dulce De Leche Caramel Swirl Blondie Baking Mix

Who loves a bit of a variation?

The caramel gooey centre combined with a delicious swirl of Dulche De Leche Caramel! As much as I would love to claim this idea as my own, welll unfortunately I cannot,I owe this delicious creation to my now 6 year old son! Where he got it, who knows, Im sure if you google it, it will be there somewhere! But to him, this recipe was something he made, he created and boy is he proud of this Blondie Baking Mix variation!

Follow the link below that will take you to the recipe!

Blondie Caramel Baking Mix

The Market NZ joins the Flour and Dough Team

With a world that is uncertain if we will be returning back to “normal” and a question more important is, when will this happen?

I decided to join the online world to help us sell our delicious baking mixes proudly made in NZ. Flour & Dough baking mixes are now available on the market NZ.

The best keto baking mixes are now easily accessible to you under one shopping experience. Bread mixes, Beer bread mixes, keto bread mixes, gluten free bread mixes, brownie mixes, sugar cookie mix and even cake mixes/ baking kits! All this available on the market nz and even more alluring now that they have the market club offers!

The Market NZ has given you access to buying all our baking kits and baking mixes in one easy convenient place!

RNZ talks Flour and Dough baking mixes

When Ellie from rnz radio contacted me to ask if I would like to be included in an interview regarding small businesses, to say I was nervous is a very small understatement! Of course I agreed!

We spoke about my business Flour & Dough and how it came about, why I started making baking mixes and where my bread mixes ideas came from and how they tasted!

Being on rnz live was quite a treat for me, being able to talk about something that is mine, and something that I am proud of made the talk about artisan baking and artisan baking mixes so much more special!

Ellie from rnz radio was amazing to talk to and in the end we spoke way more than what we should have and allot more editing was done to get into the time frame than either of us imagined!

Thanks again for the time and effort you put into this!

Listen to rnz live here and hear how we talk baking mixes, bread mixes and just a good old chat!

RNZ AUDIO - BAKING MIXES NZ