Shoe Tree Cafe is a cosy, independent cafe in the trendy Heaton suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With a completely vegan menu,they serve a range of homemade vegan and vegetarian breakfasts, lunches and sweet treats as well as offering an extensive selection of loose leaf tea and outstanding coffee. We asked them to share with us one of their favourite recipes for Veganuary - these squidgy tahini, orange and almond blondies bring just the right combo of salty and sweet, and are really quick to pull together. A great way to use up any extra festive marzipan, and a tasty treat all year round!
Tahini, Orange and Almond Blondies
Ingredients:
- 190g vegan butter
- 350g light brown sugar
- 160g tahini
- 150ml soya milk
- 1 ½ tsp orange extract
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 280g all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1 tsp salt
- 150g marzipan, chopped
- 80g vegan white chocolate chips
- zest of one orange
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
- 4 tbsp flaked almonds
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and spray a 9x9 square dish with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper.
Melt the vegan butter and add it to a mixing bowl along with the light brown sugar and whisk them together. Add the tahini, soya milk, orange and vanilla extract and whisk in until well mixed.
Sift the all-purpose flour into a separate mixing bowl and add baking powder, corn-starch and salt and mix together. Gradually stir the flour mix into the butter and tahini mixture until completely combined. Add the chopped marzipan, chocolate chips and orange zest, then transfer the batter to your prepared 9x9 square baking pan and smooth down with the back of a spoon.
Scatter with sesame seeds and flaked almonds and bake for 20-35 minutes or until the top is dry and the edges turn golden brown. Once cooked, leave the blondie in the pan to cool for around 1 hour. Make sure they have firmed up before slicing! Then cut into squares and serve.
Thanks to Nikki at Shoe Tree Cafe for sharing this recipe with us! Visit Shoe Tree Cafe at 150 Heaton Park Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, or follow them at instagram.com/shoetreecafe.
