RECIPES

Chocolate Cherry Amaretto Cupcakes “Chocolate, cherries, and amaretto are the DREAM INGREDIENTS combination in cupcake form. These are rich, juicy, fruity and chocolatey and are secretly so easy to make (and they’re fully vegan and easily glutenfree.” – Nourishing Amy For the Cupcakes: 240ml plant-based milk 1 tbsp lemon juice 140g caster sugar 80ml sunflower or olive oil ½ tsp vanilla essence ½ tsp almond essence 170g self-raising flour 40g cocoa powder 1 tsp coffee, optional ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda A pinch of salt 1 tbsp amaretto (optional)

For the Filling:

200g Pitted European Picota Cherries 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 tsp amaretto (optional)

For the Frosting:

120g vegan butter, softened 1 tsp vanilla essence ¼ tsp almond essence 350g icing sugar 2-3 tbsp plant-based milk 10 Whole Picota cherries Shaved chocolate Toasted almonds/coconut

Makes: 10 Time: 40 minutes plus cooling

These recipes have been created by influencers Nourishing Amy and Bo’s Kitchen.

METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 160Fan/180*C and line a muffin/cupcake tray with 10 cases. 2.To a large mixing bowl, add the milk, lemon juice, sugar, sunflower oil, vanilla essence, and almond essence. Whisk till smooth. 3.Now sift in the flour, cocoa powder, coffee, and bicarbonate of soda. Whisk to a smooth batter with no specks of flour. 4. Scoop the batter into the cases, filling 2/3 full. Bake in the centre of the oven for 18-20 minutes, until risen and springy and an inserted skewer comes out clean. 5. Remove immediately from the tray and sit on a wire rack. Brush with the amaretto, if using, and allow to cool fully. 6. Meanwhile, make the filling: add the Picota Cherries to a saucepan with the rest of the ingredients and bring to a bubble. Allow to bubble away over a high heat for 8 minutes, until sticky and there’s a thick syrup. Pour into a bowl and cool fully (you can place them in the fridge, too). 7. When ready, prepare the buttercream: add the softened butter to a bowl or freestanding mixer and beat till smooth. Gradually beat in the vanilla essence, almond essence, icing sugar and plant-based milk till fully incorporated then beat for a further 1-2 minutes till fluffy. Place in a piping bag with a star-shaped nozzle. 8. Core the centre of the cupcakes and fill with the Picota cherry compote filling. Pipe on the buttercream and top each cupcake with some extra compote and the juice, a whole Picota cherry, some chocolate and toasted almonds/coconut. 9.Enjoy straight away or keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Best eaten at room temperature and you can freeze the unfrosted and unfilled cupcakes for 1 month. The compote will keep for 1 week in a sealed container in the fridge.

These recipes have been created by influencers Nourishing Amy and Bo’s Kitchen.

INGREDIENTS

For the base:

1 cup medjool dates 4 tbsp agave/maple syrup 1 tsp almond extract 1.5 cups pecans 1/2 cup buckwheat 2 tbsp coconut oil 1/4 tsp salt

For the Cashew vanilla filling:

2 cups cashews, soaked in hot water for 30 mins 1/3 cup agave/maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk 1/2 lemon, juiced

For the Cherry filling:

2 cups of European Picota cherries, halved and pitted 3 tbsp agave/maple syrup

METHOD 1. Line a loaf tin with parchment paper. Add all base ingredients to a food processor or high-speed blender and blend until it forms a dough. Press evenly into loaf tin and set aside to chill in the fridge. 2. Blend all cashew filling ingredients together for at least 8 minutes, until super smooth and silky. Pour into a bowl and rinse out the blender. 3. Add most of the cherries and agave to the blender and process until smooth. 4. Spoon heaped tablespoons of cashew vanilla and cherry filling on to the base and swirl with a chopstick to combine. 5. Top with remaining cherries and set aside to firm up in the freezer overnight. Let thaw for 20 mins before slicing and eating. No bake

Picota Cherry Cheesecake bars Influencer Recipe Ideas...

“Sweeten up your week with these dreamy no bake Picota cherry cheesecake bars. Gluten and refined sugar free and so simple to make! The base is made with dates, pecans, and buckwheat for a deliciously nutty flavour. The filling is rich, creamy, and fruity with cashews and vanilla and 2 cups of the juiciest Picota Cherries” –Bo’s Kitchen

Warm up your exteriors this autumn, with Dobbies

Autumn is just around the corner and with it brings cooler nights. The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, is the perfect destination for great value seasonal accessories that can be used both outside and in, giving people an abundance of inspiration on how they can extend the time that can be spent in the garden and cosy up their space.

Autumn is just around the corner and with it brings cooler nights. The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, is the perfect destination for great value seasonal accessories that can be used both outside and in, giving people an abundance of inspiration on how they can extend the time that can be spent in the garden and cosy up their space.

We caught up with Dobbies’ Buyer, Hayley Kerr to find out how we can spice up our exteriors with Dobbies’ new season range of homewares and accessories, guaranteed to add some autumnal flair to our gardens and homes.

Hayley said: “Autumn is the perfect time to make the most of indoor-outdoor living and by adding some great quality pieces that will serve you well throughout the cooler months. Heavier cushions and throws will complement your lighter summer furniture well and can be layered together to create a cosy vibe both outside and in, without a big expense. “To create an autumnal look that still feels fresh, pair traditional seasonal tones like terracotta with lighter, cool-toned colours for a modern edge. Styling different tones and textures together will help create a snug sanctuary, perfect for alfresco entertaining on cooler nights, and when we get into winter, these pieces can be brought inside to add depth and warmth to your home. In addition to soft furnishings, Hayley recommends the use of autumn wreaths to style your space: “Autumn wreaths are a great way to spruce up your outside space and warm up your garden shed or front door. The golden yellow tones, soft ambers and muted browns all play their part in creating a cosy display to brighten up the colder days.”

“Lighting can transform your space,” said Hayley, as she explains how to get the look: “Twinkling string lights and lanterns are a fantastic way to give your space a glow as the nights get darker and will add charm to any space. Overhead fairy lights always look great and will completely transform the mood of a balcony or small garden. For an intimate vibe in a large space, assorted lanterns styled in groups will add warmth and help create a romantic ambience, and these can just as easily be used indoors to brighten up an empty corner of your home.

“To really level up your interiors, Dobbies’ stunning new range of vases will add a touch of sophisticated glamour to your home this autumn. From beautiful stoneware in trending colours, to gorgeous jewel toned options, accessorising your home for the new season has never been easier. Oversized vases are great for both your garden and home and will instantly give your space an Instagram-ready look.”

Autumn wreaths

Cone and orange wreath, £14.99 Autumn oak wreath, £44.99 Halmo brick cushion, £20; Fawn cushion, £39.99; Fawn throw, £34.99

Vases to make a statement

Glass vase, £19.99; Green stoneware vase, £49.99; Stoneware vase, £64.99

Golden hour lantern glow

Semmi Lantern, £14.99; Gold lantern, £32.99; Lantern Bregenz, from £39.99

For more autumn styling inspiration, and to browse Dobbies’ full range of homeware products for A/W, visit:

www.dobbies.com

The changing season doesn’t have to mean giving

up on spending time outdoors... Looking to Autumn As we say goodbye to August, we start to realise that Summer is now past its prime, and many of us begin to turn our thoughts to the arrival of Autumn and all the refreshing changes it brings, from crisp, cool air and crunchy leaves in beautiful colours. But that’s no reason to go into hibernation and give up spending time outdoors as we’ve been used to do since Spring – there’s still plenty of life in our gardens and nature beyond your front door.

Woodland Walks When the Autumn weather isn’t too rainy, it’s the perfect time of year for a lovely long walk. Bring the kids and the dog along to enjoy collecting their favourite leaves or play in the biggest muddy puddle they can find. Once you’re all tired, but happy and glowing with the exercise, make sure you have a handy boot brush and shoe scraper ready and waiting for you when you make it back home – it’s just the thing for cleaning off the dirt from your wellies and keeping your carpets and floors inside free of those hard-to-clean footprints.

White Wellington Boot Flower Vase £32

This tall ceramic flower vase makes a delightful and unique addition to any home. Finished in daisy white with a rich treacle glaze, shaped like a welly boot and complete with bow detailing. Watertight and perfect for displaying freshly picked seasonal blooms.

Feed the Birds

Autumn is a very important time of year for the birds, as they start to gather up food and make their shelters for the harsh Winter weather ahead. Help out your local wildlife with a bird feeder dish in your garden, where they can collect some much-needed food and water to help sustain them. Not only great for feathered friends, the beautiful designs will help to brighten up your garden as the weather outside takes a turn.

Cast Iron Antique Brown Bird Bath £16

Autumn Garden

Keen gardeners don’t need to give up hope once they see the first few leaves start to fall – there are plenty of plants and flowers that thrive in Autumnal conditions, and dotting these around your garden will help to keep it looking its best even after Summer is over.

Once you’ve found the perfect plants to suit your needs, display them in style in a pair of wellington boots! These novelty ceramic planters are the perfect garden decoration to match the Autumn rains, and they're sure to keep kids interested in planting with parents and grandparents.

Above: Sage Green Wall Mounted Garden Storage Basket Left: Little and Large Midnight Blue Wellington Boot Plant Pots £62

Stag Garden Boot Brush £28 - This traditional outdoor shoe brush and boot scraper is a decorative and practical gift for gardeners who love long woodland walks. The country style boot cleaner is made from cast iron in an antique brown finish for a vintage style garden accessory. Featuring a majestic Highland stag decoration which doubles as a ridged shoe scraper, and sustainable natural coco fibre bristles for an eco-friendly touch. The boot brush is ideal to display by the front door, garden shed or porch ready to clean muddy shoes, boots and wellies after spending time in nature.

Blush Pink Fern Ceramic Planter £15