Sponge cake (or yellow cake) is a soft, spongy, and delicious cake with a brownish outer surface and a whitish inner surface. This is made with lots of eggs, sugar, and flour, and I’ll be walking you through the sponge cake recipe.
1 cup of flour 3 tablespoons of milk (optional) 3 tablespoons of oil 4 eggs ¼ cup of sugar ¼ cup of butter ½ tablespoon of vanilla essence
Procedures for Preparation of Sponge Cake
STEP 1: Crack your eggs and separate the yolks from the whites in different bowls.
STEP 2: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F.
STEP 3: In your bowl of yolks, give this a whisk and add milk, oil, and vanilla essence.
STEP 4: Gradually sift the flour into the bowl and give it a stir. Mix until well incorporated and set this aside.
STEP 5: In the bowl of whites, using a hand mixer, beat for 20 minutes from medium to high until it begins to foam.
STEP 6: Add in sugar and continue beating till stiff peaks. Here, you see the egg whites looking thick, creamy, and white.
STEP 7: Now add this to the bowl of yolks. Fold it in and mix.
STEP 8: Get the clean baking pan. It’s time to bake this sponge cake recipe.
STEP 9: Grease the pan with butter and add parchment paper to the sides and bottom of the pan. You may also dust with flour after greasing.
STEP 10: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Do not fill to the brim to avoid pouring while baking.
STEP 11: Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the pan. Do not open the oven while baking.
STEP 12: Remove from the oven using a hand glove or mittens.
STEP 13: Allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes or place it on a rack for easy air ventilation.
STEP 14: Enjoy!
Recipes that Best Goes with It
Sponge cake goes with ice cream, milkshakes, and, of course, soft drinks like Coca-Cola, etc.
How to Serve Sponge Cakes
Sponge cake should be served to friends, loved ones, and family immediately as it cools off. You can also enjoy sponge cakes with these 3 different ways of making chocolate sauce.
Occasion to Serve Sponge Cakes Best
This delicious sponge cake recipe can be served any day, anytime, and anywhere. It could serve as a lunch box for kids, birthday parties, or after-party snacks.
Nutritional Value of Sponge Cakes
This snack is packed with benefits such as low calories when eaten, a good source of energy, and, of course, the unique flavors in your kitchen.
How to Store Sponge Cake
Store in the freezer for 2–3 days. I suggest you wrap before storing and also consume within a day. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Are you in the kitchen already? Whisk up this recipe and tell us how you made this soft, fluffy, spongy, and delicious sponge cake recipe. Be sure to let us know when you do in the comment section.
FAQs
Can I use butter or margarine for my sponge cake?
With margarine, you get a softer and more fluffy texture in cakes than with butter. Butter has a great taste and smell but it makes cake dense and dries out the moisture. Margarine should be your go-to when making this sponge cake.
What is the difference between regular cake and sponge cake?
A very good difference between regular cake and sponge cake is that the latter is made with lots of eggs, while the former contains baking powder or baking soda.
What is the difference between butter cake and sponge cake?
Butter cake relies on butter or margarine and some leavening agents such as baking powder and baking soda, whereas sponge cake relies on the beaten eggs and air that gets into it.
What are the four types of sponge cakes?
These are Swiss roll sponge, Devil’s Food Cake, Forrest sponge cake, Angel Food Cake, and many other types of sponge cakes.
What is the secret to sponge cake?
The secret to sponge cake is in its texture, the eggs, and the absence of leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder. In sponge cake, the leavening agents are in the eggs and the air is gotten from beating them using the mixer. Sponge cakes are soft, light, fluffy, and airy, and this is a result of beating egg whites.
Sleep is one of the best gifts given to man by the Creator. Imagine how life would be if there was no night at all, and one has to work for a good part of the 24 hours. Scary, right? Well, apart from getting an opportunity to rest, sleep also has several other benefits that you shouldn’t let pass you by. Unfortunately, sleep might sometimes elude you despite having had a stressful day, and of the several options available, natural foods that help you sleep better at night, are definitely worth a try.
In this article, I will be sharing with you 8 amazing foods that help you sleep better at night. Let’s hop into it.
Natural Foods That Help You Sleep Better
These foods and drinks are effective in improving your sleep because they contain sleep-promoting compounds such as serotonin, tryptophan, melatonin, flavonoids, folate, magnesium, anthocyanins, etc.
I will mention the foods alongside the compounds they contain.
1. Milk
If you have been a coffee lover for a while, and it is among the last things you take before going to bed, you might want to replace it with warm milk.
Apart from the good taste it has, milk is also one of the foods that help you sleep better at night. This is because it is rich in calcium, melatonin, Vitamin D, etc. and all of these are compounds that promote your sleep.
2. Walnuts
Sleep promoting compounds such as serotonin, melatonin, magnesium, and calcium are present in walnuts. While scientific research is yet to strongly support it, eating walnuts a few hours before sleep has been associated with a good night’s rest.
3. Add Fatty Fish
Fish contain Vitamin B6, which is important in melatonin production. Melatonin is important in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Additionally, remember that serotonin is among the sleep-promoting compounds.
This compound is also regulated by omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D found in fatty fish. This includes Mackerel, tuna, salmon, and sardines.
With the right amount of serotonin in your body, you are more likely to fall asleep and have a good night’s rest.
4. Almonds
Apart from being a good snack for people trying to lose weight and avoid unhealthy fats, almonds are one of the natural foods that help you sleep better. This is because they are rich in melatonin, a hormone that is very important for regulating sleep.
Almonds also contain magnesium and other compounds. Other nuts you can eat are flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
5. Kiwi
Kiwi fruit can help you sleep better at night because it contains melatonin, calcium, magnesium, and other sleep-promoting compounds. More research is still needed to establish its actual relationship with sleep, but it is worthwhile to give it a try.
6. Warm Chamomile Tea
Taking tea is one of the ways to relax after a hard day’s work. Chamomile herbal tea has been used for quite a while to treat insomnia.
Its sleep-promoting activity is likely due to the flavonoid compound it contains. Just like several other herbs, its relationship with sleep is still unclear and more research is needed.
7. Dairy Products
Dairy products are also natural foods that help you sleep better at night. These include milk, yogurt, cheese, and crackers. They are rich in calcium. Calcium is important in regulating sleep hormones like melatonin and tryptophan.
8. Chicken
Eating poultry at night can also help you to sleep. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese. They contain tryptophan which is an essential amino acid that your body cannot produce and thus must be obtained from food.
It helps your body to make serotonin and melatonin; both are important hormones that enable you to sleep well at night.
Other Foods and Drinks You Can Try Include;
Tart cherries
Lettuce
Barley grass powder
Passionflower tea
Banana
Whole grains
Honey etc.
General Tips for Sleeping Better at Night
Using the foods and drinks mentioned in this article will go a long way in helping you sleep better at night. Nevertheless, for better results, here are some tips that will help you sleep better at night.
Do not eat immediately before sleep
Keep your phone away before you go to bed. If you can’t do this, use a lens that blocks out blue light coming from your phone’s or laptop’s screen.
Do not sleep in a noisy environment
Switch off the lights in your room
Reduce your intake of caffeinated drinks and snacks before sleep
Keep hydrated
Avoid alcohol consumption
Find the best mattress and pillow for you
Conclusion
Whether it is school activities, work at the office or factory, or some workout in the gym, our days are almost always filled with lots of activities. Getting a good night’s sleep is a sure way of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the day.
Now that you have read our list of some of the foods that help you sleep better at night, you should also apply other good sleep etiquettes in order to achieve optimal results.
Have you tried using any of the foods and drinks above to improve your sleep? We would love to hear about your experience in the comments section
FAQs
I am 25 years old, what is the average amount of sleep I need per night?
For someone your age, getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep is recommended.
What other natural methods can I use to get better sleep at night?
You might want to try adjusting your daily activities to reduce stress and create a good sleep environment by avoiding noise and bright lights. You might want to keep your phone at least an hour before you go to bed.
I am having trouble sleeping, can I take sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills can come with a lot of side effects when poorly used, thus it is best prescribed by doctors.
If you are looking for foods that increase breast milk supply, it means you are worried that you are not producing enough. You are most likely worried that your baby is not getting enough milk he deserves. Or you are worried that you are not well nourished for your body to produce enough breast milk.
You are worried and stressed out trying to understand what to eat and what not to eat to increase the milk supply. Mothers want to know they are doing their best for the health of their babies. Certain foods are known to induce lactation and they are called Galactagogues. Below are some of the foods we found useful for you:
Foods that Increase Breast Milk Supply
1. Fenugreek
It is a natural herb that can be used to increase lactation. Fenugreek is known to be an excellent galactagogue for women trying to increase their milk supply. They also have phytoestrogens that are essential in boosting lactation.
To benefit from this herb, drink it before sleeping and it will not only increase your milk supply but also the quality of your milk.
2. Garlic
Apart from being nutritious and a healthy spice we add to our meals, it is also a galactagogue that helps women boost their milk supply. It has been used as a natural lactation aid and for other health benefits.
Furthermore, garlic may alter the taste of milk which may trigger colic in babies. You should try to notice if your baby reacts after you consume garlic. You will know if your baby is allergic or not by doing so.
3. Papaya
Papaya contains lactogenic effects and its leaves can increase breast milk supply. It is a fruit that can be eaten as it is, added to foods when cooking or in soups. The fruit contains phytochemicals and enzymes responsible for breast milk supply. It can improve digestion, enrich you and your baby with vitamins and minerals.
4. Carrots
Carrot is a rich vegetable that provides nutrients. It increases breast milk due to the presence of phytoestrogens that have lactogenic effects in carrots. Carrots are also rich in Vitamin A and potassium, they help to improve the quality of the milk you produce. It can also help you to lose weight as well. You can eat carrots raw, in salads, juices, foods, dessert as it is a delicious orange rich vegetable.
5. Basil
Basil leaves have a soothing effect and are rich in antioxidants. It is common in some countries for using basil leaves to increase breast milk supply since it is a medical herb. In addition, it is added to tea for a calming effect. It is also added to foods when cooking to boost milk supply in nursing mothers.
6. Sesame Seeds (Egusi)
It is rich in calcium, protein, fibre, essential nutrients. Egusi has quercetin a phytochemical that increases prolactin secretion and breast milk supply. You can add it to your salad as toppings, in soups (like Egusi Soup), pasta to increase breast milk supply in lactating mothers.
7. Sweet Potato
It is rich food that has fibre, micronutrients, and has phytochemicals that are responsible for promoting your health. This food is known as a superfood that increases prolactin and breast milk supply. In addition, sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, energy, vitamins, minerals that are required by your body. It can be eaten boiled, fried, in porridge, and salads.
8. Milk
It is a nutritious liquid that has more water content, no fibre, fat, proteins, sugar, carbs, and calories. It is also a rich source of protein. Casein present in milk can lower blood pressure. And it also contains all the best foods that increase milk supply. Apart from quenching your thirst, it is highly nutritious and important to take more liquid like water and milk to increase your milk supply. Try to avoid liquids that will dehydrate you when nursing or eat as asnack.
9. Moringa (Zogale)
Zogale is beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels, weight loss, improving digestion, improving the cardiovascular system, and much more. It is widely used in Africa and Asia. The plant is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, calcium, and iron and can help in increasing breast milk supply when used as a lactating diet. It can be eaten as salads, in soups, foods, and juices to increase breast milk supply.
10. Tofu (Awara)
Awara is a delicious food that can be eaten fried with pepper or eaten after being boiled. It is widely available in Northern Nigeria sold by street vendors. It is made from soybeans and is rich in protein micronutrients. This snack contains phytoestrogen and it can increase breast milk supply. It can also be eaten in soups and salads too.
11. Watermelon
Watermelon is a nutritious fruit that is high in water content. It contains potassium, vitamin C, A, B6, and gluthionine. It also contains fibre and fructose. The water content helps to keep your breast milk flowing when feeding your baby as it has a lactogenic effect. You can eat it as it is or in juices, smoothies, or deserts.
12. Lentils
They are rich in proteins, fibre, magnesium, and folate. It can boost your breast milk supply, lower your blood sugar level and digestion. You can add them to soups, stews, or snacks.
13. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, vitamin B, folate and manganese, and magnesium. Taking green tea can help you, relax your body. When taken in moderation and also boost milk supply the caffeine content in green tea will not affect your baby. If you take too much instead of increasing your milk supply. It can reduce it so always drinks it a few hours after meals for the best effect.
14. Barley
It contains beta-glucan which is responsible for increasing prolactin levels in your body. It is also rich in fibre. The beta-glucan is the sole reason why this polysaccharide is considered as food that increases breast milk supply. You can add it to rice, salads, stews, and vegetable meals to boost your breast milk production.
15. Oats
This food is rich in iron fibre, magnesium, zinc and has a great nutritional profile. Women fall back to oatmeals to increase their milk supply. Since it is rich in iron and low mineral that helps in increasing their milk supply. It can relieve stress, improve digestion and relieve stress, improve digestion. As a nursing mother, you get the nutrients required in a short period of time since it takes little time to prepare. The way it increases breast milk supply is by increasing the oxytocin hormone levels in your body. You can eat it as a meal, in cakes, porridge, cookies or even on bread.
16. Fennel
It is a leafy vegetable that is a galactagogue and has estrogen that helps increase your breast milk supply. It has a lactogenic effect too and contains phytoestrogens. Fennel is a lactation cookie for most women. You can eat it raw or cooked since it is a vegetable. You can add it to soups, stews, cookies, or even teas.
17. Almonds
Almonds are sweet, healthy, and packed with proteins and calcium. It is a good example of foods that increase breast milk supply because of its estrogenic activity. It also contains vitamins and minerals. Let us not forget, it is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Drinking almond milk increases the sweetness, creaminess, and quality of your breast milk as a nursing mother. Almonds can be eaten like nuts, in smoothies, juices, milk can be extracted from it, almond butter, and almond flour too. And it can also be added to food.
18. Flaxseed
This also contains phytoestrogens which are needed in boosting breast milk supply. Flaxseed contains protein fibre and omega-3 fatty acids (especially flaxseed oil). Flaxseed also has a lot of benefits from reducing the risk of cancers, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, blood glucose control, and weight loss. You can take it roasted, in soups, stews, salad dressing, and in warm water.
19. Water
Water is life! Water is very essential to humans. More than half of your body and the earth you live in is water. Breast milk has more water content than nutrients. The best and easiest way to increase milk supply is by taking more water to keep you hydrated and replace lost fluids. Take more water for a steady milk supply.
20. Salmon
This food is important during pregnancy and also during your lactation. Salmon is rich in protein, vitamins, and omega-3-fatty acids. It is low in mercury, boosts milk supply improves your immunity, and provides you with the required nutrients you and your baby need. You can eat it fried in soups, stew, and foods.
21. Green Vegetables
These vegetables add colour to foods and are packed with nutrients mostly calcium. They are rich in phytoestrogens too, which is important in boosting breast milk supply. They also contain fibre and micronutrients. You can add them to your foods, stew, soups, or salads.
Conclusion
There are certain foods that increase breast milk supply and help your body boost milk production and constant flow of breast milk. They are rich in phytoestrogens, recognised as galactogogues, and are rich in essential nutrients.
What are the foods that boost your milk supply when you were nursing? Kindly leave your comments below to let us know what your go-to foods were.
Cincin recipe otherwise spelled as ‘chin chin’ is a popular snack among Nigerians. It is consumed by almost all tribes and ethnic groups. They are common recipes for weddings, birthdays, festivals, etc. Its common ingredient is flour. In addition, it is a delicious snack, easy to make, and mostly loved by all children.
Do you have a wedding ceremony, eid, or festival and you find it difficult to come up with a snack to consume or use as a takeaway delicacy? Worry no more as I have come to your aid.
Equipment for making Cincin
Mixing bowl
Frying pan
Sieve
Scissors
Knife
Container
Ingredients
For the making of Cincin, you will need to follow the ingredients:
4 cups of flour.
1 cup of powdered milk
2 teaspoons of powdered vanilla flavor
Half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg
Small pinch of salt
3 eggs
Half a teaspoon of baking powder
Vegetable oil
1 butter
Water
Procedure for Making Cincin
STEP 1: The first thing to do is, crack the eggs in a small bowl and add a pinch of salt. Whisk together and set aside.
STEP 2: Put the sugar into a bowl, add the milk and mix.
STEP 3: In a clean bowl, sieve the flour, add baking powder and nutmeg to the bowl, and mix well. Then;
STEP 4: Add the butter to the flour and mix it very well too.
STEP 5: Add the mixture in STEP 2 and STEP 1 to the flour and mix it very well with your clean hands until a smooth dough is formed. Then;
STEP 6: Place the dough on a flat surface spread it with flour and start stretching the dough gently. However, ensure the dough isn’t too long or too thick.
STEP 7: When the dough is somewhat flat enough, use a knife and cut it into desired shapes and sizes. You could also use a scissor to do the cutting. Here, you will hold the dough with one hand and use the scissors to cut it with the other hand. For me, it is quite faster than using a knife.
STEP 8: Place a clean frying pan on medium heat, add your vegetable oil into the pan, and slice some onions into it too. Allow to fry for 3 minutes.
STEP 9: Add the cincin pieces to the hot oil and fry until it turns golden brown. Then;
STEP 10: Use a spoon to get out the fried cincin into a sieve container and allow them to cool.
STEP 11: Aaaaand your cincin is ready!
How to Serve Cincin
Cincin is usually served on plates. They can be consumed alone or with drinks. These drinks could be Kunun Zaki, Kunun Aya, carbonated drinks (though not good for your health), or other local drinks that we have.
Occasions to Serve Cincin
There are numerous occasions to best serve this delicacy or snack. It could be served in wedding ceremonies, during Sallah or Christmas periods, or during festive periods. Etc. In addition, it can be consumed anywhere, anytime.
Furthermore, they can be a part of the delicacies or snacks packed as souvenirs for guests during wedding ceremonies. In a Hausa family, Cincin is usually given to the bride among other snacks as she is taken to her husband’s house. This is to serve guests or visitors coming to wish the family well. Pretty much useful right?
How to Store Cincin
Cincin should be stored in a cool dry place. One good thing about its features or qualities is that it can last for several weeks without spoiling. Ensure to store it in the right container though.
Nutritional Value of Cincin
The Cincin recipe is majorly composed of carbs but also has moderate amounts of protein. Here are the nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces which is equivalent to 100 grams of whole-grain wheat flour: calories (340), water (11%), protein (13.2grams), sugar (0.4 grams) carbs (72 grams), fibre (10.7 grams), and fat (2.5 grams).
In addition, the consumption of Cincin has many health benefits which make it an interesting delicacy.
Conclusion
Conclusively, it is important to note that when you put too much egg in cincin recipe, it sucks up the vegetable oil, and too much vegetable oil in the human body is not healthy. However, additional eggs make it softer and not too crunchy.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below. Thank you.
You only need a few ingredients to make your own chocolate sauce/syrup at home and it tastes just as better as the one you buy from the stores. So, what are you waiting for? Try making something new this weekend!
This chocolate recipe gives you a sweet, smooth, goo-ey, and chocolat-ey taste – this is the chocolate sauce you should try at home.
How to Make Chocolate Sauce?
There are different ways to making this chocolate sauce but there are no fancy ingredients – just sugar, cocoa powder, and a few more that is most probably in your pantry. Isn’t that amazing? I’ll be sharing with you four different ways to make this delicious and addicting recipe chocolate sauce.
Chocolate Sauce Recipe I
In making this chocolate sauce, a little bit of work and attention will be given to the pot for a while as you keep stirring so as to avoid burning and ending up with zero results and a messy work area.
Ingredients for Chocolate Recipe I
¼ cup of cocoa powder.
¾ tablespoon of sugar or more.
A pinch of salt.
1 cup of water.
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Procedures for Chocolate Recipe I
In a bowl, sieve cocoa powder and sugar together to remove all lumps and traces of dirt.
Mix till well combined.
In a pan over medium heat, add in water and salt.
Pour in the cocoa mixture and bring to a boil till sugar is completely dissolved. Give this a stir.
Allow to cook till it begins to thicken.
Reduce heat and leave to simmer. Stir constantly.
Remove from heat, add in vanilla extract.
Stir this and let it cool.
Transfer this to a container or a jar. Tada. This is how to make a chocolate sauce but optimum attention is required here.
Refrigerate if needed.
Chocolate Sauce Recipe II
The method in how to make this chocolate sauce is different from the first. In this one, there is a twist which is the incorporation of flour. This is to give it a thick texture and a glossy look, the same job as the butter.
Ingredients for Chocolate Recipe II
¼ cocoa powder
2 teaspoons of flour
2 pinch of salt
1 cup of milk.
2 teaspoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of butter
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Procedures for Chocolate Recipe II
In a bowl, sieve cocoa powder, flour, salt, and sugar to remove lumps and traces of dirt.
Give this a mix.
In a pot over medium heat, add in a cup of milk and butter.
Allow to melt and dissolve completely.
Add in vanilla extract.
Give this a stir.
Add the cocoa mixture to the pot and stir again.
Cook on low heat for 5 minutes till it begins to thicken.
Turn off heat when thick.
If too thick, add more milk and if too thin, cook for 2-3 more minutes for perfect consistency.
Chocolate Recipe III
This is the simplest and easiest method on how to make a chocolate sauce as you won’t overwork yourself or even be in the kitchen. You could do this over the counter or in the dining area. Let’s get to the ABC method.
Ingredients for Chocolate Recipe III
1 cup of icing sugar
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 tablespoons of milk
Procedures for Chocolate Recipe III
In a bowl, add in a cup of icing sugar.
Add cocoa powder and vanilla extract.
Give this a mix.
Add in the milk but spoon after spoon so you can mix this gradually till you get a perfect combination.
Chocolate Sauce Recipe IV
This is another simple method as you’ll only need chocolate bars! It’s pretty easy to make this chocolate sauce.
Ingredients for chocolate recipe IV
Chocolate bars
Butter
Milk (optional)
Procedures for Chocolate Recipe IV
In a pot over heat, add in water and leave to boil.
Turn off heat.
Crush or break chocolate bars.
Pour these bars into a bowl that can withstand heat.
Place this bowl over the top of the pot and allow the heat to penetrate the bowl so as to melt the chocolates.
Add in butter as it begins to melt.
Add in milk if you wish to.
Give this a stir.
Recipes That Goes With Chocolate Sauce
Indulge yourself with this sweet sauce as you drizzle over pancakes, waffles, and even brownies. This sauce can even be eaten with doughnuts or used as a filling. In addition, this can be spread over bread, cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream.
Ways to Serve
The chocolate sauce should be served cold.
Occasions to Serve Best
This sauce can simply be made any day to enjoy and relax. It can be eaten with other confectionaries for lunch and dessert.
Health Benefits of Chocolate Sauce
Chocolate sauce is mostly made out of cocoa powder which is gotten from the cocoa bean. Cocoa beans have antioxidants also known as flavanols which have been proven to help lower inflammation and blood pressure. In addition, they help in improving blood flow to the heart and in blood clotting.
How to Store?
Simply pour this sauce in a jar or a container and refrigerate.
Conclusion
Ta-Da! That’s your own homemade chocolate sauce right there in 4 different ways. Everyone loves chocolate, for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and even dinner. I suggest you try this over bread and in doughnuts. Enjoy!