Got too many raspberries in your garden, or gone a bit overboard at the PYO farm? These wholesome plant-based recipes are ideal to use up a glut of raspberries, if you have too many on your hands, but don’t want them to go to waste. Try these Raspberry Crumble Bars (Rainbow Plant Life).
For recipes that use them, choose palm-oil-free vegan butter and make your own pastry. Keep these desserts away from pets, due to toxic ingredients like chocolate, nuts (and xylitol if used – just a few dropped crumbs can be lethal). Also keep fresh dough away from pets, as it can expand in the stomach.
Don’t wash raspberries until you eat them. Good raspberries should be deep in hue and glossy, with none crushed or bruised. Check for mould, as with strawberries. Store in a similar way to strawberries, but not at the back of the fridge or in the salad crisper.
Raspberry Oats Smoothie Bowl (Rainbow In My Kitchen) is a pretty way to start your day. High in fibre, you just need 4 ingredients, with optional toppings.
These Orange & Raspberry Jam Muffins (Short Girl, Tall Order) use swirls of raspberry jam. Fluffy muffins for breakfast, with candied oranges and fresh raspberries.
Raspberry Bounty Bars (Addicted to Dates) are little coconut bars, a fusion of classic Bounty and raspberry ruffles. Made with just a few simple ingredients, and no plastic packaging.
These Raspberry Sweet Rolls (Crumbs & Caramel) are topped with a vanilla glaze. They are similar to cinnamon rolls, but flavoured instead with raspberry and lemon.
Forest Fruits Chocolate Tart (Addicted to Dates) tastes a bit like black forest gateau. It features a baked chocolate crust with a sweet cherry raspberry jelly, topped by a smooth creamy chocolate ganache.
How to Grow Your Own Raspberries
Raspberries are easy to grow. You can plant them for summer or autumn eating, know the type you plant as you have to tend them differently (summer raspberries are cut down when fruiting ends, while autumn berries are cut down in early spring). Try this Vegan White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberries (Addicted to Dates).
They are more complicated to grow than strawberries, as you need to use canes. They need space and good soil, but are worth it. Berries attract birds, so learn of safer alternatives to netting, to prevent harm to all creatures. If you garden alongside animal friends, make your garden safe for pets, to know toxic plants (and mulches and other items) to avoid.
If you can, always choose organic seeds and plants from local garden centres. This helps to support the greener industry. We like Bee Happy Plants for good organic seeds and plants to buy online.
