Is My Family Cookbook Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a home-style recipe is Halal, we look for specific additives that are often hidden in processed foods. Fortunately, My Family Cookbook relies on whole ingredients, making the verification process straightforward. Let's look at the key components:

The recipe calls for Bramley Apples, Golden Caster Sugar, Cinnamon, and Flour. These are all inherently Halal. Apples are fruit, cinnamon is a spice, and flour is a grain product. There is no risk of animal-derived enzymes here.

Regarding the fats and binders, the recipe uses Butter and Eggs. In Islamic jurisprudence, dairy and eggs are generally considered Halal, provided the animal was not slaughtered in a non-Islamic ritual. Since these are standard supermarket ingredients, they are permissible. There are no gelatin (often pork-derived) or emulsifiers like E441 (gelatin) listed.

Finally, the absence of Vanilla Extract is a positive note for strict Halal followers. Many vanilla extracts contain significant amounts of alcohol, which is forbidden. This recipe uses cinnamon for flavoring, avoiding that issue entirely. Based on the provided data, there are no flags found.

Nutritional Value

While the recipe is Halal, it is also important to consider the nutritional profile. The combination of Golden Caster Sugar and Butter indicates a dessert high in simple carbohydrates and saturated fats. With 140g of sugar plus an additional 50g in the topping, this dish is very sweet and should be eaten in moderation.

Calorically, the 225g of butter and 2 eggs contribute a significant amount of energy. This is a rich, indulgent treat rather than a health food. It fits well within a balanced diet if treated as an occasional dessert, but it does not meet low-sugar or low-fat diet limits.