really good simple baby cakes -- vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free

This is really delicious. Simple, super yummy little cakes. Pleasing. They taste like more. They go perfectly with a cup of tea. They rock an after-school snack or an after dinner treat. Breakfast? Sure!! Dessert? You betcha. This is the cake you need now.

p.s.a. : also good with chocolate chips!!:

equipment needed:

muffin/cupcake cups
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring cups
measuring spoons
oven


ingredients:

a)
1 cup millet flour
1 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 tsp xanthan gum

b)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp tonka bean powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

c)
1 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup coconut nectar
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

d)
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cup warm water


directions:

preheat the oven to 345 degrees
1. combine the ingredients from part d and set aside
2. in a bowl, mix the ingredients from a) and b) -- thoroughly combine
3. stir c) and d) together
4. mix the wet and dry ingredients together -- I like to use a whisk
5. scoop the batter into the silicone cupcake cups and bake at 345 for 30 to 35 minutes

Oatmeal Cookie Deliciousness -- what vegans eat

These are the kind of cookies that pack a nutritional punch and keep you going when you need a nibble during the day.  Packed full of whole foods, these are both fuel and treat. Pair them with a cup of tea for a satisfying snack.

equipment needed:

mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring cups
measuring spoons
whisk
oven
silicone baking mats or parchment paper
cookie sheets or baking sheets
kettle


ingredients:

a)
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup coconut nectar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

b)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp tonka bean powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp xanthan gum

c)
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups large oat flakes

d)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup hemp hearts
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins


directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. combine the ingredients from part a) and mix with a whisk until smooth
2. stir in the ingredients from b) and c), working quickly
3. add the ingredients from d), and fold in evenly
4. scoop onto the lined baking sheets, and shape and flatten with wet fork
5. bake at 345 for 20 minutes




2 dozen generous cookies
12 per tray

*** Really Good Cake -- Simple Cake -- gluten free vegan cake

This cake is amazing. It's a wonderfully spongey, simple, tasty, moist, delicious cake. Goooooooood cake. Really good cake.

Buckwheat flour tends to have a particular and strong flavour, and I am usually loathe to use it outside of very specific applications.  However, the ingredients in this cake balance it all perfectly and there is nothing about this cake that isn't just delicious. It's just ... lovely.

Don't bother me I'm imagining it with fresh strawberries that have been sliced and stirred together with a touch of maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt, all spooned over top, releasing all their secrets ...

Sorry, what did I miss?

Anyway, this cake is just a perfect spongey lovely cake. I can't wait to make it again.

equipment needed:

square silicone cake pan
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring cups
measuring spoons
oven


ingredients:

a)
1 cup millet flour
1 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 tsp xanthan gum

b)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp tonka bean powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

c)
1 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup coconut nectar
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

d)
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cup warm water


directions:

preheat the oven to 345 degrees
1. combine the ingredients from part d and set aside
2. in a bowl, mix the ingredients from a) and b) -- thoroughly combine
3. stir c) and d) together
4. mix the wet and dry ingredients together -- I like to use a whisk
5. pour the batter into the silicone pan and bake at 345 for 45 minutes
(or bake as individual cupcakes for about 35 minutes)





45 minutes 345 degrees

Nutty Breakfast Cookies

• Cookies for breakfast? The point is, you could eat these for breakfast. And since a lot of people still insist on saying breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then maybe these are on point. I prefer them as an after school snack. Because these little fuckers are full of nuts. So not for school. NOT for school. Almond flour! Peanut Butter! Man, they are rich. And taste great. And not too sweet. You know what? They ARE perfect for breakfast. Go ahead, and indulge. Now I really want a cookie.

• 
  
• equipment needed:
• 
  
• mixing bowl
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• kettle
• spoon for stirring
• whisk
• baking sheets with silicone mats or baking parchment
• oven

ingredients:

a) wet ingredients

• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (all natural please -- I used the organic smooth one from bulk barn)
  • 1/2 cup coconut nectar (or sub in another liquid sweeter if you prefer -- maple syrup/honey etc)
  • • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 
      
    • 
      
    • -------
    • b) dry ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups oat bran
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt salt
• 
  


------------------
• c) stir-ins
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (fair trade please)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

directions:

preheat oven to 345

1. combine wet ingredients (part a) and mix well, whisking, let cool a little

2. stir in the oat bran, almond flour, vanilla bean, baking soda and sea salt (part b)

3. stir in the stir-ins (part c)

4. scoop 12 per baking sheet (lined with silicone), and flatten and shape a little with your hands or a fork

5.  bake at 345 for 20 to 25 minutes
6. cool and remove from baking sheet
7. makes 24 large cookies. Store in the fridge in an airtight container

get creative! sub in dried cranberries for raisins! throw in walnuts instead of pumpkin seeds! there is no wrong when it comes to these awesome cookies!

Crunchy Almond Butter Bites

These are best friends with peanut butter bites. They are ridiculously yummy but not as in your face. Nobody is as in your face as peanut butter. Even with the freezer door shut, I can hear the peanut butter bites yelling 'In Your Face'. Not the almond butter bites though. They are mannerly and refined.

equipment needed:
mixing bowl and mixing spoon
scraper and plastic spatula
measuring cups
measuring spoon
square silicone pan or square glass pan and baking parchment


ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut nectar
1/2 cup smooth almond butter

1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean

 2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup hemp hearts
1/4 cup buckwheat groats
1/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped


directions:
1. combine the coconut nectar with the almond butter and mix in the sea salt and ground vanilla bean
2. stir in the shredded coconut and hemp hearts
3. stir in the buckwheat groats
4. stir in the chopped dates
5. press with great force into the square pan. I like to cover it with parchment whilst pressing so it doesn't end up on my hands, but that's just me.
6. score into bites
7. chill or freeze
8. remove from pan and store in an airtight container (I keep mine in the freezer)

Crunchy Peanut Butter Bites V 2.0

The irony of these bites is that they are made with smooth peanut-butter. That smooth organic peanut butter you can buy in bulk at the bulk barn. It should really be a controlled substance. Maybe it's just me? I think it is highly addictive. The crisp toothsome joy of these bites is not alas from perfectly roasted peanut pieces. Rather, it comes from raw buckwheat groats which are delicate enough to yield under slight pressure, but keep their encouraging crunchiness when made into bites.

Don't skimp on the sea salt, friends.

Unless you use salted peanut butter.

equipment needed:
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
scraper
measuring cups
measuring spoons
silicone square pan or glass pan lined with parchment
plastic spatula


ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut nectar
1/2 cup smooth organic peanut butter

1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean

2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup hemp hearts
1/4 cup buckwheat groats
1/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped


directions:
1. combine the coconut nectar with the peanut butter and mix in the sea salt and ground vanilla bean
2. stir in the shredded coconut and hemp hearts
3. stir in the buckwheat groats
4. stir in the chopped dates
5. press with great force into the square pan. I like to cover it with parchment whilst pressing so it doesn't end up on my hands, but that's just me.
6. score into bites
7. chill or freeze
8. remove from pan and store in an airtight container (I keep mine in the freezer)

Where Brownies Fear to Tread -- vegan brownies

We really do make the most amazing brownies. They are dense and fudgey, chewy and utterly satisfying. This are made without refined sugars, and are gluten free. I use either raw almond flour or finely ground raw sunflower seeds for these. Raw sunflower seeds can be reduced to a delicate powder in a seed or coffee grinder, so they have an ideal texture for baking. Beautiful, really. And the flavour is calm enough that it doesn't balance of whatever you put them in. Pumpkin seeds -- aka pepitas, bless their little green hearts -- have  such a strong flavour that you must use them purposefully, not just as an alternative. Yes, so these ones. These brownies. A few tweaks here and there, the recipe evolves a little. But they are great. Next time I'll grind up a couple of espresso beans with the chia seeds, and maybe a chili flake or two. You know, for fun.

equipment needed:

hand blender -- aka immersion blender

seed grinder -- or coffee grinder

mixing bowls

mixing spoons

measuring cups

measuring spoons

kettle for boiling water

oven

2 square silicone baking pans (8x8 each)

cooling rack

ingredients:

a)

1 1/2  cup pitted honey dates

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil 

1 cup coconut nectar

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1  tsp vanilla extract 

b)

1/2 cup hemp hearts 

c)

1/2 cup tapioca starch

1/4 cup chia seeds, finely ground

1 cup raw almond flour or finely ground sunflower seed flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/2 tsp ground vanilla 

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup raw cacao powder

d)

coconut sugar to sprinkle on top -- use plenty, it's awesome that way.

directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1) in a mixing bowl, put your ingredients from part a) and let them sit for 10 minutes. Add b) and let sit for another 10 minutes at least. If your dates start out very hard, give it longer. Give it an hour!!

2) in a separate bowl, combine your ingredients from part c). Make sure they are really well stirred together

3) when your dates are super soft and saturated, use your immersion blender to puree the concoction to  smooth and velvety perfections

4) mix your puree and your ingredients from part c) together

5) divide evenly between 2 square silicone pans (or a large rectangular is fine if that's what you've got)

6) sprinkle a tbsp or so of coconut sugar on top of each pan before you put them in the oven

7) bake for 50 minutes at 345

8) cool before cutting and removing from the pan

Brownies -- the best in the world

It feels like time to revisit this brownie recipe. These brownies will make brownie-lovers weep with gluttonous euphoria. These brownies will tempt the pickiest of dessert eaters. These brownies .... okay, well, they won't save the environment or even the economy, but damn they are so good.

And they are cruelty free. Vegan and fair-trade. I would urge you to be careful and picky in your chocolate selections. The vast lion's share of chocolate sold here is produced using child slave-labour. Always look for fair trade for your cacao.

So, these are moist and rich, chewy and cakey all at once. These are the perfect symbiosis of decadence and apotheosis. Dazzling, tantalizing, and very close to perfection.

The amazing thing, friends, is that they are also real food. And can be made with either almond flour or sunflower seed flour, depending on your nut-free needs.

So go ahead, make yourself something so naughty that it's just simply nice.

equipment needed:

hand blender -- aka immersion blender

seed grinder

mixing bowls

mixing spoons

measuring cups

measuring spoons

kettle for boiling water

oven

2 square silicone baking pans (8x8 each)

cooling rack

wet ingredients:

1 1/2  cup pitted honey dates

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil 

1 cup coconut nectar

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1  tbsp vanilla extract 

1/2 cup ground hemp hearts -- should practically be a paste

dry ingredients:

1/2 cup tapioca starch

1/4 cup chia seeds, finely ground

1 cup sunflower seed flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

1 tbsp ground vanilla 

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup raw cacao powder

coconut sugar to sprinkle on top -- use plenty, it's awesome that way.

directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. pour the hot water over dates in a bowl, and let sit for about 10 minutes to soften, along with the coconut oil, so it can  melt

2. in a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients save for the coconut sugar for sprinkling. mix really well until completely homogeneous

3. To the melted coconut oil, water, and date mixture add the coconut nectar, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract,  and I will add the hemp hearts at this point, then puree the whole thing with a hand blender (immersion blender)

4. mix the pureed wet ingredients into the dry ingredients

5. divide the mixture into 2 square silicone baking pans

6. sprinkle the top with a little coconut sugar (or a lot -- I like a lot -- a couple of tbsp not tsp)

7. bake at 345 for 60 minutes

8. allow to cool in the pan before removing

Customized Soft Granola Bar -- vegan, simple, no-bake goodies

As an example of what you can do to customize the simple chewy granola bar to suit your preferences, we took the basic recipe, and added a few things: hemp hearts, raw cacao, and ground vanilla bean. Simple goodness that you can take with you easily.  I bet these would be good with raisins or chocolate chips. Or pieces of roast almond.

equipment needed:

mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring spoon
measuring cup
parchment
silicone baking pan or glass pan lined with parchment that overhangs enough to lift the whole thing out.



ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut nectar
1/2 cup sunflower  seed butter
1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup hemp hearts
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 tbsp raw cacao
1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean


2 cups scotch oatmeal


directions:
1. heat the coconut nectar and sunflower butter and mix together
2. stir in the sea salt and shredded coconut
3. stir in the scotch oatmeal
4. press into a silicone baking pan
5. score into bar shapes
6. chill
7. makes chewy granola bars



substitutions:

• instead of sunflower seed butter, try almond butter or peanut butter
• instead of coconut nectar, try maple syrup. What's your favourite liquid sweetener?

optional possible add-ins to customize these bars:

• 2 tbsp raw cacao
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts
• chocolate chips
• raisins
• dried cranberries
• chopped nuts
• pumpkin seeds
• sunflower seeds

What would you add?