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

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!

Easy Peasy Super Wholesome Trail Mix Cookie Bars***

September 1? WTF? How on earth did that happen?

With images of empty lunch boxes blurring my vision, poking at my psyche, and taunting me today, I started to think about nutritionally dense snacks.  I had a bunch of overripe bananas nagging me, and these cookie bars coalesced in my imagination.  They are simple -- really just mashed banana with ground chia, a little tapioca, shredded coconut, and large oat flakes. A few seasonings, a few mix-ins for flair, and presto here we are. But I have to tell you -- they are really delicious. A huge hit both with my kiddo and my dh.

equipment:

coffee grinder for chia seeds, or buy ready ground
hand blender for mashing bananas, or use a fork
2 x 8 inch silicone pans
1 baking sheet to put the pans on
measuring spoons
measuring cups
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
oven


a) base:
2 cups mashed banana (I used my hand blender but a fork will do, too.)

b) seasoning and leavening:
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon (or 1/2 tsp other cinnamon)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

(or substitute 2 tsp baking powder  for the baking soda and cream of tartar!!)

c) batter:
1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1 cup shredded coconut
2 cups large flake rolled oats

d) add ins:
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup raisins
3/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)


directions:

preheat your oven to 345!

1. combine your mashed banana with the ingredients from group b)
2. mix in the ingredients from group c) in that order, stirring after each addition.
3. mix in your mix-ins. Don't be afraid to mix it up!!
4. divide into 2 silicone square pans
5. press it down really well
6. bake at 345 for 40 minutes
7. Allow to cool slightly then cut into bars -- gingerly. I used the blunt edge of a spatula, careful not to destroy either the bars or my silicone pans.
8. when fully cool, store in an airtight containers in the fridge

Soft Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies -- vegan, nut free, and easy

These are very soft, very yummy, and quick to make.

I made some chocolate chocolate chip oatmeal the other day. The cacao powder in the mix made the batter thicker, so I found myself adding a little pea protein powder to this one to adjust the texture. Delicious, and dare I say nutritious.

I've been into the super minimalist ingredients lately -- like the mashed banana, oatmeal, and chocolate chip. These are a little more involved. But delicious.

equipment needed:

baking parchment or silicone baking mats

baking sheets

mixing bowl

measuring cups

measuring spoons

mixing spoon

seed grinder

ingredients:

a)

2 cups scotch oatmeal

1/2 cup tapioca starch

1 cup shredded coconut (organic unsweetened)

1 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup ground chia seeds

1/4 cup pea protein powder

b)

1 tsp cream of tartar + 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tbsp ceylon cinnamon

c)

2 cups water

1 tsp vanilla extract

d)

1 cup organic raisins

directions:

pre-heat the oven to 345 degrees

1. in a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients from a) and b)

2. when this mixture is completely integrated, add the ingredients from c) and mix well

3. add the raisins

4. stir well, and let sit for a few minutes

5. scoop spoonfuls of batter onto a lined baking sheet, don't flatten

6. bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 345

(I baked it for 20 minutes when there were 2 trays in the oven, swapping their positions halfway through the bake. I baked a single tray for 15 minutes.)

I got 4 dozen small cookies from this recipe!

plain simple muffins -- vegan, gluten free, and wholesome

School muffins. School muffins with raisins. No nuts. No grains. No nonsense. Vegan!!

These little cuties are simple to make, and have such a simple, pleasing taste. Comforting.

The batter is made of such goodness as chickpea flour and sunflower seed flour

equipment needed:
mixing bowl
measuring spoons
measuring cups
mixing spoon
seed grinder
silicone muffin cups and baking sheet or muffin pan and liners


ingredients:

1 cup coconut sugar
1 1/2 cup chickpea flour
1/4 cup ground chia seed
1 cup ground sunflower seeds
1/2 cup tapioca starch

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar



1 1/2 cups hot water
1/4 cup coconut oil

1 cup raisins (or chocolate chips)


directions:

1. in a bowl: put all the ingredients except water, coconut oil, and raisins
2. mix well until completely combined
3. in a separate mixing bowl, combine the hot water and coconut oil, and let it melt
4. mix the wet and dry ingredients together
5. finally, stir in the raisins
6. scoop into 24 small prepared muffin cups
7. bake at 345 for 30 minutes

Sunflower Seed and Raisin Muffins -- morning glory breakfast muffins?

Lunch-box, smunch-box. Yeah, you heard me. Smunch-box. As in: stuff it. Stuff it in your smunch-box. Which is exactly what I did with these little bites. Lunch box muffins that will energize your ankle biter. Pea protein, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and sunflower seeds give these muffins a powerful punch. Keep your energy up, and your blood sugar stable, and taste great. Tall order, but we filled it. So go ahead and stuff it in your smunch-box. You'll be glad you did.

3 cups water  (2 cups??)
1 cup coconut sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger

1 cup finely ground hemp hearts
1/4 cup finely ground chia seeds

1 cup ground sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pea protein powder
1 tsp baking soda


1 cup raisins
1 cup whole sunflower seeds


directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients in the order listed
3. scoop the batter into prepared muffin cups
4. bake at 345 for 60 to 90 minutes
5. remove from muffin cups when cool

The Trail Mix Variation -- awesome school cookies -- vegan, sugar free, nut free, gluten free, grain free!!

In addition to a nut-free lunch, I need to pack 2 nut free snacks for my grade-one kiddo. These are a good kiddie snack because they are packed with natural, high-energy components. Because, you know, I'm still on my high horse about keeping kids away from processed foods. Don't get me started!! This time, for the cookies, I decided to throw in some pea protein powder for extra 'oomph' this time, and added more mix-ins. I think they are delicious, and my child has no trouble gobbling them down when he needs a quick nibble. No nuts means they are school-safe. No sugar means I'm happy. The krisda chocolate chips are stevia sweetened, and of course entirely optional.  The sunflower-seed-and-raisin variety are terrific in my opinion. This version, with the krisda chocolate chips, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and shredded coconut as mix-ins was really just because I can. But not, strictly speaking, necessary.

1 cup water
1 cup coconut sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup raw cacao
1/4 cup carob powder
1 cup ground up hemp hearts
1 cup sunflower seed flour
1/4 cup pea protein powder

1/4 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup whole sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup organic raisins, picked through
1/2 cup krisda chocolate chips


directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients in the order listed
3. form balls of the dough, and place on a lined baking sheet (lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat)
4. flatten the balls with a fork dipped in water
5. bake at 345 for 20 minutes
6. will make 2 trays -- 3 to 4 dozen depending on size

Trail Mix Cookies -- nut-free, school-safe, vegan, and awesome

These little goodies make a decent energy snack for kids. The coconut sugar is low glycemic, and any blood sugar elevation is mitigated by the chia, sunflower seed, and coconut flour. They taste great, have an enjoyable texture, and are safe for school. Vegan, gluten free, grain free, nut free, sugar free. Yum!

1 cup water
1 cup coconut sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup raw cacao
1/4 cup carob powder
2 cups sunflower seed flour

1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda

1 cup whole sunflower seeds
1 cup organic raisins, picked through


directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients in the order listed
3. form balls of the dough, and place on a lined baking sheet (lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat)
4. flatten the balls with a fork dipped in water
5. bake at 345 for 20 minutes
6. will make 2 trays -- approx 40 depending on size

Nut free, gluten free, grain free cake

This happened yesterday afternoon, then people ate it whilst playing crokinole. People being Colin, Zephyr, and Papa Ed. And it was good. Friendly cake.

2 cups water
1/2 tsp xathan gum
2  tbsp arrowroot flour

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

3/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp ginger

1 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup whole chia seeds
1 cup hemp hearts

1 tsp baking soda
2 cups sunflower seed flour
1/4 cup coconut flour

1 1/2 cups thompson raisins
coconut sugar to sprinkle on top


directions:

1. preheat oven to 345, and generously oil a baking pan with coconut oil
2. combine the water, xnathan gum, and arrowroot flour with a whisk
3. whisk in the seasonings, sugar, chia seeds, and hemp hearts or use a hand blender
4. stir in the baking soda
5. stir in the coconut flour and sunflower seed flour
6. fold in the raisins, and scoop into 2 silicone pans. Smooth with a scraper, and sprinkle with coconut sugar.
7. bake at 345 for 1 1/2 hour
8. cool and cut into squares with a spatula before removing

Brunch Baked Apple

ingredients:


4 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil, melted

12 cups coarsely chopped organic pink lady apple
1 cups organic thompson raisins (or more if your apples are very sour)
1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp organic vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger

2 tbsp lemon juice


directions:

1. melt the oil in a casserole and toss all the ingredients well before covering and baking for 90 minutes at 345. I use a giant cast iron casserole.

Sunday Morning Apple Cinnamon Muffins -- sugar free, nut free

The world is slick and covered in ice -- beautiful and treacherous -- so I decided to stay in this morning and bake muffins. We were lucky enough not to lose power.

My two favourite muffin tasters declared these delicious.

I like the look of them sprinkled with a little coconut sugar before baking -- shiny and gorgeous. These will not stick around for long.

ingredients:

1/2  cup coconut oil
1 cup boiling water
1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp egg replacer mixed with 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup chia meal

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp korintje cinnamon
1 tsp saigon cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp ground vanilla bean
3/8  tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup kamut flour


1 cup chopped apple
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds

a little coconut sugar for sprinkling on top before baking


directions:

1. combine the ingredients in the order listed
2. gently fold in the kamut flour
3. gently fold in the apple, raisins, and sunflower seeds
4. scoop into approximately 16 prepared muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with coconut sugar before baking
5. bake at 345 for 30 minutes

School Cookie Bars V 2.0

I very much enjoyed the cookie bars that I made yesterday, and judging by the fact that my son ate about 6 of them, they are delicious to him as well. However, I think I'd like them a little chocolate-y-er, but without adding any chocolate chips. So, here goes!! Extra cacao, extra carob, and extra vanilla. Yum!

ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup coconut sugar

2 tbsp ground vanilla bean
1/2 tsp sea salt
4 tbsp raw cacao
6 tbsp carob powder


1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/2 cup shelled hemp seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 to 1 cup raisins

optional additions: chocolate chips, cinnamon, cacao nibs, goji berries ...



directions:

1. combine the coconut oil, warm water, coconut sugar, vanilla bean, sea salt, cacao, and carob powder (if you are using cinnamon, add it now)
2. add the finely ground chia and flax seeds
3. stir in the shredded coconut
4. add in the sunflower seeds and hemp seeds
5. stir in the raisins (if you are using chocolate chips/chunks, goji berries or cacao nibs, add them now)
6. flatten onto a lined baking sheet, maintaining nice edges, and score into pieces
mine was about 9 inches by 14 inches, and I flattened it down onto a silicone mat on a baking sheet by pressing it into shape with my hands (I covered the dough with a piece of baking parchment before pressing. I scored it into 36 pieces (6 x 6)
7. bake for about 30 minutes at 345 in the middle/upper part of your oven
8. allow to cool, then cut through fully using a big sharp knife.