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

Chocolate Monkey Cookie Bars -- delicious vegan, gluten free, and nut free banana and chocolate treats

There's no such thing as a bad banana in this house. My fellas both love eating them, but if they ever hang around too long, they can fulfill their destiny as delicious cookie bars.

These are nutritionally dense, full only of high octane fuel. I like to throw a couple of these in my son's lunch box because with all the excellent ingredients, I know they'll help him power through the day at school. Additionally, they taste great, so he looks forward to them.

equipment needed:

oven
2 8x8 square baking dishes -- (I like silicone but if you don't use silicone, make sure you prepare it well so the batter doesn't stick)
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
seed grinder for chia or buy already ground
measuring cups
measuring spoons


ingredients:

a)
2 cups mashed overripe banana
1/2 cup date sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

b)
1 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp ground tonka bean (optional!)
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt

c)
1/4 cup raw cacao
1/4 cup tapioca starch or green banana flour
1/4 cup ground chia

d)
2 cups shredded coconut

e)
1 cup fair trade chocolate chips


directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients from part a) -- you may want to use a whisk
3. whisk in the ingredients from part b)
4. whisk in the ingredients from part c)
5. stir in the shredded coconut
6 stir in the chocolate chips
7. divide evenly between prepared 2 square pans (or use a big rectangle one!)
8. bake at 345 for 45 minutes or until they are done
9. score into bars while they are in the pan, allow to cool, and then remove.
10. Store in an airtight container in the fridge

easy peasy chocolate chocolate chip muffins *

The virtue of these muffins is that they mix up really quickly, and bake in 30 minutes. Sometimes I'm game for elaborate play in the kitchen, but much of the time I want to get in and get out, because there are too many other things that also need doing. So, yesterday, to that end, I devised some lovely little muffins that mix up quick and bake up nicely.

The fellas very enthusiastically gave these top marks, but they are both a big fan of the darker chocolates in life's beautiful cornucopia of chocolate.

equipment needed:
mixing bowl
mixing spoon/whisk
measuring cups
measuring spoon
muffin cups (I like the silicone ones)
muffin tray (if using paper liners) or baking sheet
oven


ingredients:

a)
1 1/2 cup kamut flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 cup shredded coconut

b)
1/2 cup cacao
1 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup date sugar

c)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp tonka bean powder or 1 tsp vanilla extract

d)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup hot water
1 cup cold water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar


e)1 cup fair trade chocolate chips



directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. combine the coconut oil and warm water from d) and set aside until fully melted
2. mix together the items from a) b) and c) until very well combined
3. mix together the cold water and apple cider vinegar, then add all the ingredients from part d) to the dry ingredients.
4. whisk or stir well
5. mix in the chocolate chips
6. scoop into 24 muffin cups
7. bake at 345 for 30 minutes

Banana and chocolate chip cookie bars *

Cookie bars. What can I say? I like to simplify my life.  I'm a cheater. Cookie bars take a lot of work out of baking cookies. Instead of having to scoop batter onto a baking sheet over and over and shape it and flatten it, I just scoop it into 2 square silicone pans, smooth it down, and bake. After baking, let cool for a few minute, then use a dull edge -- like a stainless steel spatula or a butter knife -- to cut it into bars. 

A perfect way to use up ripe bananas, and they go well in lunch boxes.

equipment needed:
2 square pans -- I like silicone
baking sheet to put the pans on
mixing bowl
measuring cups
measuring spoons
mixing spoon (I also like to use a whisk)
possibly a hand blender to puree banana
oven


ingredients:

a)
1 1/2 cups pureed banana (useful tip -- puree over ripe bananas when you have them, and freeze them in mason jars in 1 or 1 1/2 cup quantities)
1 cup water
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

b)
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup date sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp tonka bean powder or 1 tsp vanilla extract

c)
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 cup oat bran
2 cup shredded coconut
2 cup large flake oatmeal

d)
1 cup chocolate chips


directions:
preheat the oven
1. combine the ingredients in part a)
2. whisk in the ingredients from part b)
3. stir in the ingredients from part c)
4. finally add the chocolate chips (d) and mix well
5. divide the batter between 2 square pans
6. smooth it to make it look even and nice
7. bake at 345 for 30 minutes
8. allow to cool a little then cut into bars with a blunt edge so as not to damage your pan
9. when fully cool, store in an airtight container in the fridge

bake 345 for 30 minutes

pea crackerrrrrsssss

For realsies, these are one of my favourite nibbles. I just love that green pea flavour! These ones are so savoury and yummy, too. I've made them with just salt and pepper, and those are amazing, no joke.

Crackers are so easy to make at home. The secret is to score them before baking, and if they don't end up crisp enough, dehydrate them extra after you finish baking on a heat that is too low to brown them more but will drive out the moisture.

Totally fine for school, totally tasty for kids.

equipment needed:

2 silicone mats or baking parchment

2 baking sheets

rolling pin

mixing bowl

mixing spoon

measuring cups

measuring spoons

ingredients:

2 cups pea flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch

3/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp mesquite

1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar


1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup water (a couple tbsp more)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar



salt to sprinkle on top (optional)

directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. combine dry ingredients, then work the coconut oil in using a fork
2. add water and vinegar and mix into dough
3. divide the dough into two pieces
4. roll out each piece onto a silicone baking mat, by covering the dough with a piece of parchment,
5. score into cracker shapes, and sprinkle with salt
6.bake at 345 for 20 minutes

crackerrrrrrs

I love crackers. Crunchy, savoury little nibbles. My fave are the ones made with green pea flour. This are also awesome. Almond flour, coconut flour, and pea flour. You know what that means? Means they are good for you.

These ones are no good for school (obvi) but they sure taste good for a snack at home. Or have a small handful with an apple for a quicky lunch. I love chili powder more than I should, so these are awesome for me.

equipment needed:

silicone baking mats or parchment

rolling pin

baking sheets

mixing bowl

mixing spoon

measuring cups

measuring spoons

ingredients:

1 cup blanched almond flour
1 cup raw almond flour
1 cup tapioca starch
1 cup green pea flour
1/4 cup coconut flour

1 tsp sea salt
2 tsp chili powder
dash stevia powder
1 tsp baking soda
(optional 2 tbsp nutritional yeast)

4 tbsp coconut oil

1 cup water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar




directions:

1. combine in order listed -- work the coconut oil in using a fork before adding the water
2. roll flat on 2 pieces of baking parchment or 2 silicone baking mats
3. place on baking trays and score with a plastic spatula or something like that to make lines along which to break after baking
4. bake at 345 for 30 minutes
5. bake at 200 for 60 minutes

Maple Vanilla Baby Cakes

Sometimes people ask me for recipes and then I realize that the only thing I have that's remotely like what they are looking for is way too complicated and esoteric. Ugh. So, when an awesome neighbour (who usually bakes with very traditional ingredients) asked me for a cupcake recipe that was sweetened with maple syrup, I could have sent her a recipe that involved 12 different types of flour. But I thought that would be mean. So instead I came up with this one, that uses kamut flour and tapioca starch. Simpler. Few ingredients. Quick to mix up. Super tasty. Taste Testers: The Kid and The Husband (who by the way never leaves his socks lying around) snarfed 3 of them before I could ask them how they were. In my husbands words: "They were so terrible I had to have another just to make sure. And then another. Terrible."

They are this perfect mix of plain and delicious.

equipment:

1. kettle
2. mixing bowl
3. mixing spoon
4. whisk
5. measuring cups
6. measuring spoons
7. cupcake or muffin cups -- I use the silicone ones on a baking sheet, but you can use a muffin pan lined with papers if you prefer!
8. oven


ingredients:

a)
1 1/2 cups of water (warmed up a little but not hot)
2 tbsp coconut oil (the warm water will melt it)
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp raw apple cider vinegar

b)
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 1/2 cups kamut flour

c)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean (optional but awesome)
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
(you can use 2 tsp baking powder instead of cream of tartar and baking soda)



directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345!
2. in a mixing bowl, combine the warm water and coconut oil and let the coconut oil melt
3. add the rest of the ingredients from part a)
4. using a whisk, mix in the ingredients from part b)
5. still whisking, mix in the ingredients from part c)
6. scoop the batter into muffin cups, leaving room for them to rise
7. bake at 345 for 25-30 minutes, or until the top springs back when gently pressed

made 20 quite small cakes

Allow to cool and then store in an airtight container!

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

**** garlic bread sticks -- made with Kamut flour

I mean, who doesn't like soft chewy garlicky breadsticks? These happened. And they were pretty much a big hit.

equipment needed:

bread mixer or a bowl and spoon, followed by your hands and the counter

measuring spoons

measuring cups

kettle for warm water

silicone mat and baking sheet

oven

1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tbsp dry oregano

2 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup tapioca starch
2 cups kamut flour
1/4 cup corn meal

1 cup warm water
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp bread yeast

make your dough
roll into thin sticks
let rise on silicone baking mat
brush with water and sprinkle with sea salt
bake at 345 for 15 minutes or so

** Soft cookies -- chickpea flour cakies

There are people who live here who are big fans of the spongey kamut flour kakies that we've been making. Today I decided to mix things up by using chickpea flour and sunflower seed flour. If you are unfamiliar with sunflower seed flour, I have to tell you, I've never seen it in the store. But it's one of my favourite things to bake with. I use raw sunflower seeds, and grind them to a fine powder in my little coffee grinder. They offer such a delicate texture to baked goods, and are such an affordable alternative to almond flour. Additionally, goods baked with sunflower seed flour can go to school. Not, I mean, to get an education. Just for ... yumminess.

equipment needed:

seed grinder for chia and sunflower seeds
measuring cups
measuring spoons
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
baking sheet and silicone mat or parchment paper
oven



ingredients:

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

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


1/4 cup coconut oil
2 cups hot water
1 tbsp vanilla extract


scoop heaping spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 345 for 30 minutes