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

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

Chocolate Chip Muffins -- vegan and adorable

This is what passes as simple for me. Simple means the way it tastes usually, instead of how few ingredients there are. I realize I could have used one type of flour instead of 4. But each plays a role in the texture. Scotch oats keep it moist. Tapioca gives it spring and bounce. Millet gives it a lovely delicate texture. Kamut gives it body and resilience. Plus each one is good for you and adds its own stamp to the pleasant flavour profile. Try 'em, and you'll see what I mean.

equipment needed:
muffin cups -- I prefer the silicone kind that are reusable (I've had mine for a decade)
muffin pan or baking sheets (the silicone cups don't need a muffin tray)
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
whisk
measuring cup
measuring spoons
oven


ingredients:

a)
1 cup warm water + 1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup cold water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup coconut sugar

b)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1/2 cup millet flour
1 1/2 cup kamut flour
1 cup scotch oatmeal

c)
1 cup chocolate  chips


directions:
preheat the oven to 345

1. combine the warm water and coconut oil and let the oil melt
2. add the rest of the ingredients from a) and whisk together
3. add the ingredients from b) and whisk them in
4. stir in the chocolate chips
5. scoop into muffin cups and bake at 345 for 20 minutes

makes about 24 muffins
I like to give them space so prefer to bake the muffin cups spread out over 2 baking sheets

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

** No-bake chocolate granola bars with hemp hearts and scottish oatmeal

These no-bake granola bars are very popular in our house. We keep them in the freezer, and even people who aren't chocolate lovers are crazy about them. These are an amazing whole-foods treat that will fuel you and keep you going when you need it. Wrap them in a little baking parchment and take them with you!  With the goodness of hemp hearts, and raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds, the sweetness of date, and the super-awesomeness of raw cacao, you don't have to choose good for your taste-buds or good for your body.

equipment needed:

silicone square pan
mixing bowl
measuring cups
measuring spoons
mixing spoon

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup raw hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup raw shredded coconut

• 1/4 cup ground chia seeds
• 1/2 cup scottish oatmeal

• 1/4 cup dates, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup krisda chocolate chips

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tbsp cacao powder

• 1/4 cup sunflower seed butter (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup coconut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut nectar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. combine the sunflower seed butter, coconut butter, and coconut nectar, and warm until liquid and stir until homogeneous
2. add the salt and cacao and mix well
3. add the sunflower seeds, hemp hearts, and pumpkin seeds, and stir well
4. mix in the dates
5. stir in the ground chia seeds, scottish oatmeal,  and the shredded coconut 
6. add the chocolate chips (make sure the mixture is no longer warm before you add these or they will melt)
7. when well mixed, press into a silicone baking pan (8 inch), and flatten well using a piece of baking parchment
8. chill, then cut into 'bars' or squares.

Hallowe'en Chocolate and or Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies-- Vegan hallowe'en treats

Today I made cookies to give out at Hallowe'en. I don't feel good about supporting processed food manufacturers, so I like to manufacture my own processed food instead. These spelt and oatmeal cookies tread the line between junky and okay. If you made them with coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, they would be more virtuous still. I made them vegan especially because I live in an area with a large South Asian population, and many of my neighbours are vegetarians. However, if you are not vegan, you can just sub in eggs for the egg replacer. Finally, they have the option of being chocolate chocolate chip or just chocolate chip. We made both!!!  Important note: I will label the wrapped cookies with my address and ingredients, so that they don't immediate get thrown in the garbage .... I hope.

photo by zephyr (4 years old)

photo by zephyr

ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (melted)

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup water

2 tsp egg replacer + 1/2 cup of water mixed together (or 2 eggs beaten up)

1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp orange extract (optional)

1 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

4 cups large flake oats

1/2 cup raw cacao (optional)

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 cups organic spelt flour

1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 

directions:

1. put the oats  in a bowl and set aside 

2. combine butter and sugar in a second bowl

3. mix in the eggs or egg replacer to the butter and sugar

4. add the vanilla extract and vanilla

5. add the ceylon cinnamon and the sea salt, add the water

6. combine the oat mixture with the egg/butter/sugar/water mixture, and add the cacao if using

7. let the combined mixtures sit for  1 minute.

8. add the baking soda and stir

9. add the flour, and mix well

11. add the chocolate chips, and stir well.

12. drop by spoonful onto a lined baking sheet. Flatten and shape with a damp fork.

13. bake in a preheated oven at 345 for about 14 minutes

makes 5 dozen  cookies

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Baby Cakes -- Don't blink, because they'll be gone!

I whipped these little cuties up in just a few minutes. They are mostly virtuous, but just a little naughty. Sound like anyone you know? The chocolate is our usual fave, callebaut, which makes no excuses. It is a fabulously balanced tasting dark chocolate chip that I can't recommend highly enough. If you've never had the pleasure and are a chocolate lover, you might like to check it out. Callebaut also makes organic fair-trade chocolate, but I've yet to come across it. When it comes to a cake like this, or even chocolate chip cookies, I would absolutely recommend using the best quality chocolate you can get your hands on. The taste makes all the difference in the world. And real, good quality chocolate is a super-food. Which makes it guilt free, right? ;)

These cakes are full of blood-sugar stabilizing ingredients such as chia seeds and high protein flours. The sweeteners in these cakes are agave and coconut sugar. I chose agave for its uncomplicated and bright sweetness, but just used 2 tbsp of it. The addition of 2 tbsp of coconut sugar gives a darker sweetness with more depth and more complex flavours. That works out to 1/2 tsp of coconut sugar and 1/2 tsp of agave in each cake.

I know that people with blood sugar issues such as hypo-glycemia or diabetes need to be careful when indulging in sweets. However, with the small amount of sugar in dark chocolate and the small amount of agave and coconut sugar added to this recipe, the sweeteners are well offset by the protein rich ingredients and the chia. If you are very sensitive, you could safely halve the quantity of chocolate in the cakes. The cakes are too chocolaty for me the way they are, but my boys -- chocolate lovers both -- were very happy with them.

Also, I ran out of eggs, so instead of 2, I used 1 and 1 tsp egg replacer. OOPS.

ingredients:

2 tbps extra virgin coconut oil

3/4 cup warm water

1 egg

1 tsp egg replacer + 1/4 cup cool water (combined)

1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbps clear agave

2 tbsp coconut sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ceylon cinnamon

1 tsp ground vanilla bean

2 tbsp ground chia

1 cup almond meal

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp coconut flour

1/4 - 1/2 cup chocolate morsels (Callebaut!)

directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. combine the coconut oil and the warm water to melt the oil

2. add the agave and coconut sugar

3. add the vinegar

4. make sure the mixture is no longer warm and beat in the egg

5. mix in the egg replacer and water

6. stir in the salt, vanilla, and cinnamon

7. add the chia

8. add the almond flour

9. add the baking soda

10. add the coconut flour

11. add the chocolate morsels

12. scoop into prepared muffin cups, and bake at 345 for 37-40 minutes in the upper half of the oven

makes 12 cakes

Gluten free cakes of this ilk are fragile, and need to cool in their cups for a while before they are taken out onto a cooling rack. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge ... but don't blink ...