Category Archives: egg free

Friday, September 14, 2012

Delightful Vegan Double Chocolate Cake (free of: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and cane-sugar) – with a VIDEO


Last week I shared my trip to the East Coast.  It was all amazing.  But there is one thing I just CANNOT get out of my head: Babycakes.  It was there in that small, cramped, ridiculously cute and hip little bakery I fell in love with chocolate cake.  Yes, we are in love and it’s going greatalthough we haven’t seen each other since May.  Humhow to see more of this chocolate cake?  This long distance thing is NOT working out.  So I set out on a mission.  Recreate this moist, fluffy, delicious cake at home.  Now I know Babycakes has a cookbook, but I thought this would be a great learning experience and baking challenge.  You see, I’m NOT a baker (it’s not something I particularly enjoy).  But I plan on changing this.  So this non-baker is ready for the challenge: to make the perfect dairy-free, gluten-free, cane-sugar free, vegan chocolate cake.  Well my friends, after much trial and error, this non-baker did it (can I call myself a baker? perhaps after I perfect my grain free baking).  At any rate, I am pleased to share with you: my very own chocolate cake recipe.  And it’s everything I love about chocolate cake (er, or cake in general), everything I never knew I loved.  I’m no chocoholic (like my sweet husband) but I will say this cake makes my toes curl up a little.  I’ve baked this thing about 15 times (no joke) and the last 3 batches came out perfectly consistent, so I feel confident sharing the recipe.  I wanted to make sure the recipe was precise with exact measurements.  Please follow my notes too, as this will ensure a superior cake.  I’m very proud of this recipe.  I hope you enjoy it too.  Tastes fab with a cold glass of dairy-free milk (such as my homemade walnut milk).  Cheers.  
~See below for chocolate cake making video~

P.S.  Nine people taste tested different variations of this recipe (and yes, I even printed out questionnaires regarding the texture, sweetness, chocolaty-ness, etc.).  The below recipe was the favorite, and overall, the taste testers claimed they could barely tell this cake from traditional chocolate cake (taste testers also favored frosting #2).  

Delightful Vegan Double Chocolate Cake


Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients (please see notes below about weighing flours)
-1/2 cup (55 grams) garbanzo/fava bean flour  
-1/2 cup (60 grams) (1/2 cup) sorghum flour 
-1/3 cup (40 grams) (1/3 cup) tapioca starch
-1/2 cup (50 grams) raw cacao powder 
-1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon GF baking powder 
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) xanthan gum
-1/4 teaspoon salt 

Wet Ingredients (please see notes below about measuring wet ingredients)
-1/2 cup room temp maple syrup (I recommend grade B)*
-2/3 cup room temperature unsweetened applesauce 
-1/2 cup liquid coconut oil  
-2/3 cup hot water (just before it starts to boil)
-1 tablespoon vanilla
-1/2 teaspoon liquid stevia 

How To:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.  Prepare cake pans by oiling and dusting with flour (I use coconut oil or grapeseed and sorghum flour for dusting  – or you can use parchment paper, but I prefer the oil/four method.  I DO NOT recommend using a glass pan.  If you do use a glass pan use baking parchment paper for the bottom to prevent sticking.  A regular non-stick cake pan is recommended and I’ve only made this recipe in non-stick pans. 
3.  In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients  
4.  In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients
5.  SIFT dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix until well combined (do not over mix).  The batter will become thick, this is normal.  Scoop batter into cake pan and spread out with silicone spatchula.  Tap down pans to even out batter. 
6.  Baking instructions: 
-For two 9″ cake pans filled with one batch of batter, bake for 20 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out dry). You may need to bake 3 to 5 minutes longer in the wet, winter months.  Check at 20 minutes and continue on from there.    
-For one 9″ cake pan filled with one batch of batter, bake 20  – 25 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out dry). Bake up to 28 minutes in the wet, winter months. Check at 20 minutes and go continue from there.  
-For cupcakes, bake 20 – 25 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out dry).  Bake a little longer (maybe 2 or 3 minutes) in the wet winter months. When cupcakes come out of the oven, immediately remove the paper cups and cool the cupcakes on a cooling rack.  
7.  Allow cakes to cool on cooling rack for 30 – 45 minutes

-The recipe in this post will yield 15 cupcakes, or 1 round cake which would be just a single layer (baked in one 9 inch cake pan), or two single layer cakes (which is the double layer shown in the pictures – the batch is obviously split between two 9 inch cake pans). 

Frosting #1:

Ingredients
-2 very ripe avocados 
-3/4 cup raw cacao powder 
-1/2 cup maple syrup + 10 drops liquid stevia (adjust sweetness to taste)
-1/3 cup melted coconut oil

How To:
1.  Mix all ingredients in a food processor until creamy, smooth and well incorporated.  Frost cake.  This frosting yields enough for two layers (the above recipe baked in two 9 inch cake pans).

Frosting #2:

Ingredients
-1/3 cup vegetable shortening
-1/3 cup grade B maple syrup (or more to taste)
-1/4 cup liquid coconut oil 
-1 tablespoon vanilla extract
-5 – 10 drop liquid stevia (to taste)
-1/2 cup (40 grams) raw cacao powder 

How To:
1.  Add ingredients to a food processor and blend until well incorporated.  Frost cake.  This frosting yields enough for one layer of cake (the above recipe baked in one 9 inch cake pan).
2.  Place in fridge to firm up frosting if need be.

Recipe Notes:
*I cannot guarantee results of this recipe if flour weights and liquid measurements are not followed exactly.  Just sayin…!
*I highly recommend weighing the flours.  This will ensure a superior cake.  Being off with the flour too much or too little will compromise the texture of the cake.  So PLEASE invest in a scale with grams and ounces.  
*Please ONLY use a glass Pyrex measuring cup when measuring liquids.  Do not use tin measuring cups, as there is a big difference in these measurements.  I’ve also included liquid measurements in grams for accuracy.   

Chocolate Cake from Amber Husten on Vimeo.

Single Layer with shortening frosting:

Double Layer with avocado frosting:

Cupcakes with avocado frosting:

Shared on: Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Motivate Me Mondays, Monday Mania, Mealtime Monday My Meatless Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, On The Menu Monday, Mix It Up Monday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Whole Foods Wednesdays, Tastetastic Thursday, Keep It Real Thursdays, Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Wellness Weekend, Fight Back Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Friday Food, Whole Foods Friday, My Birthday Pot Luck Party Friday, Allergy-Friendly Fridays, Sweet Saturday, 


Posted by Amber at

Labels: allergy-friendly, dairy free, dessert, egg free, gluten free, vegan.

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Saturday, August 4, 2012

Allergy-Friendly Pizza Crust (free of: gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, soy, yeast, sugar) with a video!

Last summer I made a vegan gluten-free strawberry shortcake from Without Adornment.  It was super yummy.  And as I ate it I thought, this would make a fabulous pizza crust.  And it sure did.  This was a huge triumph for me in the pizza crust department.  Up until that time I had nothing but bad luck with gf pizza crusts.  Some store bought were so terrible I could barely choke them down.  So what makes this a nice recipe for pizza crust?  Well, for starters, it’s strong and can hold ingredients, it doesn’t have a funky flavor or aftertaste, and it’s easy and very, VERY inexpensive.  And best of all, my son can eat it – and that makes mommy super happy.  Does it taste just like a gluten crust…no.  But it does the job and thus my family eats pizza each week and without all the gunk (especially yeast –  I stay far away from that stuff).  I made a video of how to make the pizza, as the trick to getting it right is baking it on cooling wire, so I recommend viewing the video to see how I bake the crust.  We usually make pizza on the weekends.  Fun and easy.  Okay, so please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. Have fun…hooray for pizza.

5.0 from 2 reviews
Allergy-Friendly Pizza Crust
 
This pizza crust is great for all! Free of: gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, soy, yeast, and sugar. This recipe is slightly adapted from Without Adornment.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 140 grams brown rice flour (1 cup)
  • 60 grams tapioca flour (1/2 cup)
  • 40 grams arrowroot starch (1/3 cup) or ¼ cup potato starch.
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 tablespoon gluten free baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup light tasting oil
  • ¾ cup filtered water
  • ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and wet in a separate bowl. Combine.
  3. Mix and form into a ball. Flour your baking mat and roll out dough (see notes). Bake 12 minutes. The crust should be on a mat and then placed on a rack to bake. (If you don't like using silicone baking mats, roll out the dough on parchment paper and then bake on a baking sheet). See Ricki notes below (she baked it this way).
  4. After the crust bakes for 12 minutes, transfer crust from the mat to the cooling rack to cool.
  5. Build the pizza. See here for homemade pizza sauce or here for nightshade free pasta sauce, and we love this dairy free cheese. Keep the crust on the rack. After piling on your topping, bake another 10-12 minutes (on the rack). The longer you bake the harder the crust will get, so be careful. I like the texture at the 12 minute mark.
  6. Remove crust from oven and allow to cool on the cooling rack it was baked on. When cool, transfer to cutting board (or cut on a mat)
Notes
1. If you make the crust too thick it will have a biscuit texture. Go for a thin crust for a more traditional texture.
2. Caution: don't let the dough sit too long in the bowl after you combine the ingredients, as it will start to "grow" from the apple cider vinegar and the baking powder and get really soft. Please see the video. And add as much flour as your need to roll it out. I've made this so many times, so I'm quite used to working with this dough, so be patient with it and yourself. The more flour you add, the more it will come together for and you'll be able to roll it out.
3. You can add spices and flavors to the dough, such as garlic granules. oregano, Italian Seasoning, onion granules, etc.
4. If you're not comfortable using your cooling racks (or not sure if they are oven safe) Bed Bath and Beyond sells a cooking/baking rack for pizzas (however, it looks like the same exact material as my cooking rack). But some folks might feel more comfortable with this: Pizza Baking Rack

 Shared on: Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Keep It Simple Mondays, Monday Mania, Mealtime Monday,  My Meatless Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Made from Scratch Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent TuesdaysRecipe Box Tuesday, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Whole Foods Wednesdays, Full Plate Thursday, Tastetastic Thursday, Keep It Real Thursdays, Wellness Weekend, Fight Back Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Lifeologia Summerizing Party, Friday Food, Whole Foods Friday

Posted by Amber at

Labels: allergy-friendly, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, main dish.

48 Comments

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Roasted New Potato Salad

When I think of summer, I think potato salad.  It’s the perfect addition to any BBQ and wonderful alongside my favorites: grilled chicken and baked beans.  Although I love potato salad, I cannot eat it.  Potatoes hurt my digestion and aggravate inflammation.  Moreover, potatoes are not allowed on the SCD, so a big no-no food.  But I do make this dish for my family and summer gatherings…and it’s always a hit.  The roasted potatoes create a wonderful flavor and a fabulous texture.  You could also make this dish with roasted parsnips (if potatoes aren’t your thing). If you do make with potatoes, I recommend new potatoes (my Gramie’s favorite).  I hope you enjoy my tasty alternative on a summer favorite.
Ingredients:
-3 1/2 lbs red new potatoes, or any new potatoes (oil and garlic granules for roasting)
-1/2 cup diced red onion
-10 small dill pickles (4.5 oz), small chop
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon garlic granuels
-1/2 teaspoon onion granules
-2 tablespoons oil
-1/2 cup soy-free Vegenaise mayo or homemade vegan

-1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

-2 tablespoons pickle juice
How To:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
1.  Wash, dry and chop potatoes.  Toss potatoes with 3 tablespoons of oil and 1 tablespoon garlic granuels.  Roast for 40 minutes (or until golden and slightly crispy).  When done, remove from baking dish and place in a bowl.  Allow to cool before adding other topping
2.  When potatoes are cool, toss with above ingredients.
3.  Garnish with paprika (smoked is quite tasty).
Shared on: Just Another Meatless Monday, Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Monday Mania, My Meatless Mondays, Mealtime Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent, Traditional Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Whole Food Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Tastetastic Thursdays, Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Simple Lives Thursdays, Frugal Food Thursdays, Fresh Bites Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Show Off Friday, Potluck Party Friday, Allergy-Friendly Fridays, Summer Salad Sundays 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: dairy free, egg free, gluten free, summer cuisine.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Double Chocolate Hazelnut Coconut Cookies

Once in a blue moon I crave chocolate like a crazy person.  This makes my chocoholic husband insanely happy.  These little double chocolate cookies really hit the spot.  Dates give this cookie a nice chewy, soft texture.  Generally I use almonds or walnuts as the base ingredient in grain free baking.  But I had some lonely little hazelnuts in the fridge just waiting for their turn.  Hazelnuts and chocolate?  Fuggedaboutit.   
 .
Double Chocolate Hazelnut Coconut Cookies
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • -1 cup whole raw hazelnuts
  • -1/3 cup whole raw almonds
  • -1/4 cup coconut flour
  • -1/4 cup raw organic cacao
  • -1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • -1/8 teaspoon salt
  • -6 dried medjool dates (pitted and soaked in filtered water for about 3-4 hours)
  • -1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • -1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • -3 or 4 tablespoons honey
  • Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips (for the topping)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. In food processor with s-blade, grind hazelnuts until coarse.
  3. Add almonds and blend until nuts release just a bit of oil.
  4. Add coconut flour, pulse. Add cacao, pulse.
  5. Add baking soda and salt, pulse, pulse, pulse.
  6. (the dry mixture should feel like a fine flour).
  7. Transfer dry ingredients to a bowl.
  8. In food processor with s-blade, add strained dates, coconut oil, vanilla, and honey and blend until incorporated.
  9. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix.
  10. Form small balls and press down into cookie shape
  11. Bake for 12 minutes.
  12. When cool, top cookies with melted chocolate chips.
Notes
Vegans use coconut nectar or maple syrup
 .
Shared on: Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays,  Pennywise Platter, Miz Helen’s Country Cottage, Traditional Tuesdays, The Healthy Home Economist, Fat Tuesdays, Ruth’s Real Food: 101, Real Food Wednesdays, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Just Another Meatless Monday, Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Lunch Box Love Fridays, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Whole Food Wednesdays, Wellness Weekend, Allergy-Friendly Friday, Freaky Friday, Fresh Bites Fridays, & Superfood Sunday
Posted by Amber at

Labels: chocolate, cookies, dessert, egg free, grain free, Paleo, vegan.

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Cranberry Almond Honey Cookies

These cookies are a big deal for me because they are my first Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) cookie.  And they are good…and they didn’t fall apart!  I will be starting the SCD here shortly and until then I will be creating recipes for myself to eat during this adventure.  My plan is to try the diet for 1 month.  The SCD has shown to help folks like me who suffer from Crohn’s Disease (and other forms of IBD, Celiac & Autism).  I was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2004 and medication free up until a couple months ago.  It’s hard for me to believe I just learned about the SCD like 2 months ago!!  Geez, where have I been?  Shirley over at gfe has been such a wonderful, loving support.  Thank you Shirley!  I’m sure I will be calling upon her for support and a pick-me-up here and there after I start this new food routine.  I’m currently reading this book and I will be sharing what I’ve learned, and my new recipes here very soon.

Shirley recently sent me some excellent blog resources dedicated to the SCD:
1.  Mrs. Ed’s Research and Recipes 
2.  Straight Into Bed Cake Free and Dried 
3.  Z’s Cup of Tea
And a few I’ve found by luck:
 1.  Roost
2.  The Dietary Adventures of Jilluck
3.  Against All Grain

.

Cranberry Almond Honey Cookies
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dried cranberries, soaked in filtered water for about 2 hours (find unsweetened, or sweetened with only fruit juice, and always free of sulfur dioxide).
  • 2 cups raw organic almonds (preferably soaked and dehydrated for optimal digestion)
  • ½ cup coconut flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. In food processor (fitted with S-blade) grind almonds until they release a bit of oil.  Add coconut flour and blend into a light, fluffy flour.  Add salt and baking soda.  Blend.
  3. Strain cranberries and add to food processor and pulse, pulse, pulse, until the flour is incorporated with berries and forms a ball of dough.
  4. In separate bowl mix together melted oil, honey, and vanilla.
  5. With hands mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients.  To create cookie I recommend making a ball first, then with wet palms, press into little cookies.
  6. Bake 12-13 minutes.  Take care to not overcook

Shared on Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Traditional Tuesdays & Week 5 of Home for the Holidays: Gluten Free Style

Posted by Amber at

Labels: cookies, dessert, egg free, Paleo, SCD, vegan.

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Friday, November 11, 2011

5 Super Easy and Super Tasty Side Dish Ideas For Your Thanksgiving Feast (dairy free, gluten free, white potato free, cane-sugar free, vegan)

Turkey is great, but a side dish can be the star of the Thanksgiving show!  I love to see what people have lined up at their Thanksgiving mealyou know the turkey is going to be there, no big surprise, but let me loose on the buffet table so I can check out how the sweet potatoes are dressed, what’s going to shine in the cranberry sauce, what’s that awesome looking bread?  Creating alternatives to traditional Thanksgiving cuisine is super easy.  Check out my 5 very easy side dishes.  There are endless possibilities for your meal, but my motto is to keep it easy, keep it fun and keep it super tasty!
***************************************************
#1
Roots and Fruits
(Roasted Parsnips, Apples, Pears and Walnuts)

Ingredients
5 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
2 pears, peeled and chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups of  walnuts
Oil (of choice)
Garlic granules 

How To
*Add parsnips, onion, pears, & apple to favorite baking dish
*Drizzle with oil
*Add 2 tablespoons garlic granules
*Roast at 400 degrees for about 35-40 minutes (check at 35)
*Lightly toast walnuts in saute pan
*Add to roasted roots and fruits 
*Mix together
*Add salt if desired, I omit.  
*Serves 4-5
***************************************************
#2
Socca Bread 
Gluten free, Grain free, Sugar free, Vegan, ACD, Xanthan gum free, Yeast free, Egg free….absolutely AMAZING flatbread!!!
(recipe from December/January issue of Living Without Magazine, pg.41)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chickpea flour (garbonzo bean flour)
1 1/2 cups filtered water
2 1/2 tablespoons oil (I used grapeseed)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (you must use fresh!
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon minced dried onion (I used onion powder)

How To
*Whisk together chickpea flour, water, 2 tablespoons oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, onion (minced or powder).  Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.  This gives the batter a chance to thicken up a bit
*Coat a large round nonstick skillet with oil and heat over med until hot (add oil to pan after removing the socca and get it nice and hot for the next one)
*Pour 1/2 cup batter into pan and swirl around a bit (sort of like a crepe).  use heat-safe spatula to loosen sides
*Cook socca until crispy on one side, flip and brown on the other side
*Serves 4-5
***************************************************
#3
Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower 
(this is really nice substitute for those of you who don’t want white potatoes at your meal; the cauliflower adds a nice texture and balances out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes – and best part, no boiling required!)

Ingredients 
3 large sweet potatoes, chopped
1 head of cauliflower, separated 
Oil of choice
Garlic granules (or 4 cloves fresh garlic)

How To
*Add sweet potatoes and cauliflower to your favorite roasting dish
*Drizzle with oil 
*Add about 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic granules (or smash the fresh garlic cloves and add in)
*Toss ingredients with oil and garlic 
*Roast at 400 degrees for 40 minutes
*Keep ingredients in roasting pan and use a potato masher to smash ingredients together.  Add another drizzle of oil for some additional moisture
*Add 1/4 teaspoon salt 
*Smash everything together well 
*Top with a little cinnamon (optional)
*Serves 4-5
***************************************************
#4
20-Minute Cane-Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
(my kids ate this up like candy!)

Ingredients 
4 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup filtered water
1 sweet red apple, small chop
3 dates, seeded and small chopped 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup honey
1 large orange

How To
*In medium sauce pan bring cranberries and water to a boil, stir and turn down to a simmer
*Add apple, honey, dates and briskly stir
*Turn down to low and gently simmer for about 15 minutes 
*Turn off heat and add juice of 1 orange and cinnamon 
*When cool, transfer to fridge until ready to serve
*Top with orange zest
***************************************************
#5
Fig and Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash 

Ingredients
2 acorn squash
2 cups fresh chopped figs
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 ripe pear, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Oil of choice
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of ground ginger 

How To
*Cut squash in half and remove seeds, run oil around inside of squash
*Place face down in baking dish, coated with a little oil 
*Bake at 400 for 30 – 40 minutes (check at 30)
*In sauce pan, add oil, apple, pear, & walnuts, saute or a few minutes
*Add figs and salt, saute for a few minutes
*Add in honey and spices, saute together and cook on low until all ingredients are soft and have combined juices and most of the honey and oil has cooked off.  Turn off and allow to cool a bit before adding to baked squash
*Remove squash from oven when finished and turn over.  Allow to cool face up
*Add mixture to squash
*Serves 4 very hungry folks or up to 8 if each squash half is divided 

Wishing You a Health-full and Happy Thanksgiving
Be Well, Amber 
Shared on: A Gluten-Free Holiday Week 2 – Thanksgiving Favorites
Posted by Amber at

Labels: cane sugar free, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, sides, soy free, thanksgiving side dishes, vegan.

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Monday, November 7, 2011

Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

Did I mention my husband is a HUGE chocoholic?  Well he is.  More than anyone I’ve ever met in my life.  And he likes the good stuff this man.  I’m not talking about a Hersey’s bar (although if you gave him one he would eat it).  My husband’s list of loves would probably go something like this: 1) his family, 2) the outdoors, 3) chocolate.  And if he was outdoors with his family eating chocolate he would probably explode (with joy).  So this chocolate series is dedicated to my sweet-teeth husband…and my daughter who is quickly following suit in the chocolate-loving department.
Here we have recipe #2 in the pumpkin + chocolate series.  I don’t know about you, but I like chewy brownies.  Not cake-like brownies.  I thought it would be a fun challenge to make these grain free.  So the trick here was to make a grain free brownie that didn’t crumble apart.  I’m pleased with the final product.  My husband LOVES this brownie, as does my daughter.  They both gave it a two-thumbs up, and that’s saying something from my chocolate connoisseurs.  How wonderful to make something so healthy and sinfully tasty for the ones I love.
(grain free, gluten free, dairy free, cane-sugar free, egg free, soy free, xanthan gum free) 

Ingredients
-2 cups raw almonds
-1 cup raw walnuts
-1/2 cup raw cacao powder
-1/4 cup coconut flour
-2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup pumpkin puree
-1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon grade B maple syrup (room temp)
-1/2 teaspoon liquid stevia (vanilla or cocoa flavor is nice)
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup applesauce (room temp)
-1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
-3 tablespoons water
-1/4 cup coconut oil – liquified
-1/4 cup non-dairy milk (or water)
-1/4 teaspoon ginger

How To
Preheat oven to 375

In a food processor:
1.  Add almonds and grind until fine and slightly moist
2.  Add walnuts to almonds and blend together until the nuts start to stick together a bit- test with fingers
3.  Add cacao powder, blend/pulse
4.  Add arrowroot, baking soda, ginger, coconut flour, and salt…
5.  Blend, blend, blend, pulse, pulse, pulse

In a separate bowl:
1.  Whisk together: pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil, applesauce and milk (or water)
2.  In a separate small bowl stir together chia and water until thick then add to wet ingredients. mix
3.  Add dry ingredients from food processor into wet ingredients and mix
4.  Transfer batter to 8×8 baking dish
5.  You can either line the 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or spray oil and dust with coconut flour.  I used oil & flour.
6.  Bake 30 minutes or until sides start to harden and crisp up

Notes
*The middle will be moist, but will firm up as it cools, but overall stays rather moist.
*I would wait several hours before cutting into the brownies (if you can) or wait until the next day (yeah right).
*Top with melted chocolate (I melted 1/2 of this chocolate bar with 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice)

Shared on: slightly Indulgent Tuesdays,  
Gluten Free Wednesdays, Week 5 of Home for the Holidays: Gluten Free Style,  Fat Tuesday, Whole Food Wednesdays, GFE’s Virtual Support Group, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Pot Luck Party Fridays, Feed Your Soul Friday, Superfood Sunday 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: chocolate, chocolate + pumpkin, dessert, egg free, grain free, Paleo, vegan.

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