Category Archives: fall treats

Monday, January 4, 2016

Date Pecan Pie

coverMy husband Scott LOVES pecan pie!  He loves all dessert really – he doesn’t discriminate when it comes to sweets, but there is something about pecan pie for him…ha ha, let’s be honest, it’s all the sugar…and that yummy pecan flavor of course. Traditional pecan pie is basically sugar, butter, pecans, and eggs.  The two main sugars used are corn syrup and brown cane sugar.  So it’s not a stretch to modify the recipe and swap out the sugars, for example, instead use honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, coconut nectar, etc.  I wanted to make a pecan pie recipe that was similar to an original recipe but with my own special twist and dates came to mind.  I made this pie over the weekend for family visiting.  Ah ha!  The perfect opportunity to snag some recipe testers.  And I’m so happy to report that everyone really liked it!  I was afraid it would be too “datey” or too sweet or not “pecany” enough.  But everyone genuinely liked it.  And Scott LOVED it.  He was very excited about it.  Yay. I used this original recipe as an inspiration.   Continue reading

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Labels: dessert, fall treats, gluten free, holidays, thanksgiving desserts.

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Monday, November 2, 2015

Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

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I was so excited to finally make some pumpkin bread last week!  It’s been so darn hot here that baking felt quiet unappealing.  This year I made my own gluten-free flour mix, and it worked great for this recipe – yay!  If any of you fine folks out there have been following me since I started blogging four years ago, you will know that baking has been a journey for me.  I have been experimenting for a couple of years now and I’m happy to say that baking no longer feels like a burden or chore, rather, it’s something I enjoy.  It goes to show you that practice makes perfect, err, practice makes comfortably okay.  Ha ha.  Baking is never perfect, right.  I hope you enjoy this recipe.  I’ve made it several times with both my gluten-free mix and the suggested flours in the notes section of the recipe.  It’s been well received by family and friends.  So enjoy…and happy fall. Oh and it rained today!  So cozy and wonderful.  So happy.  xo   Continue reading

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Labels: Breads, fall cuisine, fall treats, gluten free, holidays, Pumpkin, Thanksgiving.

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Monday, October 5, 2015

Grain-Free Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffins

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I wanted to make a fall-inspired snack for my kiddos this week…and they LOVE apple cinnamon anything, so some yummy apple cinnamon mini muffins fit the bill. I find that mini muffins are perfect for snack time – they are easy to pack and easy to eat.  I prefer to make muffins with almond flour, as one cup of almond flour has 20 grams of protein! I love that my kiddos are getting a good protein surge for their morning snack (not to mention all those good fats) to hold them over until lunch. I’m excited about more apple recipes in the coming weeks, especially this one from Ricki Heller. I hope everyone is having a great fall so far.  I’ve got my Halloween costume all set and ready to party.  Woot-woot.   Continue reading

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Labels: fall treats, grain free, holidays, muffins, Paleo, snacks, thanksgiving desserts.

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Cinnamon & Coconut Sugar Dried Apples

I absolutely adore making homemade holiday gifts for friends and family.  They are always well received and appreciated.  Dried apples were on my list this year to make as gifts and the addition of cinnamon and coconut sugar makes these dried apples so festive and delicious.  You could certainly leave the apples plain, but I just love the added spice.  As gifts I also like to make homemade greeting cards, coconut ginger granola, homemade almond butter, and homemade lotions (and other beauty products such as facial toner and body spray).  Another favorite is the gift of tea.  You can get so creative with tea, purchasing loose leaf and fun tea paraphernalia (check out my All Things Tea Pinterest board for more tea ideas).   
 
Happy Holidays to all.  I’m signing off until January.  Until then, wishing you a restful and peaceful holiday filled with love and laughter.    
-Amber & The Tasty Alternative Family 
CinnamonCoconut Sugar Dried Apples 
 
Ingredients:
-4 pounds of apples (any variety will do, I used Fuji)
-1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
-1/4 cup coconut sugar
 
Equipment:
–A good knife or mandoline
–Dehydrator 
 
How To:
1.  Wash, peel and slice apples (slice thick for chewy dried apples, slice thin for crispy dried apples).  I like to cut out center seeds and the core.  
2.  Add apples to a large bowl and using hands, toss the apples with the cinnamon and coconut sugar, making sure all the apples are well covered.
3.  Transfer apples (in one layer) onto a dehydrator with mesh screens.
4.  Dehydrate on 95 degrees for 8 -10 hours  (basically, overnight). I encourage you to test out different drying times.  For another method, dehydrate on high (140 degrees) for 3 hours, then turn down to 95 degrees and dehydrate until your desired texture.  
 
Notes:
*Yes you can make these in the oven set at a low temperature, however, I have not tried this, so I cannot give any specific directions.  If you try it in the oven, please report back and let us know how it goes.  I suspect they will be more like apple chips, but you never know.
*If you use a mandoline, the slices will be very thin and almost crispy.  Hand slice thicker pieces for that nice chewy fruit dried texture.
The cut apples tossed in the cinnamon and coconut sugar 
Here are the apples all dried and ready for the jars
Good morning you pretty little apples.  
These dried overnight.  

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This recipe was shared on: Wellness Weekend, Paleo Link Party, Whole Food Fridays

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Labels: AIP, allergy-friendly, fall treats, Paleo, raw, snacks.

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