Category: Treats

Black Forest Biscotti

3 Comments

Are you someone who likes camping? I’m definitely not. But I know lots of folks dig it (for some reason), and portable foods to bring along are a must. These fall into that category: an easy-to-take-with-you, allergen-friendly recipe that kids’ll love for those times when they’re attending camp during these (finally) warmer months!

For National Allergen Month, I’m celebrating again with So Delicious Dairy Free to create a top 8 allergen-free, vegan recipe that everyone will love whether they’re away on the campgrounds or not. These fit the bill: they have a double dose of chocolate, are studded with dried cherries, and have an underlying creaminess from the Culinary Coconut Milk. They’re inspired by black forest cake (my favourite), which, of course, definite coincides with the great outdoors. (Get it? Forest?)

You can see my last celebration with So Delicious here, with my Banana-Tahini Caramel-Chocolate Pudding Pie.

One more thing: So Delicious Dairy Free has a cool campaign going on until May 12th called the #140Difference – The World’s Shortest Grant Application. They’re seeking people toTweet/Facebook/Instagram them their ideas for projects that protect the earth and animals, as well as ideas/programs that support those with food allergies or plant based eaters. The  best part? They’re giving away $30,000 over 3 weeks, granting awards daily. You can check out more here.

Biscotti are one of my favourite things to make–second only to cake–and these are among my top picks (hello, chocolate). They’re freezer-friendly, too, if you want to double the batch, but I can tell you they probably won’t last very long.

So Delicious - Black Forest Biscotti

Black Forest Biscotti

 

1 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup teff flour
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1/3 unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably dark
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup So Delicious Original Culinary Coconut Milk, plus more as needed (about 2 tablespoons)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup nondairy chocolate chunks
1/3 cup dried cherries (tart or sweet)
1/3 cup nondairy mini chocolate chips
2 teaspoons coconut oil

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put the sorghum flour, teff flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, xanthan gum, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk well to combine.

Put the brown sugar, 1/2 cup of the culinary coconut milk, and the vanilla extract in large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Using a handmixer or the stand mixer, beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture. Beat until the mixture begins to stick together (it might take a couple minutes), adding up to 2 tablespoons additional culinary coconut milk, as needed. Turn off the mixture and use your hands to mix in the dried cherries and chocolate chunks. The mixture will be stiff.

Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet. Divide it in half, and form each half into a log, about 3 inches wide, 8 inches long, and 1 inch high. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is firm to the touch. Let cool 10 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut the logs into 1-inch slices.

Lower the temperature of the oven to 300 degrees F. Put each slice on the baking sheet, cut-side down. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the slice over so the other cut side is on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until firm to the touch. The biscotti will continue to harden as it cools. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the biscotti is cool, put the nondairy chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl. Microwave on 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one, until the chocolate has melted. Use a fork to drizzle the mixture over the top of the cooled biscotti. Cool completely before serving or storing.

(Disclosure statement: I received monetary compensation and free product coupons from So Delicious Dairy-Free for taking part in this campaign. I only, however, promote and partner with companies I love and use regularly in my own kitchen. As always, all opinions and recommendations expressed are completely my own.)

Apple Raisin Scones with Maple Glaze

1 Comment

Light, flaky scones with a double dose of apple and sweet raisins. These are also delicious without the glaze, and dipped into pure maple syrup for a sweet morning treat. This recipe was developed for Cuisine Soleil, a Canadian-based gluten-free and certified organic flour company that produces over 12 flours and a variety of mixes. Here I’m highlighting their buckwheat flakes, a light flake similar to quick-cooking oats, with an earthy buckwheat taste and a lot of versatility.

Apple-Raisin Scones with Maple Glaze

Apple Raisin Scones with Maple Glaze

For the scones:

3/4 cup buckwheat flakes
3/4 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1/2 cup millet flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup vegan buttery spread, chilled
3/4 cup chopped apple pieces (about 1/2-inch squares)
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 to 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

For the glaze:
1 cup icing sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, preferably dark
1/4 teaspoon maple extract (optional)
1 to 2 teaspoons nondairy milk

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
To make the scones, put the buckwheat flakes, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, millet flour, sugar, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk well to combine.

Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the vegan buttery spread until it is mixed in with the flour mixture and about the size of peas. Stir in the apples and the raisins. Drizzle in the applesauce, a little at a time, just until the dough comes together, using your hands to knead it together. Pat the mixture into to about 7-inches in diameter, then cut into 8 triangles. Pull the triangles apart slightly.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until firm to the touch and just turning golden on the edges. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
To make the glaze, put the icing sugar in a small bowl. Stir in the maple syrup and, if your maple syrup isn’t very strong, add the maple extract, too. Add in just enough nondairy milk for a drizzly consistency. Drizzle over the cooled scones.

(Disclosure statement: I received monetary compensation and free product from Cuisine Soleil from a recipe development partnership. I only, however, promote and partner with companies I love and use regularly in my own kitchen. As always, all opinions and recommendations expressed are completely my own.)

 

Lemon Zucchini Layer Cake with Strawberry Buttercream

Leave a comment

A gluten-free and vegan lemon-kissed moist, light zucchini cake, loaded with a rich strawberry buttercream. Summery and fresh, you can do double duty with the recipe and nix the frosting for a simple brunch cake that goes perfect with tea.

Gluten-Free Lemon Zucchini Layer Cake with Strawberry Buttercream2

Lemon Zucchini Layer Cake with Strawberry Buttercream

For the cake:
7/8 cup (210mL) unsweetened nondairy milk (see Notes)
2 tablespoons (30mL) cider vinegar
1 cup (240mL) granulated sugar
1/3 cup mild or medium extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (60mL) dark brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons (30mL) ground flaxseeds
2 teaspoons (10mL) vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups (300mL) sorghum flour
3/4 cup (180mL) millet flour
6 tablespoons (90mL) tapioca flour
1/4 cup (60mL) arrowroot flour
1 1/4 teaspoons (6mL) baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons (6mL) xanthan gum
1 teaspoon (5mL) baking soda
3/4 teaspoon (4mL) salt
Zest of 1 large lemon
1 1/2 cups tightly packed grated zucchini, squeezed dry

For the buttercream:
1 cup (240mL) chopped strawberries
1 cup (240mL) vegan buttery spread, such as Earth Balance (see Notes)
3 1/2 cups (840mL) icing sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon (15mL) vanilla extract

To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil two 8-inch round baking pans, line them with parchment paper, and lightly oil the parchment paper.

Put the nondairy milk in a bowl or measuring cup. Add the cider vinegar and let stand until the mixture is curdled, about 3 minutes.

Put the sugar, oil, brown sugar, flaxseeds, vanilla extract, and curdled milk mixture in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl. Turn the mixer or a hand-mixer on medium high speed and beat until well mixed and emulsified.

Put the sorghum flour, millet flour, tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Stir in the lemon zest. Mix well.

Turn the mixer to low speed. Add the flour mixture, about a third at a time, beating after each addition, until well mixed. Turn off the mixer. Stir in the zucchini by hand.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pans using a spatula, smoothing evenly. Bake in the centre of the oven for 23 to 27 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre of each cake comes out clean. The cakes will be golden brown, begin to pull away from the sides of the pans, and will spring back when lightly touched.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the cakes from the pans and put them on a cooling rack. Let cool to room temperature before frosting.

To make the frosting, put he strawberries in a small saucepan. Cook the strawberries on medium heat until softened, then mash to a puree. Turn heat to low, then continue to cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has reduced to about 1/3 cup (80mL). Let cool completely.

Put the vegan buttery spread in the stand mixer or large bowl. Using the stand mixer or hand mixer, beat on medium-high speed until the buttery spread is fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low speed. Add 1 cup (240mL) of the icing sugar, 2 tablespoons of the strawberry puree, and the vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Alternately add the remaining icing sugar and remaining strawberry puree, beating until smooth. Once the mixtures are both added, turn the mixer to high speed and beat until creamy and fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes, adding a little extra icing sugar if needed.

To assemble the cake, carefully transfer one layer to a service dish. Spread a layer of frosting using a metal offset spatula over the top of the layer. Cover with the other layer, pressing down slightly. Spread the remaining frosting over the sides and top of the cake. Serve immediately let stand at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving. Store leftovers at room temperature or in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Notes: It’s best here to use a nondairy milk such as coconut milk beverage (in the carton) or almond milk, as they are fattier and richer, producing a more tender cake.

When measuring the flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cups, then level the top with a flat edge for optimal results.