All posts in Baked Goods

Cherry Almond Coffee Cake

By On March 2, 2011 In Baked Goods, Breakfast, Cakes, Frostings and Icings, Gluten-Free With 30 Comments Permanent Link to Cherry Almond Coffee CakePermalink

Okay dear readers, file this one under Allyson’s favorite recipes.

I have made this coffee cake three times in the past three days (yes, that’s right: one per day) and have regretted not one single moment of it. There is just something about a good cherry-almond combo that makes my heart sinnng!  Plus, it’s an easy cake to throw together since it calls for dried cherries, and not those delicious juicy ones with the pesky pits.

And, this coffee cake does not require coffee to make it shine (do any, really?), it stands up quite nicely on its own.

So what are you waiting for? Get in your kitchen and whip up what I consider to be the best coffee cake I have ever made.

Yep, ever.

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do… and if you happen to not like it, please don’t hesitate to send me the leftovers!  ;)  nom nom nom

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Yeasted Mocha Muffins

By On February 22, 2011 In Baked Goods, Bread, Breakfast, Desserts, Gluten-Free, Muffins With 31 Comments Permanent Link to Yeasted Mocha MuffinsPermalink

These baked morsels are somewhat difficult to classify. On one hand they taste like a muffin, and on another, a sweet yeasted bread–yet they are so versatile, that by adding some mix-ins and a frosting, you could even get away with calling them a cupcake.

I personally think they taste like bread. My son voted cupcake. My daughter said “cookie” (okay, her 2 year old vocabulary isn’t very extensive and she calls anything sweet a cookie). I am positive my husband will think they taste just like a normal muffin.

I actually intended on doing something else, something more bready with this dough… but my plan was foiled since I didn’t have the ingredients handy to make what I originally intended.  One of those last minute “oh no!” moments.

So these muffins were born!

I decided to make them slightly mocha flavored (because I am a coffee fiend), but some fresh berries, nuts, or even chocolate chips would fare well in these. Heck, you could even halve the sugar, leave off any toppings and have a basic dinner roll!

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Spicy Cilantro Crackers

By On February 17, 2011 In Appetizers/Hors d'oeuvre, Baked Goods, Cookies, Gluten-Free With 35 Comments Permanent Link to Spicy Cilantro CrackersPermalink

Crackers are great little gems to have tucked away for the random occasion when you need something quick, savory and snappy. They shine in celebratory times where they make there subtle, but necessary, appearance on party trays. They come to the rescue during more dismal times–acting as the only food some folks can stomach when feeling under the weather. They also work well as a simple and delicious snack, for no good reason at all.

Store bought gf crackers can be quite costly, though. I’ve seen small (teeny) bags of them in my grocery store selling for seven dollars. Seven! Now, I appreciate a good snack that won’t compromise my health just as much as the next gal–but seven dollars? That’s just silly. And a darn good reason to make your own crackers from scratch. This particular recipe reminds me of a goldfish cracker with more sophistication, an extra dose of crunch, and a subtle touch of curry.

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Bulgogi Steak(less) Sandwich

By On February 11, 2011 In Baked Goods, Bread, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Vegan Community With 14 Comments Permanent Link to Bulgogi Steak(less) SandwichPermalink

The Bulgogi Steak Sandwich: Veganized and De-glutenized.

The original version of this concoction comes from KoJa–a popular foodtruck in Philadelphia–and was featured on Huffington Post’s America’s Top Ten New Sandwiches.

The soft (and slightly chewy) hoagie roll is stuffed with tofu bulgogi, chili garlic sauce, oozy Daiya and a crapload of sauteed peppers and onions.

This is what my dreams are made of.

Check out the full recipe here.

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sammies

By On January 27, 2011 In Baked Goods, Chocolate, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten-Free With 35 Comments Permanent Link to Peanut Butter Ice Cream SammiesPermalink

I don’t think that this post needs a sentimental explanation as to why I actually wanted to create this recipe… because to me, it’s pretty self explanatory. Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches.  Nuff said.

Although, I will say that I have been cranking out some ice cream lately (yes, it’s still snowing here in Ohio), and I fell head over heels with this PB version I came up with. Smooshing the ice cream between two chocolate wafer cookies seemed like a logical evolution.

You can easily just make one of the recipes listed below, rather than combine them both, and still have an easy nostalgic treat.

Whether you go for the peanut butter ice cream, the chocolate wafer cookies, or both (and I highly recommend both) you will most certainly have a happy tummy.

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Cheezy Zucchini Muffins

By On January 21, 2011 In Baked Goods, Bread, Gluten-Free, Muffins With 26 Comments Permanent Link to Cheezy Zucchini MuffinsPermalink

These muffins really hit the spot when you need a quick breakfast or afternoon snack. The texture is moist and slightly crumbly, and the flavor is nice: with notes of cumin, rosemary, thyme, garlic and green onion- which add quite a bit of complexity to such a little muffin.

I really love these slathered with a touch of Earth Balance margarine when they are fresh from the oven.

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Almond Thumbprint Cookies

By On January 20, 2011 In Baked Goods, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten-Free With 28 Comments Permanent Link to Almond Thumbprint CookiesPermalink

 

These cookies are as simple to make as they are beautiful.

Use any flavor of preserves you’d like in these…. I happen to really love the amber glow of the apricot preserves. A thicker jam or fruit preserve is key to having a uniform color puddle in your cookies. Sprinkle with a touch of confectioners sugar for the ultimate eye-popper.

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White Chocolate Orange Blondies

By On January 7, 2011 In Baked Goods, Brownies, Desserts, Gluten-Free With 34 Comments Permanent Link to White Chocolate Orange BlondiesPermalink

So, if I’ve never told you all about my undying devotion for white chocolate, I figure this is a good place to begin. And if you are a newbie to white chocolate, this is a great recipe to get you turned on to it.

Ever since I can remember, I have been a white chocolate fanatic. Many people don’t particularly care for the stuff. But me? Oh, I’ll do just about anything for it; this includes spending $6 per slab on sub-par waxy white forgery. Recently though, I decided to put an end to this madness and just make my own damn white chocolate bars.

For starters, I ordered about 20 oz of 100% food grade cocoa butter. Not exactly cheap, but worth every penny.  Once I received my order, I promptly whipped up a giant bar of white chocolate, using a recipe by the insanely talented Hannah Kaminsky. It was simple and blissful…

Even though dark chocolate- with its smooth ebony skin and robust coffee and red wine-like aromas- is very very enticing, there is just something so pure and honest about a delicate bar of white chocolate. It’s like a superb vanilla ice cream with nothing to hide. No cover ups, no mix ins- white chocolate delivers just pure sultry cocoa butter flavor.

I also happen to be quite a devoted blondie fan; like the candy bar mentioned above, I prefer my brownie sans chocolate. I know you all probably think I am crazy.  But seriously, try this blondie and tell me if it is not the most glorious gluten-free & vegan blondie your tastebuds have ever encountered.

Well, that may be stretching it a tad, but I sure think these babies are worth their weight in cocoa butter.

They are perfectly chewy and blanketed with a paper thin layer of crunch that collapses delicately with each and every bite.  A touch of orange rind adds a little zing. Continue Reading →

Stollen Inspired Holiday Bread

By On December 24, 2010 In Baked Goods, Bread, Breakfast, Gluten-Free With 6 Comments Permanent Link to Stollen Inspired Holiday BreadPermalink

The thing I love most about any holiday is the extra time my husband, kids and I get to spend together.  I love the ease of rolling out of bed in the morning and not rushing to do anything (except make coffee!), and leisurely taking our time munching on delicious foods and sipping beverages throughout the day… until evening hits and the last item on our agenda is to sneak in a few good flicks that coordinate with the season.

To prepare for my husband’s long weekend home from his day job, I spent all day yesterday baking and candymaking. We are well stocked for the upcoming few days… although I think we are already in need of more fudge. :\ One of the treats we had planned for breakfast this morning was this holiday bread. Fashionably jeweled with nuts and fruit, and lightly dusted with powdered sugar… I think it is quite obvious that I got this idea from looking at all of the beautifully studded stollen loaves permeating the internet this holiday season.

Although I have never actually had a taste of authentic stollen, my guess is that this recipe would be denser and more “nutty” than real deal. Like a “health nut” version of stollen :).

Wonderful sliced thin, toasted, spread with some jam, and enjoyed with a mimosa… and maybe some fudge.

Happiest Holidays everyone! ♥

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Candy Cane Cookies

By On December 17, 2010 In Baked Goods, Cookies, Gluten-Free With 12 Comments Permanent Link to Candy Cane CookiesPermalink

Don’t you just love cookies that are shaped like candy canes and have bits of broken candy canes woven throughout? It makes me squeal with delight just thinking about it. When I saw a few pics of these guys floating around the interwebs yesterday, I knew that I had to try and make some of my own.

And so, I am obviously continuing with my winter candy cane obsession. What’s with me and these darned seasonal treats? I was just getting over pumpkin and then plummeted headfirst into a candy cane complex.

Did I mention that my entire world is now covered in 5 inches of snow… and I really kinda like it? The little birds are so vibrant and beautiful against the white of the landscape. And the color that highlights everything when the sun shines is enough to make even the grumpiest folks [raising my hand] come out of a winter slump. Also, I’m pretty convinced that I need to string up like 50 more sets of twinkle lights.

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter….  ♥

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