Tag Archive: Holiday

5 Gluten-Free Easter Desserts

Easter’s not a holiday that’s know for its desserts. That’s probably because after too many Peeps and lackluster chocolate eggs, more chocolate doesn’t seem all that appealing. I promise you these desserts are better than any Peep you’ve ever had(although unless you’re a hardcore Peep fan that’s probably not saying much).

Once you’re done serving ham and asparagus, try slicing out some of these Spring dessert recipes. Some might require special gluten-free flours, but others do not or could even be made with regular all-purpose flour. All of these can be made in advance and set aside so you can sit back and enjoy the day.

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies aren’t necessarily an Easter dessert, but you can never go wrong serving some. Add in some ice cream and hot fudge and you might want to consider skipping Easter dinner to save space.

Lemon Cornmeal Cake

Lemon Cornmeal Cake is definitely a dessert to welcome Spring. The slightly-coarse cornmeal gives a rustic and homemade touch to a simple dessert, and you can even save a slice for a sweet breakfast the next day.

Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs

Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs are the DIY solution to possibly the best drug store candy ever. The peanut butter to chocolate ratio beat out all the other variations hands down. Since these are fresh and homemade though, they might melt in your hand so best to keep these wrapped until dessert time.

Grain-Free Carrot Cake

Grain-Free Carrot Cake isn’t quite your traditional carrot cake, but it’s equally as spiced and delicious. This cake uses almond flour instead of regular, and has all my favorite fixings for carrot cake: Carrots, raisins, spices, pecans, and–of course–cream cheese frosting. It’s long overdue to be remade on this blog.

Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Nothing says Easter dessert more like lemon and powdered sugar. If you don’t feel like cake or something time intensive, Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a perfect light dessert with coffee or goodie bag gift. You can make a big batch and keep the extras for yourself, too.

Strawberry Hazelnut Creme Parfaits

Strawberry Hazelnut Creme Parfaits

Valentine’s Day usually marks the last good dessert you can eat and not feel guilty about during the holiday season before you have to wait another 8 months for Thanksgiving to roll around. You might as well make it a really good one.

Last year I got to go to Stonyfield‘s launch party for Petite Creme and sample all the flavors served along champagne, puff pastries, and fine wine. There’s definitely something special about Petite Creme. It’s creamy and elegant in a way most yogurts aren’t. Making a faux “mousse” for this parfait with it is definitely a kitchen cheat no one will mind. 

Strawberry Hazelnut Creme Parfaits

Using the vanilla bean flavor here (my personal favorite) makes the strawberry and Nutella a little more complex in my opinion. Make sure to use a flavorful strawberry jam for the best results. I made this into two servings and it was almost too rich to finish. It’s definitely a hefty dessert, so if you’re looking for something lighter try splitting this between 4 shot glasses and having taster desserts.

Strawberry Hazelnut Creme Parfaits

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients(Makes 2 large servings or 4 tasters):

  • 2 5.2oz vanilla bean Petite Creme
  • 1/4 cup Nutella 
  • 1/4 cup strawberry jam
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped hazelnuts

Method:

  1. In one bowl, mix together 1 container of vanilla petite creme and 2 Tablespoons Nutella.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix together 1 container of vanilla petite creme and 2 Tablespoons strawberry jam.
  3. Divide the Nutella mousse between 2 to 4 small parfait glasses. Shake gently so that the top is level.
  4. Gently melt the remaining Nutella in a microwave until it’s liquid. Pour the liquid Nutella over the Nutella mousse and spread out gently with a spoon in an even layer.
  5. Mix the remaining strawberry jam with enough water (about 2 teaspoons) to make it fluid. Pour gently over the Nutella in the parfaits and spread out lightly with a spoon.
  6. Add 1/2 Tablespoon of chopped hazelnuts on top of each parfait.
  7. Scoop the strawberry mousse gently into the parfait glasses and shake lightly to make level.
  8. Refrigerate the parfaits for 10-15 minutes to cool slightly.
  9. Remove from the refrigerator and garnish with any remaining chopped hazelnuts.

Halloween Chex Mix

Halloween Chex Mix

Candy corn is a polarizing food. People usually either can’t get enough of it or can’t stand the stuff.

I love it and would eat a whole bag in one sitting. Since that’s probably not the best idea you have to find ways to mix it up and make it a little more filling. This Chex mix isn’t health food but it’s just the right balance of sweet and sweeter for a party or just an afternoon. 

Coating some of the Chex cereal with melted chocolate adds an unexpected layer and makes it slightly more decadent. You can make this more fun at a Halloween party by creating different names for the ingredients like bat droppings and witch’s nails. 

Halloween Chex Mix

A note from the last batch of Halloween Chex Mix I made: If gelatin’s a problem ingredient for you, some manufacturers don’t use it in their candy corn. Instead of Brachs, try CVS store brand candy corn. 

Halloween Chex Mix

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients(Makes 12 squares):

  • 2/3 cup chocolate chips, divided
  • 2  1/2 cups Chocolate Chex, divided
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Vanilla Chex
  • 1/2 cup candy corn

Method:

  1. Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips gently, set the rest aside.
  2. When melted, stir in the butter and milk until silky and smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups Chocolate Chex cereal with the melted chocolate until covered.
  4. Lay the cereal out on a non-stick tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes until the chocolate has set. Once set, break apart any clusters of cereal stuck together. 
  5. In a large bowl, toss together the remaining chocolate chips, remaining Chocolate Chex, Vanilla Chex, and candy corn. 
  6. Serve or store in an air-tight container at room temperature. 

4th of July Flourless Chocolate Cake

Gluten-Free Flag Cake

Cake is never my favorite dessert. Brownies, fudge and frosting are. So when I make a cake the fudgier and dense it is the better.

My mom’s made this flourless cake for years. I first had it during passover at a bake sale when it was one of the few flour-free treats people would flock to. Since then it’s been a go-to recipe.

The cake is just eggs, sugar, chocolate, and butter; it can’t get any simpler than that. For the frosting I used a basic vanilla buttercream and fresh berries to make it festive. When adding berries to baked goods you make the shelf life much much shorter, so add them at the last minute and make sure to eat it up fresh!   

Flourless Flag Cake

If you do prefer a lighter and cakier base, try this gluten-free recipe using almond and coconut flours. 

4th of July Flourless Chocolate Cake

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients(Makes 20 servings):

For the cake:

  • 1 stick butter, melted

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 6 eggs

  • 1 cup chocolate chips OR 8.5 oz chocolate, melted

For the frosting:

  • 1 stick butter, room temperature

  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 Tablespoons milk or cream

  • 1 pint strawberries, sliced

  • 1 pint blueberries

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Beat together the butter and sugar, adding in eggs one at a time until all of them are incorporated. The batter should be smooth and ribbony.
  3. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
  4. Slowly temper the melted chocolate into the batter until it’s completely mixed in.
  5. Grease a 9-inch cake pan and pour the batter in.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Remove the cake and let it sit undisturbed until it cools to room temperature. It should deflate as it cools. Don’t worry if the top cracks since it will get covered eventually.
  8. To make the frosting, whip together the butter, sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  9. Lightly dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar to make sure the frosting doesn’t pull crumbs.
  10. Spread the frosting on gently and evenly.
  11. Arrange the strawberries and blueberries however you’d like right before serving. Store leftovers in a air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.  

4 Memorial Day Dessert Recipes

When the Summer comes around, it makes me realize how boring the Winter was. Every weekend someone’s having a picnic or a party or a birthday. It’s a really good problem to have.

Assuming you have one(or all) of those lined up for Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to share 4 of my favorite recipes to celebrate the warmer weather(of course if it’s too warm and chocolate starts melting, then it’s a travesty).

Any of these are a great way to finish off a picnic or a backyard barbecue depending on what your mood is. Each recipe is also gluten-free or easily tailored to be. 

Gluten-Free Chocolate Flag Cake

Gluten-Free Chocolate Flag Cake–Because every memorial day needs some patriotism. The great thing about cake is that it can’t melt, so if it’s hot out you can still have a tasty time. This cake defies normal gluten-free cakes with a super moist base and a rich vanilla frosting. You can’t really go wrong.

Chubby Hubby Cheesecake

Chubby Hubby Cheesecake is on my short list of recipes to make soon. It’s pretty much a home run with any crowd with good taste. It’s easy to make gluten-free, too, by using gluten-free pretzels or even vegan with dairy-free substitutes.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Covered Strawberries are of course a classic dessert for any Summer party. As long as it’s not too hot out, these are a refreshing way to cool down. Create a variety by using milk, white, and dark chocolate.

Red White and Blue Stuffed Strawberries

Red, White, & Blue Strawberries take the chocolate covered strawberry idea and flip it inside out(literally). These take a little more time and skill but they’re worth the effort. If you’re up for a challenge and ready to impress, give these a go.

Happy Memorial Day!

4 Egg-Filled Easter Brunch Recipes

4 Egg-Filled Easter Brunch Recipes

Easter doesn’t make a lot of sense when you think about it. There’s a bunny but bunnies don’t lay eggs, so why are you searching for them? And where does the candy come in?

Assuming you’re not having plastic eggs filled with dollar bills and chocolate candies, you might want to have something a little more satisfying. Maybe for a brunch crowd–maybe for just yourself. Here are 4 of my favorite egg-cellent(I’m already sorry I made that pun) brunch recipes for you. 

For something traditional…

Easy Broccoli Frittata Serving

Easy Broccoli Frittata is a great way to feed a crowd something healthy and satisfying. I’m a big fan of frittatas for breakfast or dinner. Even as just one person, they’re good to make on the weekend and heat up through the week. Add some potatoes or toast and you’re golden.

For just two(or one—no judging)…

Mushroom and Herb Cheese Omelette

I’d never make omelettes for a crowd because they’re hard to keep warm while the rest cook, and if you have other distractions going on in the kitchen they’re a nightmare. But a Mushroom and Herb Cheese Omelette is satisfying and just the right amount of food for one or two people and goes great with just about any side. 

For something spicy…

Thai Deviled Eggs

Thai Deviled Eggs have just the right amount of flavor and kick mixed with tradition to please just about anyone. I assumed I didn’t like deviled eggs until I toughened up and tried some. Hopefully the peanut butter and kick of these will get a few deviled egg nay-sayers to bite. 

For something sweet…

Gluten Free Chobani Pancakes

Chobani Pancakes may not be egg-filled but the egg helps to make almond flour and greek yogurt into a delicious, hearty, and gluten-free breakfast. It’s a much better option than the white flour pre-made pancake mixes. And at the end of the day who doesn’t like pancakes for brunch?

Happy Easter!

Holiday Vanilla Chex Mix

Holiday Vanilla Chex Mix

I don’t know about you but I usually don’t expect to like any cereal without “Chocolate” or “Reese’s” in its name—Those are just my personal preferences. But shockingly I’ve found a new favorite that doesn’t fit into either of those categories.

I got a box of Vanilla Chex back in September when they invited me to the Wine & Food festival. Skeptical, it took me a month or so to open it, but after I did I just kept eating it by the handful. The vanilla-coated Chex are surprisingly sweet and delicious. It’s impossible to stop after just one.

After I ate half the box, I felt like I should do something with the rest that’d be more exciting than handfuls of cereal. Since it’s (already) the holiday season, what better way to use it than make holiday Chex mix? The vanilla, cinnamon, almond, and chocolate flavors blend perfectly for an addictive and delicious party snack.

Holiday Vanilla Chex Mix

This recipe has you make your own cinnamon sugar almonds but you can cut out the cooking completely by buying flavored almonds at your specialty grocery store.

Holiday Vanilla Chex Mix

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups Vanilla Chex cereal
  • 1 1/2 cups whole almonds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon oil
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup M&Ms

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the almonds, cinnamon, oil, sugar, and water until the almonds are covered and there’s no liquid on the bottom.
  3. Pour the almonds in a single layer onto a non-stick baking tray and roast for 10 minutes or until the cinnamon sugar begins to clump on the almonds.
  4. Remove the almonds from the oven and let them cool briefly.
  5. In a clean bowl, combine the almonds, Chex cereal, and M&Ms and toss well before serving.
  6. Keep in a sealed bag at room temperature when not enjoying.

Vegetarian Labor Day Recipes

Labor Day is a week from today. As someone who usually whips something up last minute and thinks to make holiday posts only in hindsight I’m amazed I’m posting this a week early; and I hope someone out there finds a useful recipe from the bunch.

Whether you’re a vegetarian yourself, entertaining vegetarian friends or just need some Labor Day recipe ideas, I picked out a few of my favorites that would be perfect for an outdoor barbeque. Most of these recipes don’t scream “vegetarian” and won’t have you running to the store to pick up new ingredients; they’re just darn good recipes that happen to be vegetarian.

Vegetarian-Buffalo-Chicken-Dip_thumb

Vegetarian buffalo “chicken” dip is still one of my favorite things to eat. If you love buffalo dip you won’t even notice the simple substitution of beans for chicken. Just buy some tortilla chips and you’re good to go for a party.

Grilled tofu is surprisingly simple whether you’re a longtime vegetarian or just hosting some. All you need is a 3-ingredient marinade and a spot on the grill. This recipe has enough flavor to make anyone happy.

 

glutenfreecornbread_thumb

Gluten-free cornbread is essential for any cookout. The cornbread is delicious on its own but even better next to some sloppy sides. Remember to leave out some extra butter and honey and serve it hot!

Spicy maple baked beans taste better than any beans you’ll get from a can. They’re spicy, smoky, sweet, salty and savory all in one. Making your own vegetarian worcstershire sauce is ten times easier than it sounds and adds a whole new dimension of flavor to the dish. Everyone will love these.

RedWhiteandBlueStuffedStrawberries_thumb

Gluten-free flag cake definitely would steal the show. A rich chocolate sheet cake with smooth vanilla buttercream and decorative berries is a perfect way to celebrate the end of Summer and please some hungry mouths.

Stuffed strawberries is another great patriotic dessert, and it comes already portioned! Slicing and stuffing fresh strawberries might take a little extra time but you’ll definitely get asked for the recipe. And this recipe naturally avoids most of the common food allergies(except dairy).

 

 

 

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