Fran Costigan makes a mean oat cinnamon graham cracker, as they call them in the US - very similar to these digestives, which is what we call them in NZ, Australia and the UK. For me, the key is the thinner the better, and coconut sugar adds a lovely caramely crunchiness.

To make ginger snaps, just swap out the cinnamon for ground ginger.

Makes around 30 biscuits

1 1/2 c oat flour, toasted in a 175C oven for 10 min
1/4 c ground coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp se...

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This is another great recipe from Wholefood Simply to which I zhujed up with a chocolate marble topping to increase the appeal to a 6 year old. You can swap out seeds for nuts or tahini for another nut butter. I have not met anyone yet who did not like this slice! This is no.12 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

1 c desiccated coconut
1/3 c sunflower seeds
1/3 c pumpkin seeds
1/3 c sesame seeds
pinch of salt
1/2 c brown rice syrup or honey
1/2 c tahini
1/3 c dark chocolate drops if desired or add som...

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This super healthy cheesecake uses an oat crust and tofu-based filling. I found the oat graham cracker recipe from Fran Costigan and it makes a delicious cinnamony crunchy pie crust and the vegan pie filling is from The Gentle Chef. It's no. 11 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Base:
1 1/2 c oat flour, toasted (I ground organic jumbo oats in a coffee grinder)
6 tbsp coconut sugar, finely ground
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 c neutral oil
2 tbsp maple syrup or brown rice s...

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I do love the combination of chocolate and orange. These healthy jaffa cakes from Nadia's Healthy Kitchen
don't last long but they're worth the effort. The chocolate coating can get a bit messy but that's all part of the fun.

Makes 12

Base:
1/2 c flour (I use spelt)
1/3 c ground almonds
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
3 tbsp brown rice syrup (or maple syrup)
up to 4 tbsp milk

Orange jelly:
1/2 c orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp rice syrup
1 tsp agar powder
20cm round cake/sp...
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I have never attempted a ricotta cheesecake before - what a winner to start with. It's from Julie Le Clerc's Favourite Cakes (Penguin Books, 2011). She created the recipe from memory after tasting a ricotta cake in Rome. It's indulgent and rich, no doubt about that, but the addition of citrus peel and almonds cuts through the cheese and chocolate.

Base and topping:
1 1/2 c flour (I used spelt)
1/2 c ground almonds
1/3 c coconut sugar (hence the dark colour; use caster sugar if you want a...

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I was at the Dunedin Farmers Market recently and splashed out on roasted hazelnuts from Amazelnuts, grown in Mosgiel. Fortuitous timing, as I was looking for an 'H' ingredient. This is no. 8. of 26 alphabetical bakes.
Aquafaba, the liquid from a drained can of chickpeas. makes a great meringue if you want to avoid egg whites - just don't open the door while cooking! I did, and in that brief moment the cold air took the lift out of my meringue sails. My meringues may not have risen but fear not...
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I've made plenty of ginger crunch and perfected this recipe here. But I challenged myself to make a vegan, gluten free and sugar version and this is it!

Base:
1 1/4 c flour (I used spelt)
1/3 c activated buckwheat groats (aka buckinis)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 c ground coconut sugar
1/2 c olive oil

Topping:
4 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp honey (or golden syrup if you don't mind refined sugar)
4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped pistachios (optional)

Preheat oven ...

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Twice baked oats and activated buckwheat groats make for a supercrunchy granola bar. The cranberries add a lovely tang to round out the sweetness.

4 c rolled oats
1 c activated buckwheat
100g coconut oil, melted
2/3 c honey
1/3 c apple juice
1/4 c treacle or molasses
1/2 c cranberries
1 c puffed rice

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Line a 30cm x 20cm brownie/swiss roll tin with baking paper.
Mix oats, buckwheat and oil in a bowl until evenly coated. Lay out on the baking tra...
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Forgotten cookies are actually super easy meringues - you just leave in a turned-off oven overnight and they should be crisp by the morning. Mine weren't unfortunately, I think I preheated the oven too low. If this happens you can just bake at 60-70C for an hour or so until meringues are dried or put in a dehydrator. The recipe is adapted from Healthy Food Guide. You can leave plain or flavour with mint and strawberry. It's my no. 6 of 26 alphabetical bakes!

Makes 20-15
2 egg whites, r...

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