It's always a pleasant distraction when a blog I subscribe to posts a new recipe. In the case of Eleanor Ozich's apricot and dark chocolate bumper bars my eyes and tastebuds were duly tantalised and I decided to make them the same day. Key words: apricot, chocolate, fudgy, no bake – and I had all the ingredients in the pantry.

1 c chopped dried apricots (I used organic sulphur-apricots hence they are not bright orange like non-organic ones)
2 c rolled oats
1 c desiccated or shredded c...

Continue reading ...

It's easy to substitute the ubiquitous refined ingredients for more wholesome options that make equally yummy and healthy afghans.

Makes 16
1 c almond meal
1 c buckwheat flour
4 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
1/3 c coconut oil
1/4 c honey, rice syrup or maple syrup
3 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 c gluten-free cornflakes (no added sugar)

For the icing:
60g dark chocolate (I used Whittaker's 72%)
3 tbsp non-dairy milk
1 tbsp honey, rice syrup or maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
desiccated...
Continue reading ...

A great way to use vegetables in baking and the kids will never know. I like brownies with raspberries or nuts sometimes, but my kid prefers plain flavours so I've kept it simple.

300g beetroot, boiled, peeled and cut into chunks
3 eggs or make flaxseed eggs
1/2 c sweetener such as rice malt syrup, maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, panela (not agave)
1/4 c melted coconut oil or butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 c cocoa or cacao powder
1 c flour or almond...
Continue reading ...

 
Make a quick sponge from chickpea brine! Aquafaba, as it is known, is useful if you're doing vegan baking. The brine whisks up like egg white.

1 c flour (spelt, wholemeal, gluten free, whatever you usually work with)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp cacao powder
pinch salt
1/4 c aquafaba (brine from a can of chickpeas, drained)
1/4 coconut oil, melted
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 c applesauce
1/2 c raw sugar

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 loaf tins with baking paper.
Sift and mix all dry ing...
Continue reading ...

Another one from Vanelja - a rawish cake with the right combination of strawberry tang, fragrant rose and rich chocolate.

Base:
1 1/2 c almonds
6 dates
2 tbs cacao powder
pinch salt

Filling:
1 c cashews
1 c strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 banana
1 tbs rosewater or extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
juice of a lemon
1/4 c grated cacao butter, melted
1/4 c coconut oil, melted

Icing:
2/3 c grated cacao butter
3 tbs coconut oil
1/2 c cacao powder
2 tbs honey or rice syrup
pinch sea salt

First, soak the cashews...

Continue reading ...

If you're avoiding dairy and eggs, this carrot cake will hit the spot for you! This recipe is adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie.

1 c grated/shredded carrots
1/2 c applesauce (basically stewed and mashed apples)
1/3 c oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c flour (I use spelt)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 c cane/rapadura/coconut (ground or powdered)
optional - 1/2 c chopped walnuts, raisins, desiccated coconut

Mix the first five ingredients in a bowl and set a...
Continue reading ...

I made these chocolate thins for a Star Wars kids' party. Low in sugar and no gluten, eggs, dairy or nuts, if you're avoiding such things.
1c buckwheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs cocoa powder
1/4 c coconut sugar/rapadura - ground into a powder using a coffee grinder
1/4 c coconut oil
5-8 tbs nondairy milk

Whisk all the dry ingredients in a food processor. Add coconut oil and mix. With the motor running add the milk one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms. Wrap in cling film a...
Continue reading ...

Super easy chocolate mousse! 

110g dates or apricots simmered in juice and zest of an orange for 15 min

400g silken tofu

4 tbs cocoa

Once fruit is stewed blitz all ingreds in a blender and then pour into ramekins. Store in the fridge until you want to serve. I served mine with toasted coconut flakes and cashew toffee praline. Any thinly sliced fruit or stewed dried fruit will complement the rich mousse.

Continue reading ...

Sugar-free toffees that have healthy ingredients! Thank you Virpi Mikkonen from It's a Pleasure (Weldon Owen, 2016). I used my homemade almond butter too so I'm well chuffed about that.
1/3 c nuts (I used cashews)
1/2 c honey
1 c almond or another nut butter
2 tbs coconut flakes
flakey sea salt (Maldon is my choice)

Have moulds ready or a baking tin lined with baking paper.
Crush or chop the nuts with a knife, in a grinder or mortar and pestle.
Pour honey into a frying pan over medium heat. Stir cont...
Continue reading ...

These are a chewy choco bite. Don't overcook or they'll be rock hard (as mine were, on the edges). From Sweet & Easy Vegan by Robin Asbell (Chronicle, 2012).

1 1/2 c rolled oats
3/4 c spelt flour
1/4 c cocoa or cacao powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c rice syrup
1/2 c rapadura/coconut or palm sugar
1/4 c almond butter
2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp nondairy milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 170C and line a 20x20cm cake tin.
Mix all the dry ingredients (except almo...
Continue reading ...

Hazelnuts! Yummy but expensive little things, aren't they? That's why I don't often bake with them, but I had half a cup in the cupboard for some such occasion. I added some diced dried fruit to the mix to sweeten the package for the 4-year-old. She turned her nose up at them, however. Oh well, more for me. These fall into the brutti ma buoni style of biscuit - ugly but good.

Makes about 20

1 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c rice syrup
1/4 c almond butter (...
Continue reading ...

In my constant search for the perfect muesli bar/granola bar/bliss ball/fruit bites that my four-year-old will eat, I've come across these two recipes that work really well from Wholefood Simply by Bianca Slade (2013). Great lunchbox fillers whatever age you are!

For the apricot bites you only need 1 c organic dried apricots, soaked for 30 min in boiling water then drained. Then put in a blender or food processor with 2 c desiccated coconut. Blitz on high for a while until it's all combined. P...
Continue reading ...

I've made black bean brownies before in a slab tin and they were DF, GF, SF too. This recipe is adjusted slightly, tastes better and the nuts are a good addition.

Makes 18 small brownies about 2 tbsp each

400g can of black beans, drained

2 tbsp ground flaxseed stirred into 4 tbsp warm water and set aside for 5 min

1/4 c coconut oil

1/4 c cacao or cocoa powder

1/2 c rice malt syrup

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract
chopped nuts for topping if desired

Preheat oven to 1...

Continue reading ...

A healthy and tasty lemony cake! You could jazz it up with a honey-lemon drizzle or whipped coconut cream icing but really, it's great the way it is - moist, tangy and nutritious.

1 c ground almonds (I use use a coffee grinder and grind as needed)
1/2 c buckwheat flour (you can use any kind of flour or polenta)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
juice and zest of 2 lemons
2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tbsp hot water and left to stand for 5 minutes)
1/2 c rice ma...
Continue reading ...

After the success of my vegan digestives I decided to use the same method to make these crispy healthy gingernuts. Just a couple of adjustments.

1 1/2 c buckwheat flour
1/2 c rolled oats, ground first in a coffee grinder
1/4 c + 1 tbsp rapadura sugar, ground first in a coffee grinder
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp treacle (I used Kokonati's organic wild kithul treacle)
1/4 c + 2 tbsp coconut oil
5-8 tbsp non-dairy milk

Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 baking tray...
Continue reading ...

Healthy digestive biscuits for my two valentines - my husband and our daughter. You can also make them pure gluten-free by using buckwheat flour or a general gluten-free flour. Variation on a theme of lil digestives and digestives (with butter).

1/2 c rolled oats, ground in a coffee grinder
1 1/2 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon if desired
1/4 c + 1 tbsp rapadura sugar, or coconut sugar (you can grind these granules too if you wish)
1/4 c + 2 tbsp coconut oil
5-8 tbsp n...
Continue reading ...

Love making my own crackers! Buckwheat flour works really well in combination with nuts of your choice for more nutrients. You can also grind sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

1 c buckwheat flour
1 c ground nuts (I used walnuts and cashews)
1 tsp salt
3 tsp sesame seeds
1/4 c oil
up to 1/2 c water
seasonings of choice - e.g. pepper, cumin, paprika

Preheat oven to 175C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in oil then slowly add water to form into a ball.
Roll ou...
Continue reading ...

This is adapted from Eleanor Ozich's My Family Table (Murdoch Books, 2015) but I used less sugar and a bit of spelt flour to help bind. The oats add a texture and the sugar helps to make a crispy cookie. You could replace the sugar with a natural liquid sweetener to make a chewy cookie.

2 1/2 c oats (or use any gluten free flour)
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
2/3 c muscovado, rapadura or coconut sugar
1/3 c melted coconut oil
1 linseed egg (1Tbs linseed mixed with 3 Tbs water)
1 tsp vanilla extract
15...
Continue reading ...

I came across puffed buckwheat at my local organic shop - brilliant! These easy bars are a super yummy healthy sweet treat.

3 c puffed buckwheat (or puffed rice or spelt)
1/4 c toasted sesame seeds, optional
1/3 c coconut oil
1/3 c rice syrup
2 Tbs cacao powder
150g coconut butter
pinch salt
1 tsp cacao powder

Line a 20cm square tin with baking paper. In a bowl mix the the puffs and sesame seeds.

In a saucepan over low heat melt the coconut oil, syrup, 100g coconut butter and cacao. Once melt...

Continue reading ...

I made this recipe from scratch! Just to experiment making a GF, DF, SF cake. It turned out a bit holey and dense but delicious all the same, and even better toasted. Without creamed butter and sugar, cakes tend to have a few holes. I will also use a lighter touch next time and not overmix the batter.

2 c flour (I use spelt)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c dates
2 ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c water
1/4 c softened coconut oil

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
Wh...
Continue reading ...

These healthy jam drops combine walnuts, coconut and your favourite jam to make a cute cookie reminiscent of a Louise slice. Another one from 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015).

Make about 18
2 c walnuts halves
1/2 tsp salt
1 c dates
1/4 c water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c desiccated or shredded coconut
strawberry or raspberry jam or any other favourite

Preheat oven to 175C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. In a food processor blitz the walnuts ...
Continue reading ...

I'm really liking 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015). Like her chocolate chip cookies, these oatmeal cookies are sugar-free and gluten-free. I've experimented with cashew nuts, buckwheat and spelt flour and they've all come out well. Everything is done in the food processor - you basically blitz the dry ingredients then add the wet. Dates are a great sweetener.
Makes 18 small cookies
1 2/3 rolled oats
1/2 c almonds
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon...
Continue reading ...

This appeared in 2013 on My New Roots and I've finally jumped onto the bandwagon! A dense, filling bread made of just nuts and seeds - genius. All mixed in the tin and you can experiment with different nuts and seeds too.
1 c sunflower seeds
1 1/2 c oats
1 c almonds (or hazelnuts)
1/2 c flaxseed
2 Tbs chia seeds
3 Tbs psyllium husk powder (or 4 Tbs psyllium husk)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs natural sweetener (maple syrup, rice malt syrup)
3 Tbs melted coconut oil
1 1/2 c water

Line a loaf tin with parchment/baking...
Continue reading ...

A really easy recipe from 'Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family' by Jennifer Katzinger (Sasquatch Books, 2015). The recipe is also refined sugar-free (I used dark choc chips that weren't sugar-free though as I didn't have 85% dark chocolate on hand). You could do many variations on this recipe - raisins or other dried fruit instead of chocolate, add coconut, use hazelnuts, oats, add cinnamon.
Makes about 20
2 c almonds (I used 1 c almonds and 1 c oats)
1 c dates (or about 10 medjool dates)
2 ...
Continue reading ...

I was pleasantly surprised that Nigella Lawson has a GF, DF recipe for chocolate cake, seeing she is the queen indulgence and full-fat everything. I did not put dark chocolate in my batter, I thought it was sweet enough. A lovely dense cake with gooey icing. Instead of chia seeds you could also make flaxseed 'eggs' - 6 Tbs flaxseed soaked in about 15 Tbs water).

2 oranges
6 chia 'eggs' (6 Tbs chia seeds soaked in 18 Tbs water)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 c almond meal (or hazelnut me...
Continue reading ...

Here's a healthy, low-sugar, vegan version of the classic Anzac biscuit. Thanks to Be Good Organics for the recipe and inspiration.
3/4 c rolled oats
2/3 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c spelt flour (or almond meal or any flour you wish)
2 Tbs non-refined sugar, such as coconut, rapadura
1 tsp baking powder
pinch sea salt
3 Tbs coconut oil
2 Tbs liquid sweetener (I use rice malt syrup)
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbs water

Preheat oven to 175C. Line baking trays with baking paper.
Combine all dry ingredients in a ...
Continue reading ...

So rich! So gooey! So healthy!

6 tbsp warm water
2 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed
400g can black beans, drained
3/4 c cocoa/cacao
1/2 c natural sweetener of choice (I use rice malt syrup)
3 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a brownie tin with baking paper.
Whisk water and flaxseeds, set aside 10 min.
Blitz rest of ingredientss with flax mixture in a blender or food processor. Spread into tin and bake 20-25 min until set.

...
Continue reading ...

I made up this recipe to enter an @ceresorganics and @panaceas_pantry Instagram competition - turned out pretty good! It's a superfood version of two of my faves - ginger crunch and childhood chocolate slice. I'm in a Ceres co-op so where possible I've used Ceres products.
Please Like this recipe on RecipeYum! 

1 Tbs chia seeds soaked in 3 Tbs water
1/2 c coconut oil, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 c spelt flour (you can use gluten free flour and also add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum)
1/2 c buckinis (...
Continue reading ...

Who knew pita bread was so easy to make!
Makes 8
3 c flour (I used spelt)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp dried yeast
1 Tbs oil
1 1/4 c lukewarm water
Combine all ingreds in a bowl, except water. Stir in water and mix to a dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 mins until smooth and elastic. Place in a clean greased bowl, drizzle with oil and cover with cling film, and leave to rise until doubled in size.
When doubled, place a baking sheet in the oven at its highest temperature. Pun...
Continue reading ...

Thank you Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley for this super easy recipe that feels like such a treat.
Makes 40-50 
250g organic unsulphured apricots, chopped
1 tsp salt
80g coconut oil
2 Tbs hot water
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the chocolate coating:
200g cocoa butter
12 Tbs cacao powder
2 Tbs maple syrup or rice syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
In a food processor blend the apricots, salt, oil, hot water and vanilla until smooth.
Roll into little balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. If mixture is...
Continue reading ...

One of my new favourite blogs is My New Roots by Sarah Britton. In her book of the same name (Clarkson Potter, 2015) is a recipe called Fully Loaded Breakfast Bars. I'm always on the hunt for a healthy cookie I can give my 3-year-old in the morning when she's not fussed by porridge or toast, or if I'm pressed for time.
Makes 12-14
1 Tbs chia seeds
3 1/4 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 c cooked white beans such as cannellini, butter, navy ...
Continue reading ...

So easy to make these vegan treats. Instead of egg whites you use the brine from a chickpea can.

1 c aquafaba from 400g can drained chickpeas
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 c golden sugar
1/2 c rice malt syrup
2 c desiccated coconut
2 c almond meal

Preheat oven to 150C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Whip up the aquafaba and salt in a food processor until thick and frothy. Add vanilla and xanthan to combine. Add sweeteners slowly. Transfer mixture to a bowl a...

Continue reading ...

Here's a variation on the first raw bounty bars I made. The raspberry powder adds a special touch. You can see the subtle colouring in the pic. I found the chocolate melts really quickly once out of the fridge.

1/4 c coconut butter
2 Tbs coconut oil
1 tsp freeze-dried raspberry powder 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or powder
3 Tbs coconut nectar (I used rice malt syrup)
pinch sea salt
1 1/2 c desiccated coconut

chocolate coating:
1/3 c cacao butter
1 Tbs coconut oil
1/3 c cacao powder
1 Tbs coconut nectar

Soft...

Continue reading ...

A refined sugar free treat the littlies will love.
1/3 c fruit juice or pulp (I used some plums that I had stewed before)
1 1/2 Tbs agar agar powder (find it in Chinese grocers)
1-2 Tbs rice malt syrup
In a small bowl over medium heat, heat up the juice, stir in the agar well, bring to boil, then lower heat and cook the agar for about a minute until the mixture thickens. Work quickly to pour into chocolate moulds or ice cube trays. Put in fridge to set.
You can experiment with any kind of fruit or...
Continue reading ...

Great little heatlhy naturally sweetened crackers for a seriously moreish snack.
1/2 c flaxseeds (golden or brown)
1/2 c flaxmeal (just blitz in a coffee or spice grinder)
3 apples - 2 chopped into small pieces, 1 grated (leave skin on)
1 Tbs cinnamon
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp orange zest
juice of an orange
1/4 c water

In a blender put in the flaxmeal, chopped apple, spices, juice and enough water to blend into a paste. Transfer into a bowl and stir in the flax seeds and grated apple. Let sit ...
Continue reading ...

This must be the easiest dairy-free ice cream to make. Kate Bradley from Kenko Kitchen (Hardie Grant Books, 2015) gives you coconut ice cream 6 ways. Just blend 2 x 400ml cans coconut cream, 1 c berries (I used fresh blueberries), 1/2 c rice malt syrup, 1 Tbs maple syrup and pinch salt until smooth in a blender. Then churn in an ice cream maker for about 20 mins. Transfer to airtight container to freeze. Works best if you refrigerate the coconut cream for a few hours or overnight beforehand.
B...
Continue reading ...

Thank you Emily Rose, who wrote Have Your Cake (Five Mile Press, 2011). Her recipes have "no butter, no white flour, no added sugar". She uses wholemeal flour, rice bran oil and honey. I prefer spelt, coconut oil and rice malt syrup so have substituted with these and results were good!
Makes 16-20 cookies
1 c spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 c dessicated coconut
1/3 c rolled oats (have also used buckinis)
1/2 c coconut oil, softened (or rice bran oil)
1/2 c rice malt syrup (or honey)
1 tsp grated ...
Continue reading ...

This is like a baked Snickers Bar, from Attila Hildman's Vegan for Fun (Becker Joest Volk, 2013). You can see the base is quite thick - too thick for my liking. I used a 20x20cm tin but next time I'll use my brownie tin, 26x16. He melted dark chocolate for his topping but I made my own.
Cookie layer:
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
100g cold vegan margarine
1/4 c (50g) raw sugar
sea salt

Caramel layer:
1 1/2 c crunchy peanut butter
1/2 c rice malt syrup
sea salt
1 tsp vanilla powder or extract

Chocolat...
Continue reading ...

This is BabyCakes NYC's recipe. I tried to be as true to her recipe as I could but I didn't have all the ingreds and they turned out a bit heavy cos I didn't put enough hot water in. I had some besan flour I wanted to use up so that was good.
2 c besan (garbanzo bean) flour
1 c potato starch (I used rice flour)
1/2 c arrowroot (I used cornflour)
1 Tbs plus 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp xanthan gum
2 tsp salt
2/3 c coconut oil
1 1/2 c agave (I used 1 c rice malt syrup)
3/4 c applesau...
Continue reading ...

I've discovered BabyCakes NYC! Happy new year to me. Erin McKenna opened her BabyCakes bakery in New York in 2005, now renamed Erin McKenna's Bakery. It's vegan and mostly gluten- and sugar-free. I am not vegan or gluten-free but I love to experiment with these recipes especially if baking for friends with these preferences. These gingersnaps turned out really well. I did not have evaporated cane juice so just used some rice malt syrup and decided to sprinkle a bit of muscovado sugar on top. ...
Continue reading ...

This is from a great book called Kenko Kitchen by Kate Bradley (Hardie Grant Books, 2015). It’s sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan. She’s based in Melbourne. This brownie recipe caught my eye because it adds in vegetables where our daughter won't notice them.

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 5cm pieces (I used golden kumara)
14 medjool dates, pitted (I like to soak dates in filtered water for an hour before using, then drain)
2/3 c ground almonds
½ c  buckwheat fl...

Continue reading ...

Here's a variation on a theme of homemade raw Snickers bars. Firstly, these ones are not entirely raw - I used toasted peanuts. Toasting just adds an extra nutty flavour. This is adapted from the Not Mars Bars on the Ceres website. I didn't have cacao paste so just used powder. Some great recipes there if you haven't checked it out already. 
For the nougat:
1 c cashews, soaked 2-4 hours
1/4 c coconut milk
1/4 c cacao paste (I just used cacao powder)
1/4 c melted coconut oil
2 Tbs rice malt syrup or...
Continue reading ...

As part of my binge baking weekend I made this lemon cake for the preschool working bee. Several parents came to help paint a new bike park and picket fence. Our daughter’s preschool is nut-free at present so I did a nut-free, vegan, low sugar variety (apart from some icing). Made a square shape so it could be easily cut into pieces for parents and kids. The adults certainly appreciated after a few hours painting in the sun. Thanks to Ethical Chef for this simple recipe, whic...

Continue reading ...

I’ve made a no-bake seed version and a buttery caramelly one but these muesli bars are dairy- and sugar-free – bonus! Oh She Glows calls this a feel-good hearty granola bar – I second that! I added some extra seeds in mine. 

1 ½ c mashed banana (about 3 ripe bananas)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c rolled oats
½ c dried fruit, chopped if necessary (I used sultanas)
½ c walnuts, chopped (I used cashews)
½ c pumpkin seeds
½ c sunflower seeds
½ c sliced almonds
¼ c ground flax see...

Continue reading ...

I’ve been out of commission for a whole month thanks to a perforated ear drum  (yes – ow!) but this weekend I was well enough to do some cooking and baking. It gave me so much pleasure and I’m starting to feel human again! I started with making hummus with canned chickpeas, then made a meringue from the chickpea brine (aquafaba meringue). Then I decided on a ‘major’ project – raw carrot cake from Little Bird’s Unbakery cookbook. I usually go for the cheesecakes at...

Continue reading ...

Who would have thought that chickpea brine is an excellent substitute for egg whites? Aquafaba, as it's known, can make vegan meringues and pavlovas! My first attempt was ok, but I followed a recipe that put the oven on at 150C which is way too hot, and they turned too brown when I wasn't checking. But yummy anyway with dairy-free cream and fresh fruit.

1 c aquafaba at room temperature (drained from a can of chickpeas)
pinch salt
2 c icing sugar
2 Tbs cornflour
1.5 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla e...
Continue reading ...

I made these after attending Kelly Gibney's wholefood cooking class from Bonnie Delicious. It was lovely to meet her and see her prepare several recipes. She made sauerkraut and almond butter look easy so I tried them myself and they worked! You can use different nuts or dried fruit in these cookies and their cute size are perfect for little hands.

3/4 c dried dates soaked for 10 min in hot water and drained
1 c desiccated coconut
1/2 c almond butter (homemade in 5 min in the Omniblend!)
1/2 c wa...
Continue reading ...

By Frances
These raw chocolate covered coconut bars are really easy to make - and delicious and healthy too! I adapted a recipe from Health Yeah.

2 cups desiccated coconut
1 cup of coconut cream or milk
3 Tbs coconut oil or coconut butter
4 Tbs natural sweetener (maple syrup, coconut syrup, rice syrup or date paste)
pinch sea salt

For the chocolate coating:
5 Tbsp of  organic coconut oil
3 Tbsp of raw cacao powder
2 tsp of coconut syrup or maple syrup

Mix all the ingreds except dessicated coconut in...
Continue reading ...

By Frances
Here's another recipe adapted from Egglesscooking.com. I used honey instead of sugar.

Continue reading ...

By Frances
Found a great website called egglesscooking.com as I wanted to do some egg-free baking for our coffee group, as one of the toddlers has an allergy. Easy to make these vegan recipes sugar-free too. I adapted this vegan double chocolate banana muffin recipe.


Continue reading ...

By Frances
This is from The Complete Vegan Kitchen by Jannequin Bennett (Thomas Nelson, 2001). The foreword is an enlightening piece by Olympian Carl Lewis who attributes his athletic success to his vegan diet.
The cake turned out well, you'd never know it was dairy free.

3/4 c boiling water
1/2 c cocoa powder
1 Tbs instant coffee powder
1 c soy mayonnaise (but I made the substitute version combining a block of tofu, 2 tsp lime juice, 1 tsp lecithin, 1 Tbs vege oil, 1/2 tsp salt)
2 tsp vanilla extra...
Continue reading ...

By Sophie
Such a healthy summer meal!

Walnut "Mince"
1 cup of raw almonds
2 tbs tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp olive oil or coconut oil
pinch of sea salt
1/2 tsp paprika
pinch of chilli flakes

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until it has a mincey looking texture. This won't take long, making sure you don't over blend it otherwise it will turn to paste.


Cashew "sour cream"
1 cup raw cashews (soaked for two hours)
pinch of sea salt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
J...
Continue reading ...

OK, these aren't baked, they're dried raw in the dehydrator. It's my new favourite thing. This excellent recipe is adapted from the Foods for Long Life blog. All this time I've been chucking the pulp from my juicer, now I'm freezing it to use later in crackers or baking.
There are 2 batches of crackers pictured here. I used carrot pulp in one and carrot/beetroot/apple in the other.

makes 60 crackers

1/2 cup flaxseeds
1 cup room temperature water

1/2 cup sunflower seeds, soake...

Continue reading ...

What a fantastic debut on Bake Club, Anna! The tofu was a real surprise ingredient - delicious.

Cake Ingredients:
1 ¾ cup flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 ½ t. baking powder
1 ½ t. baking soda
¼ t. salt
1 12.3-ounce box firm silken tofu (I get the ‘fresh’ tofu from the Tofu Shop on the North Shore)
1/4 cup maple syrup or golden syrup
1 cup brown sugar
3 Tablespoon oil
1tsp vanilla essence
1 cup almond milk or soya milk
1/3 cup boiling water
At least 1 cup of mixed ...

Continue reading ...

Mama Chan taught me how to make these and I am pleased to have been able
to show a few friends the technique, and now I can share it with the world wide web!

Makes about 20.
1 c boiled kumara, peeled and mashed (purple flesh but you can use the orangey ones if you like)
1 ½ c glutinous rice flour (available at Asian grocers. This does not have gluten in it;
it’s called glutinous because of the sticky nature of the flour when it’s cooked)
½ c sugar (could be icing, ...

Continue reading ...

I'm on a roll with soup. I know this one looks a bit like the gazpacho I made (tomato is tomato is tomato)
but this one is roasted, and uses tomatoes from Nabby, a very special suburb in Auckland
(Nic and Ben’s Back Yard). The recipe is adapted from Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Cooking.

5 tomatoes, cored and quartered
1 large red capsicum, seeded and quartered
3 onions, quartered (Heidi uses brown onions)
salt and pepper
5 cloves garlic, unpeeled
3 c vegetable s...

Continue reading ...

Gazpacho! You need to say it several times in a Spanish accent. GazPAcho! Not baked, but that’s why it’s so easy and quick to make.

 

Chuck in a blender or food processor:
about 1/2 kilo peeled and chopped tomatoes, a variety if you like
1 cucumber peeled, seeded and chopped
1 red pepper seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
1/2 onion chopped if you like, brown or red
1/3 c olive oil or thereabouts
2 tbs vinegar, any kind

1-2 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs wate...

Continue reading ...

I adapted this recipe from Miyuki McGuffie, the vegan baker on the Good blog. I made mine extra indulgent by using espresso coffee.

1 cup strong espresso
1 ¼ cup rice flour
1/4 cup muscovado sugar
½ cup brown sugar

¾ cup cocoa powder (I used fair trade cocoa but Valrhona from Sabato is excellent)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (you can get them at New World and Pak 'N Save but I used...

Continue reading ...

Rich, dense morsels of chocolately goodness!

1 C unsweetened apple puree/sauce
1/3 C cocoa
¾ C flour/gluten free baking mix
½ tsp baking soda
½ C sugar
½ tsp salt
½ C dark chocolate chips ( or ¾ C of raspberries instead of choc chips & walnuts)
¾  C chopped walnuts

1.       Heat oven to 175C

2.       Place puree in medium bowl. Sift in cocoa, flour/baking mix & baking soda. Add sugar and salt. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in chocolate & nuts or fruit.

3.       Transfer...

Continue reading ...

Alessandra was inspired to make these cupcakes when she was given a jar of delicious coconut butter.

150 ml melted coconut butter

100 g raw cane sugar
 200 g self-rising flour

150 ml water

few drops of pure vanilla essence

Cherry jam

Using an electric beater mix the still warm and melted coconut butter with the sugar, then add the self rising flour and water, making sure that you don't get any lumps. Finally add a few drops of vanilla and divide the batter into 12 cupcake cases. Top each cupcake wit...

Continue reading ...