BUCKWHEAT OAT BARS WITH SPICED CRANBERRY-APPLE COMPOTE

There’s nothing more healing than holiday baking.  When the weather starts to drop & the christmas lights come up -  It’s my favorite time of year.  These oat bars are my new favorite holiday treat, easily eaten for breakfast, dessert or anything in between.  The cranberries make this extra festive for Winter weather and holidays, but you can use any kind of fruit compote (or preserve!).  For your Christmas morning, holiday gatherings and beyond…

buckwheat oat bars with spiced cranberry apple compote (gluten-free) makes 16-18 bars

• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond flour

• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon xanthum gum

• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup coconut oil or butter, melted and cooled

• 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Cranberry Apple Compote:

• 12 oz. cranberries

• 1 green apple, peeled and diced

• 2 inch piece ginger, peeled and minced

• 1 vanilla bean, de-seeded

• 3/4 cup filtered water

• 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed

• 3 tablespoons maple syrup

• 2 teaspoons orange zest

• Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Make cranberry compote: add all ingredients to a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then lower to medium heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or cranberries have broken down and mixture is thick.  Remove from heat to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together oats, flours, baking powder, salt, xanthum gum and spices. 

In another small mixing bowl, whisk together egg, coconut oil or butter, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. 

Mix wet ingredients into dry, mixing well until dough looks like oatmeal cookie dough. 

Add 3/4 of oat mixture to a greased 8x8 or round tart pan, using your hand to press batter evenly.  Add about 1 heaping cup of cranberry compote over top, using a silicon spatula to evenly disperse.  Then sprinkle the top with the last amount of oat mixture.  

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until oat topping is browned.  Set aside to cool, then serve warm or chill before cutting into squares.

MAPLE BANANA BREAD WITH HEMPSEEDS

I was raised in California, and the closest it gets to cold, wintry weather is dropping below 75 degrees in December.  It's not the most festive place in the world for the holiday months, but we had other ways of making it special.  I always associate banana bread with the changing of seasons, as a seasonal (but not too wintry) way to celebrate Fall.  We always had it in the house during this time & it's the most nourishing snack to have on hand (especially for busy days).  This one is healthier than my family recipe, but you won't notice.   It's the perfect breakfast for the colder months when you need something a little heartier.  

Maple Banana Bread with Hempseeds (gluten-free, dairy-free)

• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil, melted & cooled
• 2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons hempseeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together first nine ingredients until well mixed.  In a separate bowl, add mashed banana, coconut oil, maple, vanilla, almond milk & large eggs.  Beat mixture until well-combined, then mix wet ingredients into the dry.  Using a spatula, mix ingredients until batter resembles heavy cream.

Grease a 8 or 9 inch loaf pan lined with parchment (for easy removal).  Pour batter into loaf pan evenly, then sprinkle hempseeds evenly over top.  Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

Tip: I highly suggest serving warm with a drizzle of warm coconut oil or maple syrup. Game changer!

MINI MAPLE SPICED DOUGHNUTS WITH MOLASSES GLAZE (Gluten & dairy-free)

I think it’s safe to say Summer is officially over.  It’s  just a little too cold at night for a t-shirt & naturally I’m craving anything spiced. These mini doughnuts are my first transitional treat into the flavors of Fall.  Now that we can all use our ovens happily without resenting it, I think it's time to get baking.  Most of my Summer was spent off-the-oven-grid, making simple salads and avoiding overheating my tiny apartment.  I'm easing into it this time as I know we'll have many (MANY!) months of roasted vegetables, winter squash and soups.  So, for now, something a little spiced for the changing of seasons.

Maple SPICED Doughnuts WITH MOLASSES GLAZE (gluten-free, dairy-free) makes 12 mini doughnuts

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour 
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil (liquified)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 large eggs

Maple Molasses Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together first 8 ingredients.  In a separate mixing bowl, mix together maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, ginger & coconut oil.  Using a spatula, fold wet ingredients into the dry until well-combined.  

Carefully add the batter to a large ziplock bag & snip a 1/2 inch hole in the corner.  Use this to pipe the batter into a greased doughnut pan (I used this one).  Fill each one until it’s flush with the top of the pan, but does not come above it (they will rise!).  Bake for exactly 10 minutes & then cool for 5 minutes.  Continue until all the batter is gone.  It will make two batches of mini doughnuts.

To make the glaze: add confectioners sugar to a small mixing bowl & whisk until smooth without lumps.  Then, add almond milk, molasses, maple, vanilla & cinnamon.  Whisk until smooth & thick.  If the glaze is too thin, add more sugar & if too thick, add more milk.  Once desired consistency, dip each doughnut in and let the excess drip off.  Continue until all doughnuts are glazed.  Serve & eat immediately!