Sweets and Treats


Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbucks Copycat!)

Is there anything better than a steaming Pumpkin Spice Latte to warm up a crisp fall morning? Now you can save money and make these dairy-free treats at home using real pumpkin! This is a simple, no syrup required recipe that is right up my alley.

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup Espresso or 1/2 cup Strong Coffee (adjust amounts to your taste)
  • 2 T Canned Pumpkin
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)
  • 2-3 T Sucanat/Rapadura or 2 T White Sugar
  • 1 cup of Milk (I have tried cow’s milk, rice milk and coconut milk.  They were all good!)
  • 1/4 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Directions:

  1. Brew the espresso or coffee.
  2. While the coffee is brewing, combine the rest of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking continuously, until the mixture is hot and frothy. Do not boil.
  3. Pour the espresso or coffee into a mug and pour the pumpkin flavored milk over it. Enjoy!

You may also enjoy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and Chocolate Cranberry Granola Bars.

This recipe was shared at Allergy-Friendly Friday!

Thanks All Recipes!  Photo credit: marfis75

Hot Fudge Cake

On Fathers day, I made this cake for Bella and her cousin who is also top-8 free.  After I served the kids, my brother jumped in. He bypassed the “regular” chocolate pie and s’more pie and devoured this hot fudge cake.  He litterally ate the rest of the cake!  The cake has since become a regular dessert at our house.

I typically avoid baking with rice flour because it usually leads to a grainy textured product.  I am amazed at how this cake doesn’t taste grainy at all!

Hot Fudge Cake

The moist chocolate cake swims in a puddle of rich chocolate sauce.  We love this served warm with vanilla ice cream.

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Allergy-Friendly After School Snack Ideas

 

Having trouble coming up with allergy-friendly snack ideas?  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Photo Credit: SweetOnVeg

Chocolate Craisin Granola Bars on $5 Dinners!

I’m at the hospital with my 5 year old who has pneumonia.  She is improving and should be going home soon.  I’ll tell you more about it when I get home and get my life back together.

In the meantime, I wanted to pop in and say check out my guest post at www.5DinnerDollars.com!  I can’t tell you how flattered I was when Erin invited me to kick-off a new series of after school snacks on her blog.  Click on over and try some Chocolate Craisin Granola Bars!

Grilled Peaches – Just Like Pie!

I have always wanted to try grilled peaches.  When I saw fresh peaches at the store for .69/lb,  I decided it was time to go for it.  I am so glad I did.  

Grilling peaches with sugar on top turns them into something special.  The heat caramelizes the sugar and softens the peaches, turning them into little bowls of  peach pie filling.  The best part is, you don’t have to heat up your house.

Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream and you have an exceptional dessert.  Serve them dolloped with yogurt and granola and you have a brilliant breakfast. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp Sucanat or Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 4 Fresh Peaches, washed
  • Grapeseed oil or vegetable oil

Directions:

  1. Slice peaches in half and remove the pit.
  2. Brush all sides of the peaches with the oil and place in a large bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. 
  4. Add the sugar mixture to the peaches and gently toss until peaches are coated.
  5. Let sit at room temperature for 20-60 minutes.
  6. Cook cut side down on a hot grill for 5 minutes or until the peach has pretty grill marks.
  7. Turn the peaches over and grill on medium high for 10-15 minutes or until the fruit is tender.  Top with more sugar and cinnamon if desired.

You may also enjoy Honey Sweetened Refrigerator Pickles and Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.

This post is part of Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mouthwatering Monday, Monday Mania, Mangia Monday, Make a Food”e” Friend, Mingle Monday,  Weekend Gourmet Blog Carnival,  Made By You Monday, This Weeks Cravings, My Meatless Mondays, Hearth and Soul Hop, Made From Scratch Tuesday,  Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Delectable Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, $5 Dinner Challenge, Tip Me Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays , Totally Tasty Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Domestically Divine, Tackle it Tuesday, {TITUS 2}SDAYS, Delicious Dishes, show me what ya got, Tuesday Time Out Link Up, Gratituesday, Tea Party Tuesday, Handmade Tuesday, Let’s Do Brunch, What’s on the Menu, Made it on Monday, Whatcha Makin’ Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, What’s on Your Plate, What’s Cooking Wednesday, What We’re Eating Wednesday, Show and Tell,  Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks, Creative Juice, Foodie Wednesday, Healthy 2day, Inspired by You Wednesdays, Let’s Do Brunch, Cast Party Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday,  Tip Day Thursday, Real Food Weekly, Simple Lives Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Thrilling Thursday , Recipe Swap Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, Hookin Up with HoH, Ultimate Recipe Swap, Food Trip Friday, Friday Potluck, Foodie Friday,  Friday Favorites, Fresh Bites Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, I’m Lovin It Fridays!, Fun with Food Friday, Fight Back Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Foodie Friday, Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday, GCC Recipe Swap, Food on Friday, Finer Things Friday, Friday Food Linky, Friday Flair, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Party Mindie Style My Favorite Things Friday Friday Food Fight, Sweet Tooth Friday, Wellness Weekend

Photo Credit: mccun934

Cooling and Refreshing Frozen Grapes

 

Feelin’ hot, hot, hot!  Try some frozen grapes.  Don’t they look refreshing?  When I find grapes on sale (which is rare lately!), I flash freeze them on a baking tray and then store them in a gallon size baggie.  Frozen grapes are a perfect treat on a hot day.  They are cooling and revitalizing.  The kids love them.  Just be aware that one could easily choke on these mini popsicles.  Cut them up for younger children.

You may also enjoy Chocolate Frosted Rice Krispie Treats.

Photo Credit: Silus Grok

This post is part of My Meatless Mondays.

Double Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe (Gluten-free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free)

I like to take my girls out for Mommy-Daughter dates when I can.  My five year old, non-allergic daughter’s favorite date is hitting the local tea shop for scones and tea.  Actually, I have coffee and she has milk in a tea cup.  We always bring home extra scones to share with the rest of the non-allergic family.  It always hurts my heart when I don’t have an allergy-free version of a treat to share with Bella.  When I stumbled across this recipe at Family Fresh Cooking, I couldn’t wait to make it for her.  Just as I expected, Bella loves the chocolate treats.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy these scones are to make. I have never made “regular” scones but I’m pretty sure they are not nearly as nutritious as these.  Coconut flour is high in dietary fiber and protein.   Oats are also a great source of fiber and are known to help reduce high blood pressure and lower cholesterol.  The banana, used as a binder in this recipe, is a great source of potassium, vitamins b and c and more fiber!

This recipe only makes 8 scones so I learned quickly to make two batches.

Dry Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 Banana
  • 3 ounces Coconut Milk
  • 6 Tbsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)

Add-in:

  • 3/4 cup Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Chips (I use these)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk dry ingredients.  Add 1/2 cup chocolate chip.
  3. Blend wet ingredients in a blender or food processor.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well.
  5. Taste dough and add more sweetener if needed.
  6. Form dough into a ball and press into a 1/2 inch thick pizza shape.
  7. Cut into 8 equal pieces and top with remaining chocolate chips.
  8. Bake 10-12 minutes.  Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

You may also enjoy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and Chocolate Fudge Cake .

This post is part of Secret Recipe Club, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mouthwatering Monday, Monday Mania, Mangia Monday, Make a Food”e” Friend, Mingle Monday,  Weekend Gourmet Blog Carnival,  Made By You Monday, My Meatless Mondays, Just Another Meatless Monday, Meatless Mondays, Hearth and Soul Hop, Made From Scratch Tuesday,  Tempt My Tummy TuesdayDelectable Tuesday, Tuesdays at the TableTip Me Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays , Totally Tasty Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Domestically Divine, Tackle it Tuesday, {TITUS 2}SDAYS, Delicious Dishes, show me what ya got, Tuesday Time Out Link Up, Gratituesday, Tea Party Tuesday, What’s on the Menu, Made it on Monday, Whatcha Makin’ Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, What’s on Your Plate, What’s Cooking Wednesday, What We’re Eating Wednesday, Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks, Creative Juice, Foodie Wednesday, Healthy 2day, Inspired by You Wednesdays, Let’s Do Brunch, Full Plate Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Tip Day Thursday, Real Food Weekly, Simple Lives Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Thrilling Thursday , Recipe Swap Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, Hookin Up with HoH, Ultimate Recipe Swap, Food Trip Friday, Friday Potluck, Foodie Friday,  Friday Favorites, Fresh Bites Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, I’m Lovin It Fridays!, Fun with Food Friday, Fight Back Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Foodie Friday, Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday, GCC Recipe Swap, Food on Friday, Finer Things Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Friday Food Linky, Friday Flair, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Party Mindie Style My Favorite Things Friday Friday Food Fight, Sweets For A Saturday, Show and Tell Saturday, The Lady Bloggers Tea Party, Playdate ♥ Link Party, Showcase Saturday, So Sweet Sunday, Sugar Free Sunday,  Seasonal Sunday,  Nifty Thrifty SundaySundae Scoop, The Sunday Showcase, Savory SundaySimply Delish, Party Time

Chocolate Frosted Rice Krispie Treats (Dairy and Gluten-Free)

OK.  I realize these are not “real food” but they are simple, frugal and allergen-free!  Besides, I used Organic Rice Puffs ($1.63 per bag through subscribe and save on Amazon!).  That counts for something, right?

In my eyes, these are a great alternative to cake or cupcakes.  For me, cake is nothing but a vehicle for frosting.  Don’t get me wrong, I like Rice Krispie treats, but frosting Rice Krispie treats turn them into something special.

One of my goals as a Mom, is making sure Bella never feels left out and has alternatives to fun food.  Because these are so quick to throw together, I can make them at the last minute before running out to a birthday party or special event.  This ensures Bella has something special too.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp Soy-Free Earth Balance or your favorite butter alternative
  • 7 Cups Miniature Marshmallows
  • 6 Cups Rice Krispies
  • 1 Can Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Frosting (I used Pillsbury which is dairy and wheat-free but not certified gluten-free and contains soy)

Directions:

1.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

2. In a large saucepan, melt margarine over low heat and add marshmallows.  Stir until completely melted.

3. Remove from heat and add cereal, stirring to coat evenly.

4. Scoop into prepared pan and press into pan with greased fingers.

5.  Frost and enjoy!

You might also like Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce/Dip and Wheat-Free, Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Chocolate Fudge Cake.


This post is part of Full Plate Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Thrilling Thursday, Recipe Swap Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, Food Trip Friday, Friday Potluck, Foodie Friday, Friday Favorites, Fresh Bites Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, I’m Lovin It Fridays!, Fun with Food Friday, Fight Back Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Foodie Friday, Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday, GCC Recipe Swap, Food on Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Friday Food Linky, Food Trip Friday, Friday Potluck, Foodie Friday, Friday Favorites, Fresh Bites Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, I’m Lovin It Fridays!, Fun with Food Friday, Fight Back Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Foodie Friday, Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday, GCC Recipe Swap, Food on Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Friday Food Linky, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, My Meatless Mondays, Mangia Monday, Meatless Mondays, Made By You Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Make a Food”e” Friend, Mingle Monday, Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, Domestically Divine, {TITUS2}SDAYS, Delicious Dishes, Tuesdays at the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday Night Supper Club and Sweets For A Saturday

Watermelon Fruit Basket

 

I love this beautiful watermelon fruit basket from Finding Joy in My Kitchen!  She set her basket out with some skewers and let guests make their own fruit kabobs.  I’m thinking serving the fruit straight from the basket would be just fine.

Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Muffins (Wheat-free, Egg-free, Vegan)

These things never last at my house.  They are sweet, moist and filling.  I made these for breakfast today.  The kids ate 11 of the 12 muffins before the day was over.  I usually quadruple the recipe and freeze a couple dozen for later.  My kids love these so much they have been known to sneak one out of the freezer and eat it frozen!

 

Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Muffins

Ingredients:
  • 4 very ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 3/4 cup oat flour (how to make oat flour)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life brand)
Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease or line a 12 muffin pan.
  2. Blend bananas, oil and honey in a large bowl.  Leave the bananas chunky if you want little pieces in your muffin.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  4. Add dry mixture to wet mixture and mix just until blended.  It’s OK if it’s lumpy.
  5. Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full.  I use an ice cream scoop to do this.
  6. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown and firm to touch.

You may also enjoy:


 

This post is part of My Meatless Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Monday Mania, Mouthwatering Monday, Meatless MondaysMangia Monday, Weekend Gourmet Blog Carnival, Just Another Meatless Monday, Muffin Monday, Made From Scratch Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Delectable Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, Domestically Divine, {TITUS 2}SDAYS, Slightly Induglent Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods, What’s on the Menu, Whatcha Makin’ Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, What’s on Your Plate, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Full Plate Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Real Food Weekly, Tip Day Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Food Trip Friday, Foodie Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Foodie Friday, Food on Friday, Friday Potluck, GCC Recipe Swap, Friday Favorites, Fun with Food Friday, Fight Back Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, Sweets For A Saturday, Seasonal Saturday, Summer Wellness Weekends, Let’s Do Lunch and Star Recipe Collection!