Vegan Pecan Pie Bars

This handheld version of traditional pecan pie is the perfect after-dinner treat at Thanksgiving, or any other fall holiday gathering!

Vegan Pecan Pie Bars
Yield: 8x8 pan

Ingredients
Crust:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, measured solid & then melted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt

Filling:

• 1/3 cup coconut oil, measured solid
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 Tbsp almond milk
• 2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. In small bowl, mix together all crust ingredients until well combined. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15-17 minutes, or until slightly golden brown. Let crust cool while filling is being prepared.
3. Meanwhile, in small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, continue stirring and let bubble for one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in almond milk and pecans. Pour filling over crust and bake 20-22 minutes. Remove pan from oven and place on wire rack.
4. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
5. When ready to serve, top individual bars with dairy free vanilla ice cream and/or coconut whipped cream, if desired. (The bars are also delicious on their own.) Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Erin Lives Whole.

Cocoa "Rice Krispies" Treats

During Hy-vee's Truckload Cereal Sale, I found these giant family size bags of Malt-O-Meal cereal for only $1 each. Want to know the best part (aside from the super low price)? They're gluten free! Since Kellogg's doesn't offer any gluten free cereal options (that I know of, anyway), I was super excited to find another mainstream cereal brand (in addition to General Mills) that does. Now I can (easily and cheaply) satisfy my craving for a homemade "Rice Krispies" treat!

Cocoa "Rice Krispies" Treats
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 5 cups mini marshmallows
• 7 cups Malt-O-Meal Cocoa Dyno-Bites

Directions

1. Grease 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Melt coconut oil in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
3. Add cereal. Stir until evenly coated.
4. Lightly grease hand with nonstick cooking spray and press mixture into prepared pan. Cool before cutting into bars.

Recipe adapted from Kellogg's.

Coconut Flour Brownies

My first foray into baking with coconut flour was a rousing success! These brownies are light and fluffy, yet packed with rich chocolate flavor. You actually can't even taste the coconut! Not only is this dessert gluten free, but it can also be made dairy free. Enjoy!

Coconut Flour Brownies
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 5 eggs, room temperature
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips, divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, add coconut flour, baking soda, and salt to bowl; set aside.
3. In small saucepan over low heat, melt coconut oil and semisweet chocolate chips.
4. Once completely melted, turn off heat. Add maple syrup and vanilla; mix well.
5. Pour melted chocolate mixture into dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.
6. Add eggs to brownie batter and mix thoroughly.
7. Grease 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
8. Pour half of brownie batter into prepared pan.
9. Sprinkle top of batter with 1 cup milk chocolate chips.
10. Pour remaining batter over chocolate chip layer.
11. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup milk chocolate chips over top of brownie layer.
12. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
13. Let brownies cool before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Feel free to use whichever type of chocolate chips you prefer: semisweet, milk, dark, bittersweet, etc. I like using the combination seen here!
• To make the recipe dairy free, simply use a compliant brand of chocolate chips (such as Enjoy Life). Easy, peasy!
• For a decadent treat, warm brownie in the microwave and top with a scoop of dairy free ice cream. It's heavenly!

Recipe adapted from The Coconut Mama.

Squash Casserole {Dairy Free}

When I first published this recipe, it was laden with cheese. I altered the ingredients to accommodate my new dietary needs (I explain more here) and transformed this recipe into a deliciously dairy free side dish!

Squash Casserole {Dairy Free}
Yield: about 8 side dish servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb yellow squash (2-3 medium) - peeled, seeded, chopped
• 1 large (or 2 small) yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic (fresh, not dried)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup Daiya cheddar style shreds
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Directions

1. Steam squash, onion, and garlic in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or until tender. Drain off excess liquid. Use immersion blender to desired smooth, or chunky, consistency.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
3. Stir mayonnaise into squash mixture. Beat eggs and slowly whisk into squash mixture. Stir in cheddar shreds, nutritional yeast, and salt until evenly distributed.
4. Pour into greased casserole dish. Sprinkle top with parsley.
5. Bake 35 minutes, or until top turns golden brown. Serve hot from the oven and enjoy!

Note

• Zucchini can be used in place of yellow squash, or try a combination of the two! Acorn squash also works well. Really, any savory squash will do!

Recipe adapted from Genius Kitchen.

Vegan Sour Cream

Just like its dairy-filled counterpart, this vegan sour cream is thick, creamy, tangy, and deliciously satisfying!

Vegan Sour Cream
Yield: 2-3 cups

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked in water overnight
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• OPTIONAL: 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy yogurt

Directions

1. Drain water from cashews and add to high powered blender (such as Nutri Ninja). Add 3/4 cup fresh water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until very smooth. (I run multiple blend cycles on my Ninja to reach the perfect consistency.)
2. Pour cashew mixture into a bowl and stir in yogurt. This is optional, but it elevates the sour cream to another level in terms of texture and flavor!
3. Use sour cream immediately, or transfer to a small covered container and refrigerate for up to a week. (It also freezes well.) Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Nora Cooks.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

My husband had a potluck at work this week, and when I went to look for this recipe, I realized I haven't made these cookies since I started my blog! This is one of those tried and true recipes that stands the test of time. The cookies are hearty from the oatmeal with a hint of sweetness from the white chocolate that perfectly balances the tartness of the cranberries. The pop of color makes them perfect for the Christmas holidays!

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yield: 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Quick Cooking Oats
• 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Using stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well.
3. Combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt in separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition.
4. Fold in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
5. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
7. Store in airtight container at room temperature. These cookies age well!

Recipe adapted from Ocean Spray.