"Healthy" Brownies

Ok, so they're not actually healthy....but they sure are good & fit a lot of the standards I've come to want with baked goods. I am a baking junkie and HATE that eating a giant brownie or cinnamon roll isn't good for you at all. Lately I've been on a no refined sugar kick. It's kind of depressing finding out that no matter what, whether refined or not, sugar is sugar & it's just not good for you! BUT, on occasion, when you're wanting something sweet, here is a grain free, vegan, no refined sugar brownie recipe just for you.

"Healthy" Brownies

1 1/2 Cups Almond Flour
1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
5 pitted Medjool dates

1/2 Cup Spectrum Shortening (can sub coconut oil but will change the flavor of brownies)
4 one ounce squares unsweetened baking chocolate (I used Baker's)
1 Cup coconut sugar (I haven't tried honey yet...but I will soon!)
1 2.5 oz jar baby prunes
1 small zucchini peeled & grated
1 ener-g egg (prepared according to box)
1 TBS vanilla

Walnuts to top (if desired)

In food processor blend almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda. Add dates and process until completely blended into almond mixture.

On a double broiler, melt shortening and unsweetened baking chocolate. Remove bowl from heat and add coconut sugar, stirring well. Add baby prunes and mix completely. Add vanilla, egg replacer and combine. Fold in zucchini.

Pour the wet mixture into the food processor with the almond flour mix. Blend until completely smooth.
Pour into a greased and floured 8x8 dish. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30-35 minutes. (My oven is really annoying, old as the hills and really hot in certain spots, so I NEVER know how long a normal oven will take! Just watch them! They may need longer.) You'll know they're done when they sink in the middle a bit and the outsides get a little crisp/cracked looking.

Voila! Moist, chewy & delish!

Little Man

Nobody can get enough of this darling boy. I'm kind of in love. 

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

I know I should be eating gluten free all the time, but I don't. It's just not as fun! It's a whole lot easier making just vegan items than it is gluten free and vegan...and since it's dairy that bothers me, Ruby & Quin and eggs that Quin can't have, vegan is just the way I go most of the time with baked goods. 

A couple days ago I made vegan cinnamon rolls and boy are they delicious! Of course, I DO miss the cream cheese frosting....but overall, they really hit the spot! I made these for my company and was told these were the best homemade cinnamon rolls she had ever had! I didn't mention they we're vegan :) 

DOUGH

1 Cup warm Rice Milk (110 degrees F)

2 Ener-G egg replacer eggs

1/3 cup Earth Balance soy free spread, melted

4 1/2 cups bread flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup white sugar

2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast

FILLING

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 TBS cinnamon

1/3 cup Earth Balance soy free spread

3/4-1 cup walnut pieces (optional)

FROSTING

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (more if needed)

1 TBS Earth Balance soy free spread, melted (or coconut oil)

2-3 TBS Rice milk or dairy free alternative (so delicious original coconut creamer works great!)

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press start.

2. After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

3. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup earth balance soy free spread and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture and walnuts, if desired. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 19x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile,  preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

4. Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through baking. While rolls are baking, beat together powdered sugar, vanilla, melted earth balance spread, salt and milk alternative. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving. 

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Disney Days

Honestly, I absolutely love Disney Land. Ever since I was a kid it's been a magical place! We had passes this last year and they JUST expired. Sad day. The last couple of times we got to go were probably the best time we had the whole year! We will miss it greatly. 

 Highlight of our trip was Ruby getting to walk through Toon Town holding Mickey's hand! 

She's still talking about it....

 Tom Sawyer's island is the best!