Category: sweets

Pumpkin Bars

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Ingredients:

1 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c almond meal
1/2 c brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4th tsp cloves
1/4th tsp ginger powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 1/2 c pumpkin puree
6 tbsp coconut oil (softened)
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Combine flour, almond meal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and spices together in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, vanilla, and coconut oil (softened). Mix the two bowls together. Add a splash of milk or almond milk if batter is too thick. Pour into baking pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 min. Cut into 8 pieces.

Cream cheese icing (from carrot cake recipe on the blog): Combine 1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar, 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup margarine, softened and 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl. Beat until smooth.

Once the pumpkin bars have cooled, top with the cream cheese icing.

Healthy Pumpkin Scones with Cream Cheese Icing

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Well I’ve posted a pumpkin pie, muffin, and bread recipe. Scones were next on my list. I topped them with a family favorite: cream cheese icing. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a healthy dessert.

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Ingredients:

2 c whole wheat flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/4 c brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4th tsp cloves

1/4 c maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp orange extract

1 c pumpkin purée

1/3 c cold butter

1/4th cup plain yogurt

Top with cream cheese icing (recipe below)

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder,  and spices. In a separate bowl, mix the maple syrup, vanilla, orange extract, and pumpkin purée. Mix both bowls together. Add cold butter and yogurt. You may need to use your hands to knead the dough and thoroughly incorporate the butter into the mixture. Place dough in a well greased round baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 min. Cut into 8 pieces.

Cream cheese icing:

Combine 1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar, 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup margarine, softened and 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl. Beat until smooth.

Best Carrot Cake

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This is my family’s favorite cake that we make at least once a year. This year it was for my 25th birthday. Anyone who claims they do not like carrot cake because it’s “healthy,” has not tasted this cake.

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The recipe is an old xeroxed page from somebody else’s cookbook, so unfortunately I can’t give proper credit. However, there is a blurb at the bottom of the page, which says:

Grace Meadows from Taylorville, Illinois was a finalist in the “Bake-A-Cake” category of the Blue Ribbon Culinary Contest at the Illinois State Fair, Springfield, Illinois.

I hope you enjoy this cake as much as my family does!

Directions:

Makes 8 to 10 servings

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups brown sugar

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

3 cups grated carrot

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

Cream Cheese Icing (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Beat eggs and oil in a small bowl. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Add egg mixture; mix well. Stir in carrots and pecans. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack. Spread with Cream Cheese Icing.

Cream Cheese Icing: Combine 1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar, 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup margarine, softened and 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl. Beat until smooth.

Chocolate Coconut Cookies

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Recipes makes approximately 20 cookies

Ingredients:

½ cup earth balance

¼ cup coconut oil

2 eggs

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

½ cup cocoa powder

2 cups shredded coconut

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Mix melted earth balance, coconut oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla together. In another bowl mix the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips together. Combine the two bowls. Mix well.
  2. Using a spoon or your hands, roll the batter into ~20 balls. Press with a fork and sprinkle with coconut.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 min. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.

Energy Balls

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Matcha and coconut and cocoa, Oh My!

If you are low on time, these energy balls are great to have on hand as a snack or healthy dessert. They are kid-approved and last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. So this year, fill your Halloween bag with energy balls coated with your favorite toppings.

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1 c old fashioned oats

1/2 c cashews

3/4 c dates (chopped)

1/3 c flaxseed

2/3 c shredded coconut

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c agave or honey

1/4 c coconut oil

Preferred Toppings (Pictured: matcha, black sesame seeds, cocoa powder, coconut shreds, flaxseed)

  1. Mix the dry ingredients (oats, cashews, flaxseed, coconut, cinnamon, and nutmeg) together in a food processor or Vitamix.
  2. Once the dry ingredients have reached a flour consistency, add the wet ingredients (chopped dates, vanilla, honey, and coconut oil). Blend together. The mixture should resemble cookie dough. If the mixture is too dry, add a splash of soy or almond milk.
  3. Roll into 1 inch balls and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Stone Fruit Galette with Banana Ice Cream (DF)

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Crust

I followed Food52’s 7 step recipe.

Filling

3 cups peaches and plums (berries or apples also work well)

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cut the peaches into roughly 8 pieces. Mix the fruit, lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla together. Pour the fruit into the center of the dough, leaving 1 1/2 inch border. Fold the corners over the filling. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Sorbet

See my recipe here.

Best Healthy Cafés in Paris

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Wild & the Moon (Marais)

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Acai Bowl

A vegan/vegetarian café using plant-based and sustainably grown ingredients. They offer juices, smoothies, soups, salads, vegetable bowls, and packaged snacks (kale chips, fruit bars, hummus, etc.). Located on rue Charlot in between chic art galleries and hand-crafted jewelry stores. Highly recommend.

Holybelly (10th arr)

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Holy Baked Beans + Champignons

Popular brunch and lunch spot with healthy vegan and vegetarian options. They change their menu monthly based on what is in season— exactly what I like to hear. Relaxed and casual atmosphere. They do not take reservations so be prepared to wait.

Soul Kitchen (Montmartre)

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Adorable healthy café with Vegan/Vegetarian options. Soul Kitchen, nestled by the Montmartre steps, offers a daily-changing menu with homemade dishes made from local organic ingredients. It is owned by two cheery woman who are eager to tell you about the menu. It is creatively decorated with mismatched and colorful plates and furniture.

La Guinguette d’Angèle (1st and 11th arr)

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Lunch Box (changes daily)

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Known for her beautiful and feminine plates decorated with flower petals and herbs, Angèle brings you gluten-free delicacies. Angèle is leading the way in the emerging Parisian health food movement. She has a small take-away shop in the 1er, a café or salon de thé in the 11è, and a catering service. She is also working on her second cook book and TV show on La Quotidienne. I am slightly biased because I work for Angèle, but I firmly support her philosophy of creating natural and healthy dishes.

Café Oberkampf (11th arr)

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Green Eggs + Feta, Avo Toast, Ham Sandwich

One of my favorite affordable brunch spots in Paris. They offer delicious Shakshuka and Green Eggs + Feta (pictured above), as well as an assortment of toasts and sandwiches. Again, be prepared to wait on the weekends as the café only sits around ~15 people at a time. My friend and I were so eager to eat after waiting 40 minutes that we ordered 3 entrées between the two of us! No regrets.

Merci (3rd arr, Marais)

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Butternut Squash + Lentil Salad with citrus dressing, Lavender Scones

Merci is a combined home goods store and cafe. You have probably seen an Instagram photo of girls posing in front of the vintage mini car (painted either bright yellow or red) that is located in the courtyard. The walls are lined with books and it is common for customers to bring their well-groomed dogs. Enjoy a butternut squash and lentil salad along with lavender infused scones.

13- a Baker’s Dozen (6th arr)

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Delicious healthy dishes. They are known for their homemade biscuits and gourmet coffees (must try the mocha and pumpkin spice latte). It is owned by two charming women— one from Sweden and one from the US. The cafe is very small and cozy, off of the main street and tucked away in an alley. They also speak English here.

Season (Marais)

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Acai Bowl, Salmon Eggs Benedict, Pancakes with maple bacon

Chic healthy café around the corner from Le Carreau du Temple. They offer a seasonal menu with fresh and organic ingredients. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Lomi (18th arr)

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Salmon avo toast

Excellent drip coffee and salmon avocado toast. A great place to bring your laptop and get work done.

Ob-La-Di (Marais)

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Matcha Bowls + Drip Coffee

Small coffee shop with organic coffee and brunch items.

Strada Café (Latin Quarter and Marais)

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Celery Soup + Beet Hummus Toast + Salad

Enjoy delicious lunch items and coffee in a cozy and relaxed setting. They have great wifi too! It is around the corner from my apartment so I come here often to do computer work. I love their soups, which come with salad and a tartine.

Biglove Caffè (Marais)

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Part of the Ober Mamma Italian chain. Not the healthiest brunch items but everything is delicious. We ordered the brioche french toast and truffle eggs, along with a pistachio and chocolate latté.

Other:

Le Tricycle  (10th arr) 100% vegan

Nous (9th and 10th arr)

Pinson (Marais)

Miznon (Marais)

 

 

Berry Banana Bread

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Ingredients:

1 ½ c whole-wheat flour

½ c oats

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

½ c butter (I used earth balance)

½ c brown sugar

½ c honey

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 bananas (mashed)

1 c fresh berries

Directions:

  1. Mix the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda together.
  2. In another bowl combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, eggs, and vanilla.
  3. Combine the two bowls together thoroughly then mix in mashed bananas and berries.
  4. Pour mixture into a well- greased baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes.

Pumpkin Oat Muffins

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‘Tis the season for PUMPKIN! Here is an easy and delicious recipe for pumpkin oat muffins. Happy fall everyone!

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Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup honey (maple syrup or agave work too)

2 eggs

1 cup pumpkin purée

1/4th soy milk (or milk of choice)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 ½ cup whole-wheat flour

½ cup oats (plus more for garnishing)

Recipe makes 12 muffins

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Melt the coconut oil then immediately mix it with the maple syrup, eggs, pumpkin purée, soy milk, vanilla, and almond extract. The coconut oil will begin to harden again so it needs to be stirred in with the other ingredients right away.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients together (baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, flour and oats) then combine it with the coconut oil mixture.
  4. Divide the batter between the twelve muffin tins. Sprinkle a few oats on top of each muffin. Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, around 20 minutes.
  5. Let cool and serve with pumpkin butter from TJ’s.

Chocolate Avocado Peanut Butter Pudding

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Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado
1 banana
1/4th cup cocoa powder
1/4th cup peanut butter
1/4th cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4th cup honey or maple syrup
Directions:
  1. Blend all the ingredients together. I used a regular blender but a Vitamix or food processor works best.
  2. Add more sweetener and/or avocado until you reach the desired sweetness and consistency.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours. Serve and enjoy!