Category: Breakfast

Cinnamon Donut Muffins

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These muffins are made with a dairy-free donut batter and just might be mistaken for a cinnamon and sugar donut hole.  I like to make them in tiny muffin tins so that they are a delicious small bite, but you can certainly make full-sized muffins.  I like to use hemp milk for the health benefits, but feel free to use any milk substitute you have at home.  When the vinegar and dairy-free milk are combined for 15 minutes they mimic the same properties that buttermilk has in creating an airy and tender dough.  I’m fairly certain these will be enjoyed by even the pickiest eater!

Prep Time:  15 minutes     Cook time:  13 minutes/20-25 minutes

Makes:  24 mini muffins or 9 full-sized muffins

Ingredients:

7 tbsp softened coconut oil

2/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup dairy-free milk (hemp, almond, coconut, soy, cashew milk, etc)

1/2 tbsp white vinegar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

2/3 cup sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

5 tbsp melted coconut oil

Place the dairy-free milk substitute and white vinegar in a small bowl and stir.  Let sit for 15 minutes while you assemble the batter.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine and remove any lumps. In a separate bowl cream the softened coconut oil and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined. Slowly add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients alternating with the milk mixture until completely combined.

Spray the muffin tin with a non-stick cooking spray or use a muffin liner.  Use a 1 or 1 1/12 tablespoon ice cream scoop for uniformed mini muffins.  If you are making full-sized muffins, fill the tins 3/4 of the way.  Bake mini muffins for 13 minutes and full-sized muffins for 20-25 minutes.  Muffins are done when they are golden, dry and springy to the touch.  Remove them from the oven and allow to cool.  They may be frozen at this point or placed in an air tight container.

Before serving, melt the remaining coconut oil in a small bowl and mix the cinnamon and sugar in a separate bowl.  Holding the muffins from the bottom dip the top of the muffins in the oil and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl.  Then roll the top of the muffin into the cinnamon and sugar.  Serve and enjoy!

Dairy-Free Sinful Cinnamon Rolls

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Ok, so there are a few things I truly miss about eating dairy and one of those things are glazed cinnamon rolls.  Nothing quite says “comfort” like warm cinnamon and sugar oozing from delicate pastry.  Scratch made cinnamon rolls typically involve yeast and rising dough but, to be honest, I just despise recipes that are time consuming and tedious.  This recipe requires simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.  The hardest part is rolling out the dough, but if you have a clean counter and a rolling pin you will have these gooey pieces of heaven on your plate in no time!

Prep Time:   25 minutes                    Bake Time:  15 minutes                  Makes 16 rolls

Ingredients:

Filling

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

Dough:

2 1/2 cups al purpose flour, plus more for rolling out the dough

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup almond milk

4 tbsp melted coconut oil

Icing:

2 tbsp almond milk

1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Combine filling ingredients in a small bowl and mix until well blended.  In a medium bowl combine sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Whisk to combine.  Add the almond milk and melted coconut oil.  stir until the dough forms a ball.  Don’t over mix the dough or it will become tough.  Slice the dough in half and roll out the first half on a floured surface.  Be sure to flour the rolling pin as well as the top of the dough to prevent sticking and tearing.

Roll the dough out to the shape of a rectangle roughly the size of a sheet of paper.  Pour half of the filling mixture in the center and press it down to pack it onto the dough.  Leave a 1/4″ border on the dough.  Roll the dough lengthwise using a thin spatula to separate it from the surface as you roll. Trim any uneven edges and pinch the seams closed.  Cut the log into 8 slices and place the rolls onto a greased 8×8 pan or 8″ round pan.  Repeat with the second piece of dough and then bake in the oven at 425 for 15 minutes or until the tops are golden.

Whisk together the powdered sugar and almond milk until smooth.  Allow the rolls to cool in the pan for a few minutes before pouring the glaze over the top.

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Insane Apple Cake

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When you are mixing up this batter you will think you’ve made a mistake because there are more chopped apples than cake mix.  You will have to trust me on this one because it will bake up to be delicious, moist and healthy.  It’s also an easy recipe that will allow you to use up the abundance of apples we all tend to have in the fall.

Prep Time:  10 minutes          Bake Time:  35minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup almond flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)

3/4 cup liquid egg whites (the equivalent of 4 large eggs)

8 apples (peeled, cored and chopped into cubes)

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.  In a separate bowl whisk sugar, melted coconut oil and egg whites.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined.  Fold in the chopped apples and optional chopped nuts to the batter.  Pour the batter into a greased 13X9″ baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cut into squares once the cake has cooled and serve warm or at room temperature.  This cake will keep best in the fridge for up to a week.

Island Carrot Cake Muffins

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These muffins are a delicious and healthy morning treat that will distract you from the fact that cake isn’t an acceptable breakfast food.  With only a 1/4 cup of oil and a cup of flour in the entire recipe not only are these dairy-free but they are heart healthy.  The protein from the almond flour will keep you feeling full longer and using egg whites reduces the fat content.  I like to use avocado oil, but feel free to use any light tasting oil you may have on hand.  If you like nuts add a cup of chopped pecans for some added crunch.  If you prefer to make a cake pour the mixture into a 9X13″ pan instead of muffin tins.

Prep Time:  15 minutes         Bake Time:   20 minutes        Makes 17 – 20 muffins

Ingredients:

3 cups of grated carrots

1 cup of flour

1 cup almond flour

1 cup white sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1 cup canned crushed pineapple with juice

2/3 cup egg whites

1/4 cup avocado oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners for easy clean-up.  You may hand grate the carrot on a box grater but I find it faster to place the carrots in a food processor.  (It will require approximately 5-6 small carrots to equal 3 cups of grated carrots.)

In a large bowl combine the grated carrot, flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ginger.  In a separate bowl whisk together the pineapple, egg whites, vanilla extract, oil, pecans and coconut (optional).  Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir until combined.  Take a 1/4 cup measuring cup and scoop the batter into the lined muffin tins for uniformed muffins.  Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool before removing them from the pan.

If you use a 13X9″ pan cook for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

Gluten Free and Dairy Free Oatmeal Bars

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These bars are a great after school snack or breakfast on the go.  The allspice combined with the cinnamon and oats makes this bar taste like a bowl of oatmeal with no spoon required!  The oats add a chewy texture and the dates and brown sugar add a subtle sweetness.  Indulge in this comfort food with zero guilt while fueling your body with wholesome ingredients.

Prep Time:  10 minutes            Cook Time:  20-25 minutes           Makes:  9 large bars

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup of old fashioned rolled oats finely ground in a food processor until it resembles flour

3/4 cup almond flour

1 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats (reserve 1/3 cup of these oats for the topping)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark will do)

3/4 cup softened coconut oil

1/2 cup egg whites

2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup of dates pitted and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  In a medium bowl stir together the ground oats, almond flour, 1 cup of whole oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice.  Set aside.  In a separate medium bowl place the brown sugar and coconut oil.  Use a hand mixer to beat the two ingredients together until combined.  Add the egg whites and vanilla and beat until completely combined.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and add the cup of chopped dates.  Mix until just combined and transfer to the baking dish.  Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are browned and a toothpick inserted in the center is clean.

Allow the pan to cool completely before cutting the bars into 9 equal squares.  Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.  Enjoy!

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No Cook Dairy-Free Oatmeal

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I know that oatmeal is good for me and all but I used to dread cooking it on the stove each morning.  The last thing I wanted to do was to clean another pan at 7am!  The old fashioned slow cooking rolled oats or steel cut oats are the most nutritious.  The instant oatmeal that you buy in packets or cups at the supermarket is over processed so that it cooks quicker in the microwave plus there’s a lot of added sugar (more than you would think).  Oats have been proven to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and regulate blood sugar levels.  It’s also a great way to start your day because your stomach will be full for hours due to the fiber content.  As if all that isn’t enough, it’s also gluten free!  If you can measure and stir then you can make this simple and healthy breakfast in minutes and it will be waiting for you in the fridge the next morning.  The oats soaking in the almond milk overnight soften them so that they don’t have to be cooked.  It’s one of the most exciting short-cuts I’ve discovered and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Prep Time:  5 minutes                       Cook Time:  0 minutes !!!!                 Serves 1

Ingredients:

1/3 cup dried old fashioned slow cooking rolled oats or steel cut oats

1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla flavored almond milk or coconut milk

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp pure maple syrup

8 almonds chopped

1 tbsp dried cranberries

Combine all ingredients in a small microwave or oven safe dish.  Stir until combined.  Cover and store the dish in the fridge overnight.  The next morning you can eat the oats cold or warmed in the oven or microwave.

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Dairy-Free Elvis Banana Bread

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The King would have loved this banana bread recipe because it has all of his favorite things baked into one loaf.  I took one of the most commonly baked breads and added a couple of ingredients that will make it a stand-out for dessert or breakfast.  I prefer to use almond or cashew butter because both of those nuts have anti-inflammatory properties but you can certainly use peanut butter if you prefer.  The carbs have been cut in half with the use of the almond flour and the majority of the fat is healthy fat from the nut butter and almond flour.  Enjoy a slice with your coffee and it will be hard not to cut yourself another piece.

Prep Time:  10 minutes             Cook Time:  50-60 minutes              Makes:  1 loaf (12 servings)

Ingredients:

1 cup of almond flour or almond meal

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (approximately 2 medium bananas)

1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/3 cup peanut, almond or cashew butter

3 tbsp vegetable or avocado oil

3 tbsp liquid egg whites

1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray the bottom of a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  In a medium mixing bowl combine, flours, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Whisk to combine.  In a separate mixing bowl add the mashed bananas, almond milk, nut butter, oil and egg.  Stir until combined then add it to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  Fold in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the loaf pan.  Bake for 50 – 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Loosen the sides and gently remove the bread from the pan.  Slice and serve.