by Joanna | Desserts
Making egg free cookies is actually very easy and fast once you learn about some good egg substitutes for baking.
If you try this recipe, you’ll not have to worry about substituting eggs, because it’s been created to be completely egg free and dairy free!
It comes from a delightful little vegan cookbook “Vegan Cookies invade your cookie jar” by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Egg Free, Dairy Free
Making egg free cookies is actually very easy and fast once you learn about some good egg substitutes for baking.
Ingredients
- • 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- • 2 cups all-purpose flour
- • 1 teaspoon baking soda
- • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- • 1/2 teaspoon salt
- • 2/3 cup canola oil
- • 2/3 cup sugar
- • 3/4 cup brown sugar
- • 1/2 cup nondairy milk: almond, soy, rice, or other
- • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- • 1 cup shredded coconut
- • 1 generous cup semisweet chocolate chunks or chips
- • 1 cup chopped toasted pecan pieces or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium-size bowl, stir together oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together oil, sugar, brown sugar, nondairy milk, flax seeds, and vanilla. Fold in half of the flour mixture to moisten, then fold in the remaining half. Just before the mixture is completely combined, fold in the coconut, chocolate chunks and pecans. The dough will be thick and sticky.
- For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup of dough (about the size of a golf ball - I like to use ice cream serving spoon), onto cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inch spaces between each cookie. Flatten slightly with moistened fingers.
- Bake for about 15 minutes until edges begin to turn brown. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 more minutes, and transfer to wire racks to complete cooling. Store in a loosely covered container.
3.1
https://greenreset.com/egg-free-cookies/
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
by Joanna | Desserts
As the temperatures are rising, are you hungry for a delicious frozen treat that is healthy and nutritious?
I know my family is.
Everyone in our home loves ice cream, so I’ve decided to experiment with home-made frozen desserts that are actually good for you AND for the planet, and here are the results.
(Why do I bother with making ice-cream at home, when perfectly delicious concoctions can be bought at any convenience store and grocery store? The answer is coming up soon….but for now – here are the recipes).
How to Make Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker?
Ice cream makers are a fun and easy way to churn up frozen treats at home, however, most people don’t own it (I don’t), and I would never deem it a kitchen necessity. Single-tasking kitchen tools are a major pet peeve of mine, as they take up precious kitchen space, and usually get little usage.
So what’s an ice-cream-lover to do (other than running to the nearest store)?
There are several methods to make ice cream at home, and the easiest one in my opinion is to use your Vitamix (or other high power blender) or food processor.
It’s easy, it’s simple and it only takes a few minutes and your frozen treat is ready.
Tips For Making Delicious Homemade Ice Cream
That ingredient that I use most often in homemade ice cream recipes, is banana! Ripe bananas, when frozen and blended up, turn creamy instead of crumbly, with a smooth texture any home ice cream chef would love to have in their frozen treats.
The major tips can be summed up as:
- Peel your bananas first.
- Cut them into small pieces.
- Freeze for a few hours on a plate.
- Blend, blend, blend – scraping down the bowl when they stick.
- Add other ingredients – frozen fruits, nut butters, nuts, chocolate powder, vanilla, cinnamon, etc. , and blend some more.
- Scoop into bowls and top with sliced fruit or your favorite sauce.
- Enjoy the magic moment!
Almond Butter-Banana Ice Cream
- 4 frozen very ripe bananas, cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup of almond butter
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar (or any other liquid sweetener)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or Vitamix and blend until smooth and creamy. Serves 4.
Make this dairy-free dessert tonight – it is amazing! It takes just 5 minutes to prepare and delivers tons of satisfaction for a little over 200 calories per serving!
How to Make Ice Cream in under 5 minutes (some preparation – like freezing bananas – required)
Homemade Almond-Butter – Banana Ice Cream: Dairy-Free, Cruelty-Free and Simply Delicious!
Banana Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream
- 3 frozen medium bananas
- 1 cup frozen organic cherries
- 5 dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons raw cacao
- pinch sea salt
In a food processor or blender (Vitamix or other), pulse dates, coconut oil, vanilla, and a pinch of salt into a thick paste. Add in cherries and bananas and blend until smooth. Eat immediately or freeze in covered container until firm, 2-4 hours. Serves 4.
It’s best to consume all ice cream immediately. If you’d like to store some for later, I’d recommend to give it a good stir after the first 30 minutes in the freezer.
You can also freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray, transferring the cubes to a zip-top bag when frozen solid. To prepare the leftover ice cream, place the frozen ice cream cubes in a food processor, let them sit for a couple of minutes to soften slightly, and pulse until smooth and creamy.
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
by Joanna | Desserts, Smoothie Recipes
If you love milkshakes, then you will not believe how much this this delicious MILK-FREE recipe will taste like a dairy-rich, sugar-sweetened, artery-clogging shake!
Serve this to your milkshake-loving friends and they’ll not believe it doesn’t have any dairy in it.
When I was a child, milkshakes were special treats in my family. Oftentimes, we don’t crave a food because of the taste; we’re really just longing for a familiar emotion that once comforted us. Well, this milkshake recipe definitely fulfills the emotional memory I have from childhood. But, it tastes even better (no kidding, you’ve just got to try this!).
Basic Shake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 large bananas, frozen
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar (or other sweetener)
- 1 cup ice (more or less)
- 1 cup water (or more, if too thick)
- a pinch of sea salt
Variations:
- For a CHOCOLATE shake, add 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or carob powder)
- For a STRAWBERRY shake, add 3/4 cup fresh or frozen strawberries (use less ice if berries are frozen)
- Other fruits that will work great include: peaches, raspberries, blueberries, and other — whichever is your favorite!
- Use any plant-based milk instead of almonds and water.
- Toppings: pieces of fruits, crushed nuts, vegan cookies, etc.
Directions:
- Make sure your bananas are well frozen (for a minimum of 24 hours!!!). This is really a key factor in achieving the perfect ice-creamy texture.
- Place all ingredients in your blender container (Vitamix or other high speed blender is best) and mix on high until a smooth, milkshake consistency is reached.
- If you’re on a low-fat diet, you may skip the almonds or only use a few to taste.
Milkshakes are the ultimate drink when it comes to comforting, refreshing treats. What could be better than a thick, creamy shake in a frosty glass? There are many non-dairy alternatives to make your vegan shake as rich and satisfying as ever. Let’s look at some of the delicious options…
Ingredients for Plant-Based (Vegan) Milkshakes
Plant milks. Almond, rice and soy milk does not have as high a fat content as coconut milk, which is nice if you’re trying to cut down on fat grams. And there are a number of flavor options, such as vanilla, chocolate, sweetened and unsweetened, so you can play with your favorites.
Nut butters. Peanut butter, cashew butter and almond butter taste terrific in shakes and both go particularly well with the malt powder flavor. Nut butters thicken a shake, adding protein and nutrients such as calcium, iron and magnesium.
Flavor extracts. Vanilla, maple, almond, lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, cocoa powder… there are many flavor extracts you can use to add tantalizing twists to a shake. Purchase flavor extracts that are all natural with no synthetic or imitation flavors or mysterious ingredients.
Malt powder. This tip I found on EarthBalance website. Malt powder is a germinated grain (usually barley). It has no added sugar but the sugar or syrup from your other shake ingredients should be enough. You can order malt powder online or buy at some specialty stores. Lookout for malted milk, which is not vegan.
add your favorite fruit, and top with your favorite topping
Please, pretty please, only use plant-based, cruelty-free milks in your milkshakes – check them out here:
Please use only non dairy milk in your smoothies! Even this doctor and doctors at PCRM.org will tell you so!
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
by Joanna | Desserts
I’m really no good at baking, mainly due to the fact that I like improvising in the kitchen and substituting ingredients (I always seem to be missing something, especially if the list is longer than 5 items), which is really a recipe for disaster when it comes to baking.
That is why I LOVE these raw nut cookies which are so easy to make and delicious.
Plus, no baking is required – it’s just mix and eat!
This will really save you time and energy; plus they are ideal dessert in the summertime (other than ice-cream, of course), when you don’t want to be using your oven.
To make your cookies, nuts are bound together with the stickiness of the dates. If your cookies are too crumbly, just add a few more dates to the mix. Or you can add a tablespoon of water, agave syrup or olive oil, to add more moisture that will help keep the dough together, if needed.
Basic Raw Nut Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups nuts, such as hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, or walnuts
- 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- pinch of sea salt (optional)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Place the nuts and seeds in a food processor or Vitamix and break down nuts into chunks. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until the nuts bind together with the sticky fruit. Process until you reach the desired consistency. It you don’t want chunky cookies, blend until almost creamy.
Test the batter by taking a handful and squeezing to make sure it holds together. If it’s not sticky enough, you may add a few more dates, some water, agave nectar and/or olive oil until it holds together. Using your hands, roll the mixture into ping-pong-sized balls.
For additional “wow” effect, dip in shredded coconut or cocoa.
Serve as is, or cover and refrigerate before serving until thoroughly chilled for a more solid consistency.
Once you get the hang of the basic recipe, have fun experimenting with various ingredients:
- nuts: hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashew or walnuts
- seeds: sunflower, pumpkin, chia
- dried fruits: dates, apricots, raisins, cranberries
- spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, vanilla extract, shredded coconut, carob/coconut, etc.
- sweeteners: agave, maple syrup, honey, etc.
- oatmeal or granola
- shredded coconut and cocoa for added cuteness
Peeking into my Vitamix: The Making of No Bake Cookies
Date Nut Cookies: No baking required, ready in 10 minutes or less
But aren’t nuts and seeds high in calories and fats?
Yes they are, so don’t go crazy on me with these cookies (they are delicious!)
Nuts and seeds average about 175 calories an ounce, and one or two ounces a day would provide 15 to 30 percent of a daily caloric intake from the fat range.
However, judicious regular consumption of nuts and seeds is highly beneficial for health, but also for weight loss and even diabetes.
Studies on nuts indicate an inverse association between frequency of consumption and weight, contrary to the situation with oil or other fats. Several studies have confirmed that, even though raw nuts and seeds are not low in calories and rather high in fat, eating them may actually help suppress appetite – and thus help lose weight or even get rid of diabetes.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that we should binge on these foods in an effort to lose weight, as this can easily backfire. Eat about 2-4 ounces per day, but only an ounce of nuts per day if you are trying to lose weight.
Nut cookie balls can be a quick and easy, healthy desert! Plus, they look cute, too.
Benefits of Nuts and Seeds for Health
Raw nuts and seeds are packed with nutrients that provide a variety of health benefits. Nuts and seeds are high in fat and protein, but their effects on the body are completely different when compared to animal fats and protein, or processed vegetable fats and oils. They have been demonstrated in hundreds of medical studies to dramatically extend life and protect against disease.
Eating too many wrong fats or too little fat is a bad thing. Too little fat in the diet leads to dry skin, thinning hair, muscle cramps, poor sleep, high triglycerides, and poor exercise tolerance. Too little fat in the diet can also compromise the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals. Eating more healthy fats – such as these in nuts and seeds, supplementing with DHA, the long-chain omega-3 fats, and eating fewer processed foods helps relieve these problems.
When you eat seeds and nuts with your meals, the fatty acids supplied significantly increase the absorption of micronutrients. For example, when you add nuts and seeds to your salad, you will absorb more of the micronutrients in the raw vegetables. More than 10 times as much of certain nutrients is absorbed, according to some studies. It’s worth to note that the same effect was NOT observed when a fatty dressing was used.
Remember that it is best to eat nuts and seeds raw or only lightly toasted. The more nuts and seeds are cooked, the more nutrients are destroyed.
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
No Bake Nut Cookies: Easy to make, delicious to munch on!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
