- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" × 13" dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, maple sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to combine. Cut in the Earth Balance Buttery Baking Sticks and butter extract until the mixture looks like a moist pie dough. Scoop out the mixture and press into prepared pan. Press dough gently up the sides of the pan to create a small edge so the filling will hold well. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes.
- Bake crust for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool.
- In a small saucepan, soak the agar-agar and water for 2 minutes. When it has dissolved, turn on heat to high, bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes. The mixture will bubble up, so just lift the pan from the heat if it rises too much. Mix in xylitol and stevia.
- Turn heat down to low and whisk in cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk constantly over a low simmer until the mixture thickens slightly and everything is dissolved, about 4–5 minutes. Turn off heat, whisk in the vanilla extract and the food coloring, if desired.
- Pour filling over the baked crust. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the filling has set. Bars become extra firm when chilled but soften more at room temperature. Sprinkle tops with powdered xylitol before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
PER SERVING
Calories: 299
|
Fat: 16g
|
Protein: 3g
|
Sodium: 224mg
|
Fiber: 2g
|
Carbohydrates: 43g
|
Sugar: 7g
Agar-Agar Powder
Agar-agar is a seaweed-based gelatin substitute. Make sure to use agar powder, not agar-agar flakes, in this recipe.
Buckeye Brownies
Thick and densely rich, these peanut butter brownies are the best of both worlds. Use dark melted chocolate for an extra decadent treat.
INGREDIENTS
|
YIELDS 15 BARS
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Brownies
(see recipe in this chapter)
1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
2
⁄
3
cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons almond milk
1
⁄
2
teaspoon grapeseed oil
8 ounces sugar-free chocolate, melted
- Prepare brownies according to directions. Let cool completely.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, coconut sugar, and vanilla and stir to combine. Add the almond milk, a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
- Spread peanut butter layer onto the brownies and set in the freezer for 10 minutes while preparing the chocolate.
- Add oil to the warm melted chocolate and mix to combine. Remove brownies from the freezer, pour and spread the chocolate evenly over the bars and place in the fridge for 5 minutes for chocolate to set. Slice and serve.
PER SERVING
Calories: 495
|
Fat: 31g
|
Protein: 7g
|
Sodium: 220mg
|
Fiber: 3g
|
Carbohydrates: 61g
|
Sugar: 48g
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Here is a plush cheesecake treat with loads of flavor. A gluten-free crust gives texture to the slightly tangy cream cheese and pumpkin spread.
INGREDIENTS
|
SERVES 9
1
1
⁄
2
cups gluten-free oats
1
⁄
4
cup raw walnuts
4 Medjool dates, pitted
1
⁄
2
cup honey, divided
1
⁄
2
cup cream cheese
1
⁄
2
cup powdered xylitol
1
1
⁄
2
teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
2
⁄
3
cup pumpkin purée
1
⁄
2
teaspoon cinnamon
1
⁄
4
teaspoon pumpkin spice mix
1
⁄
4
cup gluten-free oat flour
- In a food processor, pulse the oats until they become a rough flour. Add the walnuts, dates, and
1
⁄
4
cup honey and pulse until a ball starts to form. Transfer the dough to an 8" × 8" baking dish, spreading and pressing to the bottom of the pan.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, xylitol, and
1
⁄
2
teaspoon vanilla. Gently spread over the base layer and place in the freezer.
- In the same bowl, combine the pumpkin,
1
⁄
4
cup honey, cinnamon, pumpkin spice mix, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add the flour to the mixture and mix until the batter is smooth and thickened.
- Spread the pumpkin layer over the cheesecake layer and then place in the freezer for another 30 minutes. Cut into squares and enjoy immediately for a chilled treat, or allow to sit out for 10 minutes for a softer bar. Store covered in the freezer for up to 2 weeks or keep in the fridge for 1 week.
PER SERVING
Calories: 250
|
Fat: 8g
|
Protein: 4g
|
Sodium: 45mg
|
Fiber: 3g
|
Carbohydrates: 45g
|
Sugar: 19g
CHAPTER 12
Frostings, Glazes, and Toppings
Classic Cream Cheese Frosting
German Chocolate Frosting
Easy Vanilla Glaze
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Vegan Chocolate Buttercream
Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting
Dreamy Chocolate Fudge Frosting
Dark Chocolate Fudge Sauce
Peanut Butter Sauce
Vanilla Cream Filling
Homemade Whipped Cream
Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream
Dairy-Free Whipped Cream
Coconut Pecan Frosting
Classic Cream Cheese Frosting
This creamy soft icing is the perfect topping for an endless assortment of desserts. Try it over chocolate cupcakes, pumpkin bread, sugar cookies, or even graham crackers.
INGREDIENTS
|
MAKES 2
1
⁄
2
CUPS
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1
⁄
2
cup unsalted butter
1 cup maple sugar, finely powdered
3 cups xylitol, finely powdered
3 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with a hand-held mixer until whipped.
- Add the powdered sweeteners, cornstarch, and vanilla and beat until incorporated.
- Slowly add the heavy cream and beat until desired consistency is reached. Store covered in the refrigerator.
PER SERVING
(
1
⁄
8
cup) Calories: 198
|
Fat: 9g
|
Protein: 1g
|
Sodium: 37mg
|
Fiber: 0g
|
Carbohydrates: 40g
|
Sugar: 10g
Powdered Only, Please!
To achieve the smoothest frosting, sugars need to be completely powdered. Use a blender or food processor and blend on high power until there are no more sugar granules.
German Chocolate Frosting
Chocolate icing gets an intense flavor and texture enhancement with shredded coconut in this thick, flavorful frosting.
INGREDIENTS
|
MAKES 2 CUPS
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup coconut sugar
3 large egg yolks
1
⁄
2
cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1
1
⁄
3
cups shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, pour almond milk, sugar, and egg yolks and heat, stirring, to thicken.
- Remove from heat and add softened butter, vanilla extract, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Stir until well combined. Cool before using.
PER SERVING
(
1
⁄
8
cup) Calories: 189
|
Fat: 14g
|
Protein: 2g
|
Sodium: 11mg
|
Fiber: 1g
|
Carbohydrates: 16g
|
Sugar: 14g
Easy Vanilla Glaze
For muffins, cookies, or anything that would benefit from a little extra sweetness, this vanilla glaze is easy to make and instantly gives a gourmet look to desserts.
INGREDIENTS
|
MAKES
1
⁄
3
CUP
3 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
3 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
1
⁄
2
teaspoon liquid stevia
1
⁄
2
teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a small bowl, whisk together the almond milk and protein powder. Add the stevia and vanilla and mix until smooth and combined.
- Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator.
PER SERVING
(2 tablespoons) Calories: 65
|
Fat: 0.5g
|
Protein: 13g
|
Sodium: 32mg
|
Fiber: 0g
|
Carbohydrates: 2g
|
Sugar: 1g
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This buttercream rivals even bakery-style chocolate frostings thanks to pure coconut sugar’s fantastic sweetness and flavor.
INGREDIENTS
|
MAKES 2
1
⁄
2
CUPS
2
2
⁄
3
cups coconut sugar
1
1
⁄
2
tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1
2
⁄
3
cups cocoa
1
⁄
8
teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 tablespoons heavy cream
- In a blender, blend coconut sugar and cornstarch for a few minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally, until it turns into a fine powder.
- In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, cream together the powdered sugar mix and the butter. Add in cocoa, salt, and vanilla.
- Slowly add the heavy cream and whip until desired consistency is reached.
PER SERVING
(
1
⁄
8
cup) Calories: 220
|
Fat: 12g
|
Protein: 1.5g
|
Sodium: 20mg
|
Fiber: 2g
|
Carbohydrates: 32g
|
Sugar: 27g
Coconut Sugar
While coconut sugar contains roughly the same amount of calories and carbohydrates as refined white sugar, it’s lower on the glycemic index and contains much less fructose than regular sugar. It also has many vitamins and minerals still intact after production, making it a beneficial sweetener.
Vegan Chocolate Buttercream
This frosting has the same taste and appearance as other chocolate buttercream recipes, but is made without dairy.
INGREDIENTS
|
MAKES 1
3
⁄
4
CUPS
3
⁄
4
cup Earth Balance Shortening Sticks
1
1
⁄
3
cups coconut sugar, finely powdered
1
⁄
8
teaspoon sea salt
1
⁄
2
cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1
⁄
8
teaspoon natural butter extract
2 teaspoons rice flour
- In a medium mixing bowl, add shortening, powdered coconut sugar, and salt. Cream together using a hand-held mixer until smooth and combined.
- Add the cocoa, vanilla, and butter extract and mix until creamy.
- Mix in the rice flour until frosting is creamy and smooth. Use immediately or store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator.