Category: Dessert

The Traveling Banana Bread (GF + V)

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It’s only taken me 17 years, but I have finally tried – and fallen in love with – banana bread.  This is the banana bread that makes me go bananas (pardon my pun) 🙂

I love making banana bread because it’s quick to make and low in added sugar; you get the satisfaction of a cake-like flavor, but without a cake’s overpowering sweetness.  A tip I’ve been practicing upon traveling is bringing my vegan banana bread because a) it’s easy to pack and b) it’s perfect as a breakfast or midday snack. This banana bread recipe has accompanied me on college visits, islands, and cities.

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Adaptogen Recipe: Ashwagandha Tahini Cups (GF + V)

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ashwagandha tahini cups

After a stressful, long day, we all share one thing: we crave comfort food.  Whether that be a warm, gooey bowl of mac and cheese or a generous slice of chocolate cake – these foods make us feel better emotionally and physically (temporarily).  Our adrenals are the same way, craving comfort during times of prolonged stress, and they may need a helping hand.  Enter adaptogens. Continue reading →

Four-ingredient ‘Dibs’ Ice Cream Bites (Vegan + GF)

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vegan 'dibs' bites

Do you remember Dibs?  They’re the little vanilla ice cream bites coated with milk chocolate.   Anyways, on the rare occasions that Dibs were in my house, my brother and I would go crazy – who wouldn’t?  It’s fun to just pop them in your mouth 🙂  Since our Dibs days are extinct, I made a healthier (like way healthier) version of these ice cream nuggets!

bite of vegan 'dibs'

Little summary of these bites:

  • four ingredients = banana + chocolate + Himalayan salt
  • four steps
  • no ice cream machine required

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Date Walnut Scones (GF + V)

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Date Walnut Scones

Like many other devoted Royal Family fans, I woke up bright and early to watch the Royal Wedding in action.  I couldn’t just wake up and just eat my American waffles, so the night before, I prepared the batter of one of my old favorite recipes: date walnut scones.  I hadn’t touched the recipe for a couple months, but I felt that this was the perfect occasion to try to gluten-free and veganize them for the perfect British scones 🙂  I refrigerated them overnight (totally optional!) and at 5 a.m., I popped them into the oven and within 15 minutes, my mom woke up to follow the scent of the bakery-like aroma.  Between the gloomy weather and scones, I might as well have been in England (maybe my invitation got lost in the mail?).

Date Walnut Scones 2
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No-bake Chocolate Protein Cookies

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no-bake chocolate protein cookies

Cookies.  Protein.  No-bake.   Yeah, right.  Believe it or not, this odd pairing is actually possible.  Even better, it can be whipped out in less than 10 minutes.

Besides my cheesecakes and peanut butter chickpea energy balls that I adore, no-bake snacks (or desserts) have often seemed unpalatable.  They look a little too gooey, and there’s just something delectable to be said about oven-baked goodies.  But times have changed, and I am now a fan 🙂

no-bake chocolate protein cookies 2 Continue reading →

Red Velvet Cake (GF + DF)

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Red Velvet Cake

Valentine’s Day is here, and whether or not you have a significant other, it’s the day of love – so treat yourself!  It’s pretty easy to think of a list of ways to treat yourself, but this gluten-free and dairy-free red velvet cake is pretty high on the list.

Now it doesn’t take a genius to realize that the traditional red velvet cake is typically not gluten-free and dairy-free (and in a dark red hue).  I have two answers 1) you can’t tell that it’s gluten-free and dairy-free, and 2) it’s not bright red because it’s made with natural dyes!  WARNING: do not underestimate this cake.

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Blender Black Bean Brownies (V + GF)

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black bean brownies

Black beans and chocolate.  Probably not the first combination that comes to mind.   But these decadent black bean brownies are the perfect vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free dessert (and no one will ever guess that they’re packed with awesome, healthy ingredients… including beans)!  Plus, you can make them using simply a blender.  This is what I call a win-win-win situation 🙂

black bean brownies

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Vegan Mocha Cheesecake (Gluten-free and Refined Sugar-free)

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mocha cheesecake

When my cousin’s birthday was approaching, I knew that I had to make a “wow” dessert – one that could stand by itself, and every one would enjoy.  Inspired by my cousin’s everlasting love for coffee and cheesecake, as well as my family’s obsession with chocolate, I decided to combine these key foods to make a mocha cheesecake.  And did I mention that it’s raw, vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free (and they didn’t even notice!)?

mocha cheesecake

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