Berry Crumb Bar

Like a hand pie-- can be eaten without a fork or plate. And makes an excellent breakfast with plain yogurt!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 c GF flour
• 1.5 c almond meal
• 1/2 c ground flaxseed
• 1 c oats

• 1/4 c milk
• 1/4 c oil
• 1/4 c honey
• 1t vanilla
• 1/8 t salt
• 1 t cinnamon

• 3 c frozen berries (cherries are my fave!)
• 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• 2T tapioca
• 1/2 t xanthan gum
• pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

• Bring berries, water, lemon juice and zest to a gentle boil in a sauce pan
• Add tapioca and xanthan, simmer for a few minutes, stirring constantly until thickened
• Allow to cool slightly
• Combine all crust ingredients
• Press 2/3 of crust mix into the bottom of an 8x8 pan, bake 10 minutes at 350
• Pour berry mixture over crust
• Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture on top, gently press into berry mix a bit
• Bake 20 minutes at 350 until crumb topping is browned
• Allow to cool completely before slicing 

Improved Chocolate Chip Cookies

For making big whoppers!

TIP: soften all of the wet ingredients (butter, cream cheese, eggs) to room temp FIRST

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 c gluten free flour
• 1/2 t xanthan gum
• 1/2 t baking soda
• dash of cinnamon

• 3/4 c butter, softened
• 2 oz cream cheese, room temp
• 1-2 T molasses
• 1/2 c honey
• 1 1/2 t vanilla
• 2 egg yolks, room temp

• 1-2 c dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

• Stir together dry ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside
• Beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth
• Beat in molasses, honey and vanilla
• Beat in egg yolks
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients
• Slowly mix in chocolate chips
• Cover dough and refrigerate for at least an hour

• Use a large cookie or ice cream scoop to make mounds on a greased cookie sheet
• Bake in a 375 oven for 10-12 minutes
• Cool 3 minutes on cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack

GF Figgy Pudding

A Happy Christmas English treat!  Gluten free, fruit sweetened, dense, moist, and a bit chocolatey!

Topped with freshly whipped cream and ground nutmeg-

INGREDIENTS and DIRECTIONS

1.5c dried pitted dates, roughly chopped

1/2c dried figs, roughly chopped

2c water

Put all in a medium saucepan and boil over medium heat.  Remove from the heat and stir in: 

1t baking soda

Let cool for 5 minutes, transfer to a blender and puree.

Separately, use a standing mixer or beaters to beat:

1 stick of softened unsalted butter

2 eggs

Use a wooden spoon to fold in fig mixture and:

2.5c gluten free baking mix

1/4c cocoa powder

Pour batter into well-greased pans and smooth the top before baking.  I used 2 small Pyrex ramekins and 2 small tart pans.  I suggest using a large muffin tin to make 10-12 individual puddings.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.  Cool 5-10 minutes at invert onto pan.  Best served warm.  I topped mine with freshly whipped heavy whipping cream and ground nutmeg.  Scoring the tops of the puddings and covering with a thin sauce would also be nice.

Happy Christmas!