GLUTEN-FREE BAKING :: CARROT CAKE

 

If you love carrot cake too, this one's for you!  My husband is a fan, so I had to learn how to make a healthy gluten-free version for us. It is a must-have for Easter at our house and for his birthday.  

Here are the details you need to bake this cake at home!

Ingredients

1.5 cups almond flour 
0.75 cups GF all-purpose flour
3 carrots (peeled and grated)
1.0 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder
2.0 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut sugar
3/4 cup almond milk 
3 eggs
1/2 cup avocado oil
1.5 tsp vanilla

For the frosting:

4 oz dairy-free cream cheese (I like Kite-Hill)
4 oz vegan butter
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 350F.  Mix wet and dry ingredients separately.  Combine together and fold carefully until well incorporated. Pour into pan.  I used an 8-inch circular pan here.  Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.  Allow cooling before frosting.  I like to wait overnight before I start frosting.  

For the frosting, combine the powdered sugar with the cream cheese.  I like to go light on the sweetness but definitely adjust as needed based on your preference.  I like to slice my cake in half and frost the middle for extra fun.  This turntable is definitely helpful when frosting.  It's a small investment if you bake cakes frequently.  If you are not great at decorating the top or just run short of time like I do most of the time, you can add a layer of walnuts around the edge.  It's simple and works great!

Love that first cut into a freshly baked and decorated cake.  Look at that texture!

Let me know if you try this cake for Easter!

Thank you for reading this post!

FRIDAY FIVE :: ON MY RADAR

Happy Friday!  We made it through our first week back after February vacation, and it feels like an accomplishment.  We have a storm coming in tomorrow, so I am looking forward to a quiet afternoon at home watching a movie with the kids.  

Enjoy this week's round-up!

1.  Spring refresh:: Is your nightstand in a bit of disarray too?  If so, here are some ideas for a Spring refresh.  I like the Grandmillennial style.  I could definitely use a tray to keep everything contained.  I'm also realizing that keeping my journal on my nightstand might make more sense?

2.  Spring bugs:: If you battle fruit flies on your bananas as soon as the weather warms, you need to try this tip.  It makes sense to me.  Fruit flies go in waves for us and they are definitely annoying.  I used to just keep the bananas in the fridge but then they don't ripen as well.

3.  Guacamole:: If you love guacamole too but hate throwing away leftovers because it browns so readily, this storage container might be worth a try.  I'm adding it to my list.

4.  Recipes to try:: How yummy does this selection look?  My eyes zeroed in on the mint brownies right away.  

5.  Energy drainers:: This list caught my eye.  Clutter definitely has an impact on my mood and energy.  It didn't use to bother me back in the day which I am very amused by.  Curious whether blue light-blocking glasses would make a difference for me too.

Thank you for reading this post!

BANANA OATMEAL MUFFINS (GLUTEN-FREE)

If you love oatmeal in the morning with sliced bananas on top, think of these muffins as your portable version.  They are delicious bites of goodness that will definitely brighten your morning.

Carrot Cake Protein Muffins (Gluten-Free)

These muffins contain no dairy or wheat.

We were due for some nice weather around here and I'm so glad it came for Memorial day weekend.  Today we spent most of our day outside after swim class because it would have been a shame otherwise.  I did manage to fit in some baking while my kiddos took a break from the sun and played inside for a bit.

Cassava Banana Muffins (Gluten-Free)

These muffins do not contain dairy or gluten.

I have been meaning to try cassava flour for a while.  I found it at my local Whole Foods last weekend and couldn't resist!  These cassava banana muffins have been a hit at my house.  They are even toddler-approved.

Mango Coconut Snack Balls (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These snack balls do not contain egg, dairy or gluten.

Happy Monday!  Hope your week is off to a good start.  We've had one of those cold and wet April days that are so characteristic of Spring in New England.  They do make you second guess where you are in the calendar though.

Chocolate Protein Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain dairy, egg or gluten.

We've enjoyed a beautiful weekend here in New England.  It was a little chillier that I would like it to be, but it was sunny for a good part of the weekend so we enjoyed lots of time outside.  Today, we actually made it to the park-  our first trip so far this year! 

I was going through my recipes and realized I hadn't posted the recipe for these muffins yet so here it is.  Chocolate muffins always make my kiddos happy at breakfast and some days I need all the help I can get to get them going in the mornings.  Mamas, I know you can relate!  It's always good to have a special healthy breakfast treat at hand and these muffins fit the bill.  They are also great after hours for all those chocolate 911s you might experience.

Zucchini Banana Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain dairy, egg or wheat.

My project of hiding vegetables in baked goods is still going strong.  The zucchini looked so fresh at the store on Saturday that I decided to bake some muffins with them.  I've always made cocoa zucchini muffins, but this time around I paired them with bananas.  I guess I was feeling bold because the zucchini is perfectly visible in the finished product.  

Pear Cinnamon Bread (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

This bread does not contain dairy or wheat.

I had all these pears sitting in my fridge and I had to do something with them before they went bad.  I figured it was time for some vegan bread since I haven't made some in a while.  Pears and cinnamon always pair nicely.  Add some ginger and cloves to the mix and the results are spectacular!

Carrot Plantain Muffins (Gluten-Free)

If you are dreaming of Spring too give these a try.  These carrot plantain muffins with ginger and cardamon make for the perfect  Spring-is-near snack.  They have just the right amount of flavor in them and good plant protein.

Low Carb Gluten-Free Donuts

These donuts do not contain dairy or gluten.

Sometimes happy accidents happen in the kitchen.  These donuts are proof.  I meant to repeat my recipe for peanut butter banana donuts but instead of adding almond flour I added almond butter.  Luckily, I wasn't too far into the recipe so I just improvised my way around my oversight.  The results did not disappoint! 

Lemon Blueberry Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain egg, dairy or gluten.

When it's snowing in March, you bring Spring into your kitchen.  These blueberry lemon muffins make me think of Spring!  I've declared the start of carrot season too so watch out for new recipes.

LUNCHBOX IDEAS :: KALE SALAD WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES AND CRISPY POLENTA CHIPS

This salad does not contain egg, dairy or gluten.

Hands up if you are a kale fan! Yep, I know I'm not alone.  I love kale and spinach in salads.  They add protein and so much needed nutrition.  I was going for color with a side of crisp on this recipe and the results did not disappoint.  It's appealing to the taste buds and the eyes!

Chocolate Protein Donuts (High Protein, Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These donuts do not contain dairy, egg or gluten.

Hope you had a wonderful President's Day!  We had a snow day here so we had fun playing outside in the snow with the kids.  We made our first snowman of the season!  These chocolate protein donuts came in handy for snack time before we headed out to the gym.  Who can say no to chocolate on a snow day, right?  I must say, they go great with an almond latte.  

Plantain Chai Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain egg, dairy or gluten.

These plantain chai muffins are such a delight.  The plantains and the natural chai flavor in the protein powder form a perfect symbiosis.  They work great as a snack.  I made this batch last weekend and enjoyed them throughout the week.  I'm just getting around to sharing this recipe with you-  some weeks do get really busy around here!

Chocolate Avocado Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These cookies do not contain gluten, dairy or egg.

This week has been such a whirlwind of deadlines and activity.  I didn't get off to a good start either because our weekend was not all that productive.  It was one of those when the stars just won't align and you hold on for dear life.  We are still struggling with my son's sleeping schedule too and this week we've had our share of extended bedtime routines which has its challenges.  

Sweet Potato Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain wheat, dairy or egg.

So last weekend with the impending snow storm and the really low temperatures I got to do a lot of baking.  This is the other recipe that I gave a sneak peak of in my Instagram stories.  The inspiration for these muffins came from a stubborn drive to try to get my kiddos to eat potatoes, in some form.  I think it's pretty interesting (?) that they both dislike potatoes.  

Banana Walnut Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain egg, dairy or gluten.

I can't believe it's already Wednesday!  We were off Monday for Martin Luther King's day and school was canceled yesterday because of the weather-  it was 7F in the morning.  Not to worry, today we will be up in the 40s for one day before plummeting down again.  The weather in New England is never boring!

Kale Banana Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These muffins do not contain egg, wheat or dairy.

I know what you are probably thinking-  kale and banana?  I know it's a bit different but hear me out though.  These muffins were inspired by my kids.  They are both picky eaters to different degrees with my youngest being the most challenging.  Getting them to actually eat anything green is a heroic feat so I figured I might try to sneak greens into something yummy like a muffin.  If I bake them with a nut free flour, I can use them in school lunches which would make my life easier.  

Turmeric Collagen Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These cookies do not contain gluten, dairy or egg.

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I love turmeric.  I enjoy this spice in lattes and smoothies.  It has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties so it's a good addition to your diet.