You have to check out some of the AWESOME recipes on Healthful Pursuit! She has awesome recipes- and I LOVE that she shared this A-Ha moment: "I had no idea how much garbage was in the food I ate before I began studying to become a Holistic Nutritionist. From the preservatives, unnecessary sugars, carcinogens, dyes, flavors and chemicals, it didn’t phase me. But, a couple of weeks into my training something clicked…
The food I’m eating is slowly killing me."
No Bake Granola Cakes
Vegan, Gluten free, Dairy free
All the granola taste and texture in a convenient cake! These no bake cakes are perfect for after the gym with a plate of carrot sticks, or can double as a unique dessert for a dinner party.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 2 tbsp brown rice syrup, maple syrup, or honey – if honey is used, the recipe is no longer vegan*
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut + extra for sprinkling
- 1/3 cup quinoa flakes
- 3 tbsp ground flax seed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
*Note: this recipe can be made sweetener free by removing the brown rice syrup completely and replacing it with extra almond butter. I made a batch with no sweetener and it tasted fantastic!
Directions
- Combine almond butter, rice syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil in a small sauce pan. Heat on medium low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so. Be sure it doesn’t burn!
- Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour heated almond butter mixture into nuts and seeds bowl, and stir until all pieces are coated.
- Spoon mixture into large muffin liners or muffin tin, pressing down firmly on each one and flattening with hands.
- Sprinkle with coconut and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up.
Nutrition stats [1 granola cake]: calories 189; fat 15g [all good fats!]; saturated fat 5g; carbohydrates 13g; dietary fiber 2g; sugars 5g; protein 4g
Makes 12 cakes.
Variation
Are you more in the mood for a cookie? No problem! Add:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
To the mixture above.
- Form into cookies, sprinkle with coconut and bake at 350F for 15-18 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before eating.
Makes 12 cookies.
