no bake oatmeal raisin cookie bites

The other day I had walnuts soaking overnight for a raw "tuna" salad but the next morning I just wasn't in the mood. I wanted something sweet. I scanned through my pantry, trying to figure out what ingredients I could throw together to get my sweet fix and ta da! the No Bake Cookie Bites were born.

No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bites
gluten-free, sugar-free, and soy-free
makes 12

1 cup soaked walnuts
1/2 cup dates
1/2 cup oats, 1/2 ground together
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp raisins

In a food processor mix together dates, walnuts, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla until it is a fairly smooth paste. Add 1/4 cup oats and blend into the mixture. Remove dough from food processor and place in a medium sized bowl. Fold in the remaining oats and raisins. 

Scoop dough into 2 Tbsp sized pieces and roll into balls. Allow cookie bites to set up in the refrigerator for an hour. Store in fridge.

Enjoy!

I'll be experimenting with a lot of flavor combinations. These cookies are so easy, good, and healthy! Next up...Peanut Butter Cookie Bites. 

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

vegan, gluten-free, soy-free no bake cookies

For the next month I'm on a gluten-free, soy-free food challenge. As a vegan this limits my diet substantially.  After five days of incredibly healthy, mostly raw meals I needed some chocolate! I have an old no bake cookie recipe in a family cookbook that I have been veganizing for years and I realized with one quick walk to the store, I could have my chocolaty gluten and soy free dessert. 

My grocery run: Earth Balance soy free "butter". I have actually never tried this product before since I usually buy Earth Balances original "butter" sticks, but I knew this product existed and figured it would substitute fine.

And back home mere minutes later, I was ready to no-bake.

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I used hazelnut)
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated margarine (go with Earth Balance)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oats 


In a medium sized pan mix together sugar, non-dairy milk, margarine, and cocoa. Place over medium high heat and bring to boil. Boil for two minutes (not less) and remove from heat.

Mix in oats and vanilla until well combined and looks something like this:

Drop cookies onto wax paper and let cool at room temperature. Once cool and hard, peel off from wax paper and enjoy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

These cookies certainly satisfied my chocolate craving while keeping me honest with my food challenge.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Vegan and Gluten Free Chocolate Mousse Cake

This is a delicious and decadent chocolate cake recipe that was inspired
by a recipe I found in Hannah Kaminsky's "My Sweet Vegan".
This cake is not only a super easy, no bake dessert.
It is also vegan, gluten-free and without refined sugars.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Crust
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup brown rice syrup
3 tbsp canola oil

Combine all ingredients for crust until well combined and dough-like.
Press firmly into a lightly oiled 9 inch spring form pan.

Chill crust while preparing the filing.

Mousse Filling
2 12 ounce packages extra firm silken tofu
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup brown rice syrup
2 tsp almond extract
12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

Drain tofu and blend well in food processor. Scrape down sides and add cocoa powder, brown rice syrup and almond extract. Blend again.
Meanwhile melt the chocolate chips in a double broiler and
add to tofu mixture. Scrape down and blend for several minutes
until mixture is smooth.

Pour mousse into chilled crust and smooth with offset spatula.

Chill in refrigerator for at least four hours.
Top with raspberries and chocolate shaving.