Blueberry Muffins (Gluten Free, Vegan & Refined Sugar Free)

Okay let me just go ahead and say this right off the bat - I'm a blueberry muffin snob. For real, I'm picky about blueberry muffins and I'm not easy to please. Hands down, the best blueberry muffin recipe I have ever had are there Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins. But, then I quit gluten and dairy and thought I would never eat a good blueberry muffin again. That is, until I made these muffins!

I brought one of these muffins into work for my boss and she could not believe they were allergen friendly. I frequently hear people say they are trying to cut out gluten or dairy or sugar... but are struggling because their kids/spouse/family/friends... won't eat that way. Let me first say, that I am lucky to be surrounded by people who are adventurous and will try just about anything! But, I really don't think I've made that much of a compromise in the food department. And these muffins are a great example of that - you could easily whip up a batch of them and serve them to any group of people without any questions. They're just good. Period. Let's get to the recipe, shall we?

This recipe is from a blog called Making Thyme for my Health. I made a few adjustments based on suggestions in the comments - all of which I've detailed below. You can find the original recipe HERE.

Pecan Cranberry Granola

I'm back for the second day in a row - what!? It's been a hot minute but I am so happy to be back and sharing a recipe! It feels so familiar to be sitting under a cozy blanket, writing a post with Gilmore Girls playing in the background. I never actually watch Gilmore Girls while I'm writing, I just love having it on in the background. The banter feels so familiar to return to every once in a while. Let's get to the recipe!

Every year when my family goes on vacation, we get this amazing pecan cranberry granola by Love Grown. We can never find it at our local grocery stores so I look forward to eating it on vacation all year long. This recipe is our copycat version of Love Grown's granola. It's from Everyday Eye Candy and it is pretty darn good! As usual, this recipe is gluten free and dairy free.

Vegan French Toast (Gluten Free & Refined Sugar Free too!)

This vegan French toast makes the most perfect lazy Sunday morning breakfast. I have been making this French toast recipe a lot lately because I just cannot get enough. I love how easy it is to throw together and I love that it makes for the easiest leftovers. I store my leftover batter in an air tight container in the fridge and it lasts me 3-4 days. I use gluten free bread when I make french toast but you can use any kind of bread that works best for you.

I have to quickly mention that this french toast uses banana but I don't mind it at all. I barely taste the banana in the finished product and I am pretty picky about banana flavour. I like a banana on its own but I don't love banana in a smoothie or fruit salad. I usually find the flavour of bananas pretty overbearing. Despite how picky I am about bananas, I still love this French toast! The banana really doesn't take away from the overall flavour - somehow it all works.

Apple Cider Doughnuts (Gluten Free, Vegan & Refined Sugar Free)

I have had a serious hankering for doughnuts lately. Like, scrolling through Pinterest, looking at pictures of doughnuts hankering. We used to make killer homemade doughnuts, but then I quit gluten, dairy, eggs and sugar. And, as a result I had to ditch doughnuts. Two weeks ago, I would have told you that I was fine and not missing doughnuts. That is, until I realized I was looking up doughnut recipes almost every day - ha! I wish I was joking.

I stumbled upon this recipe from Mama Knows Gluten Free on Friday and I just knew I had to make these doughnuts! I ran out to get a doughnut pan from our local kitchen store (because these doughnuts are baked and not fried) then got to work! You can find the original recipe HERE, but keep scrolling to find out how I made these fabulous doughnuts!

Waffles (Gluten Free & Vegan)

There are some things I don't miss since I cut out gluten, dairy, eggs, etc... like cheese. I just don't miss cheese. I used to love cheese and know the thought of eating a piece of cheese makes my stomach turn. Cheesy pizza? No thank you. Cream cheese on bagel? Big no thank you! I really don't miss cheese, but I something I do miss is waffles! I used to love fresh, homemade waffles and I miss them so much!

When we were in Florida on March break, we found some great gluten free waffle options (by the company Van's) but Canadian grocery stores have less of a selection in the waffle department. I tried making some homemade the other day and they turned out pretty good. The Bean said "they're definitely not a 10/10 but I'd give them a solid 8.5/10." And I completely agree. They aren't like traditional gluten waffles but considering they're gluten free, dairy free, egg free and sugar free, they're pretty darn good!

This recipe is from the Minimalist Baker, you can find it HERE.

Sugar Free Chocolate Smoothie

Y'all, I have been sugar free for 9 days now. This is the longest I have gone without sugar in a long time. I mean, probably since I was an toddler! There's good and bad - mostly good though! For one, I haven't has a headache in 9 days! I used to get headaches often, but I've been headache free! The other change I've noticed is I have more consistent positive energy. This is obviously great! I've been loving it. Since going sugar free, I've found that I have energy during the day and I'm tired when it's time for me to sleep - that has been pretty fabulous!

The one thing I've been struggling with is, sometimes I just want sugar! I want to eat something quick and snack-y - you know? I've been able to satisfy these cravings with a fruit or by just drinking water. Is it fun? No. But it works! Yesterday, I really wanted something sweet! It was Valentine's Day and I just wanted a treat, darn it! One day, this will be an option, but for now I am choosing not to indulge. So I went looking for an alternative and this is what I ended up making...

Frangipane Buns

This is one of my all time favorite treats - frangipane is kind of like a cinnamon bun but it has a delicious almond filling instead of cinnamon. I love having frangipane for breakfast but it also makes the most perfect afternoon snack! This recipe comes from a variety of places - I make the dough in our bread machine and use a simple white bread recipe. The frangipane filling comes from a holiday Canadian Living magazine. Here is how to make it...

Pancakes (+Gluten Free Option)

When my mom went gluten free in January, I remember thinking 'now everything she eats will be gross!' So not true, but many things that are gluten free just don't measure up! And I still stand by that! Cooking and baking gluten free is hard and the end result isn't as reliable! I tried making a gluten free pie crust a few months ago and it was a major flop :( When I find great recipes that work just as well when they're gluten free, I get pretty excited! Good food is important in this house!

A couple of weekends ago, I went to an early morning yoga class and came home with a serious hankering for pancakes! I wanted the fluffiest pancakes and I wanted them fast! I found a great recipe on a blog called Mm Good, you can find it HERE. I made half of the recipe with all-purpose flour and the other half with gluten free flour. I felt it was my duty to try both - it's part of the job, right!? I am thrilled to report that I couldn't even tell a difference! They were equally as fluffy and they were both delicious!

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

I made these scones right when my family got home from vacation - so as much as we were bummed to be home, this sweet treat brightened our spirits! We all had one when they were still warm and they were perfect, but they were just as good after chilling in the fridge over night! I found this recipe on Annie's Noms, you can find it HERE!

Baking with the Bean: Breakfast Omelet Muffins

The Bean is in exams right now and was looking for a little break from studying and suggested a little Baking with the Bean segment! I was happy to oblige especially because I've had these fun muffins on my 'to make' list forever! So, with my sidekick in toe I made some muffins that I am so excited to share with you today!

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

The Bean was really into looking up overnight oat recipes on Pinterest recently so I helped her put some Apple Cinnamon overnight oats together!

Add 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 of milk (or non-dairy alternative), 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1 diced apple to a mason jar.

Spiced Oatmeal Muffins

I have been making muffins weekly lately & I have loved having them as snacks in the mornings! These were so good and very fall! Although I will probably hold off making these again until October/November they were still so tasty to have! I found the recipe on Five Heart Home & you can find it HERE.

The Bean made these with me and I was so happy to have my stylish little side kick baking with me!

She sported my chef hat with a little bow and a darling apron that we found on sale at Target! 

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are long gone in my house, but I still think of them often because they were delicious! I'm hoping to make them again soon! I got the recipe from Little Sweet Baker - you can find it HERE.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of milk, the zest from one orange, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

I made these muffins a couple of weeks ago and just haven't had free space in my blogging schedule to share the recipe with you! I go through weeks where I feel like I'm scrambling for content and others where I feel like I'm overloaded on content. And lately, I've just had so much to blog about! This recipe was delicious and so perfect to pack as a snack in my lunch! I got the recipe from A Kitchen Addiction, you find it HERE.

In a small mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and a half teaspoon of salt.

Pancakes & Pajamas Party - The Food

The Bean's birthday was last Saturday and it was the biggest success! Yesterday, I talked all about the games and today and talking all about the food! We did a pancake bar for the girls and had some french silk pie instead of cake - it was all a hit! Let's start with the pancake bar!

I made my favorite pancakes. You can find the recipe HERE. The link to the recipe is actually for blueberry pancakes, but if you want plain pancakes like these, just leave out the blueberries. The pancakes without the blueberries are just as delicious. 

Pancakes & Pajamas Party - The Games

I have been promising a post about the Bean's party since last week and it is finally here! Today, I'm sharing the games we played and tomorrow all be talking all about the food!

The girls arrived at 11:00 for brunch. once they were through with the pancake bar, we played the lap game. This is my third time animating the lap game and it is just as good every time. The girls get a kick out of it and it is so funny to watch too! You can find a more detailed description of how I do the lap game HERE.

Spinach & Bacon Quiche

Yesterday, I was watching Gilmore Girls (because that's my absolute favorite thing to do!) and Sookie made quiche. Well, that quiche was something powerful because I paused the episode and made quiche for dinner. I have never made quiche before but I was excited to find out that it was so easy to make and the result was delish! I found this recipe on The Kurtz Corner - you can find it HERE.

Start by making a pie crust - add 1 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to a medium mixing bowl.
*You could use store bought pie crust if you prefer!

Pie for Breakfast?

This past Saturday, I had pie for breakfast and it was delightful! It was definitely a sugar overload but it was so much fun! I thought it was such a great idea for a fundraiser so I'm sharing it with all of you!

The event that I went to was a fundraiser for the local Rotary club where our family friends live in Vermont. They were raising money to support students who are going on an exchange and they asked everyone attending to bring a pie or two. When I was invited to this event I thought it would just be dessert pies. But, I was wrong! There were pizza pies, Quiches, Shepard's Pie and of course, lots and lots of dessert pies!

The entry fee was $5 for all you can eat pie and the turn out was serious! Apparently people love the idea of pie for breakfast! This themed event was such a fun alternative to the typical potluck! I loved getting to try all different kinds of pie!

See you tomorrow!

Heart Shaped Treats

Both of the recipes I'm talking about today are ones that I've already shared but I wanted to show you how I turned them into Valentine treats! I took my go to sugar cookie recipe (you can find it HERE) and turned them into hearts. I also took my favorite cinnamon bun recipe (you can find it HERE) and turned them into hearts! So many hearts coming out of my kitchen this week!

Apple Turnovers

Successful making apple turnovers was kind of dream like for me, because they are something I never thought I would be able to make! Well, not only did I make them, but they were much easier than I expected and they turned out great! I used a blog called Live Well, Bake Often to guide me through making these - you can find the original recipe HERE.

First you'll need puff pastry - you can buy puff pastry from the grocery store or you can use my favorite recipe. If you choose to make the puff pastry that I shared last week, cut it in half once it's out of the fridge.

Roll out the puff pastry dough so that you have two 10x10 inch squares.