desserts

Shabtai Bakery re-emerges on the food allergy scene!

Several years ago, I reviewed gluten-free products from Shabtai Bakery in New York. They offered wonderful desserts which are not only gluten-free, but are dairy free, peanut free, soy free, lactose free, casein free, corn free, and Kosher. Bakers for over 30 … more




christmas angel cake

I found this lovely fruit studded Christmas Cake on Elana’s Pantry, one of my favorite websites. I like the way this recipe starts with an orange and a food processor – inspired! Her original recipe contains lots of nuts, but … more




sticky toffee date cake

This is the first time that a dish I’ve prepared and tested was gobbled up faster than I could take a picture. I’ve tested it three times and each time I asked my family to please leave me a decent … more




gluten-free carrot cake

This is my husband’s and my favorite cake. So much so that we had it for our wedding cake. If you want to go right to the recipe, then skip down a bit. If you want to hear a funny … more




white and dark clusters

I think the only reason my children make candy with me is the reward of licking the chocolate drenched spatulas. It’s a good deal for everyone, actually. While making my traditional bark that my husband hands out at work each … more




chocolate dipped macaroons

I really think macaroons are the poster child for gluten-free treats. Plus, you’ve got to love a “cookie” that dates back to 16th century Italy. Over the years, Italian Jews adopted the recipe due to a lack of leavening (no … more




almond butter cookies

My friend Nili introduced me to these cookies yesterday. Got to love a neighbor who drops by with goodies! They are incredibly moist and chewy and would be a good base for a variety of different iterations – white chocolate, … more




white chocolate cherry bark

White chocolate, dried cherries and salted pecans are a great combination for the holidays. Coconut adds another bit of depth. Remember, any kind of chocolate, even the stuff that isn’t really chocolate (like “white” chocolate) is better with salt, hence … more




holiday chocolate mousse

The Chocolate Mousse recipe below is not a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but since the kids in our family request it each year, it’s found a permanent place on the menu. I finally got smart and used old fashioned, shallow dessert … more




thanksgiving desserts

The meal after the meal, if we’re being honest. I can’t think of another occasion when desserts are so heavily featured. We love to eat half portions of everything, so we can taste every possible sampling. That’s just common sense. … more




gluten-free brownie parfait

I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for ways to make food stretch at my house. At any given time, I have between two (the ones I’ve got), and eight kids at my house. An easy dessert is … more




happy v-day

A few goodies to make for your favorite Valentines on this day of splurging. Valentine Bonbons Chocolate Almond Bark Strawberry Banana Cake Melissa’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups     




gluten-free pumpkin spice cookies

I love fall – everything about it. On the west coast, we have a fairly narrow corridor of color compared to the rest of the country, but as a native, I can always find a fall day in lengthening shadows … more




gluten-free almond flour chocolate chip cookies

Elana of Elana’s Pantry came up with the original recipe for these delicious cookies. I’ve made a few changes here as a splurge, substituting butter for oil and brown sugar for agave syrup, which gives the cookies a bit more … more




coconut pecan squares

I love the old adage, ‘Better Late than Never’; lately it’s become a theme of my life. This past Friday, we celebrated my mom at a beautiful memorial service. My life has been on hold for the last month getting … more




gluten-free raspberry bon bons

Chocolate and raspberries…what’s not to love? This is a fun project to do with kids. Candy molds are an inexpensive purchase (I got mine at Michaels), and with the bon bon molds, you can fill them with anything you like. … more




gluten-free pumpkin banana mousse tart

This is hands down, my son’s favorite recipe “in the world.” Last year for Thanksgiving, he had three small slices and snuck another four, so he confessed the next morning. This recipe, originally from Ina Garten, is also my favorite now … more




gluten-free pumpkin bon bons

I love anything pumpkin…bread, pancakes…watch for pumpkin soup later this month. So naturally, I figured it would pair well with chocolate. This is a fun project to do with kids. Candy molds are an inexpensive purchase (I got mine at … more




spooky strawberries

Check these out! I found these on Recipe Diva, a great blog I contribute to. These are from the Diva herself. What better way to celebrate strawberries and chocolate for Halloween? And who wouldn’t like to eat a monster with … more




strawberry cupcakes

I tried using a mix for these cupcakes – Pamela’s Vanilla Cake Mix, but honestly, they were very heavy, unlike the rest of Pamela’s mixes, which are airy and light. I highly recommend this recipe from Elana’s Pantry. If you … more




ridiculously good cream cheese frosting

I found this recipe while looking for a Red Velvet Cake recipe for my friend Sandra. Being a Crimson alum from the University of Oklahoma, she has a particular fondness for Red Velvet Cake or as I like to call … more




brownie s’mores

I am a consumate believer in the slightly undercooked brownie. Moist, gooey and not a hint of dryness is my cup of proverbial tea when it comes to these treats. They do not, however, resemble the clean edged brownies that … more




melissa’s chocolate peanut butter cups

A busy mother of three, Melissa devised this finger licking treat which marries two of life’s perfect flavors: chocolate and peanut butter. Gluten and dairy free, but chemical and preservative free as well, your kids will love these. Adults too, … more




maiah’s chocolate zucchini cake

Maiah submitted this as an adaptation from a family recipe. Those of you who have a vegetable garden can testify that there is just so much zucchini you can eat or give to your neighbors! I love that this cake … more




pineapple upside down cake

I personally love these old fashioned desserts that remind me of my early childhood and church potlucks. And nothing says summer like a pair of cat-eyed sunglasses and pineapple upside down cake…1960’s style. Trust me, I have pictures of my … more




coconut strawberry ice cream

Uber delicious and crazy quick. The only requirement is an ice cream maker, which is one of those investments that pays for itself the first summer you use it. This coconut based ice cream is creamy and full of flavor. … more




pamela’s chocolate chunk cookies

Another great short cut compliments of Pamela’s. GFCF, but with a bit of soy in the chunks of chocolate, these are my son’s favorite cookies, bar none. Using a mini-ice cream scooper makes beautiful, uniform cookies every time. Prep time: … more




chocolate puffed rice treats

A classic American treat that is almost always gluten and dairy free! You can use traditional marshmallows or get the more health conscious variety at your local co-op or Whole Foods. My son’s 8th birthday party is tomorrow and this … more




banana strawberry cake

I’m on kind of a berry kick at the moment. Now that spring is firmly here and I can feel the hint of summer here in Southern California, I know perfectly ripe berries are just around the corner. That means … more




berry port cake

I have those moments of rash justification when I tell myself that I HAVE to eat this to make sure it’s ready to share. My accomplice was my 8 year old son, who like a small rodent, took a bite … more




chocolate dipped strawberries

There is something so familiar, yet decadent about a chocolate dipped strawberry. You can do them the night before you serve them and they are perfect the next day. Just take them out of the refrigerator about a half hour … more




chocolate cupcakes

I love a good short cut. Sof’ella makes an excellent chocolate cake mix that requires the addition of water, eggs and butter (I used grapeseed oil with no problem). I made a few changes – instead of 1 1/4 cups … more




carrot cake & pumpkin muffins

This is a take-off of my pumpkin banana muffins, but carrot cake style. I love using a mini muffin pan for these for tiny bite-sized treats that freeze beautifully. I know…it’s a lot of ingredients, but most of them are … more




valentine bonbons

My friend, Simone, gave me the idea for these little nuggets. Using ready made chocolate sandwich creme cookies (they look like Oreos) make these gluten-free, casein-free bonbons a snap to make.  Add peanut butter to the mix and you’ve created … more




chewy chocolate chip cookies

These gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are packed full of protein, thanks to almond flour and quinoa flakes. The soft cakiness of these cookies are great for my daughter after her braces get tightened. Dipped in almond milk or coffee, they … more




quickest ever GFCF peppermint bark

Short of biting into a candy cane while you’ve got a mouthful of chocolate chips, this recipe is the easiest way to produce that wonderful chocolate-peppermint combination but GFCF style – without the milk. No blocks of chocolate, no layering … more




peppermint bark

I love this stuff. It’s totally addicting, so I’m glad candy canes are only available at Christmas, or I’d be in trouble. This is a fun thing to do with friends or with your kids. It’s a little tricky. Just … more




dad’s tart

Last weekend, we brought our kids and their two friends to the Veteran’s Day Parade downtown. It started with high school bands marching in perfect time with their shiny instruments, wiping beads of sweat from their foreheads. Flag twirlers followed … more




chocolate almond bark

These are inspired by the little candies I cherry pick from the box of See’s that finds its way into our home every Christmas. You can use solely milk chocolate or solely dark for this recipe, but I think half … more




apple crisp

Like an apple pie but without the crust. Good for any time of year, but best in fall, I think, when the apples are perfectly ripe. I’ve made it a couple different ways – with almond flour in the topping … more




creepy cupcakes

If you’re looking for some fun treats for your child’s class party, these cupcakes offer a bit of whimsy with a slight ick factor. Just use a packaged mix – I like Cherrybrook Kitchen or Pamela’s Chocolate Cake mixes and … more




quick chocolate chip cookies

Not just for little kids, but for big ones too – chocolate chip cookies are the universal comfort food, right up there with mashed potatoes and popcorn. Busy individuals and families take heart. Cherrybrook Kitchen has a wonderful gluten, dairy, … more




chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting

Maybe the best combination of all…chocolate and peanut butter. Prep time: 20 minutes Total time:  45 minutes Yield: 12 cupcakes For cupcakes: 1 bag Pamela’s Chocolate Cake Mix 2 large eggs 1 1/4 c. water 1/2 c. oil For frosting: … more




carrot cake muffins with cream cheese frosting

Remember, this has a tiny amount of milk in it. Delicious with a cup of tea or coffee. Great for a grab and go breakfast on the way to work. Prep time: 20 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Yield: 6 … more




fruit platter

Never underestimate the appeal of fresh fruit. When I bring an this to a party, fruit is always a nice contrast to all the standard heavy, creamy fare. Use whatever is in season and it makes a beautiful appetizer or … more




chocolate chip muffins

Using Pamela’s mix makes these muffins a snap. Remember, there’s a small amount of milk in these. Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Yield: 12 muffins 2 1/2 c. Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix 1/2 c. water 1/2 … more




paige’s witch hats

Easy to make and a hit with everyone, not just kids. Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1 c. peanut butter (I use organic, which produces a less creamy cookie, but tastes great) 1/2 … more