Gluten Free Caramel Brownies

When I first decided to throw these together I admit that I had doubts in my mind. I love brownies. They are one of my favorite desserts. And I didn't think that they could get any better than they already were. But I was proven wrong.

I can't imagine anything more decadent than these brownies.

They are gooey, caremly, chocolately, rich and delicious. It almost feels bad to eat one. And so good. 

Oh, so good.

Gluten Free Caramel Brownies

• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa
• 1/2 Cup Brown Rice Flour
• 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/3 Cup Butter, melted
• 3 Tablespoons Water, hot
• 1 Tablespoon Flaxseed Meal
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• 1/2 Cup Caramel Bits (NOTE: they are not labeled gluten free. Use under own discretion.)
• 1/2 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips, divided

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat the water and add the flaxseed meal to it, letting it sit for 10 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl measure the sugars, cocoa, brown rice flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the remaining ingredients. Stir well.
5. Fold in the caramel bits and 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
6. Spread thick batter into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan and bake for about 20 minutes.
7. Melt remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips and drizzle over the brownies before serving.

Enjoy!

-Bethany

Cake Batter Chickpea Cookies

Do you love all things cake batter? Are you looking for a way to make a cake batter treat a little healthier? 

If so, these cake batter chickpea cookies are just the thing for you.

Made with chickpeas in place of flour, and lower in fat than most cookies, these are still tasty and in no way lacking in flavor. 

Try them the next time that you get a craving for something cake batter-flavored!

Cake Batter Chickpea Cookies 

• 2 cups Chickpeas (or one can)
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 3/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/8 teaspoon Salt
• 1/3 Cup White Chocolate Chips
• 2 Tablespoons Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine drained chickpeas, butter, sugars, vanilla extract, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Blend, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth. 
3. Transfer the dough to a bowl and fold in the white chocolate chips and sprinkles.
4. Scoop onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Makes 15-18 cookies.

Enjoy!

-Bethany

Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

I love Mexican food.

I could eat enchiladas all of the time, which is why this recipe is so great. A healthy version of enchiladas just gives me an excuse to eat Mexican all the more often!

I just threw together some veggies, beans and taco seasoning...

And stirred it all together...

Spread it into a pan and topped it with cheese...

And then baked it and ate it. 

It was delicious. So fresh and flavorful. Yum. I want to eat this again. Like, right now.

Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

• 3 Small Zucchinis
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 3/4 Cup Black Beans
• 3/4 Cup Corn (frozen or canned)
• 1/2 Red Onion (optional)
• 1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning
• 1 Cup Cheese, shredded (I used Colby Jack)

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees.
2. Chopped the zucchinis into small, even size pieces. 
3. Drain the diced tomatoes.
4. Add all ingredients beside the cheese into a bowl and toss together. Dump into a greased 8x8' or 9x13 inch. pan.
5. Top with cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes covered (or longer if in a smaller pan) and then take the foil off and bake for another 5-10 to get the cheese melted.
7. Serves: 4-6

Enjoy!
-Bethany

Gluten Free/Egg Free Texas Sheet Cake

If you are looking for a good, simple chocolate cake and frosting recipe, one that is sure to please a crowd or be just as yummy consumed alone, this is the cake for you.

This Texas Sheet Cake recipe is absolutely delicious. I love it. 

This is a half batch, so if you want an actual sheet cake (18x13) you'll have to double the recipe.

Gluten Free Texas Sheet Cake

• 3 Tablespoons water, hot
• 1 Tablespoon Flaxseed Meal
• 2/3 Cup White Rice Flour
• 1/3 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 Cup Water, boiling
• 1/4 Cup Buttermilk (if you don't have any use 1/2 teaspoon vinegar and the rest milk, let sit 5 minutes)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1. Heat 3 Tablespoons of water about 20 seconds in the microwave and add the flaxseed meal to it, setting aside for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. In a large bowl whisk together the rice flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum, sugar and salt.
4. Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in the cocoa powder. Add the boiling water and stir, boiling, for 30 seconds.
5. Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir a bit.
6. Add the vanilla, buttermilk and baking soda to the flax-egg and combine. Add it to the chocolate/flour mixture and mix it all together.
7. Pour into a 9x13 pan and bake for about 20 minutes.

Frosting

• 6 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
• 3 Tablespoons Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1. Melt the butter and then stir in the cocoa powder. 
2. Add the milk, vanilla and powdered sugar and stir. 
3. Pour over the cake while the cake is still warm.

Adapted from this recipe.


-Bethany

Homemade Creamy Gluten Free Mac And Cheese

There is nothing more enjoyable or fulfilling than gathering some ingredients together and making a meal. Especially when that meal involves cheese.

 (speaking of cheese, the one ingredient missing from the picture is Parmesan cheese. Oops.)

And pretty gluten free macaroni noodles.

A little stirring here, a little measuring there, and a creamy cheese sauce appeared. I added the cooked noodles and ended up with this gooey, cheesy, delicious supper.

If you want to make this perfect, creamy gluten free macaroni and cheese for yourself, here is the recipe.

Homemade Creamy Gluten Free Mac And Cheese

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1/4 Parmesan Cheese
• 1 1/2 Cheddar Cheese
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 12 oz. Macaroni Noodles

1. Cook noodles as normal.
2. In a large pan, melt butter. Add the cornstarch and cook for about one minute.
3. Turn heat down a bit and slowly add in heavy cream and milk and whisk until thickened slightly.
4. Add Parmesan and cheddar cheeses stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce appears too thick, add a bit (up to 1/2 cup) of the pasta water.
5. Drain the noodles and add to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
6. Serve and enjoy.

-Bethany