Berry Cookies – Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Healthy!
Author: cozebakes
Lemon Shortbread
There’s something so simple and delicious about shortbread and it can be made in any shape which is great too. I used a square, 9″ tart tin so I could cut them into rectangular pieces and it has a removable bottom which is handy too.
It simply needs some parchment to line the base. This recipe does well if allowed to sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes and then baked.
I scored the pastry before baking but I may have needed to go a bit deeper with the knife. As we’re such big lemon fans, I thought it would be really nice to use the zest of a lemon in the shortbread and I added 1/2 tsp of Sicilian Lemon Extract for a bit more punch.
A little drizzle of a lemon glaze was the perfect finish topped with pistachio pieces. Ta Dah 🙂
Apple & Cinnamon Oat Muffins – Gluten Free option included
I’ve tried this great muffin recipe with different flavour combinations and it was a given that apple and cinnamon would be one to try and wow, did it deliver! Everyone totally loved them.
As these Oat Muffins freeze so well, it’s a great recipe to make and keep for a quick and healthy breakfast or mid morning/afternoon snack to keep you going while at the same time they are low fat, full of fibre, protein, have no refined or processed sugar and taste amazing … it’s a win/win recipe! I’ve used gluten free oats so perfect for the coeliac in our house.
Banana & Peanut Butter Oat Muffins – Gluten Free Option included
I found this US recipe from a blog called “She Likes Food” from Pinterest and liked the healthy take of baked oats with great flavours. It was simple enough to modify the recipe with healthy substitutes and from US imperial to metric measurements.
It’s a simple all in one bowl recipe which is always a bonus! I’ve also given both standard and gluten free versions so you can choose which suits you best.
It’s such a classic flavour combination of banana and peanut butter that I knew they would work out great and be a nice treat without too much guilt. They freeze really well so it’s handy to make two batches and have them for running out the door or when hunger suddenly hits mid afternoon!
Port, Cranberry & Orange Loaf Cake
This recipe was originally from Lynda Booth who runs her own cookery school and is a successful food writer. I immediately was drawn to the comfort and ease of it but still delivering great taste and of course, adaptable ……. well it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t change something 😉 !
I wanted to update the cake a bit so I changed the sherry to port and replaced the raisins with dried cranberries. By doing this, I was able to also reduce the sugar content. I also created a nice boozy drizzle for the top but more of that later ….
Coconut Protein Cookies – Gluten Free
Ooh imagine .… a cookie that has no added processed or refined sugars, has a high protein content, is full of fibre, healthy fats and is low carb! Well here it is folks and you can thank me once you make them and try them because they are beyond delicious! In fact, I would reduce the honey quantity as I found them quite sweet but try them and see for yourself what you think.
I used a locally produced honey which is completely natural and organic so if you can get similar, it all helps to produce a healthy cookie.
You can use any mix of seeds you like; I just happened to have sunflower and pumpkin seeds. I used a vanilla flavour whey protein powder but if you have a different one, try it to change the finished flavour of your cookies or stick with unflavoured if you prefer.
Oat Raisin Cookies – Gluten Free Version included
I found this recipe on Pinterest and originally from Two Purple Figs and I’m a sucker for a traditional Oat Raisin cookie but wanted to make them healthier and to be fair to everyone in the house, gluten free too so I’ve modified the original and it worked out great!
So these are a healthy cookie compared to what you would purchase or traditionally make. They use organic coconut sugar in smaller quantities, have protein powder and include some mixed seeds. All in all, a lot less guilt and some good stuff for you too 🙂
Irish Fruit Soda Bread
A very quick and simple recipe that makes the delicious soda bread sweetened by dried fruit. It’s handy to use up any buttermilk you may have leftover from other recipes and you can shape it into a traditional soda bread or bake in a loaf tin.
I eat it on it’s own but a covering of real Irish butter and a cup of tea seems quite perfect!
To make it a bit healthier, I’ve reduced the sugar quantity (small as it is) and used a combination of wholemeal flour along with the plain flour.
Good Morning Scones
I wanted to make a tasty scone that didn’t leave me feeling bloated when I enjoyed one mid morning and my aim was to have it sugar free and healthy so I combined a couple of fresh and dried ingredients you would normally have in the kitchen, added some spices and used my Best Scone Recipe as the base. Here’s that recipe if you want to try it: https://www.cozebakes.com/2017/03/10/best-scone-recipe/
So the Good Morning Scones were born! They are full of lovely naturally sweet ingredients like dried cranberries and sultanas plus using a mix of wholemeal flour with the plain flour adds a healthy, full of fibre boost. I used a mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds to add even more healthy bites.
Marzipan Cake
This recipe for Marzipan Cake is quick and easy and made with a food processor though I used the blender attachment to my mixer and it worked just as well. It’s really moist and has an amazing flavour. I used shop bought marzipan left over from Christmas but you can make your own too and I’ll include that at the end.
I’m really a fan of anything almond flavour so this cake is always a big hit. The smell is just incredible and as you can buy marzipan anytime of the year, it’s definitely not just for around Christmas time!
Cheese Straws – Gluten Free option
Cheese Straws are such a great recipe to go with any type of drinks you’re having. Whether it’s prosecco or a beer, they just work so well and can be serve on their own or as part of a platter with dips and other nibbles. Just two ingredients and you have it sorted!
You can make them as big or small as you like and as you can now buy Gluten Free Puff Pastry from Jus Rol, everyone can enjoy them. I prefer to make them with puff pastry as it gives a nice few layers to them but if you don’t or can’t get it, then use shortcrust pastry.
Mincemeat Cake
My love for mincemeat tends to go on as long as I can possibly stretch it …. and as I make my own mincemeat, it means I can use it any time of the year … oh along with the fact that I buy fresh cranberries in December and I freeze them for use throughout the year 🙂 – up here for thinking, down there for dancing!
So back to this recipe which is from The Cycling Cook; I adapted it a little and of course, reduced the sugar content. It’s such a delicious and flavour packed cake that it needs very little other than a sprinkling of icing sugar on top.
