Crafxzen

Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake

On December 19, 2022

This is my go to chocolate mug cake recipe.
This recipe is adapted from a gluten free chocolate mug cake recipe at https://www.mamaknowsglutenfree.com/gluten-free-chocolate-mug-cake/.

2 tablespoons coconut oil, butter or ghee
1 TBS coconut flour
1 TBS ground flaxseed
2 TBS gluten free all purpose flour
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons chocolate chips of choice

In a mug, melt the butter.
Add the coconut flour, ground flaxseed, gluten free flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder and cinnamon and mix.
Stir in the vanilla and water. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.

In a microwave, cook for 90 seconds.
Let sit for 2 minutes.
Optionally, frosten or add a little powdered sugar to the top.

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Apple Pie Bars

By crafxzen

On November 21, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Bars

These were so good! This recipe is modified from the original recipe at https://pastryandbeyond.com/apple-pie-bars-recipe/#recipe

4 peeled, diced apples
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon gluten free all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crust & Crumbles
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Line and 8″ baking pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking oil.

In a bowl, combine the apples, coconut sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine the butter, flour, coconut sugar and cinnamon.

Spoon 2/3 of the crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Add the apple mixture and cover with the rest of the crumb mixture.

Bake for 55 minutes.

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Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

By crafxzen

On November 7, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Cookies

These are a great, guilt free, small batch of cookies.

2 TBS grass fed butter
2 TBS coconut oil
2 TBS ghee or butter
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1 TBS ground flaxseed
2 TBS cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips
1/4 cup dried fruit, berries or cherries

Preheat oven to 350. Melt the butter. Add the coconut oil and ghee. Mix in the coconut sugar, eggs and vanilla.
Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, flaxseed, cornstarch, salt and cinnamon. Add to the butter mixture.
Stir in the coconut flakes, chocolate and dried fruit.

Drop by tablespoons onto a cookie sheet. Flatten with fork, back of a spoon, bottom of a jar, etc. Bake for 15 minutes.
Makes about 15 – 18 cookies.

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Gluten Free Banana Muffins

By crafxzen

On October 24, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Muffins

This is my go to recipe for banana muffins. It is modified from this Gluten Free Whole Grain Banana Muffin recipe.

2 TBS butter
2 TBS coconut oil
1/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large bananas)
1 1/4 cups King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
cinnamon sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 375.
Melt butter. Add coconut oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, and mashed bananas and stir.
Combine flour, flaxseed, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, coconut sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add to banana mixture.
Combine and divide among muffin cups. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if using.
Bake 20 – 25 minutes.

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Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

By crafxzen

On October 10, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Dessert

Apple crisp is an easy, sort of healthy dessert. Cooking in a slow cooker makes it even easier.

This recipe is modified from https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/177053/slow-cooker-apple-crisp/.

Topping:
1/4 cup flour or all purpose gluten free flour
1/4 cup flaxseed
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup coconut sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
4 tbs butter or ghee, cut into pieces

Filling:
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 tbs cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 cups apples – peeled, cored and chopped
2 tbs lemon juice

Mix the flour, flaxseed, oatmeal, 1/4 cup coconut sugar, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. Combine butter with the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.

Mix together 1/4 cup coconut sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Place the apples in a slow cooker. Stir in the cornstarch mixture. Toss with lemon juice. Sprinkle the topping on top. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, until apples are tender. Partially uncover the slow cooker to allow the topping to harden, about 1 hour.

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Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake

By crafxzen

On September 26, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Cake

This was really good! This recipe is modified from the Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake in Country Living, October 2022, pg. 85 to be gluten free and use less sugar. It was also cut in half for a smaller portion and apples added to it. To make the full batch, double all of the ingredients listed below.

6 tbs butter, melted
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups gluten free all purpose flour
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
4 apples, peeled and diced

Cinnamon sugar:
1 tbs butter
2 tbs coconut sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Butter or spray a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix butter, cider, applesauce, vanilla and egg. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon.
Add to the applesauce mixture.

Transfer batter to a prepared bundt pan. Bake for 35 45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes and remove from pan.

For the topping, melt 1 tbs butter and brush it on the top of the bundt cake.
Combine the 2 tbs coconut sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle on the top of the bundt cake.

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Slow Cooker Mixed Berry Fruit Crisp

By crafxzen

On September 12, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Dessert

This was easy and came out great! The original recipe is from: https://www.wellplated.com/triple-berry-crisp/

5 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup 1:1 gluten free baking flour or regular all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
5 cups frozen mixed berries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

In a bowl, melt the butter. Add the oats, flour, cinnamon salt and maple syrup.

In a slow cooker, combine the mixed berries, lemon juice, vanilla and cornstarch. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the top and cook on low for 2 – 3 hours until bubbly.

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Where to Buy Gardening Seeds

By crafxzen

On August 29, 2022

In Gardening

Once the garden is all planned out, the next step is to buy some seeds and start planting. You can just go to Walmart or Lowes. Those seeds will work just fine most of the time. If you want guaranteed heirloom, non GMO seeds though, the best bet is to order online from a reputable site. I came across Baker Creek Seed Company years ago. They are based in Mansfield, Missouri and are my go to for seed orders. The seeds usually grow great. There’s a huge selection of different heirloom varieties of each vegetable. The vegetables that grow taste great. The seed packets are about the same price as the store seed packets. The amount of seeds in a packet varies based on the seed type. Some like zucchini have about 25, others like lettuce have 100 or more. Shipping is free and usually pretty fast too.
They send out an annual catalog that is just amazing. It’s a pretty thick catalog with full color photos of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

A few other sites that I haven’t tried, but look like good options for seed buying are:

Burpee
Hudson Valley
Johnny Seeds
MIgardener
Park Seed
Seed Savers

When you order seeds or starter plants, make sure they will grow in your area based on the USDA hardiness zone map. Otherwise, chances of success greatly decrease.

More Vegetable Gardening Resources

Pecan Caramel Cluster Chocolate Candy Bars

By crafxzen

On August 15, 2022

In Baking Recipes, Candy

These were delicious and healthier than the store bought version. This recipe is modified from this pecan caramel clusters recipe.

1 package Kraft caramels
3 TBS half and half
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips, divided in half
4 tsp butter, divided in half

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt 3/4 cup of dark chocolate chips and 2 tsp butter in the microwave.
Spread over the parchment paper and refrigerate.

In a medium sauce pan, heat the caramel and half and half until the caramel is melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add vanilla, pecans and sea salt.
Pour over the chocolate layer and refrigerate.

Melt the last 3/4 cup of dark chocolate chips and 2 tsp butter in the microwave.
Spread over the caramel layer.
Sprinkle with additional sea salt.

Refrigerate a few hours until set. Cut into bars.

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Warm Weather Vegetables To Plant

By crafxzen

On August 1, 2022

In Gardening

Once the last frost is past, the soil is warm and the nights stay warm, it’s safe to plant warm weather vegetables. These vegetables can’t tolerate any cold temperatures. I usually wait until Memorial Day weekend to plant this type of vegetable, just to be safe.

Warm weather vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, summer squash like zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, corn, eggplant, pumpkins, water melon, winter squash, sweet potatoes and annual herbs like basil.

These should be planted as soon as it’s safe as some warm weather vegetables like tomatoes and pepper take all summer to produce vegetables. They can be covered once the weather turns colder, but growth and production will be much slower, if at all. I plant early enough, but still sometimes have vegetables that are almost ready when cold weather hits, but not quite and end up covering them to get the last bit of life out of them.

More Vegetable Gardening Resources