Cookies/Bars/Brownies Archives - Page 3 of 9

Delicious Homemade GF Holiday Gifts in a Jar

From left to right – Front row: Season’s Greetings poultry seasoning mix and Spiced Holiday Nuts. Back row: Pumpkin Pie Muffin Mix, Raw Cookie Dough Bites Mix, Homemade Granola and Fruit-n-Nut Bars Mix.

One of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is to make homemade gifts in a jar. And the wonderful thing is, they’re as much fun to make together, as they are to give to others! Simply layer the ingredients of a favorite recipe in a mason jars, then add a festive ribbon and tag, and there you have it – a thoughtful gift made with love.

There are certainly a ton of mason jar gift ideas out there, but unfortunately, many rely on unhealthy ingredients. So I thought it would be fun to share just a few of my favorites with the hope that this may help you to create some healthy homemade gifts of your own!

My Favorite GF Whole Food Mason Jar Gift Recipes

1. Fruit-in-Nut Bars in a Jar – These mock KIND Fruit-n-Nut Bars have been one of the most popular recipes I’ve posted this year. I modified the recipe a bit so it makes a beautiful and delicious gift-in-a-jar.

2. Slow Cooker Spiced Holiday Nuts – This year, we’ll be spreading holiday cheer with this delightful Spiced Holiday Nuts Gift-in-a-Jar recipe. These tasty nuts capture the aroma and flavor of the holiday season with just a hint of cayenne, giving them an extra kick of flavor. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to stop eating them!

3. Festive Little Gingersnaps in a Jar – Slightly crispy along the edges with a sweet-n-spicy chewy center, these scrumptious little grain-free gingersnap cookies make a thoughtful holiday gift! I like to stack them in recycled mason jars and dress-them-up with festive ribbons and bows.

4. “Season’s Greetings” in a Jar – This savory all-purpose seasoning mix makes a wonderful gift, especially when paired with my free recipe card printables.

5. Raw Cookie Dough Bites Mix in a Jar – My popular Raw Cookie Dough Bites recipe also works beautifully as a gift in a jar. Bet you can’t eat just one!

6. Pumpkin Pie Muffins Mix in a Jar – A much requested favorite, my GF pumpkin muffin recipe makes a beautiful and tasty gift in a jar!

7. Jumbleberry Jam in a Jar – You can use any whole food jam recipe to create a delicious holiday gift. I especially love to give my family’s favorite – Jumbleberry Jam – it’s secret ingredient allows the jam to set without the use of pectin powders!

8. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter and/or Slow Cooker Apple Butter in a Jar – These traditional fall-inspired spreads are so easy to make! And there so delicious! Your friends and family will love these!

9. Healthy Homemade Granola Gifts-in-a-Jar – the delicious versatility of homemade granola (and this simple healthy homemade granola bars recipe) makes it a thoughtful and welcomed gift!

10. Homemade Doggie Treats Gift-in-a-Jar – don’t forget your furry little friends! Doggies love homemade treats too! Take it from my pup Frankie, these easy Sweet Potato Puppy Treats are tail waggin’ good!

Tips for Creating Your Own Homemade Gifts …

Many recipes can be converted into beautiful gifts-in-a-jar. When thinking about which of your favorite recipes will work well as a gift-in-the-jar, it’s important to consider the following:
• Will the recipe ingredients fit in a standard size mason jar, such as a half-pint, pint or quart?
• How easy is the recipe to assemble? Are the additional items needed to complete the recipe standard ingredients that most people have on hand?
• How will you include instructions for making the recipe? (My preferred option is to include the instructions inside a holiday greeting card and place the card and gift jar into a recycled gift bag.)
• What are the storage requirements for the gift jar – should it be refrigerated or stored at room temp? And for how long? (Be sure these are included in the instructions, or explained to the recipient.)

I hope these ideas inspire you to create some healthy homemade holiday gifts of your own! Wishing you and your family many blessings for a joyful and Merry Christmas! Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly

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Luscious Lemon Bars (GF)

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Almost Oatmeal Cookies (Grain-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Option)

By Kelly · 52 Comments

EXCITING UPDATE: Hooray! My new cookbook – Everyday Grain-Free Baking – is now available online and at your favorite bookstores nationwide. Get a sneak peek here!

If you’ve been hanging out with me for awhile, then you know that for the last six months I’ve been developing more than 100 new grain-free, dairy-free recipes for my upcoming book “Everyday Grain-Free Baking.” I’m excited to share some good news … the manuscript went to the publisher last month and I just heard back that they love it! Yay! So it looks like we’re right on track for pre-orders to begin in November!

In the meantime, to celebrate, I thought we could bake-up some delicious grain free oatmeal cookies together! So of course, I’m excited to share a brand new recipe from the book that’s truly one of my personal favorites.

I call this recipe “Almost” Oatmeal Cookies, because although there isn’t a single oat in these beauties, the taste and texture is so reminiscent of their namesake, they’re certain to bring a smile to your face! (Especially if you’re like me and have been missing oatmeal cookies since going grain-free.)

Unsweetened shredded coconut is the secret behind this cookie’s chewy texture reminiscent of the oatmeal cookies we grew up enjoying. So grab a glass of milk and get ready for these delightful honey-sweetened treats!

P.S. The lovely napkins featured in these photos are courtesy of my friends at Hen House Linens. I just adore their beautiful table linens, and even more so, their mission to make mealtimes special by adding a touch of warmth and beauty to the table.

This delightful recipe is just one of more than 100 irresistible grain-free, dairy-free recipes in my new cookbook – Everyday Grain-Free Baking!

From breads, biscuits and muffins to savory snacks and decadent treats, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, beautiful color photographs and helpful tips & tidbits to make all of your GF baking adventures a delicious success!

Click here to get a SNEAK PEEK of the book!

Grain-Free "Oatmeal" Cookies (Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Option)

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
1 teaspoon coconut flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (or palm shortening)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3 cup organic raisins

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda and salt.
Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, mix together the butter (or palm shortening), coconut oil, honey, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well to combine. Then add the shredded coconut; continuing to mix until well blended.
Using a rubber spatula, fold in the raisins. Then drop the dough by rounded spoonfuls at least two inches apart onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your fingers to slightly flatten the cookies into rounds.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown along edges. Allow the cookies to completely cool on the cookie sheet, as they will be very soft and crumbly when hot.
Once cooled, they transform into the ultimate deliciously chewy treat!

https://thenourishinghome.com/2014/09/grain-free-oatmeal-cookies/

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post include affiliate links, providing The Nourishing Home a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make a purchase, but if you do, it helps to support this site and ministry. Thank you!

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Raw Cookie Dough Bites (GF)

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Raspberry Crumble Bars {from Everyday Grain-Free Baking}

By Kelly · 4 Comments

In Southern California, fresh ripe raspberries arrive as early as May, which means it’s the perfect time to start stockpiling these delectable treats (as well as other delicious berry favorites, like organic strawberries and blueberries).

Once berry season is in full gear, we enjoy almost daily doses of fresh-from-the-field berries in homemade yogurt parfaits and atop grain-free granola. Of course, as the berries become overripe, they’re perfect for freezing and for making wonderful homemade preserves – both of which can be enjoyed year-round.

In celebration of berry season, I’m this special recipe from my cookbook, Everyday Grain-Free Baking. These delightful Raspberry Crumble Bars, with their slightly sweetened cookie crust, really highlight the sweet-n-tangy flavor of raspberries! (By the way, they’re absolutely delightful with any fruit preserves of choice! Feel free to substitute with apricot, strawberry, or mixed berry preserves.)

Although there are several steps, these bars come to together quick-n-easy, making them a fun recipe for cooking with kids. They also freeze well, if you can resist the temptation of eating them all in one sitting

This delightful recipe is just one of more than 100 irresistible grain-free, dairy-free recipes in my new cookbook – Everyday Grain-Free Baking!

Click here to get a SNEAK PEEK of the book!

Raspberry Crumble Bars

Yield: 12-16 bars

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup butter (or coconut oil), melted
1 Tbsp pure honey
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp coconut flour
1/2 cup homemade raspberry preserves (or your favorite all-fruit preserves)

For the Topping:

1/3 Tbsp butter (or coconut oil), melted
1 tsp pure honey
3/4 cup blanched almond flour
1/2 cup unsweetened finely shredded coconut
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325ºF.. Lightly oil an 8x8-inch baking dish with coconut oil. Line the bottom with two pieces of parchment paper, making sure the paper extends over two sides of the dish. (This will allow you to lift the bars out of the dish once baked and cooled.)
Make the crust: In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda and salt. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter (or coconut oil), honey and vanilla. Then whisk in the coconut flour. Stir in the blanched almond flour mixture to the butter mixture, until well combined. (The dough will be crumbly, but should be moist enough that it sticks together when you pinch it.)
Spoon the dough into the prepared baking dish, and press it evenly along the bottom to form the crust. Bake the crust for 5-6 minutes, just until it rises a bit. Remove from oven.
Spoon the preserves over the hot crust and spread evenly making sure to leave about 1/4-inch of bare crust on all sides. This prevents the preserves from seeping under the crust.
Make the topping: In the same bowl you used for the crust, whisk together the melted butter (or coconut oil) and honey. Using a spoon, stir in the blanched almond flour and shredded coconut until incorporated but still a bit crumbly.
Using your fingers, evenly crumble the coconut topping over the top of the preserves. Then evenly scatter the sliced almond across the top. Gently press the almonds into the crumble topping a bit.
Bake the bars for 18-20 minutes, until the crumble topping is lightly golden brown. Cool completely When the bars are completely cool cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill, about 2-3 hours.
Once bars are cold, remove from fridge and run a knife along the two sides without parchment. Using the parchment, gently lift the bar flat out of the dish and place on a cutting board. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure to wait to cut the bars until they are cold. Otherwise, they will be quite crumbly and not hold together well. Wrap any leftover bars and store in the fridge or freezer.

*Also note, you can use any homemade or all-fruit preserves you’d like to create these delicious cookie bars. Some of our other favorites are apricot, mixed berry and strawberry. Enjoy!

https://thenourishinghome.com/2014/03/raspberry-crumble-bars-gf/

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