Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Frozen Banana Filled Sunbutter Cups

These candies are amazing. Freezing the banana makes it taste like ice cream. The Sunbutter and chocolate make them perfect.

Frozen Banana Filled Sunbutter Cups

1/2 cup safe chocolate chips
1/4 cup Sunbutter
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 banana, sliced into 14 slices about 1/4" thick

Place the chocolate chips in the microwave to melt until smooth. In a separate bowl, microwave the Sunbutter and coconut oil until melted and smooth. Line a mini muffin tin with 14 mini muffin liners. Spoon 1 tsp of the chocolate into each liner, shaking the pan to coat evenly. Place a banana slice on top. Spoon 1 tsp of the Sunbutter mixture on top, using the spoon to push the mixture all around the banana. Spoon 1/2 tsp of the chocolate into the center. Freeze for 1 hour or until set.
*  Store covered in the freezer.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free No Bake Sunbutter Chocolate Oat Clusters

No bake cookies have always been a family favorite. A few of our favorites are No Bake Chocolate Oat Clusters, No Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies, and No Bake Chocolate Coconut Clusters. However, I wanted to make a healthy version and remove the dairy free margarine and refined sugar. They turned out really good and the girls loved them. The old fashioned oats make the cookies chewier and heartier than the quick oats in my other recipes. If you'd rather them not be as chewy, feel free to use the quick oats or pulse the old fashioned oats a few times in the blender.

No Bake Sunbutter Chocolate Oat Clusters

1/2 cup safe chocolate chips
1/4 cup Sunbutter
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or soy milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

Microwave the chocolate chips, Sunbutter, applesauce, and cocoa until melted and smooth, stirring after each 30 second interval. Stir in the oats until thoroughly coated, using more if needed. Drop by spoonful onto a wax paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set. Store covered in fridge or freezer.
*  Makes about 24 clusters.
* You can also heat the mixture in a saucepan on the stove instead of using the microwave.
* You can pulse the old fashioned oats a few times in the blender or use quick oats if you want a less chewy texture.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free (and refined sugar free) Simple Coconut Macaroons

These macaroons are so good. Anything with coconut is perfect in my world. My girls liked them with a melted chocolate drizzle or chocolate chips added, but I preferred them plain.

Simple Coconut Macaroons

1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp soy milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut (sweetened can be used but they will be very sweet)

Combine the maple syrup, soy milk, and vanilla. Add the coconut and mix thoroughly. The mixture will be loose. Form a tablespoon amount of the mixture into a mound on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until all of the mixture is used. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until the coconut on top is browning. Allow the macaroons to cool completely before removing from the sheet or they will fall apart. The syrup makes a mess on the parchment paper. Once the macaroons are cooled, pick them up and carefully remove any burned sugar attached to the bottom.
*  Makes 12-15 small macaroons.
*  The macaroons can be made any size, but after making them several times, I found that the smaller ones held together much better and were easier to eat.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Whole Wheat Oat Pizza

This pizza crust is chewy and hearty and very good. I love the rolled crust on the edges. I like to make extra pizzas and freeze them to bake later.

Whole Wheat Oat Pizza

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oat flour (grind oats in the blender)
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup soy milk or water, more if necessary
3 tbsp olive oil or unsweetened applesauce
Topping desired

Combine the whole wheat flour, oat flour, baking powder, and seasonings. Stir in the soy milk and oil. Knead the dough until smooth and no longer sticky, using more whole wheat flour as needed. Press or roll the dough into 4 thin pizza crusts on a parchment lined baking sheets. If desired, fold the crust around the edges to make a thick outside like in the pictures above. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until firm. Top as desired then bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the toppings are hot and the edges are golden brown.
*  If desired, freeze before baking the second time. Wrap in plastic wrap then in foil then place in a Ziploc bag. Then remove the pizza from the freezer, place on a parchment lined baking sheet, then bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until hot and golden.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Simple Chocolate Pudding and Pie Filling (no refined sugar)

The girls love our Chocolate Pudding and Pie Filling, but I've been trying to figure out ways to limit the amount of refined sugars in my recipes. This pudding is thick, chocolatey, and very good. You can see in the pictures that the pudding is very thick, which would be perfect to use for a chocolate pie. However, I reduced the amount of cornstarch and it was the perfect consistency for pudding (although the girls really liked it thick). I placed both measurements in the recipe so you can decide how thick you want your pudding to be.

Simple Chocolate Pudding and Pie Filling (no refined sugar)

2 cups soy milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 - 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
3-4 tbsp cornstarch (The more cornstarch the thicker the pudding will be.)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Place all of the ingredients into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. Once it begins to boil, whisk constantly for 2-4 minutes until the pudding is thickened and smooth. Eat warm or cover and place in the fridge.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Sloppy Joes

I love Sloppy Joes, but I wanted a healthier version that still had a lot of flavor. The girls and I loved it, especially over cooked brown rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.

Sloppy Joes

1-2 lbs ground turkey or ground beef
1 diced pepper
1 diced onion
15.5 oz can tomato sauce
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Fry the meat, pepper, and onion in a skillet until done. Add the remaining ingredients then cook and stir until heated and thickened.
*  Freezes perfectly. I like to place a single serving of the frozen Sloppy Joes in a large microwave safe bowl with 1/2 cup brown rice and 3/4 cup water then microwave for 6 minutes or until the rice is done.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Microwave Chocolate Pudding Cake

I was attempting something else, but this result was a yummy happy surprise that we have now made many times. I wasn't sure what to call this recipe. It's not really a pudding because it's thick and has other ingredients in it. It's not a cake because it isn't the right consistency. I decided to go with Chocolate Pudding Cake because that's about right. It's a gooey chocolate mixture that is made in the microwave and then, if desired, add-ins are stirred in like flaked coconut, berries, oats, etc. The top picture is plain, the second is oats and coconut, the third is oats and strawberries. We also stir a few safe chocolate chips into each either before microwaving or after as an add-in.  Sometimes both!

Microwave Chocolate Pudding Cake

2 tbsp whole wheat flour, white flour, or oat flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/8 tsp baking powder
1/16 tsp salt
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp soy milk
1 tbsp pure maple syrup, honey, or molasses
1 tsp melted coconut oil or olive oil
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins desired such as oats, dried fruit, safe chocolate chips, unsweetened flaked coconut,
           blueberries, raspberries, diced banana, chopped strawberries, etc.

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Add the applesauce, soy milk, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla then mix until thoroughly combined. Microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 minutes or until set. Cool for a few minutes then stir in the add-ins you desire.
*  Some safe chocolate chips can be added to the batter before it is microwaved for an extra chocolately result.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Barbecue Sauce

This barbecue sauce is chunky and flavorful and refined sugar free. So good.

Barbecue Sauce

1 tbsp olive oil
1 finely chopped onion
2 tbsp mince garlic
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup maple syrup, honey, or molasses or a mixture
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp mustard
8 oz tomato sauce
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and sauté 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, whisking occasionally, until thickened.
*  Store in a glass jar tightly covered.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Apple Banana Baked Oatmeal

We loved baked oatmeal. I wanted to figure out a recipe that wouldn't use refined sugar. We like to top it with additional fresh fruit or reheat it with additional soy milk.

Apple Banana Baked Oatmeal

2 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups boiling water
2 small apples, diced with or without skin
1 banana, diced
1 cup flaked coconut, raisins, Craisins, currents, chocolate chips, etc. - optional
3/4 cup soy milk
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the oats and water then cover for 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients then mix until thoroughly combined. Spread the mixture into a parchment paper lined 8x8 dish. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and set.
*  Once cooled cut into serving sized squares and then freeze or store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Simple Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies

These cookies are so good! They would be perfect as part of breakfast or as a healthy snack. They are fast and easy to prepare and produce a very yummy soft chewy cookie. They have a great banana flavor and the oats provide the perfect texture. Healthy and delicious, a perfect combination.

Simple Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies

2 bananas, mashed thoroughly
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 tsp cinnamon, optional
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
1-2 tbsp add-ins, optional (raisins, Craisins, currents, flaked coconut, safe chocolate chips, Sunbutter, chopped strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

Thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Drop into 12  equal mounds onto a parchment covered baking sheet. Form into a cookie shape, flattening as desired. The cookies will not change their shape as they bake. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until they are set and starting to brown on the bottom.
*  The top 2 pictures I left the cookies mounded. The bottom 2 pictures I flattened.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Black Beans and Rice

This casserole is one of my favorite combinations - black beans, brown rice, and tomatoes. So good.

Black Beans and Rice

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
14.5 oz can crushed, diced, or stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 cups raw brown or white Minute rice

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion then cook and stir until tender. Add the beans, tomatoes, and seasonings. Bring to a boil then stir in the rice. Cover, reduce the heat to low, then simmer for 10 minutes or until the rice is tender.
*  Wonderful topped with salsa.
*  Cooked ground beef can be added if desired.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Crock Pot Cabbage Casserole

I love anything with cabbage. This casserole is easy to prepare and makes plenty to freeze for later.

Crock Pot Cabbage Casserole

5 cups water
15.5 oz can cannellini beans, kidney beans, or black beans
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup cooked ground turkey or beef or an additional can of beans
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup brown or white Minute rice, uncooked
1-2 diced onions
1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
Seasonings desired - I used salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder

Combine all of the ingredients in the crock pot. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
*  Makes 12 (1 cup) servings.
*  Freezes great.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Simple Sunbutter Chocolate Pretzel Clusters

These clusters were so simple, but the girls couldn't get enough of them.

Simple Sunbutter Chocolate Pretzel Clusters

1/3 cup safe chocolate chips
3 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1/4 cup Sunbutter
1 cup pretzels

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave. Stir in the cocoa and maple syrup until smooth. Add the Sunbutter and stir until thoroughly combined and smooth. Stir in the pretzels. Drop by tablespoon onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the fridge until hardened. Store covered in the fridge.
*  Makes 20-25 clusters.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

This pizza crust is very good, hearty and crisp.  I love making extra pizzas to keep in the freezer. For a fast and simple pizza crust, I always make this simple crust. We also love this one made with frozen bread dough, and this one made with refrigerated pop pizza dough,  and this one made with Bisquick baking mix.

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup soy milk or water, more if necessary
2 tbsp olive oil or unsweetened applesauce

Combine the flour, baking powder, and seasonings. Stir in the soy milk and oil. Knead the dough until smooth. Cover with a clean towel and let sit for 10 minutes. Press or roll the dough into 2 thin pizza crusts on a foil lined baking sheet. Prick all over with a fork. Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until set. Top as desired then bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the toppings are hot and the edges are crisp.
*  If desired, freeze before baking the second time. Wrap in plastic wrap, then in foil, then place them in a Ziploc bag. To prepare, remove the pizza from the freezer, place on a foil lined baking sheet, then bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes or until hot and crisp.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Spinach Meatballs

The girls and I love these meatballs. We eat them plain, serve them over rice, noodles, use them as a pizza topping, etc. They are also good cold, so we take them with us when we go away.

Spinach Meatballs

2 - 3 pounds ground turkey, chicken, or beef
2 cups chopped spinach
1 finely chopped onion
1 finely chopped pepper
Seasonings desired - I used a mixture of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder,
       and onion powder

Thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Roll the mixture into 1" balls. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes until cooked through. Drain as needed. Serve immediately. You can also freeze on the baking sheet then transfer into a Ziploc bag to store in the freezer.
*  Makes approximately 70 meatballs.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Perfect Whole Wheat Pancakes

I love these pancakes. The whole wheat flour makes them hearty and filling. They are not made with any refined sugar or oil. I've made them many times with a variety of different add-ins and combinations and they've been amazing every single time. Our favorite pancakes are made with unsweetened flaked coconut and safe chocolate chips. We also really like safe chocolate chips and any berry. We've even left out the maple syrup and just used an extra 2 tablespoons of applesauce. I've realized that you really can't go wrong with these pancakes, they are just so easy and versatile.

Perfect Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup soy milk
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins desired such as safe chocolate chips, flaked coconut, blueberries, raspberries,
        chopped strawberries, mashed or diced banana, Sunbutter, etc.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the soy milk, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla then mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in the add-ins desired. Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes. Fry in a sprayed skillet over medium-low heat for 2 minutes or until the top is full of bubbles and the edges are dry. Flip then fry 1-2 additional minutes until golden. Continue until all of the batter is used, making sure to spray the pan before each addition.
*  Makes 10 pancakes.
*  Good warm and cold.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Jazzy's Milkshake without Ice Cream

I wish the pictures would show how creamy and thick these delicious milkshakes are.

 



Jazzy's Milkshake without Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups soy milk
5 ice cubes
Big squirt chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, a spoonful of Sunbutter,
          or a few drops of vanilla extract
1 fresh banana, optional but very good and adds creaminess

Blend all of the ingredients until all of the ice is crushed.
*  I don't measure anything, I just add what everyone wants and blend. It turns out great every time.
*  If you blend too long, the ice will melt instead of adding to the thickness of the drink.
*  The banana adds a wonderful creaminess.
*  Our favorite combinations are...
    Sunbutter with chocolate syrup
    Sunbutter with banana
    Banana with strawberry syrup
    Banana with chocolate syrup
    Banana with vanilla extract