Gluten and Sugar Free Oatmeal Coconut Cookies

3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup xylitol
3 eggs (room temperature, otherwise the coconut oil hardens into chunks due to the cold eggs)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract (no sugar)
1 cup gluten free flour mix ( I used 1/3 cup each tapioca starch, brown rice flour and sorghum flour)
3 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup hemp hearts (chopped nuts work too)
1 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit (optional - we did not add these and the cookies were still amazing without them)

Stir together coconut oil and xylitol. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until fluffy. Add flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon. Stir until just combined. Add coconut, hemp hearts/nuts, and optional add ins. Stir until combined. Drop onto baking sheet with a tablespoon or medium scoop. Flatten cookies slightly. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes until cookies are firm and golden. Makes about 3.5 dozen cookies. These cookies even taste good the next day. I always find it a challenge to find a good gluten free cookie that still tastes good after it has sat for a day or two.

Gluten, Dairy and Sugar Free Zucchini Cobbler

We were given some HUGE zucchinis from my sister, and I really wanted to make my zucchini cobbler recipe but knew that it needed to be modified first. It was a success, and we enjoyed a yummy dessert this evening.

5 cups peeled, cored and chopped zucchini
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/3 heaping cup xylitol
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup oats (gluten free oats if needed)
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 heaping tbsp. xylitol
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir zucchini, water and lemon juice until zucchini is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup xylitol, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg and cook one minute more. Remove from heat and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 8x10 inch baking dish. Pour zucchini mixture into pan. I a bowl combine last 6 ingredients well, spread topping mixture on top of zucchini. Bake about 30 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve warm or cold. This tastes like apple pie and a great way to use up extra zucchini!

Note: The topping used in this recipe is also really good with fresh or frozen strawberries and rhubarb instead of the zucchini, and most likely other fruit as well!

Leftover Oatmeal Muffins

Ever wondered what to do with your leftover porridge? Here is a good way to use it up. I got the original recipe here but of course I tweaked it a little!

2 cups cooked oatmeal ( I used oatmeal cooked with apples)
1 1/2 cups flour ( I used 1/2 cup whole wheat and 1 cup white flour)
1/4 cup sugar (omit if the oatmeal is sweetened)
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt (reduce or omit if you salted the water for your oats)
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil or melted butter
1/2 tsp apple pie spice (my addition)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (my addition)
1/3 - 1/2 cup whey - I found the batter too dry and needed to add more liquid to wet all the dry ingredients

Combine all ingredients and stir just until combined. Batter will be thick. Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake about 20 minutes at 375. Let cool 5-10 minutes before removing from pan.

Maple Muffins

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening or butter
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup real maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease the cups of a 12-cup muffin pan.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats. Add egg, milk, and syrup. Stir only until dry ingredients are moistened. Fill greased muffin tins 3/4 full.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand a few minutes before removing muffins from the pan.

Oatmeal Bread

1 1/4 cups water
3 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons powdered milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats or ground flax seed
2 tablespoons butter or margarine or apple sauce
3 teaspoons active dry yeast

Add these ingredients into bread machine. First add liquids, then dry ingredients with yeast last. Makes a 1 1/2 pound loaf.