Super Easy Gluten Free Coconut Truffles Recipe

Good morning everyone!  We have a super simple, use-up-the-leftovers treat today!

So I found this wonderful recipe for Coconut Bounty Bites from Steph at Silver Boxes.  They sounded so delicious, I couldn't wait to try them.

Except...

That full bag of coconut I thought I had in my baking cabinet?  Practically gone.  Same for the powdered sugar.

So what's a girl to do?

Improvise with what you've got!

I had a partial can of white frosting in the fridge.  Guess what frosting is made from?  That's right - shortening and powdered sugar.  I had some coconut, but not a lot.  So I used the approximate proportions from Steph's recipe to improvise the little yummies you see above.  And here's how it goes...

SPH Gluten Free Coconut Truffle Recipe

1 cup shredded coconut (use UNSWEETENED - and yes, this time, it does matter)

1 cup white frosting

Mix these two together in a small bowl.  I mashed them together with a fork because my frosting was cold.  Use a cookie scooper or two spoons to scoop out portions and roll into balls.  Then I rolled them in cocoa powder and put a chocolate chip in the top.  Chill before serving.

So let's play with this a little bit, based on what you may or may not have on hand...

Roll them in powdered sugar instead of cocoa powder.  Or roll them in more shredded coconut.  Dip them completely in melted chocolate and top with an almond (sound familiar?).  Use chocolate frosting instead of white.  Need more truffles?  Double or triple your recipe.  Mine made 8 truffles.  Scale the recipe back and make just a few little bites as a secret treat for yourself.

No matter how you make them, MAKE THEM!  Enjoy!

 Recipe linked to Very Good Recipes

Gluten Free Irish Coffee Bar Cookie Recipe

Coffee today instead of tea...

This is an "As Seen on TV" recipe - took these with me to WSPY.  A sweet coffee flavored treat - perfect for St. Patty's Day!

This recipe is based on "Chewy Irish Coffee Blondies" in the March issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine.  Gluten free and delicious.  Quick and simple.  Let's bake!

SPH Gluten Free Irish Coffee Bar Cookies
1 package Betty Crocker Gluten Free yellow cake mix (you can use a regular cake mix, too)
1/4 cup brown or raw sugar (I used organic demarara - you can use brown sugar or turbinado)
2 tablespoons instant coffee
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened and at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla (or to taste - I used a whole tablespoon because 1 teaspoon is never enough for me)
1/2 cup slivered almonds

White Glaze
1/2 cup Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Vanilla frosting
1 tablespoon vanilla or almond extract

Mocha Glaze
1/2 cup Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Dark Chocolate Frosting
1 tablespoon hot water + 1 teaspoon instant coffee OR
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh brewed coffee

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9x13 pan.  In a mixer bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar and instant coffee.  Add butter, and mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.  Spread batter into pan evenly.  Sprinkle almonds over top, and press them gently to be sure they stick to the batter.  Bake about 25-30 minutes, or til skewer inserted in center comes out clean.  Allow to cool completely.  Meanwhile, melt frosting over low heat.  Add vanilla and stir well.  Drizzle bars with glaze, and let set for 1 hour.  I alternated directions with my drizzle.  Cut into squares and serve.

Just a quick note here:  If you want TRUE Irish coffee, you need to add whiskey in here somewhere.  Martha and her fabulous bakers added it to the glaze, about 2 tablespoons, instead of the vanilla.  I have read that whiskey may not be safe for celiacs.  I have also read that it is safe because of the distillation process.  I think it's probably one of those things that it bothers some, but not others.  You can decide if you want to add it or not.  If you add it, it would probably work best in the white glaze.  Just remember, it may or may not be safe.  I'd personally rather err on the side of caution.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Dairy Free Not Cheese Spread Recipe

Very simple. Quick. Delicious. Oh, and did I mention really healthy for you, too?  Need I say more?

We all know that raw fruits and vegetables are nutrition powerhouses.  So are almonds.  If you look up the nutritional information for almonds, you may be surprised by how great they really are.  They are such a blessing to those of us who have to eat gluten free because they are a great source of fiber and B vitamins - something we tend to lose out on when we switch away from a more grain-based diet.  They also have loads of other vitamins and minerals, too.

This recipe is my variation on a recipe from the book Rawesome by Brigitte Mars.  Brigitte's book has tons of really healthy recipes that are not only gluten free, but also incredibly healthy for you.  You should get your hands on a copy!

So here's my variation of her "Easy Cheese Dip" that's featured on page 44 in the book.

SPH Not Cheese Spread
2 cups almond flour or ground almonds
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
sea salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon)
1 small fresh tomato (or a few cherry tomatoes - whatever is fresh and on hand)

Put everything in a food processor and puree.  This will keep a few days in the fridge, but I doubt it will make it that long.

I LOVE this in celery sticks.  You can also spread this on some Glutino crackers.  And, listen - I'm no tomato fan.  If it's not spaghetti or pasta sauce, I generally won't eat it.  It's true!  BUT, in the summer, when the tomatoes are at their peak, this is a great way to help use them up.

And the almond flour isn't nearly as hard to come by as you may think - if you can't find it at your local store (Bob's Red Mill Brand) or you don't have a Whole Foods in your neck of the woods, Amazon.com carries it.  They have lots of other gluten free staples at very reasonable prices and most are eligible for free shipping.  Low price plus free shipping is just a variation of our motto "on sale and with a coupon".

So check out Brigitte's book, and see what else you can discover!

Enjoy!