heartyspoonful

"Just for the record darling, not all positive change feels positive in the beginning."

- S. C. Lourie

• 1 large sweet potato or 3 small-medium, roasted until soft
• 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 10-12 large dates, pits removed and soaked in hot water
• 2-4 tbsp maple syrup, at room temperature
• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Dark chocolate
• Frozen raspberries

• 1 1/4 cups raw buckwheat groats (not kasha)
• 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 3 tbsp hemp seeds
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts (raw or roasted, your choice)
• 1/2 cup flaked almonds
• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 3 tbsp maple syrup at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
• As much cinnamon as you like
• Pinch of cardamom
• 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice (I used a quarter each of raisins and dried cranberries)

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."

- Swami Vivekananda

At this point, five paragraphs deep, you might be asking yourself when does the darn recipe start? I'm getting to it, okay? We might as well get to it because... let's be honest, sometimes even just typing is exhausting. (FYI, this recipe is pretty much a mash up of my vegan carmelitas (for the crust) and my gluten-free apple blondies because, ya know, I like to recycle.)

I could you all day, every day this autumn!

Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Squares
Makes 9-12 squares

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1 1/4 cups gluten-free oats
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Apple Topping Ingredients:

• 4 apples of choice, peeled and chopped into chunks
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp tapioca powder
• 2 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

 

"So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring your flowers."

- Jorge Luis Borges

• 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
• 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp warm water)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup jam (recipe below)

• 2 1/4 cups frozen fruits (blueberries, blackberries, cherries)
• 4 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

"Too many of us are too hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have. We spend too much energy being down when we could use that same energy - if not less of it - doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do."

- Terry McMillan

• 2 1/2 cups gluten-free oats
• 1/2 cup buckwheat groats
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds 
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup dried figs, sliced (or dried currants/raisins/medjool dates)
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup *
• 1 tsp vanilla

"If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that."

• 2 cups gluten-free oats (not quick cooking)
• 2 tbsp ground flax or ground chia
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• Pinch of salt
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup applesauce (add as required)
• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Add-ins: raisins, dried mulberries, dates, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, pepitas, etc. 

"I'll read my books and I'll drink coffee and I'll listen to music, and I'll bolt the door."

- J.D. Salinger

• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax seed, 2 tbsp water)
• 2 cups sunflower seeds
• 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

"It was November – the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines."

• 1 1/4 cups spelt flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2-3 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp coarse coffee grounds 
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, chilled (texture like cold butter)
• 2 tbsp nut milk of choice
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar