Baking with the Bolliers

This recipe falls under” the healthier because I made it” category. This time of year I am on a quest for all things pumpkin and am tempted by the pumpkin-flavored-everything commercials. I like knowing that if I am going to indulge that I am eating quality ingredients. I also love the way my house smells when I bake, its better than any $10 candle (and tastier too). These bars have a soft pumpkin pie filling surrounded by a crunchy, crumbly crust. Pumpkin Crumble Bars For the Crust & Crumble 3 C. Rolled Oats 1 3/4 C Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 1/2 C Rapadura Sugar 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 C plus 2 Tbs Unsalted Butter- Softened 1 C. Chopped Pecans or Walnuts- optional (after I made these BJ told me, "You know what would make these even better? Nuts.") For Filling 15 oz of Pumpkin Puree 3 eggs 3/4 C Heavy Cream 1/2 C Rapadura Sugar 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp cloves) 1 tsp vanilla Preheat oven...

Sometimes you just need Brownies! 1/2 C Fresh Ground Almond Butter 1/2 C Unsweetened Apple Sauce 1/4 C Agave Nectar or Honey 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 1/2 C Cocoa Powder 1/2 tsp Baking Soda 1/4 C Chopped Almonds Preheat oven to 350. Spray an 8x8 pan with cooking spray, set aside. In a medium bowl stir together Almond Butter, Apple Sauce, Agave Nectar and Vanilla until blended. Then add Cocoa Powder and Baking Soda. Spread batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with Almonds. Bake 20 minutes, brownies will be set but Fudgy looking.  * adapted from ambitiouskitchen.com Here is what was left by the time I took a picture! (Originally Published on Healthy Gourmet on the Go Blog)

Who doesn't love rice crispy treats. Back in the day I used to walk to the gas station by my office and buy them at least once a week. It shames me to think I bought "food" at the gas station. Since turning my life in a healthier direction one thing I've shunned is marshmallows (and gas station food) because of the ingredients and unfortunately that included my beloved rice crispy treats. I had forgotten about my obsession until recently when I came across a recipe for a healthier version, so I tried it and it was sooo sweet. I felt there had to be a better way and I wanted to put a bit of a gourmet twist on it. Ingredients: 3 C Crispy Brown Rice Cereal 1/2 C Cashew Butter, unsweetened/ unsalted 1/2 C Maple Syrup 1/2 tsp Sea Salt Oil or Butter for Pan In a Large bowl, measure 3 cups of Crispy Brown Rice Cereal. Grease 8x8 pan, set aside. In a small saucepan combine cashew butter, maple syrup and sea salt.  Cook over medium low heat until...

Fall is my favorite time of year. The rich smell of baked apples, pumpkin, cinnamon and cloves permeates the air. Every few years our apple trees go crazy and I'm trying to find new ways to use them. In 2011 I made cases of apple butter, apple sauce, apple juice and over 5 gallons of hard cider along with countless pies, granolas and bags of dried apples. I realized I still have a case of apple butter in the back of our pantry so I better use it up before the madness begins again. If you have never had spiced apple butter, I'm sorry and I will post my super easy crockpot apple butter recipe shortly!  If you don't happen to have any spiced apple butter you can certainly make this with applesauce using the changes I noted in the recipe. I'm making these as an easy breakfast for a picky toddler, so I didn't want something loaded with sugar but you could up the sweetness to your tastes. 2 C. Old Fashioned Oats 1 C. Whole Wheat Flour 1 tsp Baking Powder 1 C....