Chewy Gluten Free Granola Bars

 These granola bars are so good!!  They are more like a cookie bar!!  I got the recipe from Gluten Free Goodness' blog, but I can't seem to find the link right now.   I love to have these to take on trips or just for snacks!!

 Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups       GF rolled oats

1 cup                All-purpose GF flour (I use Featherlight mix.)
1/2 tsp             Xanthan Gum (if its not in your flour)
1 tsp                 Baking Soda
1 tsp                 Vanilla Extract
2/3 cup            Butter, softened
1/2 cup            Honey
1/3 cup            Brown Sugar, packed
1-2 cups          Chocolate Chips (could use raisins, nuts or a combination)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).  Lightly grease one 9" x 13" pan.

In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, vanilla, butter, honey & brown sugar.

Stir in the chocolate chips (raisins or nuts).

Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

When it comes out of the oven, use a spatula and press the granola bars.  

It helps them stick together better.  Let cool for 10-15 minutes.

Then cut into bars.  

Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.  

Although my husband can never wait that long.  :)

Once they are cooled I wrap each bar in wax paper and store in an air tight container.

ENJOY!!!

Gluten Free Banana Bread

Banana Bread has been something that I have had a hard time finding a good gluten free recipe for.  Yesterday I had some bananas that needed to be used up so I decided to try another recipe.  I found it here.  When I first cut into it I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  It seemed like it was going to be mushy like the rest.  The first piece was a little mushy, but not like the other recipes I have made.  Each piece seemed to get better!!  One thing I don't like with banana bread is even if its good the first day it turns mushy by the next day, so I had to try it this morning of course AND It wasn't mushy!!  YAY!!!!  It is the best gluten free banana bread I have made so far.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

2 cups      gluten-free all purpose baking flour

  (I used 1 1/2 cups featherlight mix + 1/2 cup GF mix + 1 tsp xanthan gum)

1 tsp         baking soda

1/4 tsp     salt

4               eggs

2 cups      mashed bananas (4-5 medium)

1 cup        sugar

1/2 cup    unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup    canola oil

1 tsp         vanilla extract

1/2 cup    chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour mixes, xanthan gum, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.  In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, bananas, sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla.  Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

Transfer to 2 - 4"x8" loaf pans coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with walnuts (My family, besides me, aren't fond of nuts so I made one with and one without the nuts.)  Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Yield: 2 loaves - 12 slices each

Weight Watcher points: 4 points/slice

Gluten Free Baked Oatmeal

We were leaving early in the morning to go watch my husband run a 25K trail race on Saturday.  I  always make muffins or something we can easily take for breakfast.  When I saw this recipe on Pinterest here I knew I wanted to try it.  It was healthier than the muffins I was going to make and I love oatmeal.   I really enjoyed them and they are only 2 weight watcher points+ without toppings.  I will definitely be keeping these around for a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast option!!!

Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 cups applesauce, unsweetened
5 cups, Old Fashioned rolled oats (I used certified gluten free oats.)
1 banana, mashed
2 3/4 cups milk (I used 1%)
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
6 packets of Sweetleaf Stevia or 1 1/2 teaspoons stevia powder (I used Truvia)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
Optional toppings: raisins, walnuts, chocolate chips


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix eggs, vanilla, applesauce, banana and Stevia together in a bowl.
Add in oats, salt, baking powder, flax and cinnamon and mix well with wet ingredients.
Finally pour in milk and combine.
Spray muffin tin or cupcake liners with cooking spray.  (I got 28 muffins.)
Pour mixture evenly into muffin tin cups.  (I use the Pampered Chef Large Scoop.)
If using toppings add them onto the tops of muffins now. If using fresh or frozen fruit, drop it right into the batter.
Bake 30 minutes until a toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool and enjoy or freeze them in gallon freezer bags.


Additional Notes:
*  Use a half cup to one cup of honey in place of stevia if you don’t have any.
*  The batter will look RUNNY, don’t worry!
*  Freeze them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag after they have cooled. Thaw overnight in    refrigerator for morning you want them.  Reheat 45-60 seconds.

Gluten Free Nut Butter Energy Bars

These are a great healthy snack with lots of good protein that will help give you an energy boost!!  They are simple and YUMMY!!!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup      nut butter (almond, peanut or sun)  (I use almond butter)
3/4 cup      agave nectar or honey (I use agave)
1 1/2 cups  raw nuts and/or seeds (I use almonds, walnuts & sunflower seeds)
1 cup          unsulfured dried fruits (I have used apricots, mangos & pineapple)
4 cups        gluten free brown rice crispie cereal
1/8 tsp       sea salt
1 tsp          vanilla extract
1/4 cup      coconut (optional)

Directions:
1.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
2.  Place nuts and/or seeds & dried fruits in food processor/blender.  Pulse until mixture is just coarsely ground.  (I don't have a food processor so I use a blender)
3.  In a large sauce pan, melt nut butter & liquid sweetener over medium low heat.  Stir and watch to prevent scorching.  When mixture is smooth and bubbling, remove from heat.
4.  Add salt and vanilla, stir.
5.  Use large spatula to stir in nuts, dried fruit and cereal.  Stir until all coated with nut butter mixture.
6.  Scoop onto baking pan & roll until its smooth and even thickness.  (I like to top with plastic wrap before rolling)  Top with wax paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
7.  Cut into bars, store wrapped in wax paper, in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Gluten Free Gold Fish

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post, but today is a great one!!This is one of my favorite recipes I found once I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease!!  I found it at Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom, one of my favorite Gluten Free blogs.  She got the recipe from You Won't Believe Its Gluten Free recipe book.  It is a simple recipe and definitely worth the effort.

Gluten Free Goldfish

Ingredients:

4 oz. Cheddar Cheese, shredded (I use Sharp)

4 Tbs. Butter

3/4 c. Cornstarch

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Xanthan Gum

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

2 Tbs. Milk

Salt

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. (I use a stone, so I don't grease it, not sure if you would need to.)

Combine all the ingredients, except the milk, in a medium size-bowl. Mix until the mixture resembles a fine crumb. Add the milk and beat well.  Above picture is what it will look like when it is done.  You may not think it will get there, but it will.

In between parchment paper (bottom) and plastic wrap (top) pat or roll the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 3/4 inch squares or another small shape (I like to do Goldfish) that you like.  You can also cut the dough into larger round or square shapes, just extend the cooking time.

I got my small fish cookie cutter at www.coppergifts.com. 

It is the fish mini-tiny. 

 Prick the tops of the crackers with a fork and sprinkle lightly with your salt. Bake on the prepared baking sheet until golden brown and crisp, approximately 10 minutes.

The crackers will be light and crispy, although barely browning at the edges. The bottom of the crackers will have a bit more color.
(Blogger has a mind of its own and I can't change the font of the last two sections :) )