Individual 10 Minute Paleo Berry Crisps

I was thinking about a fast and easy summer dessert and I settled on a grain free berry crisp.  It only took about 10 minutes to make and was just as delicious as the one's that are baked in the oven for an hour.  The best part is that they are individual sized so you can make exactly as many as you need.  I used frozen berries because that is what I had on hand, but fresh summer berries would be even more delicious.  Of course, to cool the whole thing down, I topped it with my favorite coconut milk ice cream (or make your own!)  What more could you want from a summer dessert?  Not much, I say, not much.

A great seasonal dessert for any day of the week!

Ingredients (makes 2):
2c frozen or fresh berries
2tsp pure maple syrup
drop of vanilla extract
1tsp lemon juice

Topping:
2tbs butter, softened
4tbs chopped nuts (I used roasted almonds)
1/4c almond flour
2tbs coconut flakes, unsweetened
1tbs pure maple syrup
pinch cinnamon
1/4tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to broil.  Place a rack a few inches from the heat source.
2. In a saucepan, heat berries, maple syrup, vanilla, and lemon over medium heat until soft and juices are boiling.  Using a slotted spoon, scoop hot berries out on place evenly in 2-8oz ramekins.
3. Meanwhile make your topping.  In a small bowl mix butter, nuts, almond flour, coconut flakes, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla.  It shouldn't be too wet, if it is add a bit more almond flour.  Crumble or pat the topping over both ramekins.  Place under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the topping is browned.
4. Meanwhile, keep boiling the juices in your saucepan until you have a thick syrup (this should only take a few minutes).
5. Serve your hot crisp with ice cream on top (can be eaten right out of the ramekin or remove it to a larger bowl depending on how much ice cream you want).  Drizzle with the berry syrup and enjoy!

Mixed Berry Cobbler

We were looking for something sweet last night so I whipped up a paleo style cobbler.  It was delicious.  I highly recommend pairing it with some coconut ice cream for an extra decadent treat.  Enjoy!

Made in a beautiful dish my sister bought me for my birthday

Ingredients:
4c mixed berries (I used frozen and dethawed them in the microwave)
1/2c coconut flour
1c almond flour
1/2c butter
1/2c coconut milk
1tbs vanilla extract
1/2c finely chopped nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts)
1/4c pure maple syrup

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
2. If using frozen berries, dethaw them in the microwave.  Pour them into the bottom of an 8x8 casserole dish (don't throw out the juices!)  If using fresh berries, mash them a bit to release a bit of their juices.
3.  Melt your butter in a large microwave safe dish.  Stir in the coconut flour, almond flour, coconut milk, vanilla, nuts and maple syrup.
4. Press pieces of the dough between your fingers to flatten it and lay it evenly over the berries.
5. Bake in the center of a preheated oven until the crust is golden and cooked through (30-60 minutes).
6. Serve hot with or without ice cream.

Homemade All Natural Fruit Leathers

There's a few things I was dying to make when I got my Excalibur dehydrator in the mail last week.  One of them was homemade preservative free and all natural fruit leathers.  You can make them out of any combination of fruit you like, but I was always told they turn out best when you add banana.  I made three kinds:  mixed berry and banana, strawberry banana, and peach banana.  The perfect snack on the go!

These have the texture of fruit roll ups!

Mixed Berry & Banana Fruit Leather Ingredients:
1c frozen mixed berries, thawed (in season use fresh)
1 banana

Strawberry Banana Fruit Leather Ingredients:
1c frozen strawberries,  thawed (in season use fresh)
1 banana

Peach Banana Fruit Leather Ingredients:
1c frozen peaches, thawed (in season use fresh)
1 banana

Directions:
1. Place your desired combination of fruit in a blender until smooth.
2. Place plastic wrap or parchment paper over your dehydrator tray.
3. Pour fruit mixture on top of the wrap and spread evenly with a spatula (try to make the edges a bit thicker because they dry first).  Overall, it should be about 1/4" thick.
4. Turn your dehydrator on 135F.  Let cook 6-8 hours or until they are leathery.  Let cool, cut and enjoy!  Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Healthy Lemon Berry Cake

This is one of the healthiest cakes you will ever eat.  It  has zero grains, zero refined sugar, and is packed with nutrients.  I used coconut flour and coconut oil which has numerous health benefits.  If you are still one of those people that think coconut oil is bad for you because it has too much saturated fat, shame on you.  Do some research and look here and here.  Instead of your typical refined white sugar, I used 100% organic maple syrup which has been found to have as many as 20 antioxidants!  I added some antioxidant rich berries and a simple whipped cream topping for added richness.  You can't go wrong eating a slice of this cake for dessert!  Enjoy!

Guilt-free dessert!  You'll love every bite!

Ingredients:
1/2c coconut flour
6 large eggs, preferably omega-3 enriched
1/2c organic virgin coconut oil, melted
1/2c pure maple syrup
1tbs vanilla extract
zest of 1/2 lemon
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4tsp sea salt
1/2tsp baking soda
1c frozen mixed berries (mine had blueberries, raspberries and blackberries)
1c heavy whipping cream
3tbs pure maple syrup
1/2tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350F.  In a large bowl, mix coconut flour, eggs, melted coconut oil, 1/2c maple syrup, vanilla, salt, baking soda, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Let stand a minute or two (it will thicken).  Stir in 2/3c frozen berries.
2. Pour into a 9" springform pan lined with parchment or nonstick foil.  Bake in the oven for 20-30 minuets (when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).  Remove and let cool completely.
3. Make your berry topping by putting 1/3c frozen berries, 1tbs water and 1tbs maple syrup in a food processor.  Process until mostly smooth.
4. To make your maple whipped cream, beat heavy whipping cream with 2tbs maple syrup and 1/2tsp vanilla extract until fluffy and stiff (comes out best with a chilled bowl and chilled beaters but not required).
5. Serve a slice of cake with cold berry topping and a big spoonful of whipped cream.  Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (serves 8):
Serving: 1/8 of the cake with 1tbs berry sauce and 2tbs whipped topping
Calories: 228
Fat: 19g
Carb: 19g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 6g
Sodium: ~125mg

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