Archives for no-bake

Kandy Korn Kupkakes

The only thing REMOTELY candy corn about these, are the colors. 🙂 I don’t want to be misleading here and have people thinking candy corns are hidden in the crust. It was just a fun Halloween treat I made this year and there is some bad-for-you stuff in them! I try to do something new each year!

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Crust
1/4 c. pecans
1/4 c. Annie’s Bunny Graham Crackers
1/2 c. pitted Medjool dates

Cheezecake Batter
1 can full fat coconut milk, refrigerated for 24 hours
1/2 pkg. Daiya Cream Cheese Spread
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Pumpkin Cheezecake Batter
1/2 c. canned pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp. pumpkin spice

For the crust, pulse the pecans and graham crackers in a food processor until crumbly. Add the pitted dates and process until sticky and well combined; about 1-2 minutes depending on your processor. Using a muffin tin, lined with paper muffin cups, scoop about a tablespoon of the crust into each cup. Press into bottom using your fingers to form a firmly packed crust. (I did some tests with saran wrap and the paper cups worked much better!)

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My original goal for the cheezecake was to use only the thick cream part, like my peanut butter whipped cream, but this can didn’t separate!  So, I ended up using the whole chilled can. If you can get the coconut water and coconut cream to separate however, I would use 2 cans since it produces less filling. Beat the cream cheese first in your standup mixer, and slowly add the coconut milk or cream a little at a time. Once they are both together, beat on high or medium high for about 2 minutes. You want it to get fluffy and whipped cream-like!

Slow the mixer speed to low and add the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla extract and lemon juice, once incorporated, stop the mixer and taste test. If there are cream cheese clumps, be sure to use an immersion blender to remove the lumps! Smooth texture is key. 🙂

Pour a little more than half the batter into a small bowl. Add the canned pumpkin and spice to the mixer and beat on med low until well combined. Spoon canned pumpkin onto each muffin cup crust. Place in freezer for about 30-60 minutes to set. Meanwhile, refrigerate the plain cheezecake batter.

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Once the pumpkin layer has set, spoon out the plain cheezecake layer onto the pumpkin layer. Place back in the freezer and allow to set for an additional 30 minutes. Store in freezer until ready to eat.

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These turned out really well for a first time experiment! Have fun and play with the flavors and colors too! You can make a berry blend with strawberry and blueberry for the summer – get creative!

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Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Granola Balls

When I came across this recipe they sounded delicious, simple and packed with all sorts of things that are good for you (not low fat) but good for you! I was right – almost. The “simple” part, not so much. These ended up taking me a period of a week to actually complete due to my self-induced busy schedule. BUT they were totally worth it and next time around, I will know how much time I need and can cut out the trouble-shooting! I got this recipe out of my 1,000 Vegan Recipes cookbook and couldn’t WAIT to try it!

Ingredients
1/2 c. granola (store-bought or homemade)
1/4 c. powdered fructose
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. shelled sunflower seeds
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 c. vegan semisweet chocolate chips
(Makes 3 dozen pieces)
Instructions
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a food processor by pulsing a handful of times. Slowly start to add the creamy peanut butter a few tablespoons at a time. Ensure to blend very well after each addition of peanut butter, until all 1 1/2 cups have been added. Refrigerate mixture overnight (or for at least 6 hours).Scoop out one tablespoon of the mixture at a time and arrange on a cookie sheet lined with freezer paper. Once all the mixture is divided on the sheet (or sheets) form into balls by quickly rolling with your hands. (**Note: This is where I could have made this easier on myself. Freeze the measured portions for 1-2 hours before forming into balls. I had to keep freezing and reshaping them to get them round, otherwise they were melting blobs, which I didn’t like.) Once the balls are formed, freeze again for at least 2 hours.Melt your chocolate in the microwave (or double boiler if you want to get fancy). I was surprised to find that Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, which I’ve been using since a kid, was vegan! How cool. Once the chocolate is melted, remove one ball from the freezer and quickly coat with chocolate and return to freezer. Repeat until the remaining balls are coated. (**Note: I ran out of time to complete these the first night, but kept eating the balls plain, without the chocolate for a few days! They were just as good, but less sweet obviously.)

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