Monday, June 30, 2014

Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake

Yum
So, it was my birthday yesterday, which means we had birthday cake.  If you follow this blog at all, you know I go all out on birthday cakes.  This one is definitely a keeper...it's a chocolate fudge cake, filled with a peanut butter filling, frosted with a dark chocolate buttercream, and topped off with a peanut butter icing and dairy-free peanut butter cups....yeah, it's divine!






Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake
3/4 cup dairy-free margarine, softened (or butter if you can tolerate it)
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups GF flour blend
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups dairy-free milk
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F and grease and flour (with GF flour) two 8-9" round cake pans and set aside.

Cream margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy (beat for a few minutes at least).  Add in eggs, one at a time, while mixing, and then mix in the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients.  Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the dairy-free milk.  Add in the melted chocolate and beat thoroughly.  You are looking for a whipped texture.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pans and bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Peanut Butter Filling
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat ingredients together, then spread (or press, it is thick) the filling on top of one cake layer and place the other cake layer on top of it.

Dark Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup dairy-free margarine, softened
2/3 cup dutch processed cocoa (or Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa)
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup dairy-free milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat ingredients together until desired consistency is reached and top cake with it. Allow frosting to set, before continuing on with the peanut butter icing.

Peanut Butter Icing
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup dairy-free milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk together ingredients and pour over the top of the cake, smoothing it and allowing it to drip over the sides.  Top with a few Justin Nut Butter Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter cups if desired.


This post was shared on Gluten-Free & DIY Tuesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays, and Gluten-Free Fridays.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Weekly Menu (6/29/14-7/5/14)

Yum
First of all, it's my birthday...so, Happy Birthday to me!  For those of you that know me, you know that means cake (I always go all out on cake):



I promise the recipe for this one is coming, it's a good one.

This week in our Bountiful Basket we got:

  • lettuce
  • celery
  • broccolettes
  • asparagus
  • corn
  • potatoes
  • tomatoes
  • limes
  • plums
  • nectarines
  • mango
  • bananas


The kids' breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
School's out so lunches will be at the sitter's.

Sunday:
Monday:
  • breakfast: smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: celery and hummus
  • dinner
    • chili
    • baked potatoes
    • roasted asparagus and broccolettes
    • green salad
Tuesday: 
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner:
Wednesday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs and veggies 
  • lunch: Leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner:
    • sandwiches
    • veggies and hummus
    • nectarine slices
Thursday:
  • breakfast: banana and almond butter
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: plum
  • dinner:
Friday:
  • breakfast: smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: nectarine
  • dinner: 
    • hot dogs
    • baked beans
    • green salad
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Weekly Menu (6/22/14-6/28/14)

Yum
We didn't get a Bountiful Basket this week, so we'll just be finishing off the produce that we have.

The kids' breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
School's out so lunches will be at the sitter's.

Sunday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: radishes and hummus
  • dinner:
    • Meatloaf
    • Mashed Potatoes
    • sauteed squash
    • corn
Monday:
Tuesday: 
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner:
    • sweet pork
    • basmati rice
    • homemade tortillas
    • green salad
Wednesday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: Leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner:
    • sandwiches
    • veggies and hummus
    • apple slices
Thursday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: apple slices and cashew butter
  • dinner:
Friday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yum
Hey everyone, I am still here.  I have recipes to post, just not time enough to do it as often as I'd like.  But, I thought I would at least post what we made my husband for Father's Day, classic chocolate chip cookies.  Enjoy!


Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup dairy-free margarine, softened (or palm oil shortening, butter, etc.)
2 cups brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup GF flour blend
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mega Chunks
1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 375F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.  In a mixing bowl, cream together margarine and brown sugar.  Add in vanilla and eggs.  In a separate bowl combine the flour blend, salt, and baking powder.  Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture, then add in the chocolate chips.

Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared sheets and bake for approximately 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cookies are set.  Allow the cookies to sit a few minutes on the warm cookie sheet before removing and cooling completely on cooling racks.

This post was shared on Gluten-Free & DIY Tuesday, Gluten-Free Wednesday, Allergy Free WednesdayWaste Not Want Not Wednesday, and Gluten Free Fridays.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Weekly Menu (6/15/14-6/21/14)

Yum
This week in our Bountiful Basket we got:
  • bananas
  • blueberries
  • oranges
  • tomatoes
  • red bell pepper
  • zucchini
  • potatoes
  • green onions
  • kale
  • lettuce
  • jicama
  • radishes
We also got the Italian add-on pack, which consisted of:
  • mushrooms
  • zucchini
  • crookneck squash
  • orange bell pepper
  • red onion
  • yellow onion
  • garlic
  • parsley
  • basil
  • rosemary
  • oregano

The kids' breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
School's out so lunches will be at the sitter's.

Sunday:
  • breakfast: breakfast sandwich, fruit
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: radishes and hummus
  • dinner:
Monday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: Leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner:
    • sandwiches
    • veggies and hummus
    • apple slices
Thursday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: apple slices and cashew butter
  • dinner:
Friday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
    • pesto grilled chicken.
    • sauteed zucchini
    • roasted potatoes

Monday, June 9, 2014

Weekly Menu (6/8/14-6/14/14)

Yum
This week in our Bountiful Basket we got:
  • grapes
  • cantaloupe
  • tomatoes
  • nectarines
  • cucumber
  • potatoes
  • broccoli
  • corn
  • bananas
  • kale
  • lettuce
  • crookneck squash

The kids' breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
School's out so lunches will be at the sitter's.

Sunday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs with veggies
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: grapes
  • dinner:
Monday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner
    • mac and cheese (dairy-free)
    • hot dogs and brats
    • grapes
    • veggies and hummus
Tuesday: 
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner:
Wednesday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: Leftovers
  • snack: grapes
  • dinner:
    • sandwiches
    • veggies and hummus
    • apple slices
Thursday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: apple slices and cashew butter
  • dinner:
Friday:
  • breakfast: yogurt (dairy-free) and a banana
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
    • We'll be at Lagoon, we have vouchers for free meals...but we may just bring some sandwiches.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Weekly Menu (6/1/14-6/7/14)

Yum
This week in our Bountiful Basket we got:
  • red potatoes
  • asparagus
  • bananas
  • grapes
  • blackberries
  • apples
  • tomatoes
  • lettuce
  • crookneck squash
  • celery
We also got an add-on grilling pack which contained:

  • portobello mushrooms
  • white mushrooms
  • asparagus
  • pineapple
  • poblano peppers
  • bell peppers
  • red corn on the cob
  • green onions



The kids' breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
School's out so lunches will be at the sitter's.

Sunday:
  • breakfast: fasting
  • lunch: fasting
  • snack: fasting
  • dinner:
Monday:
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:
  • breakfast: chili rellenos casserole
  • lunch: Leftovers
  • snack: grapes
  • dinner:
    • sandwiches
    • veggies and hummus
    • apple slices
Thursday:
Friday:
  • breakfast: chili rellenos casserole
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
    • date night, going out to eat
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: veggies and hummus
  • dinner: 
    • pizza
    • green salad
    • pineapple slices