MAPLE BANANA BREAD WITH HEMPSEEDS

I was raised in California, and the closest it gets to cold, wintry weather is dropping below 75 degrees in December.  It's not the most festive place in the world for the holiday months, but we had other ways of making it special.  I always associate banana bread with the changing of seasons, as a seasonal (but not too wintry) way to celebrate Fall.  We always had it in the house during this time & it's the most nourishing snack to have on hand (especially for busy days).  This one is healthier than my family recipe, but you won't notice.   It's the perfect breakfast for the colder months when you need something a little heartier.  

Maple Banana Bread with Hempseeds (gluten-free, dairy-free)

• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil, melted & cooled
• 2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons hempseeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together first nine ingredients until well mixed.  In a separate bowl, add mashed banana, coconut oil, maple, vanilla, almond milk & large eggs.  Beat mixture until well-combined, then mix wet ingredients into the dry.  Using a spatula, mix ingredients until batter resembles heavy cream.

Grease a 8 or 9 inch loaf pan lined with parchment (for easy removal).  Pour batter into loaf pan evenly, then sprinkle hempseeds evenly over top.  Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

Tip: I highly suggest serving warm with a drizzle of warm coconut oil or maple syrup. Game changer!

MINI MAPLE SPICED DOUGHNUTS WITH MOLASSES GLAZE (Gluten & dairy-free)

I think it’s safe to say Summer is officially over.  It’s  just a little too cold at night for a t-shirt & naturally I’m craving anything spiced. These mini doughnuts are my first transitional treat into the flavors of Fall.  Now that we can all use our ovens happily without resenting it, I think it's time to get baking.  Most of my Summer was spent off-the-oven-grid, making simple salads and avoiding overheating my tiny apartment.  I'm easing into it this time as I know we'll have many (MANY!) months of roasted vegetables, winter squash and soups.  So, for now, something a little spiced for the changing of seasons.

Maple SPICED Doughnuts WITH MOLASSES GLAZE (gluten-free, dairy-free) makes 12 mini doughnuts

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour 
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil (liquified)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 large eggs

Maple Molasses Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together first 8 ingredients.  In a separate mixing bowl, mix together maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, ginger & coconut oil.  Using a spatula, fold wet ingredients into the dry until well-combined.  

Carefully add the batter to a large ziplock bag & snip a 1/2 inch hole in the corner.  Use this to pipe the batter into a greased doughnut pan (I used this one).  Fill each one until it’s flush with the top of the pan, but does not come above it (they will rise!).  Bake for exactly 10 minutes & then cool for 5 minutes.  Continue until all the batter is gone.  It will make two batches of mini doughnuts.

To make the glaze: add confectioners sugar to a small mixing bowl & whisk until smooth without lumps.  Then, add almond milk, molasses, maple, vanilla & cinnamon.  Whisk until smooth & thick.  If the glaze is too thin, add more sugar & if too thick, add more milk.  Once desired consistency, dip each doughnut in and let the excess drip off.  Continue until all doughnuts are glazed.  Serve & eat immediately!

SOUR CHERRY & STRAWBERRY WALNUT OAT CRUMBLE

Summer has been busy & full of amazing produce.  I know I'm not the only New Yorker freaking out at the farmer's market every weekend.  As usual, I have too much food in the house & not enough people to cook for.  The fruit right now is out of this world (peaches! sugarplums! currants!), and I can't stop making fruit desserts, shrubs, compotes, etc.  I don't know what I would do if I lived in California and had perfect produce all year round.  I probably wouldn't leave the house.

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending the day with James Hartley & romping around the farmer's market & Brooklyn.  Eater wrote a lovely write-up & I made my go-to dessert with two of my favorite fruits.  

Sour Cherry & Strawberry Oat Crumble (vegan & gluten-free) Serves 4

Filling:

• 2 cups strawberries, quartered
• 2 cups sour cherries, pitted
• Squeeze of lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
• 1/4 cup turbinado or coconut sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons tapioca/arrowroot starch 

Mix together all ingredients and stir to macerate berries/cherries. Set aside. 

Crumble :

• 1 1/4 cup gluten-free quick cooking oats
• 1/3 cup sorghum flour
• 2/3 cup almond meal
• 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped
• 2/3 cup brown or coconut sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• 4 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening, cut into cubes 
• Raw sugar to top

Whisk together first seven ingredients until well combined. Using your hands, mix in coconut oil and shortening until crumble resembles an oatmeal cookie dough. 

Add filling to a Pyrex dish or pie pan. Layer crumble evenly over top & sprinkle with raw sugar to top. 

Bake at 375 for 35-45 minutes or until crumble is browned on top and fruit is bubbling around the sides.  Set aside to cool for 20 minutes, then serve warm.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE LOVELY JAMES HARTLEY