Who doesn’t like to get their hands on some sweat munchies? At least every few days if not every now and then. Next comes Aunt Flo and you cannot help but thoosofy all the yummy goodies that you can lay your hands on – chocolates, cakes, and all the junk sacks. And then you gain weight in leaps and bounds, and cannot help but stress over it. But, think about this. How about some gluten and sugar-free sweet bites to help you with your hunger pangs and sweet cravings without you gaining weight? What’s more, they have an overall benefit on your health.
The Channel 46 has collaborated with Akshay Sandu, Co-Founder of The Conscious Baker, to share with you 7 sweet delights that are a burst of flavours in your mouth as much as they are good for your health.
1. Flourless Chocolate Cake
Makes one 7’’ cake
Ingredients
- 150g 70% dark chocolate
- 100 g salted butter at room temperature
- 135 g erythritol
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 130 g eggs
- 36 g Dutch-process cocoa
Method
- Preheat the oven to 160°C. Grease a 7” cake pan.
- Put the chocolate, coffee and butter in a plastic bowl, and microwave until the butter and chocolate is melted. Mix well.
- Beat the erythritol, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the cocoa powder, and just mix to combine lightly. Add the chocolate mix and fold lightly.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place on a tray. Put the tray into the oven and pour 4 cups of water into the tray and Bake the cake for 20 minutes.
- Remove it from the oven, and cool it in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Let come to room temperature before cooling in the fridge for a few hours.
- Run a knife on the sides of the tin and remould the cake carefully. Garnish with chocolate flakes.
2. Almond Cranberry Granola
Makes about 700 g
Ingredients
- 320 g rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
- 30 g sunflower seeds
- 30 g pumpkin seeds
- 30 g melon seeds
- 80 g sliced almonds
- 30 g sliced coconut
- 3 g sea salt
- 5 g ground cinnamon
- 120 g olive oil
- 120 g date syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 60 g dried cranberries
Method
- Preheat the oven to 150° C. line a tray with a silicon mat.
- In a large bowl, add the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to mix.
- Mix the oil, date syrup and/or honey and vanilla well in another bowl. Pour it into the nut and oat mixture. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto the lined tray and spread it roughly.
- Bake until lightly golden, about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Add the cranberry as soon as the granola is out of the oven and mix. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed. Transfer to an airtight container immediately.
- Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
3. Chocolate Fondant
Make 4 servings
Ingredients
- 100 g salted butter
- 150 g 70% dark chocolate
- 100 g eggs
- 40 g egg yolks
- 50 g erythritol
- 20 g almond flour
Method
- Microwave the butter and chocolate in a bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until the chocolate and butter is melted. Sprinkle the almond flour over the chocolate mixture and fold lightly.
- Beat the eggs, yolks and erythritol till it reaches a ribbon stage.
- Fold the eggs into the chocolate mixture very lightly, taking care not to deflate the eggs.
- Preheat oven to 200° C.Grease four ramekins with butter and fridge.
- Divide the batter into the four ramekins.
- Fridge the ramekins for 30 minutes.
- Put the ramekins on a tray and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool for a minute before serving.
4. Vegan Chocolate Pot De Crème
Makes 4 ramekins
Ingredients
- 200 g 70% dark chocolate, chopped
- 80 g almond milk
- 80 g coconut cream
- 60 g erythritol
- 5 g vanilla
- 10 g 70% dark chocolate, flaked
Method
- Heat the almond milk and erythritol in a microwavable bowl for about 90 seconds. Remove and stir till the erythritol dissolves.
- Add the chopped chocolate and coconut cream and microwave for another 90 seconds. Remove from the microwave and whisk well. Add the vanilla and mix.
- Divide the mixture into four ramekins and let sit in the fridge for 4-6 hours. Garnish with the chocolate flakes.
5. Almond Hazelnut Brownies
Makes a 400 g loaf
Ingredients
- 75 g almond flour
- 100 g erythritol
- 30 g chopped hazelnut, divided
- 100 g eggs
- 35 g Dutch cocoa powder
- 60 g olive oil
- 5 g vanilla
Method
- Preheat the oven to 170° C. Grease a 6’’ square baking frame. Place on a silicon baking mat.
- Beat the eggs, vanilla, oil and sugar lightly with a whisk.
- Add the almond flour, half the hazelnut and cocoa powder to the eggs and mix with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the greased frame and level with a spatula. Sprinkle the remainder of the chopped hazelnut on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Let brownies cool well before cutting into 9 pieces.
6. Lemon Panna Cotta
Make upto 5 servings
Ingredient
- 30 g lemon juice
- 6 g powdered gelatin
- 25 g cold water
- 600 g fresh cream
- 90 g castor sugar
- 3 g lemon zest (approx 2 large lemons)
Method
- Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water and let bloom for 5 minutes.
- Put the cream and lemon zest in a heavy bottom pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the sugar and stir.
- Add the gelatin to it and stir lightly. Add the lemon juice.
- Strain the mixture and divide into 5 portions or as per glasses.
- Chill in the refrigerator overnight.
7. Basque Cheesecake
Ingredients
- Makes one 7″ cake
- 450 g cream cheese at room temperature
- 150 g erythritol
- 150 g eggs
- 225 g fresh cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 15 g corn flour
Method
- Preheat your oven to 180° C. Grease a baking ring or pan and line it with a crumpled baking parchment. Place the ring onto a baking tray.
- Cream the cheese, corn flour and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed till it is smooth and shiny. Scrape the bowl down and check for any lumps.
- Beat the eggs up and gradually add to the mixing bowl. Add the cream and vanilla and beat till it is all emulsified together.
- Pour the batter into the lined pan. Bake the cheesecake for about 60 minutes. It should have got a deep golden colour but will still be giggly in the center. Turn the oven off and keep the oven door slightly open. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for an hour or so.
- When cool, remove from the oven and refrigerate overnight. Peel away the baking parchment when the cheesecake is set.
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