Desserts

There are a ton of similar recipes that proliferate around the Internet. This one is a pretty tasty one - heavy on the Sweet, but hey - decadence every so often is supposed to be a good thing, right?

2 c. raw walnuts (soaked and dehydrated)
2.5 c. medjool dates, pitted
1 c. cocoa powder (raw doesn't taste as good as Regular)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. raw almonds (soaked and dehydrated), chopped coarsely

Process walnuts till finely ground. Add the dates one at a time, and process until fine cake-like crumbs emerge, that can hold together when pressed.

Makes about 32 cookies.

I really really think that it's important not to justify eating frequent desserts just because they're "gluten free" or "allowed on GAPS." And yet sometimes, I let myself have fun thinking about, making, and eating dessert.

For my son's sixth birthday, he had lots of requirements for a cake. I did a google search for "peach blueberry cake" (plus additional search terms "GAPS sugar-free grain-free easy"), adapted two recipes, and discovered clafouti: a delicious cross between a custard and a cake, sweetened with fruit, and best enjoyed cold. SO buttery and good! It's really a lot better served cold, preferably chilled overnight.

Makes one 9x13" pan

8 medium peaches, or 16 small ones, pits removed
1 cup blueberries (or blackberries)

In the process of developing a delicious GAPS cheesecake, I discovered that with a few minor adjustments to the filling, one can have fantastic GAPS ice cream! Even if you don't have an ice cream maker. The texture is a little hard, but not icy, and super creamy and delicious. Add 3/4 c. good-quality organic cocoa to the honey/date mixture before blending with the cream, if you want chocolate.

I got this lovely and simple recipe from someone on the Microbial Nutrition yahoo list; it's tasty, like crunchy apple pie filling. :)

7-8 lg. tart apples, cored/peeled/sliced into 1/4"x1" pieces
1/2 cup whey
2 T. pumpkin pie spice (about 4 tsp. cinnamon, 1.5 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 1/4 tsp. cloves)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 T. salt dissolved in 2 cups hot water, then cooled; more water to cover, as needed

Toss apples and spices together until thoroughly mixed; add whey and mix again.

These are still a work in progress, while I try to understand the physics of chocolate and how to make it come out Perfect...but we're enjoying all the experiments (and I'll keep updating this recipe once I figure out the Perfect Version). They're truly yummy and decadent, after nearly three years of cooking without any sugar at all.

I based this recipe on Patty's http://www.lovingourguts.com/hootenanny-pancakes-2/ , and everyone in this family loves it. To our now-very-sensitive taste buds, it is like a decadent dessert. ;) Which is kind of is! I have made it deliciously buttery, or nearly as deliciously dairy free--and you can make your own version quite easily, I'm sure.

In the middle of the night recently, during one of my daughter's too-numerous-to-count Wakeful Periods, I thought these up. And they're really tasty! Kind of like a bite of very flavorful, creamy strawberry ice cream.

1 cup strawberries
2 tbsp. water
6 pitted dates
1/2 tbsp. gelatin
1/2 c. "refined" coconut oil (the kind that doesn't taste coconutty)

I tried to prepare this recipe http://heal-balance-live.blogspot.com/2009/09/scd-cheesecake.html , but made some adaptations to make it fruit-sweetened (and my cream would NOT whip!). It was really fantastic anyway. Then, I made some more adaptations and came up with a much easier and super-tasty version; here it is.

This recipe makes 1 10-inch springform pan.

Crust:
2 c. raw macadamia nuts, or soaked/dehydrated raw pecans
1/4-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
6 T. butter
4 pitted dates

With MANY thanks to Patty for providing the basis for this recipe! http://www.lovingourguts.com/coconut-butter-cake-with-coconut-frosting-…

This is very versatile, almost like a pound cake (and it does not taste coconutty at all) and you could probably omit the baking soda to make it truly GAPS-legal (but would need to whip the egg whites, I think). To make fantastic berry muffins, add 1 tsp. lemon zest and 1 c. blueberries to the final batter, and bake in muffin tins for slightly less time.