No-Bake Peanut Butter Quinoa Balls

After the holidays it’s nice to have some healthier snack options available! These no bake peanut butter and quinoa balls are really yummy and you will only need 5 ingredients you might already have in your pantry. I used quinoa puffs instead of rice crispies since I already had that on hand.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Quinoa Balls

Yields 14 balls

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 cup quinoa puffs
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut

-Mix all ingredients, except coconut, together and refrigerate for half an hour.

-Form into bite size balls and roll in the coconut. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

-Feel free to use regular peanut butter or any other nut butter of your choice.

Enjoy!

I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!!!

Ursula

xo

Walnut Cranberry and Coffee Granola Bars (Vegan)

These cereal bars are one of the most delicious snacks I’ve ever made, I have to keep them out of sight to not eat all of it ;))

It is high school exam week and has already been pushed one day forward because of the weather. We are under a snow fall warning and it is very cold. Great excuse to make a hot beverage, hide under a cozy blanket and watch the snow falling from inside your warm home.

I’ve used a coffee substitute I have from Switzerland but any Instant coffee, maybe decaffeinated (for older kids) would work well in this recipe or can be left out completely.

Walnut Cranberry and Coffee Granola Bars

(Vegan)

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 8 tbsp warm water
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup instant coffee granules
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup finely ground walnuts
• 3 cups oats

-Grease a 9×13 inch (around 22×32 cm) baking dish. Or line with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-In a small bowl stir together the water, flax and chia seeds, let sit for 15 minutes.

-In a large bowl mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, instant coffee, vanilla and salt. Stir in the flax and chia mix. Add walnuts and oats, stir until well combined.

-Grease a 9×13 (around 22×32 cm) baking dish. Or line with parchment paper.

-Spread granola mix evenly into prepared form. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

-Let cool before cutting into bars or bites.

-Can be stored in a airtight container for 1 week.

 

Enjoy!

Stay cozy!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

Cacao Cashew Bliss Balls

Here is another favorite snack or treat we love to have around. Delicious and nutritious, make a double batch and store in the freezer!

 

Cacao Cashew Bliss Balls

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 cups soft dates
• 2 1/2 tbsp almond butter
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 4 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

-Place the cashew in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed.

-Add the dates and coconut oil, pulse until fully mixed. Add the almond butter, cacao powder and vanilla extract, pulse until combined. Should be sticking well together.

-Using a tablespoon at the time, roll into balls.

-Place in the freezer to set for about an hour. Store in a airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Tip: You can use any nuts and nut/seed butter you prefer. Double the recipe and make half without adding cacao powder (as seen on my pictures above).

 

 

 

I wish you all a happy week!

Ursula

Follow me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars

A happy new month to everyone! I love May as it usually means warmer temperatures and everything is starting to grow and bloom. The grass is finally looking green and my Daffodils are blooming.

These raspberry oat crumble bars are a great snack to bring to school!

Made with whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, oats and almonds.

 

Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars

• 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oats
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
• 1 cup raw almonds, finely chopped
• 300 g raspberry jam

– Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C (convection setting).

-In a large bowl, mix together the butter and coconut sugar. Add all other ingredients except the raspberry jam, and stir until well combined.

-Save 3/4 cup and set aside. Fill remaining mix into prepared baking dish, press down evenly.

-Spread raspberry jam evenly over crust, sprinkle top with remaining crumble.

-Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

-Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

 

This recipe is adapted from Healthy Hands Cooking Blog, “Raspberry Cookie Bars”.

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

You can find me on Instagram:littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry Coconut and Granola Jars

This is a simple but so yummy treat! Using my coconut milk custard recipe, crunchy granola and blueberries! That’s it! A lovely dessert or a fancy breakfast!

Served in a glass or in a jar.

 

Blueberry Coconut and Granola Jars

Coconut custard:

You can find the recipe here: Coconut Custard mini tarts with mixed berries

-Prepare in advance as the custard needs some time in the refrigerator to set.

Tip: Instead of the canned coconut milk I used 500 ml coconut milk from a tetra pak that only contains coconut milk.

-Using your favorite homemade or store bought granola, fill into jar or glass, top with some coconut custard and finish with blueberries, as much of each layer as desired.

-Tip: use fresh or frozen blueberries.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and everyone involved in the Toronto tragedy last Monday.

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crunchy Granola Bars

I love to use the weekend to prepare some healthy snacks for the upcoming week. These crunchy granola bars are nutritious, healthy and most of all delicious. Great for kids lunch boxes! 

You can always use other seeds and nuts and instead of tahini you could use seed butter (like sunflower seeds) or any nut butter.

 

Crunchy Granola Bars

• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup ground almonds
• 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of Himalayan sea salt

-line a 9×9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 325F.

-mix all dry ingredients together. Add tahini and maple syrup and mix until well combined.

-fill into prepared baking dish, press down evenly. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

-let cool completely. Cut into bars.

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan Granola Cookies

Happy Weekend!

The first week of back to school went by rather quick, it also only started on Tuesday, because Monday was a Snow-day. All schools were closed because of bad weather. The remaining of the week was very warm and rainy, melting almost all of the snow we had, which was a lot. Now we are back to freezing temperatures.

I like to use weekends to prepare some healthy snacks to have on hand, easy to grab for breakfast, school, work or for that moment when you are just really craving something sweet;) lol. I usually make cookies or granola bars. The following recipe is a healthy, vegan, crunchy granola cookie that tastes, well, like granola.

I’ve been using flaxseeds and flaxoil for my breakfast for a few years now already, these are rich in omega-3 fats. Because of my very low iron level I always have to include foods into my diet that are rich in iron, and these cookies are perfect, rich in healthy fats, protein and minerals, including iron.

 

Vegan Granola Cookies

Yields: 20 large cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup spelt flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup sunflowerseeds
• 1/4 cup pumpkinseeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup almonds, slivered
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup cranberries, dried
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp natural almond butter, or any natural nut butter
• 3 tbsp finely ground flaxseeds/flaxmeal
• 6 1/2 tbsp warm water

-Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C

-In a small bowl or cup mix together the flaxmeal with the water, let stand for at least 5 minutes to thicken.

-In a large bowl mix all your dry ingredients including cinnamon, vanilla and salt.

-Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter and “flax egg”, mix together well.

-With a tablespoon drop equal amounts of dough onto the sheets, and form, with the help of your hands into cookie shapes.

-Bake in preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or golden brown.

-Let cool completely.

Enjoy with a glass of milk!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple & Plum Crumble Bites

Now that the kids are back to school I really like to have some healthier treats on hand. The weekend is perfect to take some time and prepare all sorts of snacks, like cookies, muffins or these apple or plum crumble bites. The apple bites are from last week. We bought our first local apples for this season and there are still plums available. Even though the weather has been exceptionally warm, you can already see the first sings of fall. But for now I am enjoying these beautiful warm temperatures:)

 

 

Apple Crumble

Plum Crumble

 

Apple or Plum Crumble Bites

Yields: 12

Crumbs:

• 3 cups oat flour
• 3/4 cup spelt flour
• 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• dash of sea salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Apple Filling:

• 5 small apples, peeled and cut into small thin pieces
• 1/4  cup honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

 

-Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Grease a muffin tin or line with paper liners.

-For the apple filling combine all ingredients and set aside.

-In a medium bowl mix together the oat flour, spelt flour, salt and cinnamon, then add the coconut oil and maple syrup, stir until well combined.

-Fill muffin tins with about 1-2 tbsp of crumb mix, pressing down to cover bottom. Add about 1 tbsp of apple or plum filling, then cover the fruit with crumb mix, gently pressing down a bit.

-Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely. Store in a airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week.

–The recipe is only intended to make either the apple or plum bites, double only the crumb mix ingredients if you like to make both.–

Plum Filling:

• 2 large plums cut into small pieces
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

–I just use regular oats and grind them into flour. Measure after grinding.–

 

 

Have a great weekend!

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

You can find me on Instagram: @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-frozen Strawberry Tarts

I hope you all have or had a lovely Sunday!! We are going through the first hot weather this year, today it is 32C, and humid in southern Ontario! It would be so nice to jump into a pool right now…

We finally went to a Strawberry Farm at the beginning of the week and bought a lot of strawberries:) And we are picking the first few from our garden. After that amazing Strawberry-Coconut-Cake for my birthday I am back at making also a little bit more healthier treats again. I totally love strawberry tarts, I had two;) when I was in Switzerland (forgot to make a picture). So instead of making a pastry crust, I made an unbaked, raw nut base, filled it with my coconut custard from Coconut Custard mini tarts with mixed berries and put it in the freezer, then decorated it with strawberries-that easy, so refreshingly delicious!

 

Semi-frozen Strawberry Tarts

 

-Makes 10 tarts

 

Coconut-Custard:

-get recipe here: Coconut Custard mini tarts with mixed berries

-Prepare ahead of time. It needs a few hours to cool and set in the fridge.

 

No bake nut base:

• 3/4 cup pistachios
• 1 cup blanched almonds
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

-Blend nuts together until coarse crumbs, add rest of ingredients, pulse a few more time until holds together. Press into cupcake tins. I used silicon forms, slightly greased.

 

Decoration:

• Strawberries

 

-Once the custard is set, you can fill the cupcake tins. Let freeze for a few hours. It will be easier to take out of the form. Decorate with Strawberries and keep in the refrigerator for semi-frozen or put it (without the berries) back in the freezer. My husband and I liked it more semi-frozen, my kids liked it really cold;) LOL

 

 

 

How do you beat the heat?

 

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maple-Pecan-Coffeecake

 

This is a recipe from Rolling Ridge Maple Products. A small Maple Syrup producer in Southwestern Ontario, just outside of London. We had my Mother visiting for two weeks and of course we had to visit a Maple Syrup producer;) She loved it!! We went home with some Syrup, Maple Sugar and Maple Butter…amazing!

 

 

Maple-Pecan-Coffeecake

• 1/2 cup unbleached flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup Maple Syrup

Topping

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

 

-Preheat oven to 375F. Sift together the white flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the whole wheat flour with a fork. In a large bowl, beat egg until very light; add the buttermilk, melted butter and maple syrup and beat until just combined. Spread batter smoothly in a buttered 8-inch pan.

-Sprinkle with topping. (To make the topping: mix together whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, pecans, cinnamon and melted butter)

-Bake the coffeecake about 25 minutes or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.

-Drizzle with some Maple Butter, Maple Syrup or Icing Sugar.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Follow me on Instagram!  @littleswisslittlecanadian