Walnut Pie Bars

We’ve had a few very warm days here, it was too hot inside to turn the stove on! I was happy it cooled down a bit so I was able to bake these Walnut Pie Bars! These bars were so yummy, similar to pecan pie but maybe even a bit better! Sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup to make it a tiny bit healthier. If you like pecan pie you will definitely love these Walnut Pie Bars!!!

Walnut Pie Bars

For the bottom layer:

• 1 3/4 cups spelt flour
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3/4 cup cold butter

For the walnut layer:

• 2/3 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup spelt flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 maple syrup
• 2 cups roughly chopped walnuts

-Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 F.

-Mix the flour with the honey and the butter until it resembles fine crumbs. You can also use a food processor if you prefer.

-Press the crumb mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown. Remove from oven and pour on walnut topping while still hot.

–For the walnut topping:

-Mix together the flour and sugar well. Whisk in the Maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract and salt. Let stand while bottom layer prebakes, stirring it occasionally.

-Mix in the walnuts and pour over the still hot prebaked bottom layer. Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, until filling is set.

-Let cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator for several hours before cutting into bars or squares.

Enjoy!

Ursula

xox

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Vegan Cinnamon Pecan Babka

There is something so comforting about the smell of baked nuts and cinnamon, fresh out of the oven!

We made this babka with ingredients we already had at home, it turned out so delicious! Perfect for a wintry afternoon treat, especially during lockdown.

Vegan Cinnamon Pecan Babka

Ingredients:

• 300 g white spelt flour
• 1 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast
• 60 ml olive oil or coconut oil
• 120 ml plant based milk, I used unsweetened cashew milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp honey

Filling:

• 150 g ground pecans
• 4 tbsp coconut sugar
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 – 6 tbsp plant based milk, I used unsweetened cashew milk
• 3 tbsp apricot or apple jelly

-Line a 35 cm loaf pan with parchment paper.

-Combine spelt flour, salt and instant quick yeast. In a small saucepan or in the microwave, combine the milk, oil and honey, heat it up over low heat, do not let it come to a boil, it only has to be lukewarm.

-Add the milk, honey and oil mix to the dry ingredients, mix well and knead dough on a lightly floured surface until you have a smooth ball of dough.

-Lightly grease a large bowl with a bit of olive oil, place the dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel. Let rise until doubled in size, for about an hour.

-In the meantime, mix all ingredients, except jelly, for the filling, adding enough milk to make a moist mixture.

-On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle, spread the jelly on top, then spread the filling evenly on top.

-Tightly roll up the dough to form a long log, cut in half lengthwise, then lay them side by side. Weave the pieces back and forth over each other, like braiding but with only two strands.

-Tuck into the prepared baking form, cover and let rise for another hour.

-Bake in preheated 350F oven for 45 minutes or until deep golden brown.

-Optional: glaze the still hot babka with a simple icing, using icing sugar and lemon juice.

Happy Weekend!

Enjoy!

Ursula

xo

Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins

I’ve posted a picture of these muffins on Instagram back in October. The original recipe uses pumpkins, which I did use for the first batch and we just loved these muffins. The sweet potato came into use because I had no pumpkin on hand so I thought I just give it a try and it was surprisingly very yummy. I added some oat crumble and some maple caramel drizzle like I made for the Caramel Apple Sticky Buns, used only coconut sugar and maple syrup, otherwise followed Linda’s Spiced Pumpkin Loaf recipe from her blog sweetenufblog . Sweet potato as well as pumpkins are very healthy and I just love them. So feel free to use either, both are delicious!! Just made another batch this week to pack for my kids for school:)

 

 

Here are some other yummy pumpkin recipes:

Pumpkin-Oat-Squares

Pumpkin-Chocolate-Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Babka

 

Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins

Yields 12

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, I used coconut sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/3 cups sweet potato puree or pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• Glaze: Combine 1/3 cup icing sugar with 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Oat crumble: 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• Optional: toffee bits, butterscotch chips, pecans

-In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside

-In the bowl of a stand mixer using a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat until very light in colour and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, and scraping down sides and bottom of mixing bowl. Beat in the maple syrup. The mixture will look curdled at this point! As you add the flour mixture it will come together.

-Remove the bowl from the mixer and using a wooden spoon stir in half on the flour mixture until combined. Add in the pumkin and stir until combined then add in the remaining flour mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain. Fold in the nuts.

-In a small bowl mix together the oats, cinnamon, maple syrup and coconut sugar.

-Fill into prepared muffin tins, smooth out the top with an offset spatula or knife, then sprinkle some of the oat mix on top.

-Bake in 325F preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes until top springs back lightly when touched. Or a tester inserted into centre comes out clean.

-Let cool completely then drizzle with the maple glaze.

-Tip: Double the oat crumble recipe if you like to have a thick crumble top.

 

Thanks again for the recipe Linda!

I hope you’ll give it a try!

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caramel Apple Sticky Buns

I got the inspiration for these sticky buns from the October 2017 edition of the Canadian Living magazine. I’ve been waiting impatiently to try them. A pretty sticky bun situation, with an apple and pecan filling and sticky caramel made with apple juice and sugar.

As always I’ve made these completely refined sugar free, but I will write down the original ingredients as well. These are best enjoyed freshly baked and still warm.

 

Caramel Apple Sticky Buns

Yields: 12 buns

Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, I used white whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup sugar, I used honey
• 11/2 tsp quick-rising (instant) dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Glaze and Filling:

• 4 apples
• 1 cup brown sugar, I used coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 cup apple butter*
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground ginger

To make the dough:

-In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, add milk and heat until warm, (not hot). Pour milk mixture into flour mixture, add egg. Stir until combined. Turn onto floured work surface and knead dough until soft and elastic. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over then cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.

Glaze and Filling: Line a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

-Meanwhile (optional peel) grate apples to measure 4 cups; strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing on solids with back of spoon to extract juice. Reserve grated apple.

-In a small saucepan, bring apple juice and brown sugar to boil over medium-high heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add butter; cook, stirring for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Reserving 3 tbsp, spread remaining glaze evenly over bottom of prepared pan; sprinkle with 1 cup of the pecans, In a bowl stir together apple butter, reserved 3 tbsp glaze, cinnamon and ginger.

Assembly:

-Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-On a slightly floured surface roll out dough to a 16-x 12-inch rectangle. Leaving 1/2-inch border on 1 long edge, spread apple butter mixture evenly over dough; sprinkle reserved apple and pecans over top. Starting at the long edge opposite border, tightly roll up dough, pinching seams to seal.

-With a serrated knife, cut into 12 buns; arrange, cut side up, in prepared pan. Cover with a damp tea towel; let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

-Bake until golden brown and buns sound hollow when gently tapped, 30-35 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before serving.

 

*I’ve made these without the apple butter, because I did not have any at the time.

-Also I found the sticky buns were not really sticky after baking, maybe it depends how much juice you’ll get from the apples. I’ve made an additional simple maple glaze: In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of maple syrup and 1 tsp cinnamon to a boil, then reduce to low heat, stirring until slightly thickens; add the butter, stir until melted, remove from heat and pour over baked buns.

 

Enjoy!

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Shortcake Cups

This has been a bit of a crazy week. My teenage son injured himself on his hip during a track and field race at school. Brought to the emergency by ambulance was his first and hopefully last time…Lucky he does not need surgery for his torn tendon and small broken piece of bone. Takes about 6-8 weeks to heal. But I have to say, he is taking it very bravely and is making the best out of it! So proud:)

For Fathersday my daughter made some strawberry cream cheese cookies, (so good!), and I made these Strawberry Shortcake Cups. These are so simple to make and taste amazing!

Ontario Strawberries

 

I’ve made the cake dairy free and refined sugar free and used the thick part of the coconut milk instead of whipped cream. That was not planned but I ran out of real cream and I usually have coconut milk at home, so…it was really good:)

 

Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Yields: about 8

Cake:

• 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or regular sugar)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (or butter), melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup cashew milk (or dairy)

 

-about 200 ml (for 4 cups) coconut cream or whipped cream

-Strawberries

 

-Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-Cream together sugar, egg and coconut oil. Mix in vanilla and salt. Mix together flour and baking powder and add, alternating with the milk, to the egg mixture. Do not overmix.

-Fill in greased baking dish. Bake for about 30 minutes or until tester inserted in middle comes out clean. Let cool completely.

-To assemble: Layer cups with cake pieces, strawberry slices and whipped cream, to your liking.

–There will be cake left. I’ve made only 4 cups, but I think I would have been able to make another 4 cups.–

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

 

You can find me on Instagram @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

Almond Croissants

These lovelies, called “Nussgipfeli”, are one of my favorite pastries to eat when I am in Switzerland. Usually made with a hazelnut filling, either using a puff pastry or a yeast dough, is so good. One of the most iconic Swiss treats.

Here usually you can find almond croissants. These are really yummy too. It is actually pretty easy to make. You can use a puff pastry or make a sweet yeast dough like I did.

 

I am very excited because I am going to visit my family in Switzerland for the next two weeks:)!! Looking forward to see everyone, but mostly my dad who did turn 70 this April. He was very sick last year, undergoing a major heart surgery and we are just happy and thankful to be able to celebrate this special birthday.

On the other side I have to admit I am also looking forward to all the good food;)

 

Almond Croissants 

Yields: 8

Sweet yeast dough:

• 300 g unbleached white flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp honey or sugar
• 60 g butter
• 100 ml milk
• 1 tbsp instant yeast

-In a medium bowl mix together flour, salt, yeast and honey.

-In a saucepan warm/melt butter with the milk.

-Add butter and milk to the dry ingredients and mix well. Knead dough well until smooth ball forms. Place back into bowl then cover with plastic foil. Let rise until doubled in size.

Almond filling:

• 150 g almonds or hazelnuts, finely ground
• 4 tbsp coconut sugar, or 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 4-6 tbsp milk or cream

-Mix all ingredients together. The filling should be moist.

• 3 tbsp apricot jam
• almond slices

-Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

-On a floured surface roll out dough into a circle.

-Spread thinly with apricot jam then cut into 8 wedges.

-Spread filling onto wedges. Roll dough up into a croissant. Let rise for another 15 minutes.

-Brush with some egg wash then bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

-Brush warm croissants with some icing: 100g powdered sugar, 1/2 tbsp lemon juice mixed together. Sprinkle with almond slices.

–I brushed it with honey;)–

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

Maple Coconut Tarts

Happy weekend everyone!! My kids had a week off from school for Spring (March) Break. Unfortunately the weather did not turn out to be so great…in other words, winter returned! For most of the week it was snowing and cold.

Anyway I found another way of using Maple Syrup in a recipe…I promise I will stop soon, but it is still the season right!;) These Coconut Tarts were soooooo good! I will definitely make these again soon.

Use with your favorite pastry. Makes enough filling for 7 tarts. I will add the pastry I used.

 

Maple Coconut Tarts

• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• pinch sea salt
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup coconut, shredded, unsweetened

 

-Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Grease 7 muffin tins and line with your favorite pastry.

-In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together well. Fill in prepared tart shells only 3/4 full. Bake at 400F/200C for 15 minutes.

 

 

Following recipe is adapted from my 1985 Betty Bossi book “Dessert Traeume”.

Pastry

• 125 g unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 3 tbsp honey or sugar
• 50 g butter, cold, cut in small pieces
• 50 g coconut, shredded, unsweetened
• 1 egg

-Mix flour, salt and honey or sugar. Add butter pieces and using your hands rub everything together until it resembles fine crumbs. Mix in coconuts then add the egg and mix everything well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

-On a floured surface roll out dough and cut out circles to fit 7 muffin moulds.

 

Coconut Dream!!

 

Enjoy!

 

You can find me on Instagram: #littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hazelnut-Butterfly Sweet Yeast Bread

There are some dishes from Switzerland, sweet or savory, that I am sometimes suddenly thinking off…maybe even missing a little. And that can be at times like right before I go to bed for some weird reason;)

Most of my baking is out off Swiss or German cookbooks, some old true and tested recipes that everyone loves. The other day my husband was asking for a Hazelnut Sweetbread. A traditional sweet yeast dough filled with ground hazelnuts. We call this a Russenzopf (Russianbraid, I do not know how or why it got that name). The great thing about it is you can take the same recipe and make hazelnut rolls or crescents called Nussgipfeli, which I LOVE and need to eat when we are in Switzerland, or like I did for this recipe, a butterfly.

However you shape it, it is delicious!

Now trying to cut down on white refined sugar, I used honey and coconut sugar. I will give you the original version as well, using white and brown sugar.

Hazelnut-Butterfly

Yeast dough:

• 350 g white unbleached flour
• 1 tbsp instant yeast
• 2 tbsp honey, or sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 125 ml milk, room temp.
• 25g butter, melted
• 1 egg

-Mix all dry ingredients together. Whisk together milk, egg and butter. Add to dry ingredients. Knead dough until smooth. Cover with a plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size. About 1 hour.

Filling:

• 200 g Hazelnuts, finely ground (you can also use ground almonds)
• 5 tbsp coconut sugar, or 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 organic lemon, juice and zest
• 100 ml cream or milk

-Mix all ingredients together.

-Preheat oven to 180C/350F (Convection setting). Line a 30 cm loaf pan with parchment paper.

-Roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread filling out evenly. Cut horizontally. Roll each piece from the outsides to the center and lay both pieces on top of each other in a prepared baking dish. Let it rise for another 30 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Spread the icing on while it is still warm.

Icing:

• 4 tbsp icing sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

-Mix together well.

Tip: Original recipe calls for 250 g Marzipan, 1 organic orange, zest and 1 tbsp juice. It is called Almond-Butterfly.

Recipe adapted from Dr. Oetker “Backen macht Freude” and Betty Bossi “Backstube”

Have fun and enjoy!

You can find me on Instagram. #littleswisslittlecanadian

Refreshing Orange-Yogurt-Mousse

 

 

 

 

I have been craving citrus fruits lately, especially lemons and limes. Maybe it is the lack of sunshine or I just need the extra Vitamin C and the vibrant color!

I love all, or okay maybe most, desserts:) But I also do enjoy making healthier and lighter desserts for a change.

This dessert is just perfect light and refreshing, served in half of a orange, a pretty little thing!

 

Orange-Yogurt-Mousse

• 1tbsp unflavoured gelatine
• 2tsp grated organic orange rind
• 1/2cup fresh orange juice
• 2/3cup sugar, honey or coconut sugar
• 2tbsp butter
• 2cups plain greek yogurt
• 2 oranges

 

-Cut oranges in halve, use the juice for the recipe, remove meat carefully to keep the orange halves unbroken.

-In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatine over orange juice and let soften one minute.

-Add sugar, orange rind and butter.

-Heat, slowly stirring until gelatine dissolves. Transfer mixture to a metal bowl to completely cool (you can sit bowl in a large bowl filled with ice to speed cooling). Stir until mixture is the texture of raw egg whites. Whisk yogurt into orange mixture.

-Spoon mousse into four orange halves (there will be some leftover). Chill for at least 30 minutes to set, or longer.

 

-Optional: at serving time, top with some whipped cream.

–You can make this recipe using lemons or limes–

–You can substitute dairy yogurt for non dairy yogurt and butter–

 

 

Enjoy!