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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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

 

 

 

 

Walnut Cookies with Strawberry Filling

Hello my friends! Happy Thursday!

I’ve been baking cookies but they seem to rather disappear quickly…I haven’t made that many varieties yet, the usual ones that have been made for centuries and I always try out some new recipe. I’ve made my Soft Gingerbread Cookies already twice!

A few weeks ago, just as I was getting into the holiday spirit, I had to learn that my dad has cancer. Needless to say I was not in the mood for blogging or anything like that anymore. But it is better to keep busy and I am trying to post regularly again.

I’ve made these super yummy walnut cookie stars, they are filled with strawberry jam.

 

Walnut Cookies with Strawberry Filling

Ingredients:

• 250 g spelt flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 100 g honey
• 200 g butter, soft
• 1 egg
• 150 g walnuts, finely ground
• 150 g strawberry jelly

Instructions:

-Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

-Combine flour and baking powder. Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

-Roll dough out to about 3 mm thickness, cut out equal amounts of stars with a hole and without.

-Place on prepared baking sheets and bake in a preheated 180 C oven for about 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Let cool completely.

-Spread jam onto stars without a hole and top with a cookie that has a hole.

Tip: You can use unbleached all-purpose flour instead of the spelt flour. Other nuts can be used, like hazelnuts or almonds. Use red currant or raspberry jelly instead.

 

Almond Chocolate Cookies

Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookie Sandwiches

Gingerbread Brownies

Sweet Domino Stones

Toblerone Tart

 

Happy baking!

Ursula

 

 

Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maple Walnut Oat Muffins

Happy Friday everyone!

I am finally able to do some baking again! We’ve had an ice storm last weekend that left us with power outages, especially Sunday almost all day and on Monday the power went on and off all afternoon and then it just continued for the last few days. So annoying!

Now I am looking forward to some warmer and sunnier days!

We’ve been munching on these scrumptious muffins this week! My kids put one in their lunch bags for school every day! They are lovely just plain or you can eat them warm or cold with some maple butter.

Try to get your hands on some real Maple Butter from your local maple producer! Which does not contain any butter!! 🙂

 

Maple Walnut Oat Muffins

Yields: 14 large muffins

Ingredients:

• 3 cups spelt flour
• 2 cups oats
• 1 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups milk, room temp., I used cashew milk
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

-Grease or line your muffin cups. Preheat oven to 385F (convection setting).

-In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking powder.

-Whisk together the eggs, add the butter, milk and maple syrup.

-Add the milk mixture and walnuts to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined, do not overmix.

-Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until tester inserted into middle comes out clean.

Optional, Maple Butter: 1/2 cup butter softened and 1/3 maple syrup, room temp. Beat together until smooth.

-Serve muffins warm with Maple Butter

 

Enjoy! And happy, almost, weekend!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

Maple Walnut Croissants

On a wintry day like today, all you like to do is cozy up under a fuzzy blanket and sip on a hot tea and take a bite into one of these oh so delicious filled croissants! Yes it is actually snowing again since yesterday and I prefer watching the snowflakes from my cozy and warm spot inside. At least we had some sunny breaks this afternoon but otherwise I am officially ready for spring, it is April after all:)

Vegan sweet yeast dough made with spelt flour and filled with walnuts and maple syrup.

We call these “Nussgipfeli” in Switzerland

The recipe is adapted from my Almond Croissants recipe. Usually I would use ground nuts but I used finely chopped walnuts in this recipe, I really liked the texture!

I love walnuts! They are a great source of protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E and most of all are rich in Omega-3 fats and antioxidants.

 

Maple Walnut Croissants

Yields: 8

Sweet yeast dough:

• 300 g white spelt flour
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp instant quick yeast
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup cashew milk or other plant milk

-In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, salt, yeast and maple syrup.

-In a small saucepan warm/melt the coconut oil with the milk.

-Add warm milk to the flour mix and combine well. If dough is to dry add some more milk. On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and shiny dough forms. Place back into bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel, let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Maple Walnut Filling:

• 150 g finely chopped walnuts
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp cashew milk or other plant milk

-Mix all ingredients together. The filling should be moist, but not wet.

Extra:

• 3 tbsp apricot jam or jelly, or use another fruit

-Preheat oven to 350F/180C (convection setting). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

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

-Cut into 8 wedges, then spread thinly with the jam.

-Divide filling equally.

-Roll dough up starting on the outside.

-Place on prepared baking sheet and let rise for another 15 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

-Brush hot croissants with maple syrup for some shine!

 

Happy baking!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Ursula

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oat Seed and Nut Country Style Bread

I’ve been baking bread for a long time now. It kind of started to be a regular thing after I came to Canada (19 years ago) because I just couldn’t find a typical European style bread, you know the kind with an actual crust;) It is more common to get a soft white bread here, which is just not what I prefer on a regular basis.

Anyways, this is the style of bread I make once a week, changing the ingredients up a bit, this week I added oats, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts which turned into a rustic country style bread. My family liked it! Next plan for me is to try my hands on making sourdough bread. I’ve been thinking of this for quiet some time, it just seems a little intimidating to prepare and look after the sour dough starter. Wish me luck!!

I love the smell of fresh baked bread!

 

Oat Seed and Nut Country Style Bread

Ingredients:

• 200 g white spelt flour
• 150 g whole wheat flour
• 100 g unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/2 cup sunflowerseeds
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp quick yeast
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 tbsp honey, optional
• 250 ml room temp. water

-Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl or use your standard mixer. Add oil and honey and start with 3/4 of the water, mix together, add more water if it is to dry. Once it comes together nicely, take it out onto your counter and start kneading the dough until it is a soft and shiny dough, or let your standard mixer do the work. Put the dough back into the bowl and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour or longer.

-Line a 9-inch bundt form with parchment paper.

-Take the dough out of the bowl and knead it again a few times. Lay the dough into your prepared baking dish and sprinkle with some extra oats and seeds if desired. Let rise until stove temperatures is set.

-Bake in preheated 375 F (I use convection setting) oven for about 40 minutes or golden brown and crusty and sound hollow if you tap the sides or take it out of form and tap bottom.

-Let cool completely.

Tip: the oil gives it a nice texture and helps preventing drying out to fast. I guess you could leave it out. If you do not like the all-purpose flour, just use more spelt flour instead.

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Rose Tart

Happy Family Day!

So nice to have an extra day off! Family day is a statutory holiday in Ontario and other provinces in Canada. It has been a sunny weekend, unfortunately it is raining and foggy today. Perfect for relaxing at home, I’ve had an earache for most of last week, but I think it is starting to get better now.

I finely took the time to make an apple rose cake, it is so pretty and it was really delicious with the walnut and maple crust. It would also be delicious with hazelnut or almonds.

 

 

Apple Rose Tart

Walnut Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups ground walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups spelt flour
• 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp butter, soft
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Filling:

• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla sugar

Apple roses:

• 4 medium red and/or yellow apples, thinly sliced

 

-Line a 9-inch tart/pie form with parchment paper, grease the sides.

-Whisk together the butter, egg and maple syrup, add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Fold in the nuts and spelt flour until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

-Place the thinly sliced apples in a medium saucepan, cover with water and lemon juice and let simmer for a few minutes until pliable.

-Roll dough out directly on tart form, if you have a removable bottom. Cover sides evenly by hand.

-For the filling: whisk together all ingredients and pour into tart form.

-For the roses: on a large plate or cutting board take a few, five for example, apple slices and lay them slightly overlapping in a straight line, then from the opposite side start rolling up tightly. Place into tart form. The more apple slices you take, the bigger the roses get. Have fun making different sizes, as you like.

-Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Bake for about 30 minutes.

 

Enjoy! Have a great week!

Ursula

 

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maple Walnut Tarts

Happy Sunday everyone! Here in Ontario Canada we are enjoying a longer weekend because of Family Day Monday! The weather is above average, warm and sunny, perfect to go for a walk or run. We are spending some quality time with my mom who is visiting from Switzerland.

One of the things I grew to love since coming to Canada is Maple Syrup. I can’t wait for the Maple Syrup season to begin!

The Canadian province of Quebec is by far the largest producer, responsible for 75% of the world’s output. Vermont is the largest producer in the United States generating about 6% of the global supply.

 

 

Love the combination of Maple Syrup and Nuts!!

 

 

This recipe makes enough for a 9-inch (about 23cm)pie dish or 12 3 1/2-inch (9cm) tart pans.

 

Maple Walnut Tarts

Pastry 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup ice-cold water (approx.)

 

Walnut Filling

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

 

-Preheat oven to 425F (220C)

Pastry:

–In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add water 2 tbsp at a time, mixing with a fork. Add a little more water if necessary. Press mixture into 2 flat disks. Wrap in plastic foil or waxed paper and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Filling:

–In a bowl, beat together eggs, syrup, brown sugar, melted butter and vanilla until just blended.

-On a lightly floured board, roll out pastry disks. Cut into 5-inch (12cm) circle. Line 12 tart pans or a 9-inch round pie dish with pastry.

-Divide walnuts and maple syrup mixture equally among tart shells. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is soft set.

-Let stand 15 minutes before removing from tart pans. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

The recipe is adapted from the Get Cracking cookbook.

 

 

Follow me on Instagram:)   @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Baking

Here are some of the Christmas Cookies I have been making this year. Most of them are old European (Swiss/German) recipes that my Grandmothers and my Mother used to make.

 

Nusshaufchen, Zimtsterne, Maple Cookies, Spitzbuben and Domino Stones (you can find the recipe here Sweet Domino Stones). I also made a fruit cake-with raisins soaked in Kirsch Schnapps overnight-amazing:)

 

 

I also made some Truffles (made with dark Chocolate and Coconut milk, no added sugar)-these were delicious!!

 

My favorite: Spitzbuben with homemade red currant jelly-so delicate:) My mother gave my those cute cookie cutters years ago when my kids were still little.

 

Most of the cookies are already gone! I had to actually hide some of the Spitzbuben because I was not able to eat (chew) cookies after my surgery. So they are waiting for me in a special hiding place;)

I decided to make some more cookies. I found two great recipes that are slightly healthier-without white refined sugar-great!

If you like Walnuts, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Dates and Honey-you will LOVE these cookies!!

Found the recipe in a German magazine.

 

Date-Nut Cookies

For the dough:

• 200g whole wheat flour
• 100g white flour
• 50g hazelnuts, ground
• 1 egg
• 100g honey
• 160g butter, cold

For the filling:

• 200g dates, finely chopped
• 50g almonds, finely chopped
• 50g honey
• 1tsp cinnamon
• dash cloves
• dash cardamom

-Combine flour and nuts, add egg, honey and butter. Mix together (like a pie dough) until it holds nicely together. Wrap in plastic foil and refrigerate for 1 hour.

-Mix together dates, spices and honey.

-Roll half of the dough out to fit into a square or rectangle baking dish (30cm length). Spread filling evenly onto dough. Roll out remaining dough and cover filling. Gently press down a bit.

-Bake in preheated 350F/180C oven for 20 minutes.

-Let cool. Cut into triangles. Decorate with almonds, icing or chocolate.

-Yields: about 20

 

 

Following recipe adapted from a Martha Stewart magazine. I used coconut sugar.

 

Honey-Walnut-Coins

• 2 1/2c white flour
• 3/4tsp sea salt
• 3/4cup finely chopped (toasted) walnuts, plus 48 walnut halves for decorating
• 1cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4cup coconut sugar
•  1/3cup honey, (orange blossom or regular)
• 1/4cup honey for brushing

-Combine flour, salt and walnuts. Beat butter until fluffy, add sugar, beat until pale and fluffy. Beat in honey. Add flour mixture and beat just until combined. Halve dough.

-On parchment paper, shape each portion into a round log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 6 1/2 inches long. Wrap tightly in plastic foil and chill 1 1/2 hours.

-Preheat oven to 325F. Let dough stand at room temperature 10 minutes. With a sharp knife, cut dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices, rotating log as you go to keep it from flattening. Place round on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Spacing 1 inch apart. Press a walnut half into each round.

-Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are pale golden, about 18 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks; brush cookies with honey. Let cool completely.

-Can be stored in a airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

 

Merry Christmas!

Oat Bran Carrot and Lemon Bars

These bars were the snacks that I packed so far for my kids lunches this week. Or I was hoping it would be enough until Friday but then my hubby discovered them, and so they are all gone…I am glad they all liked it that much, it just means I have to whip up something else now. I like to make healthier snacks for my kids to bring to school, like Granola Bars or Muffins, because homemade you can really control what goes in it.I guess I just have to make a larger batch, my hubby is not the only one that likes a little healthy snack;)

• 1cup        almondmilk
• 1tbsp       vinegar
• 1tsp         baking soda
• 1 3/4cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4cup    oat bran
• 1/2tsp     sea salt
• 1/2cup    coconut oil (melted)
• 3/4cup    pure cane sugar
• 2              eggs
• 1cup       chopped walnuts
• 1cup       raisins
• 1/2cup   shredded carrot
•                 grated rind of 1 organic lemon

-Combine milk, vinegar and baking soda;set aside.

-Combine flour, oat bran and salt;set aside.

-In a large bowl cream coconut oil and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well.

-Add dry ingredients, a little at a time and alternating with the milk. Stir in walnuts, raisins, carrots and lemon rind.

-Fill in a greased square cake pan and bake in a preheated 185F oven 25 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

Can also be baked in muffin cups.

 

Enjoy!