Layer Bars (a GF version of Seven Layer Bars)

Seven Layer Bars seem to be somewhat popular, but you might think since going GF you can not make those anymore. Well, that is not the case. This gluten-free version is made with no graham cracker crust. Beware, though, what brand of butterscotch chips you use, because some contain gluten. Just read labels.


Allrecipes.com, has a little section of gluten-free recipes, if you write in the search "gluten-free", you should get lots of results. I found this recipe by doing that, and looking through the recipes.


These are easy, and were yummy. I didn't get a picture.


I used a substitute for the sweetened condensed milk though. This recipe is from http://www.cooks.com/. Here is the recipe for the sweetened condensed milk substitute I used (below).


Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute

2 eggs
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. GF flour (I used 2 Tbsp corn flour, and 1 Tbsp corn starch)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients and use as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in recipes for pies, bars and desserts.

Ok, now to the bar recipe. You may use a mixture of different kinds of chips and nuts.

Gluten-Free Layer Bars

Ingredients

• 7 ounces flaked coconut (I think I used about 1 1/3 cups)
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup peanuts
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds (I didn't use these)
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (or substitute listed above)
• 
  

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C ). Generously grease one 13x9 inch baking pan.
2. Spread 2/3 of the flaked coconut evenly on the bottom of the baking pan. Sprinkle the butterscotch morsel, chocolate chips, and peanuts evenly over the coconut layer. Pour condensed milk evenly over the whole pan. Top with sliced almonds and remaining coconut . Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

 ~ Hanunyah

31 for 21 Blog Challenge!

Chocolate Hard Candy

I made the recipe that I posted on the 13th (Simple Hard Candy), but for flavoring I added 1 Tablespoon of dark cocoa powder, and about 1/2 tsp vanilla. It turned out great and every body liked it!!

Sorry I don't have a picture of these!

31 for 21 Blog Challenge!

Flourless Chocolate Banana Cake

Yes, it's true . . . no fancy ingredients, and it tastes great. I didn't really expect it to turn out, because I made a lot of substitutions, and used a different shape pan. But . . .  My family liked it, and the only problem was that there was not enough :). I'll probably double the recipe next time. We don't have a Vita-Mix, but I used our food processor. I only processed the mixture in the food processor for about 1 minute total (I timed it).

I got the recipe from - http://www.elanaspantry.com/flourless-chocolate-banana-cake/.

Flourless Chocolate Banana Cake (Gluten Free)
3 large eggs, separated
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt (I used just plain salt)
½ cup agave nectar (I used packed brown sugar)
¼ cup grapeseed oil (I used vegetable oil)
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
½ cup cocoa powder (I used dark)

1. In a Vita-Mix (or other high powered blender), whip egg yolks, agave and salt on medium for 1-2 minutes
2. Add grapeseed oil and mashed banana and blend for another minute or two
3. Blend in cocoa powder
4. In a bowl, whip egg whites to stiff peaks
5. Gently fold contents of Vita-Mix into bowl with egg whites
6. Grease a 9-inch springform pan (I used a 8" square) and pour batter into pan
7. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes

These pictures aren't that great, because I used a camera that isn't as good as our Nikon (because it isn't working properly), therefore the pics aren't that good.

31 for 21 Blog Challenge

Simple Hard Candy

I got this recipe out of my book called "The Complete Wilton Book of Candy". It was a recipe for lollipops, but I didn't have molds or sticks, so I poured it on a cookie sheet, and cut it with scissors. This is a good simple recipe for hard candy. I made it 4 times in one day, and made mint flavor, vanilla, lemon and almond (see pics below). I made these for the Tulsa Buddy Walk.

The recipe below I adjusted the directions to how you can just cut it.

Simple Hard Candy

Make sure the pan you use for cooking is of no more than one to two-quart capacity - this is a small recipe.

1 cup white sugar

1/3 cup hot water

1/3 cup light corn syrup

liquid food color

1/2 tsp to 1 tsp extract

Before you begin, Sift confectioners' (powdered) sugar liberally over a marble slab or a large cookie sheet.

1. Combine sugar, hot water and corn syrup in a heavy one- or two-quart saucepan. Place on high heat and stir until all sugar crystals are dissolved. Clip on candy thermometer. Continue cooking, without stirring until thermometer registers 300 F (149 C), then remove from heat. Entire cooking process takes about nine minutes.

2. Add flavoring and food color and stir to blend. Pour onto prepared slab or sheet. Let cool until cool enough to handle, then cut into pieces with scissors (start at the edges).

Lemon

Vanilla

Mint

Almond

A different recipe of hard candy

31 for 21 Blog Challenge

Chocolate Raisin Cake-like Bars

This was like chocolate cake with a little tweak. I adjusted the recipe ingredients to what I had on hand. My family liked them! I think I'm going to double the recipe next time . . .

Chocolate Raisin Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine (I used lard)

1 packet milk chocolate-flavored hot cocoa mix (I used a couple tablespoons cocoa powder)

1/4 cup granulated sugar (I used 1/2 cup)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup GF flour (I used white rice flour, potato starch and oat flour, plus a little xanthan gum)

1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup raisins

2 ounces unsalted shelled roasted peanuts, chopped (I chopped my own, and used 3 Tablespoons)

Preheat oven to 350F.

Spray an 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In medium bowl, using electric mixer, beat together margarine, cocoa mix, and sugar until combined; beat in eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition until well blended.

Beat in vanilla.

Add flour, baking powder, and salt and beat until blended; fold in raisins and peanuts.

Pour batter into sprayed pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes (until a cake tester [or toothpick], inserted in center, comes out clean).

Remove cake to wire rack and let cool.

To serve, cut cake in half and cut each half into 6 equal bars.

31 for 21 Blog Challenge