Desserts

“We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.”
― David Mamet, Boston Marriage

Try these tasty treats!

Baked Lemon Cheesecake

Vegan Pina Colada Bars

Carrot Cake with Candied Ginger and Walnuts

Russian Peach Pie (Sharlottka)

Vegan Death By Chocolate Cake

Rustic Nectarine Blueberry Tart

Healthy Blueberry Oat Muffin Surprise

Dairy Free Banana Ice Cream

Lemony Almond-Oat Cookies

Each culture has  its own unique desserts. I explore different dessert recipes and adapt them for an American kitchen. I love simplicity and diversity of these desserts. Let me tell you about a few of my favorite ones!

Cherry Clafoutis

Clafoutis is a French dessert of black cherries arranged in a baking dish and covered with thick batter. It's served warm sprinkled with sugar powder. Clafoutis became popular in France in the 19th century. It's very easy to make!

Apple Sharlottka

Sharlottka is a sweet pie made with apples and walnuts baked in the light dough. Sharlottka also has French roots. It was invented in London by a French chef. Of course! My favorite recipe actually comes from Russia where it's the most popular kind of pie. My family make this pie all the time. You can also use peaches instead of apples.

Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice is probably the most famous Asian dessert in the West. Coconut milk, mangos, and agave nectar blend together to create a delicious dessert. The key to success is to use mangos when they are in season and glutinous rice (also called sweet rice) that you can get at the Asian market. I love to sprinkle it with black sesame seeds.

Make Your Dessert Plant Based

One way to make your delicious indulgencies guilt-free is to make them plantbased. Check out this list of plantbased ingredients to experiment with!

Plantbased Soy or Almond Milk

Excellent way to replace milk in virtually any recipe. Soy milk is a great source of protein. Almond milk has a rich thick consistency and is perfect for baking cupcakes, cakes, and pies.

Applesauce

Acts as a binding ingredients in the recipes that call for eggs. It adds moisture and richness. 3 tablespoons of applesauce replace 1 egg.

Bananas

The most simple substitute for eggs in breads, cakes, and cupcakes. Use 1/2 banana to replace 1 egg.

Ground Flax Seed

A popular way to replace eggs and add nutrition to your desserts. Mix 3 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed to replace 1 egg.

Tofu

Most surprising baking ingredient, tofu is used in creating creamy mixtures in the recipes that call for heavy cream, cream cheese, or other dairy. Tofu absorbs flavor greatly! I love using tofu in lemon-flavored desserts, pies, and mousses. 1/4 cup tofu replaces 1 egg.

Vegan Butter

Not the healthiest ingredient, but sometimes you can't help but use just a few tablespoons. Vegan butter or margarine have less cholesterol, but the same amount of fat as dairy butter. You also can replace butter with coconut oil. It works great but adds a slight coconut flavor to desserts.

Honey

It's delicious and aromatic. It adds sweetness and nutrition to any dessert recipe. Honey makes your desserts look deliciously brown by adding color. I'm a huge fan of honey because I grew up with a grandpa and dad who did beekeeping as their hobby (and still do!). I have a lot of fascination and respect for bees that produce this amazing product.

Almond Flour

High in protein, low in carbohydrates and sugar. It adds great flavor and moisture to your baked goods.

Flaxseed Flour

Add 1/4 of a cup to cookies and cupcakes to boost nutrition. Flaxseed flour is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and fiber.