Monday 30 May 2016

Salted Caramel Brownie No-Churn Vegan Ice Cream





Visions of large marble slabs and tiny compartments of different candies, chocolates, sprinkles, breakfast cereals and syrups were dancing around my brain before this photo shoot.


As much as I am the type of person that values whole foods, nutrient density and a paleo-esque way of eating -- I still think there is something so magical about those ice cream experiences waiting in line at a beach front for a giant cartoon-like swirl of your favourite soft-serve -- or waiting impatiently at a Cold Stone Creamery to add in your favourite mix-ins.



I am getting old ( late 20s you are the WORST) and as a result I find myself getting overly nostalgic but still overly concerned over the state of my body and how to improve it while that's still somewhat manageable (OK I KNOW I AM BEING DRAMATIC).



Cue: Allergen friendly ice cream. Made with coconut milk, dates, fleur de sel and almond milk but it tastes absolutely decadent and creamy.










I was pouring through the internet trying to find the best way to sweeten it when I came across recipes using date paste - thank you internet!


I have used date paste in my healthy Twix Bars and Protein Crunchy Caramel Bars. OH and my Healthy Snickers Bars, too! So I was beyond happy to pull out my bag of dates again.







The weather the past few weeks has been wonderfully warm. Maybe too warm, at times. But I am not complaining -- laying out on my deck getting some pretty weird tanlines has always been my favourite summer-time activity ;)


BUT with the heat comes craving some cold treats. Iced coffees (dolla dolla drinks, y'allll!) and ice cream and popsicles and anything else to keep cool, really.


I LOVE Oreo McFlurry's. Honestly if I could eat them everyday without consequence, I would. I have no shame.



But sadly outside of the sugar content the dairy causes me intense stomach pain. Kind of like I am being stabbed. Whaddup lactose intolerance!


My Aunt introduced me to some paleo-friendly ice cream from the supermarket but honestly....this stuff just blows it out of the water. I wish it didn't. I wish I could go pick up a tiny overpriced tub of what tasted like vaguely flavoured coconut water BUT ALAS I CANNOT BECAUSE IT SUCKS IN COMPARISON TO THIS STUFF.









I can't wait to turn this into an ice cream cake because DQs ice cream cakes are my jam and they similarly torture my soul with their siren's song.








WELL SCREW YOU POPULAR ICE CREAM ESTABLISHMENTS! I HAVE THE SOLUTION!



And don't worry. Now that I know how easy it is to make no-churn ice cream at home without an ice cream maker I will be coming up with lotsssss of fun variations for you ;)









I chose Salted Caramel Brownie to start because the date paste is already caramel-y. I added some caramel flavouring but you don't have to! And brownie because those protein bars are SO delicious and even better to have a healthy brownie mixed in, right?!



Saturday 14 May 2016

Cookies, Cakes & Catch-Ups 11: Chocolate Gold and All Pink Everything!






Alright, stop.


Collaborate and listen.


New cakes and cookies on Feeding my ADDICTION!


Did that work? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? Fun Fact...I don't know how to spell collaborate, apparently. Thanks spellcheck!


In terms of catching up -- following me on social media is probably easier than bogging you down with my life story in this post. BUT as per tradition, I like to show you what I have been up to every so often.


ALSO PLEASE MAKE MY NEW DONUT RECIPE! They are seriously too good to pass up. I promise.


Orders at www.theperfectbitebakeshoppe.com have been bumpin' lately! I need to hire someone to re-do both sites but.. WHO HAS THE TIME!


You can tell that I have been having a HUGE love affair with chocolate and gold.







And maybe peanut butter, too? Just an FYI my peanut butter cakes are also full of Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Reese's Cups ;)













I have also been obsessed with MINI cakes. Only 4 inches in diameter but still enough cake for 5-6 people. They're the cutest stinkin' little cute things EVER!








Oh. Let's look at... more chocolate and gold? OH, ALRIGHT!