Raspberry Jam Bars

 

• ½ cup pecans
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with a knife (this could also be part almond flour)
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• Heaping ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup raspberry jam

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with heavy-duty aluminum foil so that it overlaps the sides and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, place the pecans, flour, coconut, oats, salt, and baking powder. Blend until the mixture has a fine, sand-like texture. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium speed until light and creamy, a few minutes. Add the egg and beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. The dough will be sticky. Place ⅔ of the dough on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, and spread it in an even layer. Spread the jam over the surface of the dough, leaving ¼-inch space between the jam and the sides of the baking dish so the bars won’t stick to the foil. Pinch off 1-inch clumps of the remaining dough and scatter evenly over top of the jam. The dough won’t cover the entire surface; that’s okay. Bake for about 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.
4. Let the jam bars cool in the baking dish on a rack for about 15 minutes. Using the foil overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and onto the countertop. Pull the foil away from the sides to prevent sticking, and then let sit until completely cool, a few hours. Cut into bars.

Gluten & Dairy Free Pecan Pie Bars

 Shortbread Crust

2 cups vegan baking butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 t vanilla
1 t salt
4 cups GF flour with xanthan gum

Spray a metal half-sheet pan with GF spray, and line with a sheet of parchment paper.

Mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add the flour and mix until dough forms. Press firmly into the pan, following the pan up at the edges to help contain the pie filling. Lay a piece of parchment paper on top and roll it out with a rolling pin after it has been evenly distributed. Bake for 15 minutes.

 

Pecan Pie Filling

6 eggs
2 cups corn syrup
2 cups sugar
4 T melted vegan butter
2 t vanilla
3 cups pecan halves, chopped

Beat the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Chop the pecan halves into small pieces and evenly distribute over the shortbread. Pour the filling on top. Bake for 45 minutes.

Chocolate Ganache Topping

12 oz DF chocolate chips
½ cup almond milk

Melt chocolate and milk in a saucepan, mix well, and spread over the pecan pie filling. Allow to cool completely before cutting.

GF/DF Pecan Sticky Buns

Prepare the filling and topping before the dough.

Topping:

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup vegan butter
2 Tbsp. almond milk
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups pecans

Spray or grease a 9"x13" pyrex generously (this will not work with parchment paper). Chop the pecans. Add brown sugar, vegan butter, almond milk, and vanilla to a saucepan. Heat on the stove over low, stirring until the brown sugar and butter have melted. Stir in pecans.

Pour into the 9"x13" pan and spread evenly being careful not to disturb the spray/grease. Set aside.

Filling:

1 cup vegan butter
1 ½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cinnamon (start with 4 T, and add more if desired)

Melt vegan butter. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl from the butter. Set both aside.

Dough:

2 Tbsp. yeast
½ cup warm water

7 cups GF flour
1 cup cornstarch or arrowroot starch/flour
2 tsp. salt
3 cups almond milk
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
4 Tbsp. oil
4 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar
6 eggs

Mix yeast in warm water and set aside for 5 minutes. 

Using a stand mixer, blend 6 cups of flour, starch of your choice, and salt using the regular paddle. Warm the milk, and add it and the oil, honey, and cider vinegar to the dry ingredients. Switch to the dough hook and mix. Beat eggs and add to yeast mixture. Add this to the bowl and mix. Add flour and continuing mixing until the dough pulls away from the bowl and the hook.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread with the melted vegan butter (filling instructions) and evenly spread the brown sugar cinnamon mixture to the edges. Starting at the short end, roll up the dough into a log. Using unflavored floss or a serrated knife cut 2" rolls off and place them in the 9"x13" pan.

Boil water and fill a 11"x17" pyrex. Place the 9"x13" pyrex in the hot water bath. Cover loosely with sprayed plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise for an hour+ in a warm place. Try not to jostle it. Refill with warm water as needed. 

When the rolls have risen, heat oven to 350°F. Cover loosely with foil tent to prevent over browning and bake for 40 minutes. Flip onto a sheet pan or serving dish. 

To save for later, wrap in foil and freeze after they have cooled. To reheat, place foil wrapped rolls in a pan to prevent the topping from leaking and heat in 350-400°F oven until warm.