Tag: pistachio

  • Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches

    Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches

    I was craving some dark chocolate short bread and my Mom had just gifted me with a jar of pistachio butter, so I thought why not combine the two and make Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches?! After all chocolate and pistachios are amazing together, look at all the Dubai chocolate items in the last few years everyone is buying! These turned out so delicious I had to share!

    I love shortbread cookies because they are so simple to make with few ingredients. And I usually just press them into a pan, score them and bake them, this time I cut them into hearts since I wanted sandwich cookies. For the flour I used whole wheat pastry flour, but if you preferred all purpose or a gluten free all purpose baking flour, those would work as well.

    I added plenty of cacao to the butter as well as a hint of vanilla to make these extra delicious! They smelled amazing, like brownies while baking! Once they had cooled I filled them with pistachio butter, and I could not wait to try them!

    They turned out so delicious, buttery melt in your mouth sweet dark chocolate shortbread the perfect pairing with the salty rich creamy pistachio butter! If you are a fan of chocolate and pistachios, definitely give these Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches a try!

    Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches

    Makes 16 pieces

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup or 2 sticks Earth Balance or other vegan butter, softened
    • 1/2 tsp sea salt
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/3 cup unsweetened cacao powder
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
    • 1 cup pistachio butter

     

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
    2. In a large bowl, mix together the butter, sea salt, sugar, and lavender until the butter and sugar are well incorporated.
    3. Mix in the cacao powder, vanilla and baking powder until well incorporated.
    4. Mix in the flour until the dough is uniform in color.
    5. Place the dough on a piece of parchment and roll it out to 1/4 inch thick.  Cut into shapes with a medium sized cookie cutter. Carefully move to a parchment lined baking sheet, and re-roll any scraps and cut out more cookies. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
    6. Remove from the oven,  and let cool completely in the pan.
    7. Spread the pistachio butter (about 2 tsp over the bottom of half the cookies, and sandwich them together with the bottom of the remaining cookies (you want the bottoms on the inside because they are less pretty).
    8. Enjoy!

    Shortbread keeps for 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container or 4 months frozen in an airtight container.

  • Vegan Marbled Banana Coffeecake with Pistachio Streusel

    Vegan Marbled Banana Coffeecake with Pistachio Streusel

    Having over ripe bananas is always fun, because it allows me to think of something interesting to make with them! Banana bread is a go to but I thought I’d be a little more creative when I had some recently and make some Vegan Banana Marble Coffeecake with Pistachio Streusel! It turned out so yummy I had to share!

    I chose marble because both chocolate and vanilla sounded good and I wanted the best of both worlds so didn’t want to have to choose between them. Marble cake was always a favorite of mine for birthday cake growing up. This cake is actually pretty simple to make despite it being marble, you just divide the batter on two and mix cacao powder into one half.

    I used whole wheat pastry flour in this but if you prefer all purpose flour or even a gluten free all purpose baking flour (such as Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour which I have used with good results) you could use either of those instead.

    Coffee cake needs a good streusel so I made one with vegan butter and pistachios and it made the so delicious! It smelled amazing while baking and I couldn’t wait to try it! When it was all cooled down and ready to go we dove in and it was amazing! Sweet and delicious with the vanilla and chocolate swirled banana cake and crunchy buttery streusel with nutty pistachios! This is wonderful with a cup of coffee. If you are in the mood for something of the baked banana variety, definitely give this Vegan Banana Marble Coffeecake with Pistachio Streusel a try!

    Vegan Marbled Banana Pistachio Coffeecake

    Makes one 9×9 inch one layer cake

    Ingredients:

    Streusel:

    • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp cold vegan butter, cut into small pieces
    • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

     

    Cake:

    • 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
    • 1 1/2 cups maple sugar or brown sugar
    • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • 1/4 cup ground flax seed
    • 3/4 cup filtered water
    • 1/4 cup avocado oil
    • 1/2 cup mashed banana
    • 1 cup oat milk or other plant based milk
    • 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

     

    1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees, and line a 9×9 inch square cake pan with parchment on the bottom and oil the sides.
    2. For the streusel, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, vegan butter and sea salt and scrunch together with your hands until it has clumped together into pea sized pieces.  Mix in the pistachios and set aside in the refrigerator.
    3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and sea salt and whisk to blend.
    4. Mix together the ground flax seed, and water.
    5. Add the flax mixture, avocado oil, banana, oat milk, and vanilla to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer for about a minute (or a little longer if doing it by hand with a whisk).
    6. Divide between 2 bowls. Whisk the cocoa powder into one of the bowls.
    7. Spoon the cake batters into the prepared pan by the heaping Tbsp alternating between the two.  When they are all spooned into the pan, swirl with a knife.
    8. Pour the streusel over the cake, spreading it out evenly.
    9. Place the cake in the oven and bake for about an hour to an hour and 5 minutes until the cake is done in the center (you are able to insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs).
    10. Remove from the oven and let cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.
    11. Enjoy!

     

  • Vegan Lemon Pistachio Carrot Cake

    Vegan Lemon Pistachio Carrot Cake

    I am sooo ready for spring and all of the things that come with it.  It has been snowing for a few days here in Minnesota right now so it doesn’t feel like spring quite yet.  Yesterday we went to a flower show just to escape the snow and cold and forget about the fact that we aren’t quite in the green grass and flowers blooming stage here and it was nice to enjoy flowers even if they weren’t outside.  Until I can enjoy spring I figure I might as well enjoy spring flavors!  So I made a Vegan Lemon Pistachio Carrot Cake last weekend!  Carrot cake is essential for spring as far as I am concerned!

    For the Cake, I used whole wheat pastry flour because it is what I prefer and have on hand but if you wanted to use AP flour instead that would work as well or even a gluten free all purpose flour like Bob’s Red Mill gluten free baking flour (I have used this brand with good results in my cakes before).  It has avocado oil for the fat, which I like because it has kind of a buttery flavor to it.  I used carrot cake spices in this cake, a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and nutmeg.  I love this aromatic blend!  I have been sprinkling this mixture on my oatmeal lately.  I stirred pistachios into the batter for crunch before baking as well.  I love pistachios, especially in spring baked goods!

    This cake smelled amazing while baking!  I could not wait to try it, but of course it needed a delicious frosting first which is where the lemon came in. I debated in my head whether or not I wanted to make a cream cheese frosting for this but ultimately I decided on a lemon vanilla scented buttercream and it was perfect with the carrot cake and pistachios.  I sprinkled pistachios on top as well because they are so pretty and the cake looked fabulous without much effort needing to be put into decorating.

    This cake turned out sooo good!  I think this is one of the best carrot cakes I have had!  It was moist but light with aromatic spices, crunchy pistachios and a hint of lemon in the luscious smooth buttercream frosting!  My husband Eric even liked it so much he asked if he could have more cake and he isn’t even a cake person!  If you are in the mood for something springy give this Vegan Lemon Pistachio Carrot Cake a try!

    Vegan Lemon Pistachio Carrot Cake

    Makes one 2 layer 6 inch cake

    Ingredients:

    Cake:

    • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
    • 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
    • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
    • 1/4 tsp cardamom
    • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
    • 1 Tbsp lemon zest
    • 3/4 tsp baking powder (1/2 tsp plus 1/4 tsp)
    • 1/2 tsp sea salt
    • 2 flax eggs (2 Tbsp golden ground flax seed mixed with 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp filtered water, allowed to sit 15 minutes)
    • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp avocado oil or other neutral oil
    • 1/2 cup plant based milk
    • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup shredded carrots
    • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

     

    Frosting:

    • 1 1/2 cups vegan butter, I used Earth Balance (at room temperature)
    • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
    • 2-3 Tbsp oat milk (I used Oatly, but you can use what you prefer), add 3 then if needed add another if frosting comes out too stiff
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp lemon extract
    • 4 cups powdered sugar

     

    Garnish:

    1/4 cup chopped pistachios

     

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees, and line 2 6 inch round cake pans with parchment on the bottom and oil the sides.
    2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, spices and lemon zest, baking powder and sea salt and whisk to blend.
    3. Add the flax eggs, avocado oil, oat milk, and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer for about a minute (or 3 minutes if doing it by hand with a whisk).
    4. Fold in the carrots and pistachios.
    5. Pour the batter into the prepared pans evenly.
    6. Place the cakes in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes until the cakes are done in the center (you are able to insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs).
    7. Remove from the oven and let cool 20 minutes, then remove the cakes from the pans by cutting around the sides, placing a plate on top then inverting it and tapping on it.  Allow them then to cool completely once they are out of the pans.
    8. To make the frosting, beat the butter with the milk, lemon, and vanilla and lemon extracts until fluffy.
    9. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, and beat until completely mixed and light and fluffy (if the frosting is too stiff add that other Tbsp of milk).
    10. When ready to frost, Place one cake layer on a plate, spread about 1/2 inch thick layer of the frosting over it.
    11. Place the next cake layer on top.
    12. Spread the remaining frosting on the top and down the sides of the cake evenly.
    13. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the cake, then place the rest of the frosting in a pastry bag and use it to decorate the top.  This frosting recipe makes enough that you should be able to do some generous piping decorations on top, because I like a lot of frosting!
    14. Serve the cake and enjoy!
  • Strawberry Pistachio Almond Halva

    Strawberry Pistachio Almond Halva

    You know what you can do for yourself when you had a tough day and just want to wind down and enjoy something sweet?  Whip up a batch of halva!  Seriously, it is so delicious and easy to make!  I began to love it a few years back when Eric and I bought some slices from a local company, but I didn’t realize I could make it at home until this year when I decided to give it a go.  How hard could it be after all?  Turns out, not hard at all once you get it down if you own a candy thermometer (which is one crucial part of the process).  I admit I tried to make it without one the first time and it didn’t turn out as nice (it gets a bit crumbly and won’t set nicely), but once I bought one, it was perfect!  I started out making the classic kind with  tahini, and that is super delicious and you can flavor it with so many things!  But I recently started experimenting with other nut butters.  So far I have made a peanut butter and chocolate, and then this Strawberry Pistachio Almond Halva with almond butter! It turned out so good I had to share!

    I always have lots of different nut butters on hand for different recipes and for just eating, so I thought why not try out different ones in halva!  I make my own nut butters at home with my high speed blender.  I think they taste much better than most store bought brands, and that way I control what goes into them. As in, they are only made from whatever nut I am blending and not a bunch of weird oils added in.  If you own a high speed blender and want to make your own, blend 4 cups nuts with sea salt to taste on high, using the tamper to press the nuts down into the blades, and blend until it becomes smooth nut butter.  Trust me it is sooo much better than just buying a jar!  But of course store bought would work for this recipe if you don’t have a blender, just make sure it is smooth, and only contains almonds and salt.

    I associate strawberries with Valentine’s Day, so that is why I chose strawberries for pairing with the almond butter this time, I also added in a bit of vanilla extract to make it fragrant and crunchy salty pistachios for color and texture!  It didn’t take long to make at all!  The thing that takes the longest is simply waiting for the sugar syrup to cook to 250F degrees, after that all you do is stir it into your almond butter mixture, press it into the pan and volia!  Delicious halva after it chills for a while.

    This halva is heavenly!  Sweet and salty, melt in your mouth texture, fragrant with almond, vanilla and strawberries!  I think this would be perfect for Valentine’s Day, I know it certainly is in my home, since my husband Eric loves it and can eat half a batch in one sitting. My favorite type of valentine’s gift or any gift for that matter is one that has thought and love put into it and I am all for edible gifts!  So why not give this Strawberry Pistachio Almond Halva a try!

    Strawberry Pistachio Almond Halva

    Makes 1 lb

    Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 cups smooth natural (unsweetened) almond butter, stirred well, at room temperature
    • 1/4 tsp sea salt
    • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup filtered water
    • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, plus more for topping
    • 1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries, broken up, plus more for topping

     

    Instructions:
    1. Line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment (letting it go up the sides as well).
    2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the almond butter, sea salt, vanilla pistachios, and strawberries and mix until well blended.  Set aside.
    3. In a small saucepan with a candy thermometer in it, combine the sugar and water over medium high heat, and stir to dissolve the sugar.  Bring to a boil, and allow to cook while stirring occasionally so it does not burn, until it turns golden brown and reaches 250F degrees.
    4. When it reaches the proper temperature, pour into the halva mixture in a thin stream while stirring constantly until it is just blended (you don’t want to over-mix or it will become crumbly).
    5. Dump the halva into the prepared pan, and press it out evenly.  Sprinkle with the remaining about 2 Tbsp pistachios and freeze dried strawberries and press them into it to adhere them.
    6. Place the halva in the refrigerator and allow to chill and set for a couple hours until it is firm.
    7. Cut into pieces, and enjoy!

    Keeps for 1 month in the refrigerator.

     

  • Vegan Dark Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Brownie Cookies

    Vegan Dark Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Brownie Cookies

    Making Christmas cookies with my Mom when I was little was one of my favorite parts of the Holidays.  We would have the old family favorites like the pfeffernusse cookies, or my Grandma’s sugar cookie recipe (which was the most delicious I had ever tasted), or the pecan tassies, which were my Mom’s favorite.  But often times we would try new ones as well.  We would check out cookbooks at the library filled with cookie recipes, or browse through old ones we had at home and find something exciting and new.  Some of the new cookie recipes were not so good or didn’t turn out sometimes, so we never made them again. But other times they turned out awesome and we decided to add them to our list of things to make for the next year.  A couple of Martha Stewart’s cookie recipes stuck, like her gingerbread and cranberry noels (which were little butter cookies with cranberries and pecans).  I still love trying new cookie recipes around the holidays, and there are just a few I make every year, like peanut blossoms, and molasses spice cookies, because those two are my favorites.  But now, instead of browsing cookbooks for new cookie ideas I come up with ideas in my head and then try to make them.  They usually turn out, and those are the ones I share with you.  I too have flops sometimes though that end up in the garbage and it makes me sad because I hate wasting ingredients, but I don’t want to eat something that isn’t good.

    Well, luckily that hasn’t happened to me for a while, and the cookies I made a few days back were a big success!  I always like to make something chocolaty too, so I decided to make some Vegan Dark Chocolate Pistachio Brownie Cookies!  They are like chocolate chocolate chip cookies basically, so soft and delicious, but a little crispy at the edges and definitely decadent.  I call them brownie cookies, because they taste like brownies, and if you don’t over-bake them they have sort of a brownie like texture.  This dough contains plenty of cacao powder so it is intense and rich.  I sweetened it with coconut sugar and it gave it almost a caramel flavor too.  I stirred in dark chocolate chips too because I can not resist warm cookies with gooey chocolate chips.  But let me tell you the dough was delicious even before I baked them, and eating cookie dough is the best part of baking cookies as far as I am concerned.  Eating the warm cookies is second best.

    My kitchen smelled amazing while these baked, like the aroma of brownies or chocolate cake. It is such a happy smell!  These cookies are really easy to make, and in fact it took me only about 30 minutes to make them from start to finish not including cooling time.  Not that I let them cool long, because they are so good warm. These would make a great edible gift for anyone that loves chocolate, or as part of a Holiday cookie tray.  I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season, and getting to enjoy baking some delicious things.  And, of course I hope you try out these cookies!

    Vegan Dark Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Brownie Cookies
    Makes 2 dozen cookies

    Ingredients:
    • 2 Tbsp ground flax seed
    • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp filtered water
    • 1 cup virgin coconut oil, warmed to liquid
    • 1 1/2 cups coconut sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup cacao powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    • 2 1/2 cups all purpose gluten free flour
    • 1/2 cup pistachios
    • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
    • 1 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

    Instructions:

    In a small bowl, whisk together the flax seed and filtered water.
    Meanwhile, in a large bowl, coconut oil with sugar and mix until well combined.
    Mix in the vanilla extract and flax mixture until well combined.
    Add the cacao powder, baking soda and salt then the flour, a cup at a time, mixing between each addition, until well combined.
    Mix in the pistachios, cranberries, chocolate chunks.
    To bake, Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll balls into about 1 inch balls, and place on prepared cookie sheets a couple inches apart. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until puffed and just starting to brown slightly.  Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool.  Repeat with remaining cookies and let cool completely.
  • Raw Pistachio Rosewater Truffles

    Raw Pistachio Rosewater Truffles

     Pistachio Truffles

    I am sooo ready for green to appear outside.  Green grass, green leaves sprouting from the trees, and green tulip leaves sprouting up from the ground to say Spring has arrived!  It is still pretty brown here, and although buds are appearing on the trees, it is not green quite yet.  Probably because it recently snowed.  I am not complaining about the weather, because after winter I will always take anything above 30F.  But I just want some color!  Since there is no color outside yet, I have been bringing some to my desserts lately.  Even a touch of that green I so desire to see, in some delicious pistachio rosewater truffles.

    Pistachio Truffles 1

    To me, pistachios are a treat since they tend to be a bit spendy, especially the raw shelled ones that I buy.  So, I save them for special occasions.  Like Easter, which is why I made these besides the fact that they have a lovely green color.  Pistachios make me think of Spring and Easter so I thought it was appropriate.  These are mostly pistachio, which is what makes them special.  None of that just green color and pistachio flavor stuff going on…like in that instant pudding I used to have as a kid.  I combined them with rosewater in a creamy heavenly filling fit for a princess (or prince), and then dipped them in raw dark chocolate.

    Pistachio Truffles 3

    These are the more adult version of all of the Easter egg candies I have been making.  I left them round this time like regular truffles, partly because I was lazy, and partly because I wanted these to apply to more than just Easter and be for Spring as well.  Their color just made me happy, and taking a bite of one put me in my happy place!

    Pistachio Truffles 4

    Raw Pistachio Rosewater Truffles

    makes about 10

    Filling:

    1 cup raw pistachios

    1/4 cup raw coconut nectar or maple syrup

    1/4 cup filtered water

    1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

    1/2 tsp rosewater

    1/4 tsp sea salt

    1/4 cup raw coconut butter, warmed to liquid

    Chocolate:

    3/4 cup melted cacao butter (or you may use coconut oil)

    1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp maple syrup at room temperature

    heaping 3/4 cup raw cacao powder

    a good pinch of sea salt

    In a high speed blender, combine the pistachios, coconut nectar, water, vanilla, rosewater, and salt and blend until smooth. Add the coconut butter and blend until combined.  Pour into a bowl, and place in the freezer until firm enough to scoop, about an hour.

    Once the filling is firm enough to scoop, scoop out little 1 1/2 inch balls, and set on a parchment lined sheet pan or tray.  Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.

    Meanwhile, when the truffles are almost ready, to make the chocolate, melt the cacao butter in the top of a double boiler with simmering water beneath (being careful not to let the chocolate mixture on top get above 115F degrees).  Or alternatively you can melt it in the dehydrator as I often do, it just takes a little longer.  Once the cacao butter is melted, whisk in all other ingredients until smooth.

    When ready to dip the truffles, place one on a fork, drop it into the chocolate, then lift it out, letting the excess drain off back into the bowl.  Place back on the tray, and repeat with the others.  Sprinkling each with chopped pistachios as you go.  Once they are all done, allow the chocolate to set (which will happen faster if you pop them in the freezer for about 10 minutes).

    Store candies in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

    Pistachio Truffles 2

     

     

  • Vegan Coconut Lemon Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies

    Vegan Coconut Lemon Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies

    My Mother told me that she would pay me to make her some oatmeal cookies, she loved the last batch I made so much.  I said I would make some for free though if she didn’t mind them being a a new flavor and a twist on a classic.  I love oatmeal cookies as well, and I don’t ever mind sharing.  My Mom always said that oatmeal cookies were the healthiest, and that the fiber of the oats made them that way.  She would eat them for breakfast I am sure if she didn’t have time to make a bowl of oatmeal. I like that thought.  I like the texture and heft the oats give the cookies, without making them too heavy.  That is why they are one of my favorite cookies.

    So, this twist I was putting on the cookies got a bit of a skeptical look when I first told my Mom I was making it.  A bit of lemon in oatmeal cookies?  Yes.  And it was delicious!  Especially after a few pistachios and coconut joined the party.  This combination of flavors is heavenly in other applications,  so I knew it would be wonderful baked into an oatmeal cookie.

    These cookies were kind of like the end of winter meets spring.  Citrus season is still here, and a little pistachio and coconut sings of spring.  A bite into one of these beauties, and you will be put in your happy place.  A little pop of aromatic lemon and coconut plus the crunch of pistachios and hearty oats baked into a soft and delicious cookie.  The dough for these was awesome, but even better when they were warm and soft from the oven.

    Vegan Coconut Lemon Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies
    Makes about 4 dozen
    1 cup virgin coconut oil, warmed to liquid
    1 1/2 cups coconut sugar
    2 flax eggs* made with lemon juice instead of water
    2 Tbsp lemon zest
    1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
    1 1/2 cups gluten free oat flour

    1 tsp baking soda
    3/4 tsp sea salt
    3 cups gluten free old fashioned rolled oats
    2 cups raw pistachios
    1 1/2 cups large flake unsweetened coconut

    In a large mixing bowl, mix together the coconut oil and sugar until well blended. Add flax eggs, vanilla, and beat until well combined (the mixture will become very thick). Mix in the flour, soda, and sea salt until well blended. Mix in the oats until well combined, then add pistachios and coconut and mix until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Heat the oven to 350 degrees with the rack set at the middle position. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 12 large balls, and spread them out on the 2 cookie sheets with plenty of room in between. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden, but not overbaked. Let cool on sheet a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack lined with parchment to cool. *Whisk together 2 Tbsp ground flax seed, 1/4 cup and 2 Tbsp lemon juice in a small bowl.  Allow to sit in the fridge for 15 minutes until the mixture has set up (or become kind of thick).