Healthy Cookies – No Sugar, No Flour!
This recipe became a staple during my journey to healthier eating. The best part? It satisfies sweet cravings without any guilt. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious snack or a dessert alternative, these cookies will keep you coming back for more. Plus, the bonus of no added sugar or flour makes them a wholesome treat! Get ready to enjoy every bite.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- 2 cups oats
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup raisins or nuts (your choice)
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks (Lily’s brand is my favorite)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and allow it to heat up.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas and mix in the applesauce until smooth.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon, ensuring the mixture is well combined.
- Incorporate the Oats: Gradually mix the oats into the wet ingredients until fully combined.
- Add Almond Milk & Extras: Pour in the almond milk to moisten the mixture, then stir in raisins or nuts and dark chocolate chunks.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop out portions of the cookie dough onto the baking sheet and gently flatten them.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are firm and lightly golden.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown with additional information on making Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs:
Ingredients and Their Roles
For the Cream Puff Shells (Choux Pastry):
- Butter: Provides richness and flavor, and helps the dough come together smoothly.
- Water: The liquid element that helps create steam during baking, which is crucial for puffing the pastry.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle flavor to the dough, enhancing the overall taste.
- Flour: The base of the pastry. When mixed with the wet ingredients, it forms the structure of the cream puffs.
- Eggs: Key to binding the dough and providing structure. Eggs help the pastry rise and give it the fluffy, light texture.
For the Filling:
- Heavy Cream: Whipped cream provides the base for the creamy filling, making it rich and smooth.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds thickness, sweetness, and flavor to the cream without the need for additional sweeteners.
- Milk: Helps to slightly loosen the cream, making it light yet firm.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Making the Perfect Choux Pastry
- Why Cook the Dough First? Cooking the flour with water, butter, and vanilla helps the starches gelatinize, which makes the dough able to hold onto the air bubbles that cause it to rise during baking.
- Cooling the Dough: After cooking, letting the dough cool slightly is important. If you add eggs to hot dough, you risk cooking the eggs, which would ruin the consistency.
- Adding Eggs Gradually: Adding one egg at a time ensures that the dough is smooth and can absorb each egg properly. The dough will be sticky but thick enough to pipe or drop onto the baking sheet.
2. Baking for the Best Results
- Baking at High Heat: The high temperature (400°F) helps the water in the dough turn to steam, making the pastries puff up. The outside forms a crispy, golden shell, while the inside stays hollow and soft, perfect for filling.
- Poking Holes: After baking, the inside of the puff pastry is still a bit moist. Poking a small hole and letting them sit in the oven with the door cracked allows them to dry out while cooling, preventing them from collapsing.
3. Filling the Cream Puffs
- Cream Filling Consistency: The combination of whipped cream and instant pudding creates a light yet stable filling that holds up well in the pastry without becoming too runny.
- Piping vs. Scooping: For a professional look, piping the filling into the cream puffs works well. However, if you don’t have a piping bag, you can also just spoon the filling into the puff. Both methods will result in a delicious dessert!
Tips for Perfect Cream Puffs:
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: Precision is key in baking. Make sure to use the exact amount of flour, water, butter, and eggs to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Using room-temperature eggs will help them incorporate into the dough more easily, giving the batter a smooth texture.
- Toasting the Pastry Shells: If your pastry shells seem soft after cooling, you can pop them back into a low-temperature oven (about 300°F) for 5-10 minutes to firm them up.
Flavor Variations and Customizations:
- Chocolate Cream Puffs: Use instant chocolate pudding mix in the filling for a rich chocolatey center.
- Fruit-Filled Cream Puffs: Add fresh fruits like sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to the cream filling for a fresh and tangy twist.
- Coffee or Mocha Filling: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the cream mixture for a coffee-flavored filling, perfect for coffee lovers.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips:
- Make the Shells Ahead: You can bake the cream puff shells a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Before filling, you can crisp them up in a 300°F oven for a few minutes if needed.
- Storing Filled Cream Puffs: Filled cream puffs should be stored in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within 24 hours but can be stored for up to 2 days. However, be aware that the longer they sit, the softer the pastry shell will become as it absorbs moisture from the filling.
- Freezing the Shells: Unfilled cream puff shells can be frozen. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
- Dessert Table: Cream puffs are perfect for dessert tables or parties. Arrange them in a pyramid for an elegant display.
- Eclairs: If you prefer a different shape, you can pipe the dough into longer strips to make eclairs. The process is the same, but eclairs are typically longer and filled with custard or cream and topped with chocolate.
Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are a timeless treat that combines the delicate art of pastry-making with a simple, delicious cream filling. With this recipe, you’ll be able to impress your family and friends with light, airy cream puffs filled with rich vanilla cream, perfect for any occasion.
There are several reasons why Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are a must-try dessert:
1. Deliciously Light and Creamy:
Cream puffs are the perfect balance between a light, airy pastry shell and a rich, creamy filling. The contrast in textures makes every bite satisfying.
2. Simple Yet Impressive:
Though they look fancy, cream puffs are easier to make than they appear. The choux pastry is simple to prepare, and the vanilla cream filling is effortless, yet they look elegant enough for special occasions.
3. Versatile Dessert:
You can customize the cream puffs by adding different flavors to the filling (like chocolate, fruit, or coffee), making them adaptable for various tastes and events. Plus, they can be topped with powdered sugar or chocolate drizzle for an extra touch.
4. Perfect for Celebrations:
Cream puffs are great for birthdays, holidays, or any kind of gathering. Their lightness means you can enjoy one (or a few!) without feeling too full, making them an ideal party dessert.
5. A Timeless Classic:
Cream puffs have been a popular dessert for generations because they’re universally loved. This particular recipe is nostalgic, reminding many people of home-baked treats from childhood, while still being timeless and enjoyed by everyone.
6. Fun to Make:
There’s something rewarding about watching the pastry puff up in the oven and then filling them with delicious cream. It’s a fun baking project that delivers impressive results.
In short, Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are worth eating for their flavor, simplicity, versatility, and nostalgic appeal!
Enjoy making (and eating!) these cream puffs, and don’t forget to dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle them with chocolate for an extra special touch!
These cookies are not only delicious but packed with wholesome ingredients! Perfect for a snack or dessert. Enjoy!