One Sweet Free-For-All
November 29, 2009 at 10:35 am | Posted in Baking / Cooking, Food, Reviews | 24 CommentsHomemade holiday gifts are always foremost in my mind as we prepare to enter into December, and a solid plan of attack is a must for optimal organization. The question is always what to make, and what would everyone on my list enjoy most, but it’s never up for debate that these gifts are to be edible, and most definitely sweet. Beyond just picking out the perfect cookies or quick bread though, the hardest part of picking out the perfect treats is finding those that would suit the friends with nut-allergies, or loved ones that are gluten-free. Hardest of all though, is accommodating those with a low tolerance for sugar, but still have a discerning sweet tooth.
Well, it may sound too good to be true, but I just found the answer to all my holiday gift troubles in one convenient package: Sweet Freedom, by Ricki Heller.
Not only does this lovingly compiled cookbook cover all the bases from breakfast delights to elaborate cakes and pies, but every last recipe is specifically labeled for allergens, and makes use of natural sweeteners. Ricki is all about eating consciously and with compassion, and you can practically taste the care that went into formulating every last treat in this book.
Scoping out my options for holiday gifts, I hit the cookie section first, and knew immediately that the Ultra Fudgy Brownies had to be on my list. Now, bear in mind that I’m very picky about my brownies, but these still made the cut! Though somewhat flat, each thin square packed in so much intense chocolate flavor with the perfect amount of chew, they were pretty darn close to brownie perfection. No one would have guessed that they were made of barley and spelt flour, and my family proved that point; the whole batch disappeared within a day or two! A definite keeper, for the holidays or just any old day.
Seeking out something simple that could appease the less chocolate-crazed on my list, the Classic Peanut Butter Cookies were calling my name. Simple enough to whip together in minutes, such a quick and easy recipe would definitely be handy when it comes time for the Christmas crush. And let me tell you, these satisfy not just a craving for sweets, but are very modestly sweetened with agave, so I was tempted to call 3 or 4 of them a balanced breakfast! With an addictive hit of salt bringing out the high, fresh notes of peanut, I was glad that I made my cookies rather small, because I didn’t feel so badly about eating a handful of them at a time!
Thinking more towards little morsels and candies, I was thrilled to see Ricki’s recipe for Marbled Halva, a treat I haven’t had in ages. Subtracting the marble and adding a good handful of pistachios instead, each square gem was striking in color and would have fit well in a beautiful cellophane bag. Admittedly, I made these a while ago and don’t remember too much beyond how intensely sesame-y they tasted, and that they had a nice soft chew… But I do know that they sure didn’t last long, even with only me eating them.
Veering off track from my holiday gift mission, I just couldn’t resist the siren song of the Banana Chocolate Chip Mini-Loaves / Muffins. The ideal use for overripe bananas in my eyes, these didn’t disappoint. Each muffin held just enough chocolate to accent the fruity baked good, without overwhelming it and turning it into more of a dessert. A fine, moist crumb created by a no-fuss batter exceeded expectations, and was far lighter than so many other brick-like vegan banana muffins. In hindsight, this one may not be such a bad choice as a gift, too!
While I wish I could go through and make every single recipe from Sweet Freedom just to “test” which might be best for my holiday cookie platters and any other sweet presents, I have a strong feeling that every last one of them are winners. But if you don’t want to take my word for it, just try out one of the many free recipes on Ricki’s blog. It will definitely be one sweet holiday with this book in tow, and the best part is, you won’t have to feel bad about indulging a little- Or a lot!
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I love Sweet Freedom! One of my favorite cookbooks :)
Comment by Alisa - Frugal Foodie— November 29, 2009 #
This book is def. on my Christmas list!
Comment by Shelby— November 29, 2009 #
Looks like a great cookbook… those brownies look perfect!
Comment by Tori— November 29, 2009 #
WOW! I’ve always loved Ricki’s recipes but these look ever better than anything I’ve seen yet. What a great review, Hannah, thanks! I think I would have to start with those fudgey brownies, they look intensely chocolaty, just the way I like it!
Comment by The voracious Vegan— November 29, 2009 #
Love Ricki’s book!!
Comment by VeggieGirl— November 29, 2009 #
I totally love your pictures! Now I want to eat sweet treats only until x-mas *lol*
Comment by Melissa— November 29, 2009 #
i just got this book, and it really is great! i made a few of the recipes for my thanksgiving feast, and they were all very good! i can’t wait to try out more.
Comment by Tessa— November 29, 2009 #
You always make everything look mouth watering! This sounds like a wonderful book. A friend of mine is vegetarian and is having a hard time finding things to eat because her baby is reacting badly to a lot of foods through her breast milk. Coconut or Palm oil seems to be used in a lot of vegan stuff.
Comment by Oiyi— November 29, 2009 #
all those treats look delicious. I m impressed by the halva though. wih to try it :)
Comment by Natalie— November 29, 2009 #
Lovely! :)
Comment by laci— November 29, 2009 #
I’ve never made homemade halva but my dad and I really like it.
This might be a great book for one of my friends who is trying to use different flours and less sugar. Thanks for the great review.
Comment by dreaminitvegan— November 29, 2009 #
i love to cook and bake, and i do so every possible chance. i’m slowly trying to ween my family off of the typical home-cooking they are used to, and open them up to a healthier lifestyle. i’m always scouring the internet for new recipes to try on my son and my parents in hopes they will be convinced that “healthy” doesn’t mean “tasteless”. i’m personally not a vegan, but i do love vegan/vegetarian food, and i do bake vegan as often as possible. i’m seriously dying for those recipes!
-b.
Comment by b.— November 30, 2009 #
That sounds like a wonderful book, I should add it to my wish list. Great book review, Hannah!
Comment by Oraphan— November 30, 2009 #
Ooo that looks like an awsome book with all those delicious things!! Love what you made sofar!
Comment by Simone (junglefrog)— November 30, 2009 #
you made halva!?!? you are my hero! I love that stuff :)
Comment by stephchows— November 30, 2009 #
Happy Belated thanksgiving! The pistachio substituted halwa was my favorite out of this post. It looks out of this world Hannah :)
Comment by A&N— November 30, 2009 #
This post includes three of my favorite things: brownies, pb cookies, and halva!
Comment by Penny— November 30, 2009 #
Much love to Ricki!!
Comment by The Ordinary Vegetarian— November 30, 2009 #
Oh! All of them look so yummie, specially the one with the pistachios…
Comment by Juliana— November 30, 2009 #
Gluten-free recipes?! I need this book!
VEGirl
Comment by VEGirl— November 30, 2009 #
I need one of those brownies right now! I too, am very picky about brownies. If they passed your test, I bet I’ll like em! :)
Comment by Jessica— December 1, 2009 #
I’ve been meaning to check Ricki’s book out & you make it look extra delicious!
Comment by Melisser— December 2, 2009 #
Great review! I asked for Ricki’s book as a Christmas present, fingers crossed.
Comment by veganhomemade— December 3, 2009 #
Love this cookbook! Everything you made from it looks amazing as always.
Comment by Ashley— December 17, 2009 #