Lemon Lavender Panna Cotta

Hi Bakers! Grab a mug of tea and a warm, buttery cinnamon-sugar-covered apple cider donut. Take a big bite and savor the sweet apple flavor with a crunchy sugar exterior. If you bake anything this Fall, make these iconic donuts! They’ll bring a smile to your face and you’ll be glad it’s apple season! Concentrated cider in the dough makes these treats smell and taste divine. Don’t want to stand over the stove for 30 minutes to cook the cider down? No problem, I have an easy hack you can use instead. This is one of my most loved recipes and I hope you adore it too! Enjoy! ~Carolyn Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts Revised for gluten-free from Sally’s Baking Addiction makes 12 donuts (unless you overfill them like I usually do!) Dry Ingredients 1¾ cups Cup4Cup Multipurpose gluten-free flour ¼ cup blanched almond flour 1½ teaspoons sweet rice flour ¾ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon allspice ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Wet Ingredients 3 tablespoons melted butter ½ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup light brown sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ cup 2% milk ¼ cup applesauce, unsweetened ¼ cup apple cider, (reduced amount)****  For rolling Melted butter  Cinnamon Sugar (In a wide shallow cereal bowl combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon.) Directions: ****Begin by pouring 1½ cups of apple cider into a medium-sized saucepan. Heat until boiling over medium heat until cider is reduced to ¼ cup. This will take about 30 minutes. If you don’t want to reduce the cider, you can use apple juice concentrate instead. Simply thaw it and measure out ¼ cup.  Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Oil the donut pans, and set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together and set aside.  Mix melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until well combined.  Add egg, vanilla, milk, reduced cider, applesauce, and mix well. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.  Spoon the batter into a piping or large ziplock bag and twist the end shut. Then, cut the tip off the bag so you have a 3/4” inch opening. Pipe the batter into the donut pan so it is about ¾ full. Batter is very thick so this takes some work. Bake the donuts for 10-12 minutes until the donut springs back when touched with your finger. Cool for 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack. Dip the donuts in melted butter, front and back, and then coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Donuts are best eaten the day they are made but will be good in the fridge for another day. Heat briefly in the microwave if desired.

Hi Bakers, If you’re afraid to make a pie, make this first! Pandowdy is like a pie for dummies. It has all the same ingredients and taste but you only make the top crust and it’s cut into pieces too. Peach Blueberry Pandowdy takes advantage of the last summer fruits before Fall is in full swing. This lightly sweet peachy dessert with buttery crust pieces on top is just perfect for an easy weekend treat. Make this today and see how easy it can be! Enjoy! ~Carolyn Gluten-Free Peach Blueberry Pandowdy Modified from Cook’s Illustrated’s Apple Pandowdy recipe. makes a 10” skillet Gluten-Free Pie Dough ** Makes 1 pandowdy crust 1 cup Cup4Cup Multipurpose flour 1/2  teaspoon sweet rice flour 1/2  teaspoon whey protein isolate, unflavored 1/8  teaspoon xanthan gum 1/4  teaspoon salt 1/2  teaspoon sugar 1/3  cup butter, cold 1 tablespoon shortening 1 3/4 tablespoons cold water Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in the cold butter and shortening. The mixture should resemble crumbs with a few pea-sized butter bits. Sprinkle in the cold water gradually while mixing with a fork until the mixture starts to form larger clumps. Add only as much water as needed to form a dough. Press dough into a ball and pat or roll out on a floured surface to about a ⅛” thick circle. Using cookie cutters or a knife cut the dough into pieces about 2-3 inches in diameter.  Set aside and prepare the peach blueberry filling. Peach Blueberry Filling 5 cups fresh peaches or nectarines, sliced 1/4-1/2” thick 1  cup blueberries 1/3-1/2 cup granulated sugar (add the greater amount if you want it sweeter) 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons cornstarch  2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon melted butter Preheat the oven to 400F and place your rack in the middle position.  In a small bowl, mix together sugar, cornstarch and salt. Mix peaches, blueberries, lemon zest, and juice in a large bowl. Next, gently stir in the sugar mixture. Melt butter in a 10” high-sided metal skillet that can be used in the oven. Add the fruit to the pan and then cover with cut pieces of pie dough. Brush the dough with egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake for 20 minutes and then remove from the oven. Using a large flat spoon, gently press the fruit down to get some juice and then spoon over the dough pieces a bit.  Bake an additional 15 minutes or until the crust has browned. Cool for 15 minutes and top with vanilla ice cream.  ** The original recipe makes enough crust almost to cover the top, if you want more coverage use the doubled recipe below For more crust, use this Doubled Crust Recipe 2 cups Cup4Cup Multipurpose flour 1  teaspoon sweet rice flour 1  teaspoon whey protein isolate, unflavored 1/4  teaspoon xanthan gum 1/2 teaspoon salt 1  teaspoon sugar 2/3  cup butter, cold 2 tablespoons shortening 2-4 tablespoons cold water

Hi Bakers, Lavender Lemon Panna Cotta is the queen of no-bake desserts. Elegant, bright, creamy and floral. This is everything you’d expect an Italian dessert to be. This is phenomenal and perfect…I make a lot of treats but I don’t say that too often! You need to eat this at least once in your lifetime. Treat yourself to something truly special and surprisingly quick and easy. I adore this dessert and I know you will too. Savor every bite of this one ~Carolyn #food #foodvideo #pannacotta #glutenfree #italiandessert #easy #lemon #lavender #recipe  Lavender Lemon Panna Cotta with Blackberries Makes one 5” mold Recipe modified from the Lemon Panna Cotta Recipe from All Recipes.com  1 packet unflavored gelatin (0.25 ounces) 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 cups cream 1 cup half&half  1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 fresh sprigs lavender zest of one lemon Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to soften it. Let sit for 5 minutes. Stir if needed to hydrate. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cream, and half&half over medium heat until the mixture is simmering and sugar is dissolved. Add the softened gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon zest. Cool for about 4.5 hours overnight in the fridge. The Panna cotta will save for a day or two but be sure to cover the dessert with plastic wrap to keep them fresh. To un-mold, set the mold in hot water for a few seconds to loosen it. You will see the dessert getting  melted a bit on the edges. Immediately, place a plate or bowl over mold and turn upside down. If you are having trouble getting it free, just let it sit a bit longer in the water. Mine sat too long in heat and melted more than I had wanted. It still looks pretty and tastes delicious anyway! Garnish with  homemade lavender flower syrup, blackberries and fresh lavender flowers. Use some lemon slices or rind if you want a bit of bright color on top. Enjoy! Lavender Flower Syrup 2 tablespoon fresh lavender flowers*  1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup water 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender flowers 5-7 blueberries (used to color the syrup) and/or a few drops of red and blue food coloring Boil the fresh lavender, sugar and water until the sugar dissolves and the liquid thickens to a thin syrup consistency. Add the vanilla, blueberries and dried lavender. Bring to a boil. Taste the syrup, If you want more flavor, add a bit more dried lavender and bring to a boil cooking until the syrup thickens. Remove from the heat. Strain into a jar and add a few drops of red food coloring to change the color if desired. Chill until needed. * One tablespoon is about six small sprigs worth. Make sure the flowers are unsprayed and washed.

Hi Bakers, Lavender Lemon Panna Cotta is the queen of no-bake desserts. Elegant, bright, creamy and floral. This is everything you’d expect an Italian dessert to be. This is phenomenal and perfect…I make a lot of treats but I don’t say that too often! You need to eat this at least once in your lifetime. Treat yourself to something truly special and surprisingly quick and easy. I adore this dessert and I know you will too. Savor every bite of this one ~Carolyn #food #foodvideo #pannacotta #glutenfree #italiandessert #easy #lemon #lavender #recipe  Lavender Lemon Panna Cotta with Blackberries Makes one 5” mold Recipe modified from the Lemon Panna Cotta Recipe from All Recipes.com  1 packet unflavored gelatin (0.25 ounces) 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 cups cream 1 cup half&half  1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 fresh sprigs lavender zest of one lemon Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to soften it. Let sit for 5 minutes. Stir if needed to hydrate. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cream, and half&half over medium heat until the mixture is simmering and sugar is dissolved. Add the softened gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon zest. Cool for about 4.5 hours overnight in the fridge. The Panna cotta will save for a day or two but be sure to cover the dessert with plastic wrap to keep them fresh. To un-mold, set the mold in hot water for a few seconds to loosen it. You will see the dessert getting  melted a bit on the edges. Immediately, place a plate or bowl over mold and turn upside down. If you are having trouble getting it free, just let it sit a bit longer in the water. Mine sat too long in heat and melted more than I had wanted. It still looks pretty and tastes delicious anyway! Garnish with  homemade lavender flower syrup, blackberries and fresh lavender flowers. Use some lemon slices or rind if you want a bit of bright color on top. Enjoy! Lavender Flower Syrup 2 tablespoon fresh lavender flowers*  1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup water 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender flowers 5-7 blueberries (used to color the syrup) and/or a few drops of red and blue food coloring Boil the fresh lavender, sugar and water until the sugar dissolves and the liquid thickens to a thin syrup consistency. Add the vanilla, blueberries and dried lavender. Bring to a boil. Taste the syrup, If you want more flavor, add a bit more dried lavender and bring to a boil cooking until the syrup thickens. Remove from the heat. Strain into a jar and add a few drops of red food coloring to change the color if desired. Chill until needed. * One tablespoon is about six small sprigs worth. Make sure the flowers are unsprayed and washed.

Hi Bakers, This pastry is my favorite thing to make when you want a homemade pie but don’t want all the fuss! The rustic free-from galette takes minutes to assemble and bakes in under half an hour. Adding salted caramel on top elevates the fresh fruit and crust to something a bit more complex and suitable for a fancy dessert. You won’t regret making this beauty! Enjoy ~Carolyn Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Peach Galettes Crust Dry 2 cups gluten-free flour 1 teaspoon sweet rice flour ¼  teaspoon xanthan gum ½  teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon plain protein powder isolate 1 teaspoon granulated sugar ⅔ cup cold butter, cut into small chunks 2 tablespoons shortening Wet 3¼ tablespoons ice water Add dry ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk thoroughly.  Cut in the butter and shortening with a fork, pastry blender, or fingertips until the mixture resembles bread crumbs but still has some pea-sized bits of butter. Add the ice water gradually while stirring and stop when the mixture makes small clumps. Try pressing it into a ball. If the dough stays together, stop adding water. Mix dough to completely combine and then divide into 4 portions. Roll each piece into balls and flatten it into discs. Let dough rest in the refrigerator for use at a later time or use immediately. Galette Filling Sugar Mix  ⅔  cup granulated sugar 4 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon lemon zest a pinch of salt 4 cups fresh peaches (can also use nectarines or plums) Topping Salted Caramel Sauce Large grain salt Preheat the oven to 400F. In a small bowl mix together sugar and cornstarch until no lumps remain. Add the lemon zest and set aside. Slice large fruits no bigger than ¼ thick or chop into small ¼” chunks. Add the fruit to ¾ the sugar mixture and stir gently to mix.  Roll out the galette crust on a lightly floured silicone mat or cutting board. Flour the top of the dough as well to prevent sticking. Roll into a rough circle about 1/16 of an inch thick. Patch any holes in the dough or edges by pressing them together gently. Repeat for each portion of dough. Place a spoonful of the remaining sugar mix in the center of each dough circle extending outward leaving about 1½ - 2 inches clear. Then place about ⅔ cup of fruit in the center by arranging it in a row or piling it into the center. Gently fold the dough edges over the fruit center by about ½ inch. Repair any tears by smoothing them with your hand or using any extra dough to patch them. Brush the edge of the dough with an egg wash (one egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) and sprinkle with large-grain sugar.  Bake the galettes for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is browned and the fruit is bubbling. While the galette is hot from the oven, brush with the salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with large grain salt. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature. These galettes are best eaten the day they are made since they have a lot of juice that can make the dough soft over time.

Hi Bakers, I am sorry it took so long to get you this episode. These cookies are worth the wait! If you love very sweet treats with a cloud-like exterior and a chewy chocolate chip center these are your cookies. Meringues made at home are nothing like the kind you buy because they taste a lot better and have a totally different texture. With some helpful tips and tricks, these are easy to bake with delicious results. I got a bit adventurous and made half the recipe with chocolate chips but the other half with purple sweet potato powder…stay tuned to the end to see how that turned out. I’ve included the full recipe and the two half versions I made on the episode below so you can try either or both of these cookies. Have fun with this unusual and memorable bake ~Carolyn Whole Recipe Meringue Chocolate Chip Cookie  6 large egg whites 3/8 teaspoon salt 3/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat the oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a brown paper bag cut to fit the baking sheet. In a large bowl use a hand mixer, to beat the egg whites, salt, vanilla, and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar while beating until the batter is pure white and marshmallow cream consistency. Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop by spoonfuls onto a lined cookie sheet. Swirl a design on top if desired. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until cookies are browned and have a firm crust on the outside. Let cool for five minutes and peel off paper. Eat within a day. Half Recipe Purple Sweet Potato Meringue Cookie 3 large egg whites heaping 1/8 teaspoon salt heaping 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon purple sweet potato powder, freeze-dried 1/2 cup granulated sugar Preheat the oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a brown paper bag cut to fit the baking sheet. In a large bowl use a hand mixer, to beat the egg whites, salt, vanilla, and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar while beating until the batter is pure white and marshmallow cream consistency. Whisk the sweet potato powder into 1/2 cup of sugar. Gradually add sugar with potato powder. Drop by spoonfuls onto a lined cookie sheet. Swirl a design on top if desired. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until cookies are browned and have a firm crust on the outside. Let cool for five minutes and peel off the paper. Eat within a day. Half Recipe Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookie 3 large egg whites heaping 1/8 teaspoon salt heaping 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup + 2 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat the oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a brown paper bag cut to fit the baking sheet. In a large bowl use a hand mixer, to beat the egg whites, salt, vanilla, and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar while beating until the batter is pure white and marshmallow cream consistency. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto a lined cookie sheet. Swirl a design on top if desired. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until cookies are browned and have a firm crust on the outside. Let cool for five minutes and peel off the paper. Eat within a day.

Thanks so much for listening to my podcast and I'm so sorry that this one will be later than expected... but sometimes life gets in the way! You can look for this Merangue Chocolate Chip Cookie episode coming in June instead of May 1st.

Hi Bakers, These are such a pretty spring color I adore the way they look and taste. Green scones may not be everyone’s idea of yummy but I love matcha and the earthy rich flavor it brings to everything. Adding bright and sweet lemon is the perfect partner to these delicious and tender gluten-free scones. They are a fun break from the usual with a lovely look and phenomenal taste. I hope you give these a try. Enjoy ~Carolyn Gluten-Free Matcha Lemon Scones  makes one dozen 2”x2” scones DRY 2 cups Cup4Cup Multipurpose Flour 1/2 cup blanched almond flour or oat flour 2 teaspoons matcha powder* 1 teaspoon Koda Farms Sweet Rice flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup cold butter cut into chunks WET 1 large egg 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup lemon juice zest of one lemon Optional: cream or egg wash for brushing the tops and large grain sugar ICING 1 cup powdered sugar ~2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest Preheat the oven to 400F and place the rack in the middle position. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flours, matcha powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar. Add the cold butter and cut into the dry mixture until it resembles crumbs and only a few larger bits of butter remain. Place the mixture in the refrigerator. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the wet ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and pat it into a large rectangle. The height of the dough should be about 3/4 inches tall. Cut the sconces with a 2” cutter. Place the scones on a cookie sheet and brush with egg wash or cream and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Scones will brown much better if you decide to brush with either liquid. Bake for 10-14 minutes or until browned on top and firm in middle. Cool on a rack and prepare the icing.  In a small mixing combine icing ingredients adding lemon juice gradually until desired consistency is reached. You want a thick icing that spreads but stays on top. Garnish with lemon zest and a light sprinkle of matcha powder. Scones are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be stored in the fridge for another day.  *I used Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Powder to achieve this bright green with no food coloring. The brand of matcha you use matters since some are more camo colored than spring green.

Hi Bakers, Baking is my happy place and I really needed some of that this week. I decided to make a fabulous and somewhat time consuming dessert that’s a raspberry lovers delight. This pink cheesecake is full of raspberry taste with a beautiful color too. I ramped up the flavor by adding raspberry sauce and freeze dried raspberries to the rich cream cheese filling. Then, I used even more raspberry sauce and fresh berries to garnish. Ruby chocolate in the filing brings additional fruity flavor to the filling. Buttery graham cracker crust and tangy sour cream topping perfectly complement the raspberry flavor of this decadent bake. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to make and chill this epic dessert. Enjoy~Carolyn Gluten-Free Raspberry Cheesecake Makes one 9 1/4” cheesecake Crust 1 1/2 cups gluten-free graham crackers 1/4 cup almond flour or more graham crackers 1/4 cup granulated sugar 6 tablespoons melted butter Raspberry Sauce 12 ounce bag frozen raspberries Cheesecake Filling 1 1/2 pounds full fat cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 3 large eggs 1/3 cup raspberry sauce 4 tablespoons freeze-dried raspberry powder 3 ounces ruby chocolate or white chocolate, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1 tablespoon lemon juice Sour Cream Topping 1 cup sour cream 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest Garnish fresh raspberries raspberry sauce raspberry powder fresh mint Preheat the oven to 325F. Crush the graham crackers in a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin until only fine crumbs remain. Add almond flour, sugar and whisk together in a small bowl. Stir in the melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom and 1” up the sides of a 9 1/4”springform pan. Press crumbs firmly with a flat measuring cup or your hand into the pan. Chill in the fridge until ready to use. Heat frozen raspberries in a saucepan over medium-heat until thawed and the liquid is thickened slightly. Stir as needed to prevent burning. Strain out the seeds and reserve 1/3 cup of mixture for the filling. Save the rest for garnish. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and mix until just combined. Next, add the remaining ingredients mixing to combine after each addition. Wrap the bottom of your springform pan in a single piece of foil to prevent butter leaks in the oven. Pour Cheesecake batter into the pan and smooth the top. Place pan on baking sheet. Bake for about 44-55 minutes or until the cheesecake tests done in the center. You want some creamy cheesecake on the tester but not liquid batter. It should still jiggle if you shake the pan gently. Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature, then cover and chill for 6 hours minimum. In a small bowl, mix the sour cream topping ingredients together until smooth. Remove the chilled cheesecake from the fridge and spread topping evenly over the center. Garnish with fresh berries and mint if desired. Use extra raspberry sauce and/or freeze-dried powder to garnish individual servings.

Hi Bakers, Ditch the granola bar for something better. Don’t you want a cookie for breakfast? One that’s packed with oats, mini chocolate chips and just the right amount of real banana flavor. These Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies are a gluten-free treat that you can enjoy all week. They freeze well and are cheaper than buying most gluten-free snacks. A vegan option is included at the end of the recipe too. Enjoy~Carolyn #shorts #food #banana #chocolate #cookies #podcast #celiacfriendly #wheatfreebaking #youtube #cookiesofinstagram #cookiesoftiktok Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies Makes one dozen 3.5” cookies Dry 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oats, old fashioned 1 1/4 cups Cup4Cup brand gluten-free flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon sweet rice flour 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces Wet 1/4 cup sour milk (add 1/2-1 teaspoon of lemon juice to milk to sour) 1/4 cup mashed ripe bananas 1/2- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 -1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup pecans, chopped Preheat the oven to 375F. In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients with a whisk. Cut in butter until mixture resembles bread crumbs. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and milk. Add mashed bananas and mix together. Pour wet into dry and stir until almost mixed. Add the chocolate chips and pecans and mix in. Scoop into ~2 tablespoon sized balls onto a lined baking tray. Press the tops down gently so that the cookies is about 1/2” thick. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until cookies have browned around the outside but are still puffed and soft in the middle. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container. For better storage, put in the refrigerator or freezer. Enjoy! Vegan Option substitutions - Cup4Cup Flour for a dairy free and gluten-free flour (I used King Arthur Measure for Measure flour) -butter for 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon vegan stick style butter -milk for creamy oat milk and sour with 1 teaspoon lemon juice -chocolate chips for vegan chips Add 1 teaspoon of ground chia seeds and 2 teaspoon water to mashed bananas and mix together before combining with wet ingredients Bake for about 13-16 minutes or until the cookies are brown on top but still soft in the middle. Cookies will be puffier than the regular version but still taste delicious.