Erin Stanczyk | eat.move.rest.

snack

Better For You Brownies: Easy, Vegan & Flourless!

Eat, RecipesErin Stanczyk6 Comments

Use Happy Planet OatMilk To Better Your Baking & The Planet

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

Classic Taste, Better Ingredients

Dusty is always begging me to make brownies, so I finally took the plunge. We were fresh outta oats and other flours that I would typically use, so instead, I just got crafty and made ‘em flourless! I was so pleasantly surprised with just how fluffy, chocolatey, and sweet these brownies turned out, with just the right amount of crispness on the edges! Can I get an amen for the brownie corner pieces?!

Not only are these brownies gluten-free, they’re also sweetened with dates, making them refined sugar-free! The smooth and creamy texture of my favorite, Happy Planet Oatmilk, really helps to add fluff and flavor to these puppies, and the nut butter and flax seed adds a dose of healthy fat!

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

A Little Bit Happier

I want to give a quick shoutout and a big thank you to Happy Planet for sponsoring this post and for fueling us with the best-tasting plant milk out there! If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you know Dusty, Max and I were recently in New York City working on a project with Happy Planet. I definitely believe that plant milk is the only milk we should be drinking for optimal health, and oatmilk just tastes SO MUCH BETTER than the competitors out there.

We’ve tried so many plant-based milks and Happy Planet Oatmilk is simply the best. They have a storefinder on their website that will help you find it in your area!

Some of the many benefits of Happy Planet Oatmilk:

  • GMO-verified

  • Contains 3g of fiber per serving

  • Free of dairy, soy, canola oil, glyphosate, carrageenan, and gluten

  • Uses 7x less water and 10x less land than dairy or almond milk, and all it requires is sunshine and rainwater to grow!

Here’s a sneak peak at our commercial shoot that we got to work on with the Happy Planet team in NYC! Give it a Thumbs Up and be sure to share it with anyone who might be asking which plant milk is best!

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com
Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

Try This!

Leave out the baking soda in the recipe and you can use this chocolatey goodness as a spread on toast, as a dip for fruit, or, if you’re like me, eat it by the spoonful!

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

An Ode To Oats

Oats contain a significant amount of fiber, and a very important type of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan. Studies show that beta-glucan can be effective at reducing cholesterol, boosting heart health, improving blood sugar, controlling diabetes, preventing cancer, lowering blood pressure, and bolstering the immune system! That’s a lot! One of our favorite plant-powered doctors, Dr. Caldwell B Esselstyn even recommends eating oats on the daily! I say, make your oats with some oatmilk for double the benefit!

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com
Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

Pineapple Banner

Better For You Brownies

Life is good when every bite’s an corner piece…

If you love the crisp, chewiness of a brownie corner piece, then you’re gonna love these chocolatey bite-size gems! Rich, smooth, and creamy Happy Planet Oatmilk helps to bring out the flavor and fluffiness in these brownies, while “nature’s candy,” the date, sweetens them to perfection. Add a generous dollop of nut butter, and you’ve got yourself a winning combo!

vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, flourless, & delicious!

prep: 15min // bake: 15min // servings: 16

Print Friendly and PDF

ingredients:

  • 8 pitted medjool dates

  • 1/4 cup Happy Planet Oatmilk

  • 1/2 cup cashew butter

  • 5 tbsp cacao powder

  • 1 tbsp flax seed, ground

  • 2 tsp vanilla bean powder (or extract)

  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar (trust me!)

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • pinch of salt

steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

  2. Place pitted dates in food processor along with Happy Planet Oatmilk and process until date “paste” is formed. A ball may form and that is fine, too.

  3. Add cacao powder, cashew butter, ground flax seed, vanilla bean powder, balsamic vinegar, baking soda, and pinch of salt, and continue to process until smooth, chocolatey consistency is achieved.

  4. Spoon brownie batter into mini cupcake trays, making sure not to add too much, because they do rise quite a bit. If not using a silicone tray, you may want to consider coating it lightly with coconut oil to avoid sticking.

  5. Place in oven for 12-15 minutes, removing when the tops rise and are solid and appear dry.

  6. Remove from oven and let sit for about 20 min before removing from trays. Enjoy!

notes:

  • Try mixing in mini vegan chocolate chips or nuts!

  • You can make these brownie bites nut-free by using a different butter, like sunflower butter. Beware that it will alter the taste, though!

Pineapple Banner

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com
Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com
Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

Plant Milk For Kiddos

To be clear, plant milk should never be used as a replacement for breast milk or formula. I am still breastfeeding Max, who is now 16 months old, and breastmilk supplies him with the nutrients that his body needs. That being said, when feeding him solid meals, he often doesn’t enjoy drinking just plain water—and that’s where Happy Planet Oatmilk comes in! Getting a baby or toddler to drink something hydrating that’s also nutritious, ultimately boils down to taste. Oatmilk is Max’s favorite!

Vegan Flourless Brownie Bites | Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

Layered Vanilla Overnight Oats + Chocolate Chia Pudding

Healthy & Homemade

Theres something rewarding about making healthy treats from scratch, especially when your sweet treats can be shared and enjoyed with others. Perhaps make someone a treat this Mother’s Day!

If for no other reason, studies actually show that culinary therapy can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and even feelings of depression!

I’ve been making and baking up a storm in the kitchen, and some of my favorite recipes taste great with oatmilk incorporated into them. Try a few of my favorites!

Designed For Your Lifestyle,

Erin

Erin Stanczyk | Lifestyle Design | eat.move.rest.

Pumpkin Muffins + Maple Cashew Frosting | GF, Vegan, Lactation Booster, + Baby & Kid-Friendly

Food + Nutrition, Eat, RecipesErin Stanczyk20 Comments
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

The Whole Package

Before you scroll past my ramblings to the recipe (lol it’s okay, I do it, too), let me just say, these puppies are to LIVE for! Not only are they a festive fall vegan treat, they’re also gluten-free, oil-free, low fat, and still so moist, dense, and insanely delicious! Best part is, they’re low in salt, high in iron, and contain no refined sugars, making them baby and kid-friendly! I also consider them a fantastic lactation recipe if you’re a breastfeeding momma wanting to boost your milk supply…more on that later…

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Busy Brain

I’m back! It’s been a while, but that’s because Mr. Max was definitely going through an I-won’t-nap-for-more-than-15-minutes-phase! We’re right at 9 months old now, and he is definitely going through a growth spurt, which means lots of eating, and, thankfully, lots of resting…and that’s probably also because now, when he’s awake, he’s always moving! Did ya see what I did there?! EatMoveRest! Honestly, I’d say the whole fam has being doing all 3 on overdrive lately.

Constant busyness had kind of zapped my creativity, and I was feeling overall exhausted, that is, until I sensed that first chill of autumn air. Initially, I got a little anxious because I hate cold weather and I love hot weather and I would much rather be sweating than freezing…call me crazy! But, as soon as I felt it in my bones, and smelled it in my nose (the smell of pumpkin everything, everywhere), it hit me—I need to do some baking!

True confession—I bake maybe twice a year, so when I do, it has GOT to be good (and healthy)! Nothing beats the blues and saps your stress like a dozen delicious Pumpkin Spice Muffins!

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Galactagogues (No, Not Evil Extraterrestrial Beings)

As I mentioned in the beginning, you can consider these lactation muffins, because they’ve got all the right stuff. And, yes, your hubby, grandpa, boyfriend, any fella, can enjoy them, too, (at least that was my initial wonder as a new, breastfeeding mom)! A galactagogue is a substance that increases milk supply. My first line of advice for you is to breastfeed on demand, and second, be sure you’re eating enough calories and drinking enough water.

In addition, some fairly common galactagogues that can help give you that extra boost:

So pop your muffins in the oven, brew yourself some Mother’s Milk Tea, and prep some sweet potato fries for dinner!

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Baby Bites

Babies under 12 months of age need very little salt or sodium in their diet because their tiny kidneys and liver are not mature enough and can become taxed by having to process it. Refined sugars are also a good idea to steer clear of as much as possible, plus, have you ever tried feeding a child an apple after a donut…not gonna happen! These muffins are a great snack because they’re made from completely whole food ingredients, they have over 200% vitamin A, they’re loaded with fiber, and they also happen to be high in iron! If you’re a breastfeeding momma, make sure you’re focusing on iron-rich foods for yourself and baby should be just fine, but it can also be helpful to incorporate iron-rich solids into their mealtimes, as well. Max loves lentils and oats, and they’re some of the best sources of iron!

Some other upgrades in this recipe include:

  • oats instead of wheat flour (gluten-free and high in iron)

  • dates and/or maple syrup in place of refined sugar

  • applesauce in place of oil (also makes baked goods extra moist and dense)

  • ground flax in place of eggs (also high in omega-3s)

  • vanilla flavoring is alcohol-free (unlike vanilla extract)

P.S. These muffins are pet-friendly, too!

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

The Frosting On Top

I haven’t even mentioned the giant elephant in the room…hello?! isn’t there frosting on top, and can we puh-lease get the recipe?! This Maple Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting tastes just like the real thing, but it’s dairy-free! Slather some of this deliciousness on top of your Pumpkin Muffins and call ‘em cupcakes! Muffins for breakfast, cupcakes for dessert! It’s like spending the day at the beach in your favorite swimsuit, and then coming home to clean up, and throwing on your favorite party dress for a night out! Best of both worlds!

Let’s get right into it…

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com
Print Friendly and PDF

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice! These festive fall favorites are free of all the fluff, and they’re still fluffy and delicious! By fluff, I mean, they’re free of all animal products, as well as gluten, refined sugar, and oil! Applesauce makes for the perfect oil-alternative, and adds an extra oomph of fall flavor. Ground flax replaces egg, and also brings a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, oats replace wheat flour, and dates replace refined sugar (and all three can help boost milk production, if you’re nursing)! Enjoy these pumpkin muffins as is, or with a dollop of creamy, maple-icious frosting, and you’ve darn near got yourself a cupcake…you decide! ;)

gluten-free, oil-free, low fat, baby & kid-friendly, festive fall favorite

time: 15min prep, 25min bake // servings: 12 cupcakes

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Muffins

ingredients:

  • 2c oat flour

  • 2 tbsp ground flax

  • 1 can pumpkin puree

  • 1/3c applesauce

  • 3/4c date paste

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (or skip and make a bit more date paste)

  • 1.5 tsp vanilla flavoring

  • 2-3 tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1/4 tsp salt

method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F.

  2. Soak about 10 pitted medjool dates in a small dish in just enough water to cover them and let sit for about 10 minutes. Blend dates plus soaking water to create about 3/4c of date paste.

  3. Blend flax seeds into fine meal and mix with 6 tablespoons of water. Stir and let sit. This is what you call flax egg!

  4. Place oat flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl and mix until well combined.

  5. Place pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup, date paste, vanilla flavoring, and flax egg and mix until well combined.

  6. Combine all wet and dry ingredients into large mixing bowl and mix until well combined.

  7. Pour batter into silicone baking trays and bake for about 20-25 minutes. Check by poking with a toothpick in the middle of a muffin, if it comes out clean, then they’re done! Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.

notes:

  • Add more date paste or substitute 3/4c coconut sugar for a sweeter muffin.

  • Try baking in a loaf pan to create a pumpkin bread w/ cream cheese frosting!

  • Store covered in refrigerator for about 5 days.

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Frosting

ingredients:

  • 1c soaked cashews

  • juice of 1 lemon

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 tsp vanilla flavoring

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

  • pinch of salt


method:

  1. Soak cashews for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in advance.

  2. Drain and rinse cashews and place into blender along with all other ingredients. Blend until smooth, adding small splashes of water as needed, to allow for smoother blending.

notes:

  • If you prefer your frosting to be less tangy, try adding the juice of only half a lemon, or omitting it entirely if you want a plain vanilla frosting.

  • Place in refrigerator to firm up. Keeps for about 5 days.

* One muffin without frosting contains about 140 cal, 3.5g protein, & 2g of fat

Erin Stanczyk | EatMoveRest.com

EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk
EatMoveRest.com | Vegan Pumpkin Muffins w/ Maple Cashew Frosting | by Erin Stanczyk

Precious Moments

Becoming a mom has truly been such a blessing and a whirlwind of new and exciting experiences, from trying new foods to learning to crawl, stand, and walk. Max has taught me so much. He has shown me how important it is to express our full spectrum of emotions, not to be afraid to ask for help, to smile and laugh as often as possible, to always get back up and try again, to rest when needed, and to try new things.

The most important lesson Max has taught me is to slow down and savor the simplest moments. When he lays his head down on my chest, time stands still, and I remember what really matters, and what’s most important, and it isn’t what we’re doing, it’s who we’re sharing our moments with, that matters most.

Designed For Your Lifestyle,

Erin

EatMoveRest.com | Erin Stanczyk