Black Raspberry Cobbler

I was trying to think of the perfect recipe for the 4th, trying to come up with something to pay homage to the nations colors, but I couldn't come up with anything! Thinking back to when I was growing up there is nothing that says American to me more than a dessert with black raspberries in it. Not that they hold some special place in American history (or maybe they do hahaha) but I just always connect being an American with black raspberry pie. Weird I know haha. Maybe its all the effort my mom used to take trudging through the overgrowth to pick the berries, and all the time it took to make the homemade crust. It was such hard work to make one small pie! She was channeling the hard working spirit of all Americans I'm sure:)  This cobbler isn't nearly as labor intensive as a pie, but just as good. Who has the patience for pie crust? especially gluten free pie crust? Not me thats for sure. This takes about 20 minutes to put together, and the minimal amount of ingredients really lets the berries shine.The biscuit topping is a simple drop biscuit  with the addition of corn flour and oats. A touch of buttermilk and cinnamon are added at the end! It really doesn't get more American than that!

1 Cup gluten free baking mix 

1/2 Cup fine corn flour

1/2 Cup rolled oats

2/3 Cup buttermilk

1/2 Cup water

dash cinnamon

Mix all ingredients and set aside to be used as the topping.

Add to an oven safe pan such as a cast iron skillet:

3 cups black raspberries or any berry

2 Tbs maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

dash salt

Let cook for 3-4 minutes on medium high, or until berries are just starting to break down.

Scoop the biscuit mixture on top of the berries with an ice cream scoop. This will give you about five large biscuits. Bake at 375 for 12 minutes. 

Raw Peanut Butter and Chia Tart

TGIF! Weekends are made for no hassle sweet treats. This raw tart fits the bill. Make it in individual serving by using tart shells or a muffin tin, or make one big one with a brownie pan! If you've got littles at home this is something they can definitely help with. Lightly sweet, and oh so perfect. Enjoy!

Crust-

-1 1/2 cups oats

-4 dates (if you don't have dates use 1/4 cup raisins)

-1/4 cup water

-Dash salt

-2-3 Tbs almond butter

-Blend together in a food processor. Press into one 8x8 brownie pan or 4 individual tart pans. Set aside

Filling-

-1 cup low fat plain yogurt (my favorite is Snowville 2%)

-Heaping 1/4 cup natural peanut butter

-2 Tbs honey

-2 Tbs chia seeds

-Dash cinnamon 

Blend together well. Top the crusts with yogurt mixture. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. Top with your favorite fruit!

Gingerbread Cut-out Cookies

Cookies are definitely my favorite dessert. Specifically chocolate chip cookies, but I'm forcing myself to think outside the box and go away from my norm for Christmas. Holiday cut out cookies it is! To give it a twist I wanted to stick with a spicy rendition. Gingerbread is perfect. Gluten Free cut outs are a struggle for me. I've rarely succeeded at coming up with a recipe that holds a nice tight shape. My solution--> spend an exorbitant amount of time on  101 Cookbooks website drooling over her amazing photography and recipes.  Her website is beautiful, as are her recipes. Everything about 101 is a constant inspiration to me. Click on the link to check out the original recipe I used!. Notes: I did not put mine on sticks; I used 2 cups brown rice flour, 1 cup almond flour, and 1 cup of tapioca starch; I rolled these out on silpats and cut the cookies out right on there; I sprinkled cornstarch liberally to help with sticking!