Category: Desserts

Makes 24 ounces or four 6-ounce servings:

2 Cups peeled fresh butternut squash
6 Medjool dates or ¾ cup of other type of dates
⅓ Cup soaked raw almonds (best if soaked for at least 8 hours prior to making recipe)
½ Cup good quality water (more may be necessary)
1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
½ Tsp. chopped fresh ginger
¼ Tsp. ground nutmeg
This recipe can also be used as filling for a raw pie, or one can substitute 2 cups of chopped pumpkin for the butternut squash if desired. Just remember to use pie pumpkin, which can be more flavorful than the Jack-o-lantern type.

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Ingredients

4 bananas, sliced and frozen overnight
1 cup organic pumpkin, pureed
6 dates, pitted
1 1/2 tsp. sugar-free pumpkin spice
Method

In a food processor or high speed blender, blend the bananas, pumpkin, dates, and pumpkin spice thoroughly. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 24 hours.

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Ingredients

3 organic apples (any kind), grated
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
2 Tbsp. raw almond butter
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or almond slivers (optional)
Method

Mix the apples, cranberries, oats, and almond butter and place mixture in a serving dish.

Top with the coconut flakes or almond slivers, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 13 mins Total time: 28 mins
Serves: 8 to 9 (makes 16 to 18 cookies)

INGREDIENTS
7 ounces dates (about 12 Medjool or 24 Deglet Noor), pitted, and quartered
1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ground into flour in a blender
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons almond butter
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup raisins (plus extra for the tops of the cookies)
2 ounces walnuts (about ½ cup), chopped (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the pitted dates into a small bowl and cover them with water. Set aside for at least 15 minutes so the dates can soften.
Preheat the oven to 350°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a silicone baking mat on each).
Place all of the dry ingredients (oats, oat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon) into a large bowl and mix thoroughly with a fork.
Pour the water off of the dates into a small bowl or cup. Place the dates, almond butter, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of the date-soak water into a blender, and blend until smooth.
Stir the date mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients until all of the dry ingredients disappear. Stir in the raisins and walnuts (if using).
To get the most uniformly sized cookies, use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop (or you can use a soup spoon). Place 8 or 9 scoops of cookie dough onto the baking sheet. These cookies will not spread out during baking, so using your fingers, press each scoop down until it looks like an already baked cookie (about 2½ inches wide). Push 2 to 3 raisins into the top of each cookie at this point.
Bake for 13 minutes. Remove from the oven and after 5 minutes, transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the remaining cookie dough.
NOTES
To avoid excess sodium, use sodium-free baking powder.

Look for dates in the bulk food section, or packaged near the raisins (even if you buy “pitted,” chop them anyway to be sure).

Almond butter is sold near the peanut butter, and will ideally be made of 100% raw (not roasted) almonds with no added salt, oil, or sugar. The price is higher for raw, but taste is better.

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Yummy, sweet and creamy blueberry delight!

INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE PIE CRUST:
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/3 cup raw macadamia nuts or raw cashews
1/2 cup dates, pitted (about 3 Medjool or 6 regular dates)
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
FOR THE FILLING:
8 ounces frozen blueberries, thawed
2 1/2 Medjool or 5 regular dates, pitted and chopped
1 1/2 very ripe bananas
1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon agar agar powder
FOR THE POPPY SEED CREAM:
1/2 cup raw cashews
2 Medjool or 4 regular dates
1 lemon, both zested and one juiced
non-dairy milk, as needed
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
INSTRUCTIONS:
To make the pie crust:
Pulse the almonds and macadamia nuts in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add the dates and coconut and continue to pulse until well integrated. Add a tablespoon or 2 of water and pulse until the mixture comes together. Press the crust evenly into an 8-inch pie tin. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until the crust has puffed slightly, and is lightly browned and appears dry. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.

To make the filling:
Puree the blueberries (and any liquid from the bag) with the dates, bananas, avocado and vanilla in a high-powered blender until smooth. Heat the pomegranate juice in a small saucepan until boiling. Then whisk in the agar powder and continue to boil for 2 minutes, but no longer than that, stirring occasionally. Pour into the blender with the blueberry mixture and blend until smooth. Pour into the pie crust and freeze for 2 hours or until frozen. Then keep in the refrigerator.

To make the Poppy Seed Cream:
Puree the cashews, dates, lemon zest and juice in a high-powered blender, with enough non-dairy milk to facilitate blending until smooth. Pour into a small bowl and stir in the poppy seeds.

To serve:
Slice into 8 pieces and serve with a large dollop of Lemon-Poppy seed Cream.

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Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

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