Carrot-Walnut Cake with an Indian twist

Vegan (bananas keep it together instead of eggs)

I've had this recipe bookmarked for a year or even two and finally made it. VERY GOOD! 

The Indian twist is cardamom and the author said it's similar to the yummy Indian dessert called halwa (not to be confused with Arabic halwa made of sesame seeds, which is also fantastic, but different in every way).

I used the lesser amount of sugar and even then felt it was unnecessary, as the raisins and ripe bananas more than do the job. I didn't add the walnut-coconut-caramel topping, which sounds delicious but then would really make this unbearably sweeeeeeeeet. Maybe if I cut all all sugar entirely, topping included? Anyway, it's a keeper!

For another vegan carrot dessert, check out Carrot-Coconut Cookies

Easy Pear Sauce

Vegan

I often make applesauce 'coz it's so darn easy and if you're doing healthy baking, it'll often show up in a recipe to cut down on the amount of oil. Pretty much any fruit puree will do in my experience (these Fudgy Brownies turned out delish with a medley of stewed fruit) and of course are delicious on their own with a spoon, on toast, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt...

Anyway, we indulged our expat experience recently with a big box of baby Honey Bell pears from Costco, from New Zealand and as they were starting to soften en masse, I browsed again for a pear sauce recipe. Here is a winner - simple, delicious, and it's got my favorite spices. I made it in our Turtle (the slow cooker) but you don't have to - it only takes about 30 minutes on the stove.

I'm getting lazy with taking photos recently... other people just do such a good job!
 Pic and recipe both from Two Peas and Their Pod

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ovo-veg

No kidding, these taste like pumpkin pie!

I didn't take any good pictures, so photo and recipe credit both go to MyGutsy

Pretty easy to make, although they dirtied up 3 mixing bowls and you need the low-carb-lovers-trend-extraordinaire almond flour (which you can make it yourself with a food processor, if not readily available or you're looking to save $).

Actually, you could probably use any flour and it'll work out fine. The 5 eggs could probably hold together a derelict building, let alone a few measly pancakes.


I also recently baked these Pumpkin Spice Bars.

I did use dark brown sugar as directed and they went super dark, so maybe a mix of golden and dark is what resulted in the pretty color below. Anyway, they were good and VERY EASY!

I didn't take any good pictures, so photo and recipe credit both go to Sally's Baking Addiction