Mini-Pumpkin Pudding Pies

The chill of winter is in the air so it may be a good time to serve up some warm comfort food. How does warm mini-pies sound to you? One pie is enough for two but dessert lovers may want their own. You can make several and freeze some for later. These mini-pies would be great to serve at your next gathering.

Filling:

1 cup milk
2- 4 serving size pkg. butterscotch** "no sugar" instant pudding/pie filling mix
2- 15 oz cans pumpkin ( or you can use fresh pumpkin)***
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Spiced Whipped Cream (optional)

To save on carbs I suggest using crust made from soy, wheat, or almond flour.
I have even tried flaxseed and all have worked great for these small pies.
Since the crust is small you may want to stick with the original white flour crust.

Crust:

In bowl combine 2+1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sweetener (Splenda Baking Sweetener works best)
1 tsp. salt

Using fork, cut 1/3 cup chilled shortening and 6 Tbsp. chilled unsalted butter,
cut into 1/2 inch pieces, until crumbly.
Using fork, stir in 8 to 9 Tbsp. ice water 1 Tbsp. at a time,until
dough just starts to form.
Knead 2 or 3 times in bowl.
Divide pastry into 8 portions.
On floured surface roll portions into 7in. circles
Line the 4 to 5 inch tart pans with pastry, trim edges.
Prick bottom with fork.
Pre-heat oven to 450°F
Bake crust 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown

In large mixing bowl combine milk, pudding mix, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice.
Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Divide mix among the prepared crust,spreading evenly.
Cover and chill for 2 hours to set.
To serve warm pop in microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or less.
Top with spiced whipped cream

To spice whipped cream , in chilled bowl combine 1/2 cup whipping cream, 1 Tbsp. of sugar or sweetener(Splenda) and 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. Beat with mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.

** You can use other flavors if you don't care for butterscotch.

*** You can use any fruit pie filling as long as it is sugar free.
I like to make my own to be sure there isn't any added carbs. So give these a try and let me know how they turn out. Get creative and try something new like adding some nuts or some other treat inside these mini-pies.

Almond and Honey-butter Cookies

Almond & Honey-Butter Cookies
was provided by EatingWell

Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 2 1/2 hours Serves: 44

This thumbprint cookie uses honey as the only sweetener and tender ground almonds to replace much of the butter found in similar cookies. Just a touch of butter mixed with honey in the filling gives it a rich flavor without too much saturated fat.



Ingredients:

* 1 cup whole almonds, toasted (see Tip)
* 1 + 1/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Note)
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup honey, divided
* 1/3 cup canola oil
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds, (see Tip) for garnish

Preparation:

1. Process whole almonds in a food processor or blender until finely ground (you will have about 1 1/4 cups ground). Transfer to a large bowl and add whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt; stir until just combined. Beat 2/3 cup honey, oil and 3 tablespoons butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat until blended. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients; stir to combine. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats

3. Roll tablespoons of dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Press the tip of your index finger in the center of each cookie to make an indentation. Bake the cookies, in batches, until set and barely golden on the bottom, 13 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool for 30 minutes.

4. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup honey and 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl until creamy. Use about 1/4 teaspoon to fill each cookie and top with 2 sliced almonds, if desired.


Tip: To toast whole almonds, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. To toast sliced almonds, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant

Ingredient note: Look for whole-wheat pastry flour in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores.

Carbohydrates 12 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Fat 5 g
Sodium 43 mg
True carbs=11 g

Easy Apple Crisp

Most apple crisp recipes have much more sugar than listed here, but since this is a diabetic apple crisp, we have to limit the sugar to only 2 teaspoons. If you don't want to risk the consumption of refined sugar**, you may use a sugar substitute instead. I recommend Splenda for baking since high heat does not affect this sweetener. If you don't have much of a sweet craving, you may even choose to make your apple crisp with no added sugar or sugar substitute at all. Whichever you choose it will still be delicious, especially if you use a sweeter apple.

Ingredients (5 - 6 servings)

- 4 baking apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices

- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal

- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour*

- 1/4 cup roasted almonds, chopped

- 2 tsps. brown sugar (or 1/4 tsp. sugar substitute)

- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

- 1/4 tsp. ginger

- 1/3 cup butter or margarine

- low-fat whipped cream (optional)

- non-stick cooking spray


Preparation:

Arrange apple slices in a sprayed baking pan. Mix oatmeal, flour, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger together. Put the dry mixture on top of the apple slices. Melt margarine and pour it over the dry mixture. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for about 30 - 35 minutes or until the topping turns crispy. Top with low-fat whipped cream and serve.

** Read "Sugar is not the Enemy"
* Lower the carbs by using soy or almond flour

Black Forest Trifle

You don't need a trifle dish to show off your trifle. You can even make small individual servings like the one pictured here.

I like making trifles not only do they taste good but they are appealing to the eye.
And this one has the dark cherries that helps lower your blood sugar. Read about dark cherries on my diabetic Squidoo lens at http://squidoo.com/low_carb_recipes

Black Forest Trifle

Ingredients:

(1) 8oz. package no sugar added low fat chocolate cake mix
(1) 4 serving size package sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk*
1 pound fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted or one 16 oz. package frozen unsweetened pitted dark sweet cherries, thawed and drained
2 cups frozen,whipped dessert topping thawed
Unsweetened cocoa powder(optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare cake mix as directed on package using a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Cool in pan for 10 minutes,remove from pan and cut into 1 inch cubes.

2.While cake is cooling, prepare pudding mix as directed on package using the 2 cups of milk. Cover, chill about 25 to 30 minutes, or until set.

3.In a 3 quart trifle bowl or large glass bowl, layer half of the cake cubes,half of the cherries, half of the pudding and half of the whipped topping Repeat the layers. If desired sprinkle with cocoa powder and top with a few cherries.

* To lower the carbs more use soy milk in place of regular milk.

carbs=22g
fiber=1g
True carbs=21g if using regular milk.

Carrot & Spice Bars

Shown without nuts.

These great tasting bars can be used for a mid day snack, for breakfast or for dessert. No matter when you eat them I am sure you will find them very tasty and satisfying. You may have a problem getting one of your own if the kids get to them first. They do love these even though they are made with carrots and bran flakes.
I like them while still warm, with a fresh cup of decaffeinated coffee.
What a great way to start a day!

Ingredients:

1cup milk **
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 cup bran-flakes (cereal)
2 eggs
3/4 cup grated carrots
1/3 cup golden raisins, coarsely chopped
2 + 1/2 oz pureed carrots***
1 teaspoon grated orange peal
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour****
3/4 cup sugar (or baking Splenda)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup toasted pecans (or walnuts, or almonds)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Lightly coat a 13X9 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

Combine milk and margarine(butter) in large microwavable bowl.
Microwave on high 1 minute or until margarine(butter) is melted.
Add cereal. Let stand 5 minutes. Add eggs, whisk to blend. Add grated carrots, raisins, pureed carrots, orange peel and vanilla.

Combine flour, sugar(sweetener), baking soda and cinnamon in medium bowl. Add to mixture, stirring until thoroughly blended. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Insert tines of fork into cake at 1 inch intervals.Or use toothpick... Spoon orange juice over cake. Sprinkle nuts on top and lightly press into cake.

**You may want to use soy milk to lower the carbs more.
***You can use a 2& 1/2 oz jar of baby food carrots for a smoother puree`.
**** You can use almond flour or half regular and half whole wheat.

Total fat 3g
Carbohydrates 19g (when using sugar, regular milk and flour)

Apricot-Almond Clafouti

Apricot-Almond Clafouti

Clafouti is sort of a cross between a flan and a fruit-filled pancake. I used apricots instead of the traditional cherries, but any fruit can be used, including apples, pears, peaches and/or plums. It will puff up during baking, then collapse; let it cool slightly before serving so you can truly enjoy the flavors. Leftovers make a delicious breakfast treat.



Ingredients:

* 1 pound fresh apricots, (about 8 medium), pitted and cut into wedges
* 1/4 cup almond liqueur, such as amaretto, or orange juice
* 1 lemon
* 1 tablespoon plus 1/3 cup sugar, divided**
* 2 large eggs
* 1 large egg white
* 1 cup low-fat milk***
* 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* Pinch of salt
* 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
* Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (option)

Preparation:

1. Combine apricots and almond liqueur (or orange juice) in a large bowl. Grate 2 teaspoons zest from the lemon and set aside. Juice the lemon and stir 2 teaspoons of the juice into the apricots. Let stand for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 10-inch round baking dish or oval casserole with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar evenly over the bottom. Drain the apricots (reserving the syrup) and arrange in the baking dish.
3. Combine whole eggs, egg white and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale yellow. Add milk, flour, almond extract, salt, the reserved lemon zest and the reserved syrup; beat well to blend. Pour the batter over the apricots; sprinkle with almonds.
4. Bake the clafouti until puffed and golden, 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar; serve warm.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving
Calories 116 kcal
Calories From Protein -
Calories From Carbs -
Calories From Fat -
Carbohydrates 20 g (True carbs=19g)
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Monosaturated Fat -
Polysaturated Fat -
Protein 3 g
Potassium 34 mg
Sodium 40 mg
Iron -
Cholesterol 37 mg
Folic Acid -
Nutritional Bonus:
Per serving
Vitamin A (15% daily value).
** Reduce carb count more by using Baking Splenda
***Reduce carb count more by using Soy Milk

Cinnamon Buns

Cinnamon Buns
These are delicious little gems that taste just like they came from a popular cinnamon bun shop. You can eat them plain or with the Cinnamon glaze below this post.
Either way they are so delicious you may be tempted to eat more than one...

Don't worry about the pork rinds...you can’t taste them in the finished product.
If you don't want to use the pork rinds you can try whole wheat flour or almond flour, but I don't know how they will turn out...so if you do use something other than the pork rinds and it turns out good, Please let me know.

6-8 oz cream cheese
4 large eggs
2 cups pork rind flour (crush into a fine powder)
1 cup soy bake mix
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 to 3/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla

Bring eggs and cream cheese to room temperature (Try putting your cream cheese in the microwave at half power for 1 minute, it’s easier to blend.)

Preheat oven to 425. With a wooden spoon, mix cream cheese and eggs (one egg at a time until smooth).

Add pork rind flour, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and Splenda. Mix until blended. This Mixture will be thick. Taste the mix...It should be semi-sweet and definitely cinnamon flavored.

Mound mixture with a tablespoon into greased or lined muffin tins.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.


Cinnamon Glaze
This icing is fabulous, but takes 10 minutes of mixing to work. It’s worth it!

While the muffins are in the oven make the glaze.

1 stick of butter
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup of Splenda
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Davinci French Vanilla Syrup*
Davinci Vanilla Syrup*

*Substitute a scant amount of fresh vanilla bean, or you can use 1 Tblsp vanilla extract

Soften the butter and cream cheese in the microwave.

Mix the butter and cream cheese thoroughly.

Add the Splenda a bit at a time. Once all of the Splenda is added, mix for 10 minutes. After 10 min add the lemon juice and vanilla extract..

Cover the buns with the glaze while they’re hot.

Now enjoy...