Tasty Alternative Desserts

Who has a family member or friend with food allergy restrictions? Do they still like to eat sweets? My mom is GF and my sister is allergic to tree nuts. Adapting desserts so they taste just as good as traditional ones, without nuts or gluten, can be surprisingly easy and delicious. Actually, my family prefers the GF version over the traditional one. It has always been hard to find recipes without nuts AND gluten free. We have been enjoying monkey bread ever since I can remember. It is a Christmas morning tradition as well as special occasions throughout the year. I am going to teach you that not every delicious, alternative recipe is difficult. Enjoy the following simple steps that lead to a tasty GF, Nut-Free Monkey Bread!

Egg Whites

Xanthan Gum

Cornstarch

Granulated Sugar

Baking powder

Baking Soda

Vanilla Extract

Greek Yogurt

Cinnamon

Salt

Brown Sugar

Butter

Apple Cider Vinegar

Medium size loaf pan ( 8 or 8.5 inches)

Cooking spray

DOUGH:

2 tablespoons (softened)

unsalted butter

3 tablespoons of sugar ( granulated)

3 egg whites

1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt

1 1/4 cornstarch ( working as flour)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 a teaspoon of salt

1 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum

1 tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon

vanilla extract

FILLING:

1/2 brown sugar

4 tablespoons of Unsalted softened butter

1/2 teaspoon

ground cinnamon

SAUCE:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 a stick of butter

OPTIONAL; cream can be added to thin the sauce, it is your preference.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

This is the temperature it stays the whole time

Grab a medium size loaf pan

8.5 inches OR 8 inches works well

Spray your loaf pan with cooking spray OR butter and flour the loaf pan

Use a stick of room temperature butter ( Unsalted) and rubbing it in the loaf pan

Take a paper towel to remove clumps

Scoop a spoonful of flour into the pan and shake it to coat all the sides top and bottom

Cooking spray works equally well

In a medium size bowl combine the softened butter and granulated sugar with a fork

To the butter and sugar mixture add the egg whites

Beat with a beater until it is bubbly and frothy

Add the remainder of the dough ingredients in no particular order:

Plain Yogurt

Baking Soda

Baking Powder

Cornstarch

Salt

Xanthan Gum

Apple Cider vinegar

Vanilla

Mix with a whisk till combined

In a small bowl combine, with a fork, filling ingredients:

Butter

Brown sugar

ground cinnamon

Small lumps are ok that is what you want, it will melt in the oven

With your greased pan drop one tablespoons at a time of dough

after each layer of dough sprinkle the filling mixture over

continue layering until you run out of both filling and dough

End with filling sprinkled on top

Place in the 350 degrees oven for 32 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

While the bread is baking make your sauce:

In a medium saucepan combine the ingredients:

Brown sugar

Butter

Melt over medium/low heat until fully melted

It will need to be reheated again to go atop the bread so you can keep it in the pan or put it in a dish and microwave to warm

Should look caramelized

Immediately after the bread comes out of the over use a butter knife to loosen the edges.

Flip onto serving platter

The bottom will be on top

Flip so the top is back on the top ( bumpy side up)

Once the bread is flipped drizzle the warm sauce over top of the bread.

IMPORTANT: SERVE THE BREAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER BAKING WITH SAUCE ON IT

Serve with a glass of milk or tea

Cheers!