A little piece of Sunshine

Happy Valentines Day! Although my heart is full of love for my Valentine and my two little cupids, my darn foot fracture has me in a bit of a tizzy.

So...

Having an off day sometimes calls for a yummy treat. Diet or no diet, sometimes, you needs a little piece of sunshine to brighten your day. Hope you find this recipe yummy and full of heart warming goodness to cheer you up even on the gloomiest of days.


Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

** recipe updates on 3/12/12 read recipe through before making **

1/3 cup Organic vanilla rice milk or any other preferred non dairy milk.

¼ tsp apple cider vinegar

8Tbsp water

2Tbsp flax seed meal

1 1/3 cups GF flour **Depending on which GF flour you use i.e. Bob's , arrowhead mills, Pamela's, or a make your own mix) you may need more or less flour. Same goes for the rice milk. There is a wide variation in the combination of ingredients for Gluten free flours. This can cause the bread to be too dry or too heavy. If you make the dough a sweet bread consistency you will be fine. Not running not lumpy ;)

2tsp baking powder

1/2tsp salt

1/2 tsp xanthan gum (I think this is optional, I have made it both ways, with and without come out fine)

1cup sugar

½ cup coconut oil

About the zest of 1 lemon

2 ½ Tbsp simply organic lemon flavor

1 Tbsp poppy seeds

** Additional ¼ to ½ rice milk when mixing dry ingredients into batter. Use your discretion, the dough should be as pictured below pre baked**

Preheat oven to 350
Grease loaf pan

In a small bowl combine rice milk and cider vinegar set aside. In another small bowl mix flax seed meal and water set aside to thicken up.

Mix all dry ingredients

Flour, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum if using.

Cream together sugar and coconut oil until fluffy.

Scraping down sides of bowl. Then add flax seed meal mixture. Next add in the rice milk and vinegar. Once well combined add in dry mixture in a couple of additions. I find that I typically have to add another ¼ cup or so of rice milk to get the typical sweet bread consistency. Not runny but not lumpy.



Pre baked

 Once combined well fold in poppy seeds and pour into pan. I always zest a little lemon on top of my loaves as well. Then bake about 25mins or until knife comes out clean. Let cool completely and serve!

Enjoy!

Makes 1 loaf, 10 servings at 195 calories per slice.