The Ninja Baker - Vegan Recipes

Peanut Butter Vegan Dreams, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:46:47 +0000

Lines wind around the corner for Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Tokyo and Osaka; piggy banks are emptied to buy American jeans, and McDonald’s are a happy go-to meal. American peanut butter is another story. Most Japanese are aloof to the concept of a PBJ sandwich. So, Skippy is available only in foreign specialty stores at special luxury item prices. Japanese supermarkets do carry a strain of peanut butter but it lacks the rich, creamy deep flavor of American peanut butter. Some compare the more subtle Japanese peanut butter to overly sweet frosting.

Japanese Peanut Butter
(Photo Credit)

Thanks to my industrious dad and his long hours at the office, we were able to afford the American style peanut butter. In the US, this is a 3-day Labor Day weekend, so today’s #SundaySupper Twitter event honors industrious spirits. (Scroll down to read details about joining the celebration.) Our host is the clever gourmet of FoodieStuntman.

As the Labor Day holiday is all about refraining from labor, I’m offering easy to make Ninja Baker’s Peanut Butter Vegan Dreams. For the crust and topping, I combined Udi’s (vegan-friendly) Cranberry Granola with melted coconut spread. (Found in the butter section at Whole Foods.) Peanut butter, tofu, cinnamon agave and brown sugar are among the ingredients, which produce a smooth, scrumptious filling.

The Ninja Baker's Peanut Butter Vegan Dream Cheesecake

Fun fact: Tofu is used all the time to create luscious cheesecakes in Japan. So, don’t be scared, all right? Tofu takes on the flavors of its fellow ingredients.

The Ninja Baker's Peanut Butter Vegan Dreams

Vegan or not, the Ninja Baker's Peanut Butter Dreams are sure to delight. Smooth peanut butter cheesecake squares are embraced between crunchy granola crusts and toppings.

P.s. I love to share my recipes. However, if you are publishing them on your site, please credit the Ninja Baker and link back to NinjaBaking.com. Thanks!

Ingredients:

For the crust & topping:

3 cups Udi's Cranberry Granola or a similar gluten-free, dairy, soy & egg free granola
8 tablespoons organic coconut spread

For the peanut butter cheesecake filling:

2 boxes (12 ounces each) extra firm tofu
10 tablespoons peanut butter
1/3 cup cinnamon agave
1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Generously grease and flour (or spray with baking spray) an 11 x 7 brownie pan.

For the crust & topping:

Melt the coconut spread in the microwave. (Approximately 33 seconds.)
Pour over the 3 cups of granola and mix well.
Line the prepared pan with half of the mixture.
Bake for 5 minutes.
Cool and prepare the filling.

For the peanut butter cheesecake filling:

Cut the tofu into squares. Drain off excess water and dab with a paper towel.
Place the tofu in the food processor along with the peanut butter, agave, brown sugar, coconut extract, oil and pinch of salt.
Pulse until thoroughly combined.
Smooth the filling over the granola crust.
Sprinkle the remaining granola mixture over the peanut butter filling.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Cool and refrigerate before serving.

Here are a few other recipes to help make this Labor Day weekend relaxing.

Refreshing Drinks

Hibiscus Flower Margaritas from La Cocina de Leslie
Cherry Bourbon Lemonade from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Mint Sweet Tea from Supper for a Steal
Pineapple soda floats from Healthy. Delicious.

Amazing Appetizers and Sides

Hatch, Chive & Chevre Figs from Shockingly Delicious
Grilled Corn Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing from girlichef
Cucumber Cups from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob from The urban Mrs
Stuffed Baby Sweet Pepper from Country Girl In The Village
Peach Salsa Nachos from Mama's Blissful Bites
Grilled Peach Salad from Curious Cuisiniere
Caramelized Onion Relish from What Smells So Good?
Strawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Chorizo and Cheese Jalapeno Poppers from I Run For Wine
Spiced Honey Peach Muffins from Mess Makes Food
Spicy Bacon Popcorn from Nik Snacks
Sausage Rolls from Food Lust People Love
Deviled Eggs Stuffed With Garlic Guacamole from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
Tortellini Caprese Salad from Webicurean

Enviously Good Entreés

Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Salsa from La Bella Vita Cucina
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Homemade Teriyaki from Juanita's Cocina
Beer Brined BBQ Chicken from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Kansas City Barbecued Spare Ribs from The Texan New Yorker
Grilled Italian Turkey Burgers from Table for Seven
Red Wine Burgers with Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese from Neighborfood
Red, White & Blue Spicy Burgers from Daily Dish Recipes
Deluxe Pizza Burgers from Foxes Love Lemons
Stir-Fry Rice with Turkey Bacon and Eggs from Basic N Delicious
Grilled Herb Shrimp with Chimichurri Sauce from Magnolia Days
Tropical Shrimp Kabobs from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Spicy Sea Scallop Skewers with Mint Yoghurt Sauce from Soni's Food
Proscuitto & Spinach Macaroni and Cheese from Family Foodie

Delicious Desserts

Old-Fashioned Pineapple Up-Side-Down Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
Egg Free Chocolate Mousse from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Fresh Raspberry Bran Muffins from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Peach Cheesecake Crumb Bars from Chocolate Moosey
Peanut Butter Cream Pie with a Pretzel Crust from Cookin' Mimi
S'mores Brownies from Alida's Kitchen
Ice Cream Granola Truffles from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Strawberries with Red Wine Reduction and Whipped Cream from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Peach Kuchen {#Dairyfree} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Raspberry Lime Cupcakes from Treats & Trinkets
Summer Berry Chocolate Cake from Happy Baking Days
Peanut Butter Vegan Dreams from NinjaBaking.com
Red, White & Blue Jello Parfaits from In The Kitchen With KP
Moistest Ever White Chocolate Pound Cake with Fresh Orange Glaze from Eat, Move, Shine
Caramel Brownies from Pies and Plots
Red, White & Blue Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Dip Trio from Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.

Wishing you a labor-free week of luxury. (We can all dream, right?)

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Sweet Potato Cake Pops, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 02:20:46 +0000

On February 3rd football’s biggest battle occurs between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. The Ravens’ Offensive Tackle, Michael Oher and his adopted family are not new to the spotlight. He was the subject of the film, Blindside. The movie also brought an Oscar to Sandra Bullock for her portrayal of Michael Oher’s adopted mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy.

I was so touched by Michael Oher’s great big heart and the Tuohys’ generosity of spirit that I’m cheering for the Baltimore Ravens. (Even though I might be expected to root for the San Francisco 49ers since I live in California.)

Super Bowl is here! (Photo Credit)

No matter who you're rooting for, if you have football fans in your house, I'm sure you want your Super Bowl party to be a winner. If you need some last minute inspiration, check out the #SundaySupper food bloggers' cheer-evoking dishes and desserts for Super Bowl parties.

On February 3rd we will meet on Twitter at 7 p.m. ET to share the recipes. (30 minutes after the 6:30 p.m. ET kick-off.) Use hashtag (#) in front of SundaySupper to join the conversation.

The Ninja Baker’s contribution to the gathering was inspired by the southern origins of Michael Oher's family. They're from Memphis, Tennessee where Michael's sister, Collins Tuohy is the co-owner of the Whimsy Cookie Company which specializes in custom-made sugar cookies and designs.

Gluten-Free, Vegan Sweet Potato Cake Pops

Since sweet potatoes play a starring role in Southern cuisine. (Sweet potato pie, sweet potato casserole.) The Ninja Baker's contribution to the Sunday Supper gathering is Gluten-Free, Vegan Sweet Potato Cake Pops.

In Japan, the sweet potato is also cherished produce. Satsuma-imo from Kyushu, the Southern part of Japan is a favorite of most Japanese. Hot satsuma-imo wrapped in newspapers as well as caramelized slices of the sweet potato are but a few of the winter wonders in Japan.

Sweet Potato Cake Pops which have yet to be dipped
in white chocolate are scrumptious, too.

The Ninja Baker’s Gluten-Free, Vegan Sweet Potato Cake Pops are adapted from a recipe given to me by Joyce Kramer, a friend and award-winning co-author of Invisible No More: The Secret Lives of Women Over 50. The original recipe is apparently in Ellen Jaffee Jones’ Eat Vegan on $4 a Day.

If you like moist spice cake with a hit of sweet white chocolate, you’ll love my cake pops!

The Ninja Baker’s Gluten-Free, Vegan Sweet Potato Cake Pops
Yields approximately 45 cake pops

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups rice flour blend
½ cup Amaranth flour
1 T baking powder
½ t baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
1 teaspoon Penzeys cake spice
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup unsweetened coconut
1 ¾ c cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
¼ c vanilla agave + 2 T (generous serving)
½ c water
¼ teaspoon coconut extract

Preheat oven 350 degrees.
Coat cake pop tins with butter flavored cooking spray.
Whisk dry ingredients together.
Combine the mashed sweet potatoes, agave, water and coconut extract mixture in a separate bowl.
Add the dry ingredients to the potato mixture.
Fill the cake pop tins with a mini ice cream scooper.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool on a rack for 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove the cake pops from the tin.
Cool completely and place in the freezer.
After about 30 minutes, stick 6-inch cookie sticks into the centers of the cakes.
Melt white chocolate candy bits over a double boiler.
Swirl the cake pops into the melted candy.

It’s helpful to have a cake pop stand ready. Or have one of those green rounds used by florists for their flower creations.

Plain or frosted, the Ninja Baker's Sweet Potato Cake Pops are perfect party fare

Serve and enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!

To complete your football soirée festivities, check out the other Super Bowl #SundaySupper recipes.

#SundaySupper Super Bowl Appetizers & Snacks:

All American Ranch Cheese Ball from The Weekend Gourmet
Arancinis from My Cute Bride
Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip from In the Kitchen with KP
Bacon Jalapeño Fritters w/ Chipotle Ketchup from La Cocina de Leslie
Bacon Kettle Corn from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Baked Crab Cakes from The Meltaways
Buffalo Chicken filled Pull-Apart Loaf from Small Wallet Big Appetite
Buffalo Chicken Pizza On A Stick from Neighborfood
Buffalo Tofu Bites from Soni's Food
Buttermilk Fried Pickles from Mooshu Jenne
Cheddar Cheese and Onion Ciabatta from Family Foodie
Cheeseburger Bites from Momma's Meals
Cheesy, Beefy Nachos from Gotta Get Baked
Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Dip from Daily Dish Recipes
Chorizo and Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates in a Smokey Tomato Sauce from The Roxx Box
Cranberry Glazed Meatballs from Curious Cuisiniere
Easy White Queso with Chorizo from Supper for a Steal
Eggplant Lentil Fritters With Orange Salsa from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
#GlutenFree 7 Layer Bean Dip from Cooking Underwriter
Gulf Coast Smoked Tuna Dip from 30A Eats
Ham & Cheese Crescents from Masala Herb
Ham Crescents {Schinkenhoernle} #DairyFree from Galactopdx
Little Filo Cheese Rolls from Food Lust People Love
Mini Crab Bites from Webicurean
Muffuletta Skewers from Magnolia Days
Peach Jalapeno Fritters from I Run for Wine
Philly Cheesesteak Bites from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Pizza Pretzel Rolls from Cravings of a Lunatic
Pizza Wontons from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Refried Black Beans with Pita Chips from Basic N Delicious
Roasted Garlic-Bacon Dip from girlichef
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Stamp & Go! from The Lovely Pantry
Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Dates from Noshing with the Nolands
Tandoori Spiced Popcorn from MarocMama
Wonton Cones Filled with Oriental Salad from Simply Gourmet

#SundaySupper Super Bowl Main Dishes:

Bacon-Wrapped Chili Cheese Dogs from Damn Delicious
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Sandwiches from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders from The Foodie Army Wife
Chicken in Passion Fruit Crunch from The Urban Mrs.
Four Quarters "Grilled" Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Bleu Cheese Veggie Slaw from Mama.Mommy.Mom
Green Chile Cheeseburgers from Juanita's Cocina
Grilled Pizza with Sausage and Spinach from Ruffles & Truffles
Ham and Cheese Sliders from Hip Foodie Mom
Marinated Rump Steak with Chimichurri Sliders from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Meatball Sub Sliders from Country Girl in the Village
Oven-Fried Catfish Fingers with Mango-Chili Dip from Pescetarian Journal
Pigs in Sleeping Bags from Comfy Cuisine
Turkey Sliders with Roasted Tomatoes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Vegan "Hamburger Helper" Soup from What Smells So Good?

#SundaySupper Super Bowl Desserts:

Marshmallow Caramel Corn from Mom's Test Kitchen
Shortbread Brownies from Baker Street
Smores Blossom Cookies from Chocolate Moosey
Sweet Little Pastries from Happy Baking Days
Sweet Potato Cake Pops from Ninja Baking
Toddler Truffles from In the Kitchen with Audrey

#SundaySupper Super Bowl Tablescape: 10 Tips For A Winning Superbowl Buffet Table from An Appealing Plan

Wishing you friends and family with hearts as big as Michael Oher and the Tuohys to enjoy the game.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker's recipes are also available at:

BlogHer Food Editor's Pick of the Day
(27 December 2012)

?Allrecipes.com:
The Ninja Baker's Japanese Plum Sweet Memories and Recipes

Bob's Red Mill:
Almond Oatmeal Apple Cookies

Bob's Red Mill:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Breakfast Cupcake

Wholesome Sweeteners:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Coconut Chocolate Cheesecake Minis with Espresso Cream

Wholesome Sweeteners:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Champagne Glaze & Optional Lemon Peach Marmalade Filling

?LifeKraze

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