Today we’re going to be making walnut bites, a fun and healthy party snack utilizing the benefits of walnuts, honey, and dark chocolate. This recipe uses only a few simple ingredients that many of us already have in our pantry. 

These walnut bites are a great intro to candy making. The only cooking required is to melt the chocolate so it’s very beginner friendly. While it does require time to chill, this recipe comes together easily. What I love the most about this recipe is that it’s customizable. You can change the flavor up by experimenting with different nuts and decorate them to your heart’s content. 

I grew up making homemade candies over the holidays with my grandmother and cousins. We’d make caramel squares, chocolate turtles, peanut clusters, and of course, walnut bites. My favorite part was pouring chocolate into molds and adding finishing touches. 

If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family, this is a great place to start. You can create something together and, in the end, you have a nice treat that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

Ingredients

• Walnuts- Any roasted nuts should work for this recipe, but I find the classic combination of walnuts and honey to be delightful.
• Honey- Honey is a flavorful alternative to cane sugar and the sticky texture will help bind these walnut bites together.
• Vanilla Extract- There’s no replacing this pantry staple but if you’re in the mood to try something new you can experiment with different flavored extracts to change the flavor.
• Dark Chocolate -Dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa provides a surprising amount of nutrients and can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. But if you don’t have dark chocolate on hand, semi-sweet chocolate is a perfect replacement.
• White Chocolate- This will provide a beautiful white topping to the finished bites but can easily be replaced with more dark chocolate if you’re out of white or want to prioritize dark chocolate’s health benefits.

What are the health benefits of walnuts and honey?

A small serving of about 7 walnuts packs a big nutritional punch, filled with calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and folate. They also contain polyunsaturated fats high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower your overall cholesterol and help prevent heart disease. Top top it all off, walnuts contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Honey, specifically raw or unpasteurized honey, has been shown to have a wide range of potential health benefits. A 2017 review of studies indicates that raw honey contains phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that can aid in the management of many disease conditions, including cancer. It also contains nine different vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids and enzymes. It should be noted that honey should never be fed to an infant under one year old as they are at risk of botulism poisoning.

How can I customize this recipe?

These walnut bites have a ton of potential to be customized to your preferences. You can swap out the walnuts for any kind of nut. If you’re allergic to tree nuts, peanuts would work great, giving you a homemade peanut butter cup flavor. Pistachios would also be especially delicious.

The decoration is an easy way to customize this recipe. You could create a chocolate drizzle on top of the finished candies using dark or white chocolate. Colorful candy melts can also be used to craft any design of your choice. While the chocolate topcoat is still warm, try adding sprinkles, whole nuts, or dried fruit. The sky’s the limit.

Step-by-step instructions

The first step is always to set out and measure your ingredients. Then, in a food processor, grind walnuts. You’ll want to keep an eye on this. They should be ground finely to resemble the texture of sand but not to the point that a nut butter starts to form.

Transfer ground walnuts to a bowl and add the vanilla and honey. Mix well until you get a solid dough. For this step, I’d recommend kneading the mixture together with washed hands, but you can use a spatula if you’d prefer.

Line an 8×8 pan or Pyrex glass container with parchment paper. Spray lightly with cooking spray or apply a thin layer of butter. This is an optional step, but it will provide extra protection against the dough sticking to the parchment.

Transfer the dough into the lined pan and flatten it evenly. In a separate bowl, melt the semi-sweet or dark chocolate by microwaving and stirring it on thirty second intervals or in a double boiler. Once melted, spread it over the walnut layer and refrigerate for at least for 4 hours.

Flip the walnut mixture over on a cutting board, so that the bottom is now the top, and cut into 1×1 squares or your shape of choice. Melt the white chocolate using the same method of choice as the dark chocolate and spread it over the walnut squares. Decorate it with any ingredients of your choice. I like to place a single whole walnut on top of each square.

Walnut Bites Recipe

First, gather your ingredients: 

• 2 cups walnuts
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate or semi-sweet
• 1 cup white chocolate

Instructions

1. In a food processor grind walnuts.
2. Transfer ground walnuts to a bowl, then add vanilla and honey. 
3. Mix well until you get a solid dough.
4. Transfer dough to an 8×8 pan or Pyrex glass container lined with greased parchment paper and flatten it evenly.
5. In a separate bowl, melt the semi-sweet or dark chocolate and spread it over the walnut layer.
6. Refrigerate for at least for 4 hours.
7. Flip the walnut mixture over on a cutting board, so that the bottom is now the top, and cut into 1×1 squares or your shape of choice.
8. Melt the white chocolate and spread it over the walnut squares.
9. Decorate it with any nuts of your preference.

What to serve with walnut bites

As a snack these walnut bites are perfect to eat by themselves. But if you’re hosting a party, I would recommend serving these with a baked brie. The combination of walnuts, honey, and brie is incredible and sure to be a hit. Don’t be intimidated by the process of throwing a small wheel of cheese in the oven. Baked brie is very easy to make and can be customized with honey, jam, or an outer layer of puff pastry.

A charcuterie board would round out the experience with plenty of different flavors and textures. You can buy them pre-made in varying sizes or have fun crafting your own. The name may sound fancy, but these are just cured meat and cheese boards that can include crackers, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and dipping sauces. Combining this concept with homemade walnuts bites is sure to make your next party a hit.

I love the flavors of pizza but kneading homemade pizza dough can be a hassle. I wanted to make something new that combined those flavors with vegetables from my garden, something that would be stress free to throw together on a weeknight. That’s what led me to create the pizacake.

Growing up on a farm, we lived off of what we grew. I learned to cook and bake from a young age while appreciating the work that goes into every ingredient. If you’ve never tried to grow your own food I encourage you to start with a small window garden. There’s a special kind of pride in seeing something grow and passing that on to the next generation.

A big inspiration for this recipe was my mom. She taught me how to bake our own biscotti and savory loaves of bread. When I bake, I think of her kitchen and the smell of bread rising as we talked. I loved every moment of it.

The pizacake is a take on those savory breads just as it’s inspired by pizza. There are many ways to customize it to your preferences and requires no kneading or time to rise. I love how easily it comes together, and I hope you will too.

Ingredients

• Eggs-Eggs are the leavening agent in this recipe to help the pizacake rise.
• Gluten free flour-There are a lot of good options on the market today. My favorite is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
• Milk-Milk is used to add flavor and make the pizacake softer and more golden.
• Olive Oil-Olive oil is a liquid fat that’s made by pressing whole olives to extract the oil. This will boost the flavor profile to be reminiscent of pizza.
• Black Pepper-Black pepper is the dried fruit of a flowering vine, which is the world’s most traded spice.
• Paprika-Paprika is a spice with three different types: sweet, smoked, and hot. It is made from dried and ground red peppers.
• Garlic Powder-Garlic powder is garlic that has been dehydrated and ground down, which is great for baking.
• White Wine-Don’t worry about the alcohol content, it will evaporate during the baking process.
• Baking Powder-Baking powder is used to add volume and a light texture to the pizacake.
• Parsley-This can be easily substituted or even combined with cilantro.
• Scallions-Also known as green onions, spring onions, Welsh onions, etc. should be available in your local produce section. They can also be substituted for other varieties of onion and shallot without much change of flavor.
• Carrots-Shred these and squeeze the excess liquid out through a tea towel before you begin cooking.
• Potatoes-Repeat the above process to remove as much moisture as you can to preserve the texture of the cake.
• Queso Fresco/Mozzarella-Any cheese could be used in this recipe. I personally enjoy the flavors of these two and mozzarella is classic for pizza. I’ve used cheddar as well and it’s delicious.

Should I use Queso fresco or mozzarella?

One of the great things about this recipe is that you can use any cheese to fit your preferences. Mozzarella is more suited to an Italian inspired recipe, so it aids in the pizza flavor of the pizacake. It is also known for its gooey texture when melted, which makes it the perfect topping.

Queso fresco has a sharper flavor than mozzarella cheese, similar to goat cheese but more salty. For best results, I’d recommend mixing Queso fresco into the batter and topping it with mozzarella before baking. This will give you the flavor of the Queso fresco throughout the cake and the cheese pull of the mozzarella on top.

Can I customize the fillings? 

It’s very important for this recipe to add as little moisture as possible to the batter, otherwise, the texture of the cake could be compromised. For this reason, I’ve chosen scallions, carrots, and potatoes for the vegetables. Keep in mind that you should squeeze out any excess liquid from the shredded carrots and potatoes before adding them to the batter.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t make any substitutions, only that I can’t guarantee the results. If you want to try customizing the vegetables, be sure to use those with low moisture, such as cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, or fresh corn. You can also add whatever meats you want but I’d recommend precooking and draining the excess fat before adding the meat to the batter.

You could also customize the recipe by changing the seasonings, which is a little safer. Adding Italian herbs, in a seasoning blend or whichever ones you favor, and red pepper flakes will boost the pizza flavors. Cilantro is also a good substitute for fresh parsley, or you can use both. You could also experiment with your favorite spice blends and learn what works for you.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven at 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, flour, milk, olive oil, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, white wine and baking powder. This will be the base for your cake. Mix it together until everything is fully incorporated and you’re left with a smooth dough.
3. To this dough add the minced parsley, diced scallions, shredded carrot, shredded potatoes and 2 cups shredded cheese. Once again, we’re going to mix until the fillings are evenly distributed. The best part about gluten free baking is that you can’t overmix your dough.
4. Line up a large bread tray with greased parchment paper, pour the mixture in and spread it out evenly.
5. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and thyme on top.
6. Bake until all sides are golden brown. 

Pizacake Recipe

First, gather your ingredients: 

• 5 eggs
• 1 cup gluten free flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 1/2 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp white wine
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup minced parsley
• 1/2 cup diced scallions
• 3 medium carrot, shredded
• 4 medium potatoes, shredded
• 2 1/2  cups Queso fresco cheese or mozzarella, crumbled or shredded, reserve 1/2 cup
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven at 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, flour, milk, olive oil, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, white wine and baking powder. Mix well until you form a smooth dough.
3. To this dough add the minced parsley, diced scallions, shredded carrot, shredded potatoes and 2 cups shredded cheese. Stir to incorporate.
4. Line up a large bread tray with greased parchment paper, pour the mixture in and spread it out evenly.
5. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and thyme on top.
6. Bake until all sides are golden brown.

Helpful tips:

Squeeze all the water from carrots and potatoes.

Substitute with the veggies of your choice.

Substitute parsley for cilantro or combine both.

Substitute with any cheese of your choice.

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to two weeks.

If you’re gluten tolerant substitute with regular flour, I haven’t tried it with any other flours.

You can either keep it vegetarian or add any meat of your choice.

The mixture should not have any water.

What to serve with pizacake?

This is an easy recipe to make by itself for a weeknight dinner but there are plenty of options for side dishes if you have the time. A warm soup and a refreshing salad is a classic combination that will complement the heartiness of the pizacake. A tomato or mushroom soup would work best along with a caesar salad.

If you’re looking for sides that are a little less classic Italian, consider potato salad, coleslaw, zucchini fries, pasta salad, or spinach and artichoke dip. But if you’d like dessert, I’d return to Italy for tiramisu or Cannolis.

What will you add to this pizacake? 

The Ultimate Gluten-Free Lemon Tart Recipe that Will Wow Your Taste Buds

Hello and Welcome back Palette Pioneers! Are you ready to take your baking to the next level? This gluten-free lemon tart recipe is a game-changer. It transforms simple ingredients into a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this tart is easy to make and guaranteed to impress.

In this post, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of making a delicious gluten-free lemon tart. You’ll learn about the ingredients, why we chose a crumb crust, and some interesting facts about lemon tarts. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to perfect this dessert every time.

What is a Gluten-Free Lemon Tart?

A lemon tart is a classic dessert known for its tangy and sweet flavor. Our version is gluten-free, making it accessible to everyone. The tart is composed of three layers:

1. Graham Cracker Crust: A base made from gluten-free graham crackers and butter.
2. Lemon Custard Layer: A creamy filling made with condensed milk, heavy whipping cream, and fresh lemon juice.
3. Lemon Jell-O Topping: A layer of Lemon Jell-O that adds a beautiful finish and an extra burst of lemon flavor.

Benefits of Making a Gluten-Free Lemon Tart

Why choose a gluten-free lemon tart? Here are some benefits:

• Inclusivity: Perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Simplicity: Uses easily accessible ingredients, some of which you might already have in your pantry.
• Flavor: Combines the refreshing taste of lemon with a creamy texture and a crunchy crust.

Key Ingredients for Our Lemon Tart

Here’s what you need to create this delightful dessert:

• Gluten-Free Graham Crackers: Look for brands like Pamela’s, Kinnikinnick, Nairn’s, or Annie’s. These can be found online if not available at your local store.
• Butter: Any stick of butter will do.
• Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk provides the creamy texture and sweetness.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds richness to the custard layer.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled works in a pinch. Meyer lemons are a great choice if available.
• Lemon Jell-O: Adds a final touch of lemon flavor and helps the tart set properly.
• Mint Leaves and Lemon Slices: For decoration, but optional.
• Lemon Slices: As with the lemons for juicing, the higher the quality, the better the flavor.

Why Use Lemon Jell-O?

Gelatin has long been used in desserts for its ability to set and hold shapes. Lemon Jell-O enhances the tart’s flavor while providing a distinct textural contrast. It’s also visually pleasing and helps the tart maintain its form when sliced.

Choosing the Right Crust

Graham Cracker vs. Pastry Crust

When deciding between a graham cracker or pastry crust, consider the following:

• Graham Cracker Crust: Best for fillings that require minimal baking time. Easy to make and provides a crunchy base.
• Pastry Crust: Ideal for pies needing longer baking times. Offers a flaky texture but requires more skill and effort.

For this recipe, a graham cracker crust is perfect due to its simplicity and the tart’s short baking time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Perfect Crust

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare the Graham Crackers: Grind the graham crackers in a food processor or crush by hand.
3. Mix with Butter: Combine the crumbs with melted butter and mix well.
4. Form the Crust: Press the mixture into a nonstick tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze for 10 minutes.

Crafting the Creamy Lemon Filling

1. Whisk the Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together heavy whipping cream and lemon juice until thickened.
2. Add Condensed Milk: Incorporate the condensed milk and mix until smooth.
3. Pour and Bake: Pour the filling into the tart shell and bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool.

Adding the Finishing Touch

1. Prepare the Jell-O: Mix the Lemon Jell-O powder with warm water until dissolved.
2. Pour Over Tart: Pour the Jell-O mixture over the cooled tart.
3. Decorate: Add lemon slices and mint leaves for a beautiful finish.
4. Chill: Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.

Tips for Success

Use Fresh Ingredients

Whenever possible, use fresh ingredients. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and high-quality mint leaves elevate the tart’s flavor and presentation.

Don’t Rush the Chilling Process

Allowing the tart to chill for at least four hours ensures the Jell-O sets properly and the flavors meld together beautifully.

Experiment with Flavors

Feel free to experiment. Try substituting lime for lemon or adding a layer of raspberry Jell-O for a different twist.

Why Jell-O topping?

Gelatin has long been used as a thickening agent in fruit pies. When used as an additional Jell-O layer it becomes so much more. The Jell-O provides a textural contrast with the creamy filling and graham cracker crust. It also provides its own lemon flavor, which will enhance the citric notes of this dessert.

A Jell-O topping is also beautiful to look at, especially once decorated. The binding nature of the gelatin helps to hold the shape of your tart, even once sliced. Just remember to search for a vegan Jell-O mix if you or someone you’re cooking for has that dietary restriction.

Why use a graham cracker crust instead of a pastry crust?

When it comes to tarts and pies, there are two basic types of crust to choose from: pastry and crumb. A pastry crust is formed from a dough which can be formed into a shell for your tart. A crumb crust is made with premade ingredients, such as cookies, graham crackers, or maybe nuts that have been crushed into crumbs, mixed with melted fat and pressed into your pie pan to form a shell.

While equally delicious, both types of crust excel in different uses and can’t always be exchanged. A pastry crust is best for any pie or tart that requires a relatively long baking time, generally exceeding 25 minutes, such as fruit pies. Crumb crusts are very easy to make and best for fillings that require little to no baking, such as set custards. For these reasons, we’re using a crumb crust for this recipe.

What to serve with lemon tart?

A lemon tart is a fantastic way to end a nice dinner, be it to impress your guests at your next house party or a simple Sunday meal. The flavors go particularly well with a heavy meal as the lemons provide an acidic counterpoint.

I’d recommend a complimentary meal including roasted leg of lamb and vegetables, mac and cheese, or even fried rice. You can serve the tart itself with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, salted caramel sauce, or even maple syrup.

I’d love to hear from you if you made this lemon tart for. Come back and let us know! 

Conclusion

Creating a gluten-free lemon tart that’s both delicious and visually stunning doesn’t have to be complicated. By following this recipe, you’ll impress your friends and family with a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ready to start baking? Gather your ingredients and get started. And for more delicious gluten-free recipes, check out our other blog posts. Happy baking!

I’d love to hear from you if you made this lemon tart for. Come back and let us know! 

How to make an amazing Gluten Free Lemon Tart

Author: Cali Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:Mediterranean Courses:Dessert

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 30 minutesCook time: 20 minutesRest time: 20 minutesTotal time:1 hour 10 minutesServings:12 servingsCalories:192 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Craving something sweet and tangy? Our delicious and easy lemon tart is a must-try! With its zesty lemon flavor and buttery crust, this dessert will delight your taste buds and impress your guests. Bake it today!

Ingredients

• 300g (about 10.5 oz.) gluten free graham crackers
• 1/2 cup of melted butter
• 14 oz. can of condensed milk
• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice
• 1 pack of lemon Jell-O

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven at 350°F.
2. Grind graham crackers either in a food processor or crush them by hand in a ziploc bag. 
3. In a bowl add your graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix well and transfer to a nonstick fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Spread the mix evenly and press to the edges and bottom to form a stable crust.
4. Place it in the freezer for 10 minutes.
5. In another bowl add heavy whipping cream and lemon. Whisk until thickens for about 6 minutes, then add the condensed milk and whisk until incorporated.
6. Pour the filling mixture inside the tart shell and spread the mix evenly. Be sure to leave space for the Jell-O top.
7. Put the pie in the oven for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
8. After 1 hour, in a new bowl pour the lemon Jell-O powder and mix in 1/3 cup of warm water until the sugar dissolves.
9. Pour over the cooled tart and decorate with the sliced lemons, and mint.
10. Leave it in the fridge for at least four hours before slicing and enjoy.

Keywords:Lemon desserts, Easy lemon recipes, Lemon recipes ideas, Quick and delicious desserts ideas, desserts recipes, Tarts recipes, Lemon Tart dessert recipes