Review by Dr. Danielle West, ND
Maybe, like me, you’re in one of those heat zones where you need to pick and choose carefully when you turn on your oven to bake. And, especially when you’re gluten-free, you want to make everything you bake count, right? Well, folks, time to totally “get tropical” with Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flour!
The cookie monster that I am, once again, I made cookies; and at my husband’s request, made brownies. So, with that prelude, here we go! Time to review how the flour baked!
When I looked at the variety of recipes online (of which there are scads!), I couldn’t help notice the huge amount of liquid to flour ratio one needs when using coconut flour. If I put in six (6) eggs for example, with a traditional GF brownie recipe or even GF brownie mix, I’d have goop. Not so when using coconut flour. The amount of liquid called for in both recipes I tested was spot on. And, surprisingly, for both recipes the addition of the flour was the last step in the process – even after adding the coconut flakes and chocolate chips in the cookie batter. These were perhaps the biggest surprises which led me to my Tropical kitchen getaway.
Mounds Chocolate Brownies
You’ll find variations of this recipe, either brownies baked in the shape of a cookie, mounded high; or regularly shaped brownies made with coconut flour. I found a super simple recipe which had me combine the coconut oil and Dutch cocoa in a saucepan over a low heat before adding to the egg, sugar, vanilla extract mixture. Then came add-ins. I used a small handful of chocolate chips instead of nuts, in an attempt to savor the coconut flavor. This almost didn’t make it into the oven, the batter tasted so good!
Results: The taste was over the top good! Independent taste testing by my husband confirmed, these were “over the top good!” Now – I do have to qualify this one a bit – the texture was a bit cake-like rather than brownie like. All I know is, with a little more flour it would probably give me the perfect brownie texture. So far, without modifying, if it’s all about taste, this was exceptional!
Chocolate Mounds Cookies
Not one to leave a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe alone, I added coconut flakes and Dutch cocoa to the cookie dough/batter. Keeping the recipes I like simple: eggs, coconut oil (melted), brown sugar, vanilla extract whisked together. Add Dutch cocoa and whisk. Add the coconut flakes and chocolate chips, whisk again. Then add flour and stir. I rolled the dough into 1” balls and then pressed them down with the back of my hand. There was no spreading or rising with this particular recipe but they baked up perfectly. I was also surprised that there was no difference required using the coconut flour in recipes when baking at high altitude.
Results: What I ended up with was beyond scary good! My next step? Make another batch of cookies when these are gone (guaranteed in no more a day or two) and substitute crushed almonds for the coconut flakes and shoot for an Almond Joy type taste. What can I say? Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t – but this little kitchen baking getaway left me feeling VERY Tropical and my mouth unbelievably happy!
THE GLUTEN-FREE GIVEAWAY
Prize
Two (2) lucky winners each will receive the following:
How to Enter and Ways of Entering Additional Times
What you should know
Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
And the winners are…
domesticdiva and Becca!
Congratulations, domesticdiva and Becca!
Domesticdiva has until 11:59pm PST on August 10, 2011 to reply to the winner’s notification email to supply us with their U.S. shipping address and phone number. If they do not respond within that period of time, a new winner will be chosen.
This winner was chosen by using random.org:
I have been buying Absolutely! Gluten Free original crackers for years and their cracked pepper…
Costco sells E&C‘s vegan/dairy free Heavenly Hunks oatmeal chocolate bites. I’ve perfected the recipe that…
Costco sells Heavenly Hunks, organic, gluten free, vegan/dairy-free, oatmeal chocolate bites that the gluten free…
- Easier Than Puff Pastry This delicious gluten free Parmesan pastry dough may be used…
Using the popular Gluten Free Raisin Cinnamon Rolls and Chocolate Ganache recipes, together was born…
While I have developed other gluten free corn bread recipes, this one is my favorite…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
please notify me of further giveaway signups
Roberta, you should sign up for the newsletter and you will received updates on most giveaways. The sign up is in the top left corner of every page. Meanwhile, the giveaway we are currently running is at http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-diet-comprehensive-resource-guide Good luck!
As a Lifelong Fan of the Cocoanutt (old spelling), and as a 1-Year Gluten-Free Me (this month-yaaay!), I would dearly love to win this prize!
Sorry, Marie, but this giveaway has ended. You may, however, enter our latest giveaway at http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-diet-comprehensive-resource-guide
I am a Lifelong Cocoanutt Fan, and a 1-year Gluten-Free Me!
Hi Marie,
Sorry you missed this giveaway. It ended yesterday and we just announced the winner today. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! That rocks!
i subscribe to the tropicaltradtitions newsletter
i follow tropicaltraditions on twitter as kledford65
i liked TRopical traditions on FB
I RT post on twitter as Kledford65
i follow GFrecipebox on twitter as kledford65
I like GF Carla on FB
After reading the recipe for those coconut cookies I need some coconut flour to make them!!