Suite of Sweets for Sweethearts continues with Salted Caramel Apple Muffins from Debbie Adler’s new cookbook, Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats: Allergy-Free & Vegan Recipes from the Famous Los Angeles Bakery. The little bubble on the cover of Debbie’s cookbook says: “No Gluten, Eggs, Dairy, Soy, Sugar or Nuts—No Problem!” The latter is great news to all who need to eat “more free,” but judging by the reviews of Debbie’s treats from her bakery, all of you will be interested in her recipes!
Salted Caramel Apple Muffins from Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats by Debbie Adler
Debbie Adler Sweet Debbie’s Organic Cupcakes
Debbie tells her family’s personal story in the introduction to her book. It was sharing treats without sugar that was Debbie’s initial, main goal when she opened her bakery in 2006. That opening came after a year of research and testing of sugar-free treats because that was a path she decided was the healthiest for herself. After she “hit her stride” with her bakery’s sugar-free treats, her son was diagnosed with life threatening food allergies. Debbie said: “I found out—after several anaphylactic episodes—that my son has life-threatening allergies to almost every food in the USDA pyramid, except salt.”
That was in 2009. So back into the kitchen Debbie went, to reinvent her recipes using ingredients that her son—and others with food allergies/intolerances—could eat. And back in her bakery she also went to ensure that all the ingredients there would be safe as well, with no potential for cross contamination issues. Plus she had to ensure that she could make her new treats in large quantities. To her surprise, her business grew even more because she quickly discovered that there were lots of customers looking for gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, sugar-free, and/or soy-free treats that tasted great!
If you’re far away from LA like I am, you might not have heard of Debbie’s bakery, Sweet Debbie’s Organic Cupcakes. And most of us probably won’t make it to Debbie’s bakery. That’s one reason that she wrote this cookbook. Another is that she knows many of us don’t feel comfortable eating outside our own homes, and she’s correct about that. Many of us have had a history of bad experiences and are no longer willing to take chances. With Debbie’s cookbook, we can capitalize on her expertise to create our own treats that meet our special needs and preferences and taste great!
You should also know that Debbie is the founding group leader of the San Fernando Food Allergy Support Group, an organization that works in conjunction with the national non-profit, Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), to provide resources and educational tools to families that have children with severe food allergies. Debbie was also a speaker at the 2013 FARE conference in Anaheim, CA. As a gluten-free support group leader, I am grateful to Debbie for not only providing delicious gluten-free treats, but for also providing this invaluable support to families with food allergies.
About Those Salted Caramel Apple Muffins …
When I polled my Facebook readers a few days ago on the recipe they’d like to see next in our SSS event, Debbie’s Salted Caramel Apple Muffin recipe came in second place—and by only one vote! (Olivia Dupin’s Mile-High Chocolate Cake (from her new cookbook, Gluten-Free Entertaining: More than 100 Naturally Wheat-Free Recipes for Parties and Special Occasions, came in first in the voting.)
Debbie waxes poetic about these muffins with quite a few words in her cookbook. Ah, a girl after my own heart—for both the many words and a love of salted caramel! But her last words on these muffins are the ones you need to remember: “Make this [recipe] for people you love because they will take a pledge of allegiance to you forever.” I don’t know … these muffins may be really hard to share with others! Get Debbie’s recipe (recipe and image are reprinted with permission by Debbie Adler and Harlequin) at the bottom of this post.
Now for Today’s Giveaway …
Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats by Debbie Adler
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Carolsue, Abbie, and Laurel. Thanks to all who took the time to enter this giveaway. Stay tuned for more SSS giveaways!
Three readers will win a copy of Debbie’s new cookbook, Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats: Allergy-Free & Vegan Recipes from the Famous Los Angeles Bakery.
Salted Caramel Apple Muffins from Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats
Debbie says: “Make this [recipe] for people you love because they will take a pledge of allegiance to you forever.”
Ingredients
Muffins
- 12 standard-size paper baking cups
- 2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
- 2 teaspoons sodium-free baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon guar gum
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ cup grapeseed oil
- ¼ cup coconut nectar
- ¼ teaspoon stevia powder
- ¾ cup unsweetened plain rice milk
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 small Gala or Granny Smith apple (about 5 ounces), peeled, cored and sliced into ¼-inch pieces
Caramel Sauce
- ½ cup coconut nectar
- ¼ cup sunflower seed butter
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper baking cups.
- To make the muffins, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, guar gum and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle.
- Add the grapeseed oil, coconut nectar and stevia and stir to combine. Add the rice milk and applesauce, and stir until the liquid is absorbed and the batter is smooth.
- Fold in about half of the apple pieces.
- For the caramel sauce, mix together the coconut nectar, sunflower seed butter and salt in a small bowl until well blended.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, dividing it evenly. Each cup should be about two-thirds full. Top each with the caramel sauce and the remaining apple pieces.
- Bake the muffins for 16 to 18 minutes, or until they are a light golden brown and bounce back slightly to the touch. Rotate the muffin tin from front to back halfway through baking.
- Transfer the muffin tin to a wire rack and let rest for about 10 minutes before removing the muffins to cool completely.
- Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Reprinted from SWEET DEBBIE’S ORGANIC TREATS by Debbie Adler. Published by Harlequin. Copyright Debbie Adler 2013. Makes 12 standard-size muffins
Full disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Debbie Adler, but the opinions expressed herein are my own as always.
Rebecca Bowen says
I have been trying to find vegan and gluten free recipes for a while. This would help a great deal. I have very limited income and can’t really afford to buy books.
Randi Albertsen says
I am interested in GF, sugar free recipes. I have also been trying my hand at GF, vegan recipes.
insiya says
My brother is dairy intolerant. Have to make dairy free goodies for him. My fav homemade treat at the moment is chocolate walnut fudge with cacao powder & medjool dates! I am doing lots of research into vegan & gluten free recipes, on how easy they are for me to completely turn vegan!
insiya says
Already like GFE on facebook!
Melissa says
My sister has celiac’s disease, so I’m learning to cook more g-free stuff for her. I’m also trying to cut out gluten from my diet because everybody else in my life that has says they feel much better.
Mary says
I am forever on the hunt for new recipes as I am gluten free as well as allergic to corn and rice among other things.
Mary says
I also liked Sweet Debbie’s Organic Cupcakes on facebook.
yvonne says
Ms Adler’s recipes are very easy to follow. Would LOVE to get her book.
Cindy W. says
I eat gluten free due to celiac so I would love to win a copy of Debbie’s book. I am always looking for new recipes. I can’t wait to try the salted caramel apple muffins. Thanks for sharing!
Laurel says
Thanks for sharing the news about Debbie’s book. I have so many allergies it’s impossible for me to bake anything, even this without a few changes. A few changes though would be sweet relief to reinventing the wheel every time I enter the kitchen! I’d just about kill for a lemon meringue pie but that meringue gets me – no egg, no soy and egg replacer tastes like, well you know. My favorite treat is whatever I’ve baked last. Cranberry coffee cake reinvented as cupcakes with added chocolate chips.
Erin R says
I am dairy and almond intolerant as well as gluten intolerant and I’m always look for great recipes to replace some old loved recipes that I cannot eat anymore! Especially ones line cream cheese Danish and cheesecakes!
Erin R says
I also like gluten free easily on Facebook!
Erin R says
I like Debbie’s organic cupcakes on Facebook 🙂
Janet says
My new love is cornbread. It is sweet enough, moist, and delicious! Plus it whips up in no time :)It is so very good warm! Thanks for the giveaway!
Laurel says
I like Sweet Debbie on FB
Laurel says
I like you on FB
Sheri says
Thank you for this great recipe. We started GF last week for my son. We have tried before for a few weeks, but this time we have committed to 6 months. His blood work comes back not celiac, but he has enough other issues that our allergist says it is worth a try…the proof is in how the body responds, right? Thanks. One question: can I substitute xanthan gum for the guar gum? I bought the xanthan gum already. Not sure where to find guar gum.
Shirley says
Hi Sheri–Celiac testing is not highly accurate for a number of reasons, so kudos to your son’s allergist. Just remember that it can take time to see results and one must be 100% gluten free to see them. You should be able to substitute xanthan gum. There are differences in results from the two ingredients, which you can read about here. And some folks prefer using guar gum because it’s less expensive, but some of us have issues with it and prefer the results with xanthan gum if we use that. Please let us know your recipe results! 🙂
Shirley
Debbie Adler says
Hi Sheri,
You can definitely substitute xanthan gum for the guar gum. They have the same function.
If you wanted to find guar gum it is on Amazon.
Thanks for writing.!
Debbie
Sheri says
I also liked gf-easy on facebook.
leslie says
I just made chocolate chip cookies with rosemary from the vegan cookbook Isa Does It. They are probably my favorite vegan treat so far!
Kelly G. says
I’m vegan and allergic to dairy milk, so this is right up my alley!
Kelly G. says
I like GFE on FB!
Kelly G. says
I also like Sweet Debbie on FB.
Elaine says
Just discovered I have an intolerance to gluten. Still learning how to navigate food choices
Elaine says
I also liked GFE and Sweet Debbie on FB
Keri says
My husband and daughter were recently diagnosed with Celiac so our family has gone GF. Thank you to GFE for helping with recipes. A GF dessert cookbook would make for an even better transition!
Courtney Floyd says
In addition to avoiding gluten, I try to avoid nuts because they cause acid reflux. I think this cookbook would be lovely to have for making special treats for my family.
Courtney Floyd says
I like gfe on FB!
Courtney Floyd says
And I like Sweet Debbie’s on FB too!
Carolsue says
I don’t have any allergies, but I like to eat gluten free foods because I think it’s healthier.
Carolsue says
I like you on Facebook and signed up for notifications as Carolsue Anderson (MsCarolsueA)
Carolsue says
I like Sweet Debbies on Facebook and signed up for notifications as Carolsue Anderson (MsCarolsueA)
Simona says
I am vegan and some membes in my family are glutenfree so im always looking for new ideas to satisfy everyone! This would make a great addition to my kitchen, more than one will be happy 😉
Simona says
I liked sweet debbie’s page on facebook too!
Jessica says
Yeast! I have to watch what I eat for digestion and fear of hives!!! Would love the book for my gluten issues!
jacquie says
just looking for different ways to eat healthier in general and low inflammatory
Tina Antonelli says
I have some serious, life-threatening autoimmune diseases. I have read so much about the link between gluten and autoimmune diseases, therefore I am embarking on the gluten free path. Yes, I’m addicted to sugar and grains like many, so I am trying to find healthy substitutions to help me feel good about gluten-free and not feel like I’m being punished!
Kristin says
I enjoy baking andsweets. I was just gluten free, but now sugar free, began, low carbs diet. I recently moved from La area and this would be a way to try some yummy treats at home.
Abbie says
Wow! This cookbook is perfect for my family! We avoid all gluten, sugar & dairy 🙂 we would love to win!
Abbie says
I like GFE on FB!
Abbie says
I like sweet Debbie’s on FB!
BJMarley says
I’ve been gluten free for a couple of months. However, if I’m going to make the effort to make a GF item, I also need a vegan option so my daughter can eat it as well.
BJMarley says
I like GFE on FB.
BJMarley says
I like Sweet Debbie’s on FB.
Janet L says
I’m Gluten Intolerant and also Lactose Intolerant. Would love more recipes especially ones that don’t include eggs as my grandson is allergic to eggs also.
Janet L says
Liked GFE on FB and clicked on Get Notifications also
Abbie says
YAY!!!!!!!!! I seriously can’t believe I won! Thank you soooo much GFE! I am so excited to try out some new healthy treats! I have a serial large sweet tooth when it comes to sweets without refined sugar 😉 I’m actually allergic to refined sugar, so this is a real “treat” for me to win. Thanks a million! My family will sure be happy I won because their tummies will thank them!
Shirley says
Abbie–It’s really fun to win, isn’t it? 😉 You’re welcome, of course, and thanks go to “Sweet Debbie” Adler for sponsoring this giveaway and, of course, for creating her wonderful recipes and cookbook! Enjoy! 🙂
Shirley
Carolsue says
Me too! I won! I can’t wait to get this book! There are so many goodies in there I want to try. Thank you for picking me!
Shirley says
Congrats again, Carolsue! Enjoy making all of Debbie’s sweet treats one by one! 😉
Shirley
Laurel says
Shirley you and Rafflecopter are my absolute new best friends. Yeah. I won! I won! I feel like Team whatever at the Olympics standing on the podium and listing to the National Anthem. 🙂 Weird but true.
Shirley says
Laurel–LOL Well, this wasn’t a Rafflecopter-administered giveaway. I used another tool, but I’m happy to be your new best friend! 😉 Love your enthusiasm, dear! Your cookbook is on its way to you, thanks to its author “Sweet Debbie” Adler. Enjoy!
Shirley
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva says
Hi SHirely…these muffins look pretty wow! I am curious if debbie referred to what flours she uses in her “all purpose” flour? There is SO much variation, I would be curious. Anyways, featuring this recipe this week!
Shirley says
Hey Tessa–Thanks so much for the feature! I’m sure Debbie will appreciate it, too. They do look awesome, don’t they? Debbie uses a mix of tapioca, sorghum, millet, ivory teff, and quinoa flours in her gf ap flour mix. I don’t have permission to share her proportions/recipe as it’s in her book and I haven’t seen it shared anywhere on her site (or elsewhere). I do believe that any gf ap flour mix will work in this recipe though as Debbie has indicated it will. She says she chose these flours for the different benefits of each. She talks about that in this video on a post on her blog here. 🙂 Thanks again, dear!
Shirley