the next few month's baking club selections.

as a member of the baking club....
you will receive each of the selected baking mixes for the month for only $20.
you can order a month or more at a time. delivery is free, shipping is extra.
re-orders of the month's or previous month's mixes will also be available.
pricing tba.

all are gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free.
two mixes of each month will also be nut free.
butter, milk and eggs are used to complete the mixes.
substitutes can be made.
each mix will have the recipe and instructions on my blog!!
still taking orders for april!!


april.

almond cake.

banana muffins.

coconut bread.

choc chip brownies.



may

coconut pancakes.

carrot cake

blueberry muffins.

almond bread.



june

cornbread.

chocolate almond cake.

coconut macaroon muffins.

peanut butter and jelly cupcakes.



july.

lemon curd cake

raspberry, blueberry and white chocolate muffins.

black bean brownies.

banana bread.

all four baking mixes and recipes are ready to go for april.

I am so excited! I have tested and finalized all four baking recipes for the baking club's first month!
Super yummy...

Dark chocolate brownies with chocolate chips.
Moist banana muffins.
Basic Coconut bread.
My favorite almond cake.

All are gluten free, grain free and refined sugar free... but you would never know it!!
The brownies and coconut bread are also nut free.

All four recipes will be posted this weekend along with step by step pictures!

Baking mixes are being mixed tomorrow for the bay area and next weekend for the mountains.

Please let me know if you would like to order for this month. $20 for all four mixes!!

You will be able to make:
10-12 brownies.
14-18 banana muffins.
4 small loaves of bread.
1 medium size almond cake/serves 8.
that's a lot of goodies for $20~~

to order, please email me at: bigheartdesigns@yahoo.com

thanks, enjoy!!
megan

recipe #1. almond cake.

the step by step instructions for

the almond cake

baking mix!!

 

what you will need to get beforehand:

4 eggs,

1/2 cup butter, soften.

3/4 cup milk, 1%,2% or whole...

almond extract.

 

and preheat the oven to 350 degrees!!

2 bowls.

a mixer.

a spatula.

 



pre-sifted almond cake baking mix.
place in a large bowl.

in a separate bowl, add 4 eggs.

add 1/2 cup of softened butter. (1 stick)

  add 3/4 cup of milk.

I used 1% but you can use 2% or whole.

 add 1 teaspoon of almond extract.

 

 blend with mixer, it is ok that it is a bit lumpy!

 

 add wet mixture into baking mix.

 

 mix together with mixer until fairly smooth.

 

 I spray my baking mold with coconut spray oil,

it makes it so much easier to get out of the mold!

 

 I love this mold!! I got it at ikea. I

hope to find more when I am in town.

and will have them in stock to purchase.

 

Put mixture in the mold. I smoosh it down

a bit and smooth the top a bit.

 

 put in the oven, middle rack. 

preheated 350 degrees.

 

start the timer for 30 minutes~

 

ck at 30 minutes to see if the cake is done.

i slip a knife into the middle to see if it comes out clean.

if so, or if it is slightly wet, take out of the oven

and put on a cooling rack.

how to order april's monthly set of baking mixes...

hi.

simple.
email me at bigheartdesigns@yahoo.com
with your name, phone number.

and

if you want to pick up in menlo park/ april 1-2nd

have me deliver if you are close to menlo park/ april 1-2nd

want to pick up in Arnold/ april 7th

have me deliver if you are close to Arnold/ april 7th.

you can pay me when you receive the mixes or you can pay me via paypal
using this email address as the recipient address.

thanks!!
megan

other.

so happy.

I am so happy with the response of my new baking club. I sent out emails last night and already friends have been forwarding the information to those they know need to eat gluten free. I do want
to mention that you don't have to eat gluten free to enjoy these mixes and recipes. The flours I use are higher in protein and lower in carbs. The sweetener is from organic coconuts... the baking powder is aluminum free and the salt is sea salt. Everyone can enjoy these healthier ingredients and will truly enjoy the baked goodies the mixes will make!!
So please pass on the information about the baking club. I am headed to the bay area, Menlo Park, this weekend and will bring the monthly mixes. The chosen 4 are only $20. Or you can buy individual ones for $6 a piece.
Please please let me know by this Friday if you are interested! I will be making mixes on Friday afternoon!!

Thanks so much to all of you for launching this new venture of mine... I am loving being the mad scientist in the kitchen to ultimately create fabulous recipes with healthier ingredients!!

Cheers!
megan
bigheartdesigns@yahoo.com

monthly baking club!

hi all.

who wants to join the monthly baking club?

you will receive 4 baking mixes with new recipes each month!!
I will mix it up and have a combination of muffin, cupcake, cookie, bread, cake, dessert or surprise!

all will be gluten free, refined sugar free, and either grain free or nut free. if you have allergies to either nuts or grain, please let me know.

the baking mixes are all made with coconut flour, almond flour, coconut sugar crystals, baking powder without aluminum and sea salt.

all of this for $20 a month.

i will be delivering to the bay area once a month. and will have the mixes here for pick up as well.

have the first two already signed up. who will be next??
you can try one month at a time or sign up for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months at a time.

shipping is extra if you want me to send them to you.

thanks so much!!
megan

first 4 recipes!! and baking mixes.

april special!!

chocolate chip brownies, almond cake, banana muffins, coconut bread.

these are my first 4 recipes using my baking mixes.
all four mixes for $20.

will be delivering to the bay area on april 1-2.
or local delivery.

all are gluten free, all are grain free, 3 are nut free, all are refined sugar free.

message me at bigheartdesigns@yahoo.com to place your order!!

 

summer farmer's market

I am getting all set up to be a vendor at the summer farmer's market!! this will be my public debut of
"the big heart baking company"!! I have been looking at vendor carts, like an ice cream cart that I can use for cupcakes... or a portable bakery display... been really fun to see the options. I will post some ideas and get your feedback!!
first date is june 8th. Saturday
I will post more as I know more....

can't wait!!

and...
looking at hosting a cupcake summer camp!! kids will learn to bake from scratch, frost and decorate!
working out details now...

two great ideas. need your feedback....

not sure why this happened today... but I was introduced to two amazing ideas that wrap around my love of gluten free baking. since I live in a tiny mountain town, I am really reaching out to my local neighbors for some feedback about both ideas here they are:

1. I was helping out at the school's book fair today and spotted this book, "America's most wanted recipes, just desserts. In this book are over 175 recipes that duplicate some of americ's most loved desserts found at well known restaurants. But none of them where gluten free!!! What if I took every one of the recipes in this book and translated them into a gluten free version?? and had them available by subscription on a blog?? I could work from home, my own hours.... I could offer one or two recipes a week at the farmers market? or have a weekly bake sale at my home?

2. So I dream big!! I would love to open a vintage cupcake shop in this little town. It would only bake and sell gluten free cupcakes and desserts. Well, I found the most perfect space today. it has been a bakery before, a restaurant before. lots of supplies are still there and useable, most of the equipment is working. two patios. lots of parking. on the main hwy. and next to the most successful restaurant in town. close to the elementary school. The owner is very flexible about re-designing the décor. With a lot of paint, some new flooring and table and chairs... it would be the cutest sweet shop. Obviously I can't do it all alone. I would need to find a couple of others to partner with... but the biggest question is "can this town support a business like this?". It would be perfect for birthday parties, tea parties, small meetings. And a place to come and have a cup of coffee and a cupcake.

3. I could combine #1 and #2.

please leave comments for me!!!

baby bundt almond macaroon cakes.

love love love my new baby bundt pans!! so cute, the volumne of 2 good size regular cupcakes!
i love filling the middle with frosting, crème or curd! i will make another batch in the next couple of days. i have very ripe bananas so banana cake is on it's way!!

my baby bundt pan, almond macaroon cakes were so amazing....
i was so excited about taking these to my knitting group, i forgot to take a picture. darn! so sorry.

well, life has been very full lately. and when i am stressed, i bake. made these amazing almond macaroon cakes with raspberry jam and coconut frosting this weekend.
the other thing i do when i am stressed is eat. i had to get them out of my house!! or i would have eaten every single one of them!! the ladies at my knitting group did a big thumbs up for them!!

i baked using my original baking mix which combines, almond, coconut and rice flour, white sugar and baking powder, adding eggs, coconut milk, butter and almond extract.
i haven't been baking with white sugar, and boy did it taste super sweet!
not sure if my body was so happy about it either.

i thought i would concentrate on a coconut flour only mix, but i was reminded that my most favorite of my mixes is the almond and coconut flour blend, eliminating the rice flour and with coconut nectar crystals for sweetening instead of white sugar.
this weekend's baking really confirmed that for me. so that is what i will concentrate on.

i will offer a nut free version by special request. (eliminate the almond flour)
so with this in mind. i will be making up some of the mixes, finalizing some recipes, and moving forward!! i will be in the bay area the first week of april if anyone is interested in trying out this mix!! i know i will be running a special on it, so keep in touch.

my favorite pics.

white chocolate fudge creme recipe!!

this is the crème that I used on top of the chocolate chip donuts. it is very sweet, so you need just a bit on top.

in a double broiler-

melt 1 cup of mini marshmallows and a 1/2 cup-1 stick of butter and one can/14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk, once melted add slowly
one package of white chocolate chips-12 oz. stir until all melted and smooth!!
makes about 2 cups. I store in jelly jars in the frig. This is the most wonderful crème. Use it
as frosting, on ice cream, on a muffin, or - a spoonful is awesome!!

here I have made this recipe three ways. white chocolate on the left, used milk chocolate chips instead of white in the middle, and used dark semi sweet chips on the right. same recipe, different chips.

enjoy!

special surprise for tomorrow.

I will post my very favorite almond macaroon cake!! gluten free!!
tomorrow!!

donut recipe and more...

instead of re-writing the entire post.... please go to:

http://simplelivingforarichlife.blogspot.com

for the infamous donut recipe and more!!

working out my farmers market menu early...

I got the call today if I was interested in participating in the local farmers market! YES!!!
Got me thinking about what my market menu of baked goods would look like. Here is a
thought:

 heart shaped almond macaroon cake.- gluten free only

all are gluten free, grain free and nut free.
coconut bread-
banana bread-
cinnamon raisin bread- 

chocolate chip espresso brownies- 

coconut cupcakes/muffins.
chocolate cupcakes/muffins.
vanilla cupcakes/muffins.
blueberry lemon cupcakes/muffins.

muffins will be plain, cupcakes will have an added filling and frosting.
vanilla, chocolate, mocha, raspberry, lemon curd- frosting flavors.

so what am I missing????
 

paperwork.

I am working on the paperwork today to get my home kitchen certified!! a new law was passed earlier this year that allows certain types of foods to be made and sold from a certified home kitchen! thank goodness baking mixes and muffins were included!

I am getting really excited about being able to share my baking mix; gluten free, grain free, nut free, with you. as well as recipes that work well with my mixes. so far, I have an amazing coconut muffin with raspberry crème, and a banana muffin that is super yummy. I am working out the basic vanilla and chocolate versions to be able to bake cupcakes!

I will keep you informed with my progress!!

to keep it simple.

creating this business is such a great lesson for me to really keep things simple. with that in mind, I will be making and selling just
ONE baking mix to start with. one that anyone who eats gluten free, grain free, nut free, paleo friendly, dairy free.... can enjoy.
it is also the highest in protein, lowest in carbs and is without white sugar. can it really be??? yes! yes! yes!.
the big heart bak...ing company proudly presents it's first baking mix.
our basic baking mix for all to enjoy.
one mix will make approx. 15 regular size cupcakes.
$5.00 or 2 for $9.
will be bringing the mixes to the bay area the first week in april. please let me know how many you would like.
in light of keeping life simple,
m.

yesterday's experiments...

good morning.

the night before last I had this sudden urge to experiment with only coconut flour.

this meant avoiding the almond flour so that folks with nut allergies could enjoy our
baking mixes. I found a few recipes. being one who does not follow the rules well...
revised two recipes; one for brownies and one for banana muffins. holy cow!!
they turned out better than I could have ever imagined.

I have been a big fan of almond flour but keep finding that my baking is dense.
I know this is a typical almond flour reaction. it bakes up well and is tasty... but dense.
when only using coconut flour you need a lot more moisture. more eggs, more liquid.
more than I ever use with almond but.... the outcome is light, delicious, protein packed,
carb reduced, paleo happy, gluten free, grain free, nut free, white sugar free and yummy.

to the brownie recipe I added semi sweet chocolate chips, this turned an everyday
brownie into this dark, rich, intensely chocolate, decadent delight!
I winged the banana muffin recipe and created the best muffins ever.

this recipe is going to be my new mix recipe. thinking that Friday night might have been a fluke...
I baked again this afternoon my most favorite combination; an almond coconut macaroon
muffin. they are cooling on the kitchen counter right now, but they smell divine!!
maybe this wasn't a fluke,
maybe I actually have engineered a spot on coconut flour baking mix,
maybe this will be my prized mix,
maybe this is the one!?
try a mix, bake it up and tell me what you think!!

big news!!

in light of making it simple. i am going to only
make in bulk my coconut flour mix. these two mixes
below I will be happy to make for up for you by request.

by special order only....
gluten free, grain free baking mixes.
muffins, cakes and cupcakes!!
I am using almond flour.
recipes are both dairy and dairy free.

with sweetener- I use coconut palm sugar crystals.
$7 or 2 for $12.

without sweetener- add the kind you like.
$6 or 2 for $10.

email me at thebigheartbakingcompany@yahoo.com
with your name, address and phone number
and the type and number of mixes you would like to order.
i will send you my paypal info for payment!

my favorite recipes will be on my blog:
http://thebigheartbakingcompany.blogspot.com

thanks!!

I will be delivering to the bay area the first of april!!

please share this info with your friends. and don't forget to "like" our
facebook page.

oh my gosh, i baked donuts!!

oh my gosh! I just baked donuts with almond flour!! amazing, delicious, yummy, gluten free, grain free.

almond honey, chocolate chip glazed with white chocolate crème and sprinkles.
prompted by a dear friend who wanted donuts. well, here they are!! I am going to
make a baking mix just for donuts, also waffles.... 

  so, very excited!! going to add these to my farmers market menu!

a rainy sunday....

it is a rainy sunday.... time to fold laundry and bake!!

working out the recipe for a:

almond macaroon raspberry muffin/cake!

will show pics when it is out of the oven!!

enjoy the day.

today's experiment...

I have been feeling like a chemist in my kitchen!! As I am fine tuning my gluten free, grain free baking mix... I have been experimenting with different muffin recipes. I have just about finalized
the master recipe for this baking mix. This means you will be able to make all sorts of variations
with just one recipe!!
Today I tried a pear, applesauce, lemon with candied ginger muffin.
Not enough liquid, not enough lemon, pear was too mild, but the ginger rocked!!
With these results, my equation for the master recipe is just about there. So far, these are the ones
that have worked really well-

almond macaroon with raspberry jam.
chocolate espresso with semi sweet chocolate chips.
carrot, raisin orange, dairy free!
applesauce, raisin cinnamon, dairy free!

my goal is to launch the baking mix the end of march!!