Hi everyone! I have a birthday coming up in a couple of days...my first on the diet. I'm pretty bummed since every single year my birthday involves a sushi dinner, birthday cake, and many other treats throughout the day. This year is all different. It'll be good to make new traditions that don't involve food, but in the meantime I need a yummy treat for my birthday. I am drawn to all the sweet recipes here but cant make up my mind. I don't seem to have any allergies or sensitivities and have been on a candida diet for over 5 months. If you've tried more than one and have a recommendation for a cake/brownie/cookie, please let me know. If you have celebrated a birthday on the diet and have a special treat you make, please let me know.
thank you!
-Sara

Happy Birthday (a little early!)

I really like the "Delcious Brownie" recipe by Tia. The first time I made them was so wonderful because I hadn't had a treat in months and they were so good. I think I like them a little sweeter than the recipe calls for. So I'd just sprinkle a little stevia/chicolin on them and tried not to eat too many at a time. I also would put almond butter mixed with stevia/chicolin on them for a Reece's taste.

If you have not purchased the stevia/chicolin from here, you should try it. It's very good. I saw another post about xylotol, which I don't know much about. When you purchase the stevia and chicolin they come in separate containers and you pour the small container of stevia into the larger chicolin container and shake like crazy. I usually keep my old container of chicolin and divide the mixture to make sure they blend well. Many of the recipes use this. We should ask if it could be sold premixed.

Anyway, with that and the addition of veggie glycerine, the combination of sweetners is quite good. Especially if you haven't had a treat for awhile.

I was surprised when I first started baking things in this new way, because they don't rise quite like the items you'll find in the grocery store. But I quickly got over that. They don't always brown the same either. But they don't make us sick, which is a big plus!!

I also like Ashley's lemon loaf recipe. The cholcolate flax muffins were good. There's another recipe for black bean brownies that has a nice texture, but not sweet enough for me. I haven't had time to experiment with it. It's also a little more complicated and I like simple recipes that go together fast.

I hope you have a great birthday. When is it? And how old will you be. Have a great day!

Gay

Happy birthday, Sara.

Xylotol isn't recommended because it spikes blood sugar (and probably for other reasons I'm not aware of, too.) I've had it, but only very sparingly--our local Whole Foods stores have an allergen-free brownie that is surprisingly good but it's made with Xylotol. I think I've had two of them since April so I'm not terribly worried about the ill effects.

I can't remember the brand name--maybe Shrewd Foods? But they may just be available locally since it's a Colorado company.

Let us know what you decide on.

My birthday is on tuesday...yes, the forgotten days before Christmas! I'll be a whopping 33 this year.
Thanks for your suggestions- I have been wanting to try the brownie recipe and also the lemon cake. I do love chocolate...
I made the chocolate flax muffins a couple weeks ago and also tried the pumpkin cookies and pumpkin pie- all were very good. It is so sad to have to make my own birthday cake! Mostly I am sad about having to skip the sushi- though someone suggested I get sushi made without the rice and bring in my own soy sauce- interesting thought. There is a chinese food restraunt here that does a wonderful brown/wild rice and lots of organic veggies- I think that will be my birthday dinner this year.
thanks for the replies!
-Sara

I made chocolate cake. Tia's Cake recipe

Where did you get that information that xylitol raises blood glucose levels? Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used by diabetics because it does NOT raise blood glucose levels. Xylitol prevents bacteria growth and plaque formation and tastes great. It's benefits have been studied and outweigh that of stevia with the added benefit of better taste!

Sleepless,
What did you think of the chocolate cake recipe? Did you do the frosting also? any tips? Have you tried the brownies, and if so, how do the compare?
thanks for any feedback- I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever i pick- they all sound great (I've been getting hungry just reading the recipes!)!
-sara

I liked the cake. It was a little different in texture but definitely worth making and kept me from eating "normal" cake. I made the frosting too, added carob. I'd like it a little sweeter. When I make it again, I'll adjust the sweeteners. I'm still learning how to manage different sweeteners.

I tried the brownies. Used too much stevia and got an aftertaste. I'll definitely try them again.