Low Carb Bread

Who doesn't love the smell of fresh bread baking? Yum! It has to be one of my favorite smells. I have tried several times to make a really good loaf of low carb bread, but wasn't thrilled with the final outcome. After several failed attempts I finally got it right! This recipe makes a very tender bread with a light wheat taste. I used my bread machine to do the mixing and kneading, but you can do it the old fashioned way, by hand. If you use your bread machine, remove the dough after the kneading cycle. Don't let it rise in your machine, it will not rise well a second time.

This recipe makes about 16 slices of bread, about 5.5 carbs per slice. I multiplied this recipe by 1.5 and got two large 10" loaves, 32 slices with 4 carbs per slice. 

Low Carb Rum-Soaked Coconut Cake

Here is a to-die-for coconut rum cake recipe! It is very similar to a basic chiffon cake recipe, which made this cake very moist and tender. I used my Baking Mix, vanilla whey protein and coconut flour in this recipe. If you can't find coconut flour you can make your own by adding 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut to the Baking Mix and pulsing it in your blender until smooth. The coconut palm sugar can be replaced with your favorite sweetener to reduce the carbs (about 4 carbs per slice), but I love the rich flavor it adds to this cake and it is a low glycemic sweetener. Rum syrup adds amazing flavor as well. You can top this delicious cake any way you like, a simple glaze would be wonderful, but a coconut-pecan frosting is Oh so good on this cake! 

This recipe makes 12-16 servings depending on how big your slices are. With 12-9 carbs per slice. If you replace the coconut palm sugar with a zero net carb sweetener you will reduce the carb count to 6.6-5 carbs per slice.

Low Carb Chicken Caprese

This recipe was suggested to me by my good friend and walking partner Keri. We chat about everything while we walk, especially food. Thanks Keri :) 
This is my low carb version of Olive Garden's Caprese Chicken. All I can say is Wow!! This is absolutely delicious! My family raved over this one, saying it was one of my top 5 best recipes. I used Dreamfields Low Carb Pasta, and breaded the chicken with my Low Carb Flour Mix, but you can use any low carb breading that you like. You can make a good "mock" buttermilk to dip the chicken in prior to dredging in flour by adding 1 tbls white vinegar to a bowl and adding 1 cup of half & half to it. Let it sit for 5 minutes and it thickens just like buttermilk, but without the added carbs, gotta love that.

This recipe makes 6 servings. With 10 carbs per serving without pasta and 15 per serving with pasta.

Low Carb Key Lime Sponge Cake

I absolutely love key lime pie! I figured why not a key lime cake. This sponge cake is so light and tender, very similar to the carb loaded version. I used my Low Carb Flour Mix, vanilla flavored whey protein and powdered Xylitol for this recipe. I recently purchased my first bag of Xylitol, despite the tummy bloating it is said to cause. The difference between it and Erythritol is the cooling effect is less noticable with Xylitol and it costs quite a bit less than Erythritol. Both are natural sugar substitutes but Xylitol is sweeter and tastes more like real sugar in my opinion. So far my tummy doesn't see any difference either. I think this will be my new go to sweetener. 

This recipe makes 12-16 servings. With 3-4 carbs each.

Low Carb Homemade Pasta

This recipe was a special request from an anonymous follower. It gave me the perfect opportunity to play with a pasta machine I bought last year, but has been collecting dust in my cupboard. It was a lot of fun. You don't need one for making pasta, but it sure does make it easier. I think I only paid $40 for the one I have. I made fettuccine, pictured above. This pasta has the taste and texture of a wheat pasta, very flavorful! You could use these in an Asian stir-fry, top with spaghetti sauce, Alfredo sauce, etc... I used my Baking Mix and some added ground wheat germ. 

This recipe makes about 1 pound of pasta or 6-8 servings, with only 6.75-9 carbs per serving. Traditional white pasta has around 40 carbs per serving!! I hope you enjoy this delicious pasta.

Low Carb Blueberry Muffins

I made these muffins with my Flour Mix, ground flax seed and Greek yogurt. The yogurt keeps them moist and adds a nice tang to the flavor. The texture of these muffins came out perfect, not too fluffy and not too dense. There are million different ways to flavor muffins, get creative and see how many you can come up with.  :)

This recipe makes 12 muffins. With 6 carbs each.

Low Carb Biscuits

Finally!! I have created a very tender biscuit I am proud to put on my blog. These are made using my Flour Mix and sour milk, made with vinegar and half & half. I was very surprised at how light and delicious these were. The flavor of the sweet almond meal really comes through. Now I just need a great low carb country gravy to go with these. Give these a try, they are quick and easy to make. Also, if you bake them in a greased muffin tin they will rise a little higher. I will keep you posted on the gravy :)

This recipe makes 10 biscuits, and only have 4.5 carbs each. Biscuits made with white flour have about 22 carbs each!!

Low Carb Pizza Crust

For the past 10 years or so, every Tuesday in our house has been "Pizza Night"!! Since today is Tuesday, I figured this is the perfect time to post this recipe. When I started this Low Carb Lifestyle I knew that I would have to come up with a good recipe for pizza crust. I wasn't going to be left out of our family tradition. My husband is now on the band wagon and, for the most part, is eating low carb as well. He even eats low carb pizza with me. I like to brush olive oil or garlic butter on the crust before I bake it, Yum! You can top this pizza any way you like. The sky is the limit when it comes to pizza toppings, just try to keep it low carb. What is your family favorite? I would love your feedback!

If you cut this pizza crust into 10 slices you will have 6 carbs per slice.

Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce, Chocolate Syrup and Ganache

Making your own sugar-free chocolate sauce and syrup is very easy. It's cheaper and in my opinion better tasting than the store bought variety. You can add cinnamon or flavored extracts as well.

Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce:

• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate 
• 1/4 cup sweetener +/- to suit your own taste
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup heavy cream 

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add cream and sweetener, bring to a low boil. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and chocolate until it melts and is very smooth. You can add more cream if needed to reach your desired consistency.
This recipe has only 7 carbs if you use a zero carb sweetener.

Sugar-Free Ganache:

If you reduce the cream in the chocolate sauce recipe to 1/4 cup you will have a ganache for candy making. Add in other extracts with the vanilla, nuts, sugar-free candy or roll in cocoa powder for flavored chocolate truffles. Yummy!!
This recipe has only 5.5 carbs if you use a zero carb sweetener.

Sugar-Free Chocolate Syrup:

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup sweetener +/- to suit your own taste
• 3/4 cup water

In a medium sauce pan add all of the ingredients except vanilla and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Stir in vanilla. This is perfect for making chocolate milk or dessert topping.
This recipe has only 5.5 carbs if you use a zero carb sweetener.

Low Carb Coconut Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This recipe was inspired by my Sister-in-Law Mary Ann. She called me and asked  for some ideas on making a coconut cake, it got my wheels turning. Thanks Mary :)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love coconut! This recipe is loaded with the delicious white stuff. I used coconut flour, coconut milk and coconut extract. I also used coconut palm sugar in this recipe, though it doesn't taste like coconut. The granulated form tastes like brown sugar and the solid pieces you grate taste like honey. It is also low on the GI scale similar to agave. You can use another sugar substitute if you prefer. This is a dense cake similar to a pound cake, don't expect it to be light and fluffy. Also, this recipe makes a 9" round cake, double the recipe if you wish to make a 2 layer cake.

Sugar-Free Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Making sugar-free frosting is quite simple, not much different than making fudge frosting. I've tried the sugar-free store bought variety and it just doesn't cut it, almost gummy in texture. I love the creamy texture of this chocolate frosting and you can control how sweet it will be. Use whatever dry sweetener you like, but if you choose Erythritol, make sure to use the powdered form. I prefer half powdered Erythritol or Xylitol and half granulated Splenda. For those of you who can tolerate it, powdered Xylitol works well in this recipe. The flavor is very similar to powdered sugar.

Low Carb Chicken Alfredo with Bacon and Pesto

I love pasta, any kind of pasta! This recipe is a big hit in our house. I added bacon, pesto and a little dry white wine to this dish, the flavor is incredible! Now I just need to come up with a low carb bread recipe to go with it. :)

*Update: Low-Carb Gluten-Free Garlic and Herb Bread Sticks

Low Carb Cheesecake with Coconut-Pecan Crust

I absolutely love cheesecake!! This recipe is very easy to make, has no added sugar and is simply delicious! The coconut-pecan crust adds wonderful flavor to this dessert. You can top this with fresh fruit or sugar free chocolate sauce. I choose chocolate and caramel sauce, Yummy!