Vanilla Archives - Strength and Sunshine

Gluten-Free Vegan Cranberry Bliss Bars {Squares!} (Allergy-Free)

November 21, 2018 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 56 Comments

An easy homemade copycat recipe for the classic seasonal Starbucks treat! Gluten-Free Vegan Cranberry Bliss Bars that are allergy-free, perfectly baked blondie cake squares, loaded with dried cranberries, vanilla, citrus, and dairy-free white chocolate drizzle!

Caveat, no, I’ve never had a Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar and initially, I had zero intention of these cranberry bliss “squares” to even be a copycat recipe. Alas, when all was said and done, that’s what came out of the Strength and Sunshine oven. Cranberry and white chocolate is such an iconic holiday combo; the perfect tart and sweet balance and just begging to be included on the holiday dessert table in some form or another!Read More

Homemade Gluten-Free + Vegan Hostess Cupcakes (Allergy-Free)

February 5, 2018 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 70 Comments

A copycat recipe for your favorite American snack cake! Homemade Gluten-Free & Vegan Hostess Cupcakes that are top-8 allergy-free and a whole lot healthier! A chocolate cream-filled dessert for any occasion that is bound to bring back all the nostalgia of childhood!

Things are getting REAL today! Do you know how long I’ve had this homemade Hostess Cupcake recipe in my back pocket? Two years now? So before I posted, I had to redo the recipe, tweak it slightly since I’d previously mastered a better chocolate cupcake and a marshmallow filling for the gods. Originally, I’d made these copycat cupcakes for my mom. She loved all the Hostess and Entenmann’s processed baked goods (good ‘ole Twinkies, anyone?). I thought I’d give her (and myself) some gluten-free deliciousness to indulge in again!Read More

4-Ingredient Orange Julius Cocktail (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

January 15, 2018 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 114 Comments

Give your Orange Julius a grown-up boozy twist! A quick and easy 4-Ingredient Orange Julius Cocktail recipe that’s gluten-free, vegan, and makes for a perfect frozen, creamy, and fruit treat! A sippable Creamsicle for adults only!

Have y’all ever had an Orange Julius? The actual branded beverage/treat that stemmed off of Dairy Queen? Basically it is a frozen “smoothie” type of treat that’s a mixture of orange juice concentrate, milk, sugar, vanilla, and a whole bunch of scary things if it’s not homemade. Like a delicious Creamsicle (also a branded frozen dessert). A Creamsicle I’ve had…vanilla ice cream coated in orange popsicle…so good! Never an actual “drinkable” Orange Julius.Read More

Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes (Vegan, Allergy-Free, Sugar-Free)

August 28, 2017 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 69 Comments

Delicious homemade Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes that are vegan, top-8 allergy-free, & sugar-free! When you need a simple dessert recipe everyone will love and never know is “free-from”! A soft and fluffy cake with a simple “buttercream” frosting; it’s time to celebrate!

One of the BIGGEST requests I get from celiacs is for a simple, no-fuss vanilla cupcake recipe. Nothing fancy, nothing hard, just a go-to recipe for birthdays, parties, etc. Something easy to customize if they want, but ultimately just delicious, easy, and no-fail. It took me a few tries, but I finally nailed a PERFECT gluten-free cake and a super easy vegan buttercream frosting to go with it. These vanilla cupcakes are completely allergy-free and sugar-free too. They do not taste like it though! I also knew vanilla cupcakes HAD to be part of the “back-to-school” remake series.Read More

Slow Cooker Vanilla Coconut Granola (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

April 17, 2017 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 113 Comments

The ultimate no-fuss granola recipe! Slow Cooker Vanilla Coconut Granola made right in the crock-pot, is gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! This simply healthy, sweet, and coconutty granola makes a great breakfast or snack with zero work involved!

O yes, I did! Granola power or slow cooker power, I’m not sure, but combined, they produce one of the most magical and yummy snack creations that will ever come out of your kitchen! Breath in the sweet buttery coconut, breath out bliss and joy! Slow cooker granola is a “thing”, I had just never taken the time to do it myself. I love the quicker methods like in the skillet, but there is something about the slow cooker magic that couldn’t be denied! This lesson in having a little patience will be remembered going forward.Read More