As our family has navigated more food allergies and I’ve sought simpler, cleaner ingredients for our meals, I’ve increasingly found myself making more things at home instead of buying pre-packaged items from the store.
Below, I’ve put together a list of our favorite homemade recipes that have become staples in our kitchen, so much so that we don’t even miss the store-bought versions anymore!
Simple homemade chocolate syrup
I got tired of the long list of ingredients and artificial dyes in store-bought versions of chocolate syrup, so this recipe has become a family favorite for chocolate milk, ice cream sundaes, and so much more!
Ingredients:
1½ cups water
1½ cups sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Directions: Add the water, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt to a medium size pot stirring until combined on medium high heat. Bring to a rapid boil, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes. Take off heat and add vanilla. Pour into a mason jar and store in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
Homemade ice cream
What good is chocolate syrup without homemade ice cream? This is where recipe #2 comes in. The beauty of this recipe is that you do not need an ice cream maker to make this deliciously creamy concoction.
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream (we use plant-based whipping cream)
1 cup whole milk
½ cup honey
2 Tbsp vanilla (good quality)
¼ tsp salt
Additional note: easily change this recipe into chocolate by adding ½ cup cocoa powder or add mix-ins like cookies etc.!
Directions: In a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), whip the heavy whipping cream until thick with soft peaks. In a separate bowl, combine the whole milk, honey, vanilla, and salt, and whisk until combined. Slowly add the mixture to the whipping cream and mix until combined (add in any cookie or other candy add-ins, and mix by hand after this step). Pour mixture into a pan or medium bowl with lid (or cover with plastic wrap) and place in the freezer. Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight. Then scoop and enjoy!
Peanut butter cups
My third recipe is definitely a family favorite. I began making these peanut butter cups at home after my husband found out he had a soy and gluten allergy. We use the Nestle brand allergy free chocolate, but you can use any chocolate you like!
Ingredients:
1 cup smooth peanut butter
3 Tbsp butter room temp
1½ cups powdered sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
2½ cups chocolate chips
½ tbsp coconut oil
Directions: Using a mixer, combine peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and mix until well combined. Set to the side. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil on the stove or in the microwave and stir until smooth.
If you are using molds, you will want to coat the molds in a layer of chocolate then add some of your peanut butter mixture to each mold and cover with the remaining chocolate.
If you are not using molds you will want to shape the peanut butter mixture into buttercup shape, balls or egg shapes and place in the freezer for 15min. Then, dip them into the melted chocolate or pour the chocolate over the shapes to coat. Store in the freezer and enjoy. If you want a star crunch without all the added ingredients, this next recipe is just for you!
Ingredients:
1 stick butter
½ cup cocoa powder
1 can sweetened condensed coconut milk
4oz soft caramels (homemade or store bought)
1 tsp vanilla
10oz bag mini marshmallows
5 cups crispy rice cereal
Directions: Melt butter in medium saucepan. Add in cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Add in sweetened condensed coconut milk and whisk until combined. Add in caramels and stir until melted. Remove from heat, and add vanilla and marshmallows stirring until melted. Add in cereal and stir until well combined. Scoop onto parchment paper in the desired size and place in the freezer to set the shape for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then enjoy! We store them in the fridge in a container.
Homemade cookies
I love to make a large batch of cookies and scoop the dough into balls to store in the freezer, so when the kids want to make cookies, we can get them out and be ready to bake. This is the best cookie recipe and it is very versatile. You can replace the chocolate chips with any add-ins for the perfect cookie every time!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
3 cups flour (we use all purpose gluten free but the recipe works with regular all purpose as well)
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips (or other mix ins; we have added marshmallows, chocolate chunks, and so much more)
Directions: Cream together the sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a mixer or with a hand mixer. Add in eggs one at a time, mixing in between, then add in vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and whisk together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in thirds allowing them to mix before adding the next amount. Once all dough is combined, add in the mix-ins or chocolate chips and mix until combined. Scoop into balls onto the pan, and freeze for 20-30 minutes before adding to freezer bags to store. Once ready to bake, preheat oven to 375F degrees and bake for 11-13 min.
Homemade granola and protein bars
My kids love granola and protein bars, so this next recipe is a favorite at our house.
Ingredients:
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
⅓ cup honey
2 Tbsp coconut oil
2 cups old fashioned oats (or oat flour if you prefer a smooth texture)
½ cup vanilla protein powder
3 Tbsp flaxseed meal
½ – ¾ tsp ground cinnamon depending on taste
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup chocolate chips
Directions: Combine peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a medium saucepan. Once melted and combined, take off heat and add vanilla and salt, and stir until combined. Add in oats, flaxseed, protein powder, and cinnamon, and stir until well combined. Mix in chocolate chips and put mixture into 8×8 or 9×9 square pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes, then cut into bars and store in air tight container in refrigerator.
Homemade berry muffins
Muffins are always a fun way to start the day and these homemade berry muffins are a great way to mix up the mornings. I like to make them ahead so the kids can get them when they want. These muffins freeze and reheat amazingly! I also like to add a little extra protein to these with some vanilla protein shake in place of milk sometimes.
Ingredients:
1 cup your choice of oil
1½ cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2½ cups gluten free flour (regular all purpose works as well)
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk
¾ cup strawberries diced
1 cup blueberries cut in half
Directions: Combine oil and sugar and mix well. Add in eggs one at a time, mixing in between. Add in vanilla then add the dry ingredients and mix well. Slowly add in milk. Once batter is well combined, add in berries. Scoop mixture into lined muffin pan and bake at 350F degrees for 18-20 minutes or until golden on top.
Homemade oatmeal pie
One thing my husband missed after going gluten free and soy free was oatmeal pies, so this recipe is a must if you want to make them from scratch.
Ingredients for cookie:
1½ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
½ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp vanilla
1¾ cup gluten free all purpose flour ( regular all purpose works as well)
¾ cup oat flour
2½ cups oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
Ingredients for filling:
¾ cup butter
2½ cups powdered sugar
½ Tbsp vanilla
1 Tbsp milk
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. In a mixer, cream together brown sugar and butter. Add in eggs and mix well. Add in remaining ingredients and mix well. Scoop dough into balls that are about ⅛ cup each and place it on baking sheet. Bake for 10-11 minutes (the center should be slightly underdone).
While the cookies are baking, make the filling by combining butter and sugar, and whipping for 1-2 minutes, then add in vanilla and whip another minute. Add in milk as needed to get a good consistency. Once cookies are cooled, fill with filling and enjoy!
Homemade savory seasoning blends
Last but not least, here are a few of our favorite seasoning blends. We blend each blend in our spice blender and store it in mason jars (if making large batches), or spice jars (if making small batches).
Ingredients for taco seasoning:
2 Tbsp chili powder
1½ tsp paprika
2 tsp cumin
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne
2 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp oregano
Ingredients for ranch seasoning:
1 Tbsp parsley
1 Tbsp chives
1 Tbsp dill weed
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp onion flakes
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Ingredients for Italian seasoning:
4 Tbsp basil
½ Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp rosemary
1 tsp sage
1 tsp marjoram
2 ½ Tbsp oregano
2 Tbsp thyme
