Feathers in Our Nest

a blog about faith, family, food, & more written by a wife and stay at home mom of five

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes

Whole Grain Pie Crust

March 5, 2013 by Aliesha

This post has also been posted on Baking Whole Grains, a site I write for which compensates me for sharing whole grain recipes.  While I receive compensation, this does not influence my opinions.  All photos and directions are my own. 

Since transitioning our family to real food and whole grains, I have struggled to find a pie crust recipe that was delicious, flaky, and made with 100% whole grains!  A week ago Cordelia turned one and we celebrated with a “cutie pie” themed birthday party.  I experimented on all our guests (family) by making wheat and spelt pie crusts, which, fortunately turned out GREAT!

The key to a beautiful, flaky pie crust is not mixing in your butter fully (you want to see flecks of butter in your dough when you roll it out).


Whole Grain Pie Crust
adapted from here

2 1/2 cups whole wheat or spelt flour, freshly ground (I’ve used wheat and spelt and liked both)
1 Tbsp. organic evaporated cane juice (or sugar)
1 tsp. sea salt (like Real Salt)
2 sticks butter, chilled
up to 1 cup ice water

Grind wheat or spelt in the WonderMill.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, evaporated cane juice, and sea salt using a whisk.

Cut butter into cubes and add to the dry ingredients.  Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the lumps resemble large peas.

Add 1/2 cup very cold water and mix with a rubber spatula.  Add water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, as needed until crust comes together but is not sticky.

Place dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap, form into a disc, wrap up, and place in the fridge.  Let dough chill for 2 hours.

When dough is chilled, sprinkle flour on your work surface.  Divide dough into two halves.  With a floured rolling pin, roll it out.  Smitten Kitchen has a great tutorial for rolling out a pie crust.


Place crust in pie tin, fill with chicken pot pie filling, and top with the second crust.  (You can also use this recipe for a sweet pie, shown below.)  I like doing a lattice weave or something fun like that.

Bake as recipe directs.

mini blueberry pies
 
 


Enjoy!

Like this recipe? Follow me so you never miss a new recipe post!
For more of our family’s favorite recipes, click here.
This post contains an affiliate link to the grain mill I use and love!

Filed Under: baking whole grains, cooking, healthy eating, miscellaneous, recipes

Fast Chocolate Cake in the Microwave (Healthy Edition!)

February 20, 2013 by Aliesha

This post has also been posted on Baking Whole Grains, a site I write for which compensates me for sharing whole grain recipes.  While I receive compensation, this does not influence my opinions.  All photos and directions are my own.

I don’t know about you, but I looooove chocolate.  I also love eating healthy, so when I indulge in a chocolate dessert, I want to know I’m not filling my body with a ton of junk!

I came across a recipe for a single-serving chocolate cake that you make in the microwave.  I adapted it slightly and made it as a treat recently.  I actually made two… one for me, one for Tad.

This is a great way to use up a bit of freshly ground whole wheat flour you don’t want to waste from grinding wheat for another recipe.  I couldn’t tell that it was made with 100% wheat, but I’m sure my body thanks me. 🙂

Fast Chocolate Cake in the Microwave (Healthy Edition!)
   adapted from here

5 tsp. freshly ground whole wheat flour
2 tsp. cocoa powder (I like Penzey’s Dutch process)
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (I use homemade)
2 tsp. pure maple syrup (I used grade A)
3 Tbsp. whole milk
1 Tbsp. (heaping) good quality chocolate chips

Grind wheat in the WonderMill.

In a small ramekin (at least 3 inches wide and 2 inches deep), combine flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda using a fork to get rid of most lumps.  Add vanilla, maple syrup, and milk and stir well to combine.  Toss in the chocolate chips and stir again.  Microwave on HIGH for 30-60 seconds, depending on your microwave.  (Start with 30 seconds and then add 10 seconds at a time until it’s done. You don’t want it to be too dry.)  Garnish as desired (with whipped cream and/or fresh/frozen fruit) or enjoy by itself.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Like this recipe? Follow me so you never miss a new recipe post!
For more of our family’s favorite recipes, click here.

This post contains an affiliate link to the grain mill I use and love!

Filed Under: baking whole grains, desserts, healthy eating, recipes

Dye-Free Valentine’s Day Treat Ideas for Kids

February 11, 2013 by Aliesha


Our family has been working to cut out artificial food dyes from our diet, partly due to an allergy that the girls and I have (specifically to Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Caramel Color), and partly due to how unhealthy these dyes are even if you’re not allergic to them.  (In case you don’t know, petroleum-based artificial food dyes are linked to behavioral issues, cancer, and more, and they are already banned in many European countries.  You can read more about food dyes here.)

I grew up with Valentine’s Day being a big deal in my family, and we always had special treats like heart-shaped sandwiches, pink milk, and sweet gifts from our parents.

This year I’ve been compiling lots of fun, celebratory ideas that don’t involve a bucket of red dye.  I thought you may enjoy some of these ideas for your family too!

(click on each image to go to the respective blog)

I love this cute breakfast idea: Cupid Eggs/Bacon

Here’s another heart-shaped breakfast idea.

When I’ve made these heart-shaped cinnamon rolls, they have always been a hit!

Sliced strawberries are almost heart-shaped anyway, so it’s pretty easy to use them to decorate just about anything… like these mini cheesecakes!

Heart-shaped homemade pizza is always a fun lunch!

These look a little labor-intensive, but heart-shaped homemade potato chips would be adorable to make. I’d probably only do it once! haha!

Chocolate-dipped raspberries! SO delicious… and beautiful!  (I’m also partial to chocolate-dipped strawberries.)

I have an awesome creamy tomato soup recipe that I make all the time. But serve it with grilled cheese sandwiches cut into hearts with a cookie cutter, and it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Instead of making cupcakes with pink frosting, I’m planning on making more muffins (like these Sneaky Muffins, pictured, which Vera loves helping me make) in cute liners (these have little hearts all over) and possibly little decorative picks (usually found in the dollar section at Target).

These fruit kabobs are so sweet and could work even if you don’t cut all the fruit into hearts (maybe just some strawberries?).  Serve with yogurt for dipping!

My personal favorite dye-free Valentine’s Day treat… dark chocolate, of course! Green & Black Organic 80% is my favorite. 🙂

For non-candy Valentine’s for kids, see below:
– Easy Non-Candy Valentines for Kids
– 9 More Non-Candy Valentine Ideas for Kids

Filed Under: food, healthy eating, holidays

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • …
  • 16
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
About Us

This blog shares our family's story and our journey from newlyweds to a family of seven. We share milestones, we share struggles, we share sweet memories, and we share about our Savior. Keep reading...

FACEBOOK

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our super-fun weekly newsletter! Enjoy exclusive content & fun bonuses!

* indicates required

Archives

INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST

Visit Aliesha @ Feathers in Our Nest's profile on Pinterest.

Popular Posts

newborn sleep routine

10 Tips for Establishing a Newborn Sleep Routine

What I Buy at Aldi

What I Buy at Aldi {Real Food}

essential oil blends

Essential Oil Blends – What Works for What?

DIY Citronella Candles {Keep Mosquitoes at Bay!}

Dream Diaper Bag: Review of Lily Jade Shaylee

Baby Basics: Guide to the Products I Love

Perfect Cold Brew Coffee at Home! Easy DIY recipe using a French Press | Feathers in Our Nest

Perfect Cold Brew Iced Coffee

See Other Popular Posts...

About Feathers in Our Nest

At Feathers in Our Nest, you can expect to find delicious recipes, homemaking tips, practical advice for frugal living, resources for those who are in ministry, inspiring links, and cute photos and stories about our children. You can browse older posts by checking out the Tips & Tutorials Page or the Recipes Page. Thanks for visiting! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

Easter Family Devotions | Feathers in Our Nest
Gospel Centered Books for Older Kids | Feathers in Our Nest
Gospel Centered Family Devotionals | Feathers in Our Nest
Gospel Centered Story Bibles | Feathers in Our Nest
Gospel Centered Picture Books | Feathers in Our Nest

Popular Topics

baby baking whole grains birthdays books bread breakfasts Christmas cooking Cordelia crafts deals decorating desserts essential oils everyday fall family food friends frugal living giveaways health and beauty healthy eating holidays homemaking hospitality house Jude main dishes marriage menu monday milestones ministry parenting photography pregnancy projects recipes reviews she {hearts} it sponsored Tad travels Vera worth repeating

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

Sign up below to join the Feathers in Our Nest email list!
Every Friday, you'll get exclusive content: the latest posts, recipes, photos, & more!
Your information will never be shared or sold to a third party.