Vegan Persimmon & Cranberry "Cheesecake"

Ever bite into a persimmon and feel like ants are running in your mouth? And nothing you do makes it go away? I absolutely hate that feeling but I love persimmons.

Latvian Piparkukas (Gingerbread Cookies)

You are going to love my Latvian Piparkukas. I was a child when I left Latvia, but I have a distinct memory of my mother's love for Piparkukas. This thin gingerbread cookie is spiced with pepper, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and these spices have always been my favorite not just in desserts but in all foods. Since this Thanksgiving has become poem dedicated to my mother, I was driven to create her favorite dessert. But since this Holiday season, I am grain-free and dairy free, I wanted to challenge myself and create a raw "piparkukas." I have to say, I am quite impressed with how these turned out.