Superfood Chocolate Cookies

Superfood Chocolate Cookies

Avocado Cookies? Yuck!  I know, I get it.  They don't sound good. Even to someone like me who loves avocado chocolate pudding, and makes cookies with pureed beans in them. But I promise, if I didn't tell you there was avocado in these you would never, ever guess.  You would just think they were super fudgy little bites of dark chocolate goodness. It's no secret that I love to sneak healthy ingredients into baked goods so that I can get my kids, especially my daughter to eat fruits and vegetables without having to actually take a bite of a fruit or vegetable, so although there is chocolate and honey in the ingredients, I still think they provide a good amount of nutritious fuel for my family's active lifestyle.  These are best made in a food processor so that the ingredients combine smoothly, and then stored in the freezer to maintain freshness.  I made them small so they could be bite sized, but I am sure you could make them a little bit bigger and even add mini chocolate chips to them as well.  The combination of avocado, almond butter, and eggs, along with the rich chocolate, cocoa and honey, make them the perfect sweet treat that is also full of vitamins, fiber and protein. And they are great served with a thin layer of peanut butter on top, or as a little cookie sandwich! 

Chocolate Cashew Butter Cupcakes

Chocolate Cashew Butter Cupcakes

Halloween season is here, and since I never got around to posting this deliciously spooky dessert last year, I figured I might as well get it out there before the holiday passes me by. I actually cannot believe I haven't made them again since last year.  Too many new recipes to try and not enough people to eat everything, so I often don't make things twice. But after rereading the ingredients and jogging my memory with the photos, I think I'll have to make an exception.  These cupcakes are made without any flour, so they are gluten free, and because the base is cashew butter (you could definitely use any other nut butter you prefer) and eggs, they are high in protein. They are still a dessert, with a good amount of pure maple syrup, and some sugar. The Nutella frosting and skeleton decoration make them a extra sweet treat, but this is Halloween after all, and I did save some of the plain cupcakes for a semi-healthy, pre-workout, morning meal. The coolest part about this recipe was that I decorated the cupcakes at home and then transported them almost two hours to a party, and only one of the skeletons' arms fell off. They were a huge hit and so cute to look at.  And terrifyingly tasty to eat!

Dark Chocolate Pecan Bars

Dark Chocolate Pecan Bars

I came across this recipe as I was going through a bunch of the blog drafts that I have been saving for the past few months.  I knew I had made it back in the Spring, but I couldn't find any pictures saved. That's when I remembered that these were so delicious and I was so excited making them that I never took any photos before they were completely eaten (which didn't take very long at all, less than a day I believe).  So I figured I better make another batch, remember to take photos, and maybe savor them a little longer, if possible.  I do have to admit though, that the recipe shown uses cashew butter instead of pecan butter, because as I always say, you can often use whatever you have on hand at the time and substitute things in a recipe, especially nut butters, whenever needed. I didn't feel like going to the grocery store that I sometimes feel that I live at, this morning, and I had a jar of cashew butter with a "best before" date less than a month away, so I figured that would work.  And, as you can see by the photos, it certainly did.  As usual, anything made from scratch tastes better, so if I had raw nuts, like pecans, or cashews on hand, pureeing them in the food processor would have been a nice step, but jarred varieties, provided they have no, or very few other ingredients, work just as well.  I ate one large piece before going out for a walk today, and gave my kids each a piece when they got home from school.  The rest are being saved for snacks tomorrow or going into the freezer, so I can have a treat at a later date as well.  If you want to know exactly what they taste like, think of a super gooey, fudgy brownie, that melts in your mouth.  Ya, that good.

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm back!  As you may notice by looking at the dates of my posts, it's been almost three months since my last entry.  In other words, I basically took the summer off to spend a lot of quality time with my kids, my husband, my extended family, and friends.  I still spent a lot of time in my kitchen baking, cooking, trying out new recipes and perfecting old ones, but I chose to go to the beach, or the pool, or a neighbor's house afterwards instead of sitting at my computer organizing recipes and photos.  But now that my kids are back in school (6th and 2nd grade!), I don't have any great excuses as to why I am not writing up new and exciting recipes for the world to enjoy.

This is a very basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, with the healthy twist of using mostly whole wheat flour.  It is basically the same recipe you will find on the back of most bags of chocolate chips, but I felt that a food blog is not complete without the most standard American cookie recipe, and my family's favorite.  And since it is back to school time, what better way to send your kids off with a little love than a homemade chocolate chip cookie as a snack. 

I hope everyone reading this has a great school year, and I promise to keep posting new and exciting recipes that will be perfect for quick weeknight dinners, fun weekend get togethers and of course, school lunches.

Dark Chocolate (Sweet Potato) Brownies

Dark Chocolate (Sweet Potato) Brownies

Considering my kids have been taking these delicious treats to school all week for snacks, I thought I would finally post the recipe I have been making over and over again this past month because we my family and I keep devouring them.  I am not sure where exactly I first saw the recipe that gave me the idea to try sweet potato as the base for this brownie, but I am so glad I did.  I love a dark, fudgy brownie, and this is now my definite new favorite dessert.  It is so simple to make, free of any refined sugar, and packed with hidden nutrition.  Instead of flour, and like the beans in my black bean brownies, the sweet potato in this recipe is the starch that serves as the base for the recipe.  But sweet potatoes have the added benefit of natural sugars as well, so I only have to add 1/4 C. of pure maple syrup to sweeten these brownies perfectly. And sweet potatoes are also full of fiber, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A and C. (1 cup of sweet potato actually provides over 370% of your daily vitamin A!). The one thing you need to remember about this recipe however is to let the brownies cool completely before cutting into them.  If you're in a hurry, like I often am, you can refrigerate them once they are partially cool, but if you cut them too soon, they will not come out of the pan well.  I have thought of adding an egg or two the next time around to see if it helps bind them, but am reluctant to mess up something that is so perfect as is.  I have been storing mine wrapped individually in the freezer to grab on the way out for snacks, but they should last up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge as well.

Guinness Cupcakes

Dark Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes
with Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I actually made these amazing cupcakes last year for St. Paddy's day, but never got around to finishing this post until the holiday had long since past, so I was waiting until this year to share with everyone.  I am sure most of you have seen recipes like this circulating in the previous days and weeks on social media, and I am sure there are lots of different ways to make Irish liquor infused treats.  This recipe of course uses mostly organic ingredients, a lot of whole wheat flour, high protein Greek yogurt, and antioxidant rich dark cocoa powder.  Of course there is a ton of sugar in the frosting, which is honestly so good you could eat it with a spoon, but this is a dessert after all.  For a holiday.  And they go great with a strong beer, or an Irish coffee!  May the luck of the day be with you all!!

Chocolate Protein Pancake

Chocolate Protein Pancake

What do you make on a morning when you have a little time to cook yourself breakfast, but not too much time, want something chocolate, but not too sweet, and high in protein?  This pancake! I had heard that you could make a pancake out of nothing but banana and eggs, but honestly that sounded not only boring to me, but a little suspect.  I couldn't really imagine what it would taste like (banana quiche?) and unless I drowned it in syrup I imagine it would be hard to swallow.  So I added in a few of my favorite ingredients to make it chocolate (cocoa powder), heart healthy (nut butter & raw walnuts), and flavorful (cinnamon). I honestly wasn't sure how the end result would be, and if it would taste good enough to eat without butter and syrup on top (which of course makes everything taste better).  I suggest you let it cool for a couple of minutes before eating, to let the chocolate and peanut butter flavors settle, and the addition of the walnuts was a spectacular choice. I didn't have much time to eat it once I was done, but that was no problem since I devoured it in less than five minutes because it was so good.  And extremely filling. It would be a perfect breakfast to serve your kids before a busy morning of school or sports, or for anyone heading to the gym or planning to be active. And it's the type of fullness that feels like you did your body a favor and you're stronger for it.  Definitely going to be on my short list for a go to perfect first meal of the day.  You can use whatever nut butter you prefer, and even add a little honey if you want the pancake sweeter. Or be like my kids, who would inevitably cover it with butter and syrup before gobbling it up.

Chocolate Covered Pecan Date Balls

Chocolate Covered Pecan Date Balls

These delicious treats may look like candy, and they even taste like candy, but they're actually high protein energy balls, dipped in antioxidant rich dark chocolate.  Made with raw pecans, dates, and a touch of cinnamon and salt, they are a super yummy "dessert" you can enjoy any time of day.  Even without the chocolate coating, they are sweet and satisfying, and so simple to make. I brought them to a super bowl party a few weeks ago (hence the Eagles serving dish), and they were gone before halftime.  Luckily I saved a bunch in my freezer for another day. I've enjoyed them before a workout for an extra energy boost, and after a meal for a little something sweet without filling me up. My parents couldn't believe there was no added sugar in the recipe, and suggested I try adding a little brandy into the next batch, which I might just have to try! 

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you've just read my recipe for Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies, and wanted something equally tasty, but with a wealth of nutrition, you've come to the right place.  These cookies are my absolute favorite.  I eat them for breakfast, as a snack, or a dessert, and they are always in my freezer. I had read about using dates as the main sweetener in baked goods, and had already created recipes using beans and oats instead of flour, so I decided to combine those two approaches, use a freshly ground walnut butter as my fat and protein source, add in the amazing twist of fresh mint leaves, and (as my daughter would say) "BOOM!" I had a winner. And my daughter is probably my biggest fan of these cookies, so long as I grind the walnuts up completely.  I give them to her at least a couple of times a week, because even though at the age of 7 she knows what goes into them, and that they are one of "mommy's healthy desserts", they still taste, and look like a cookie.  A cookie she can have as the main part of a meal, and I know she's eating something her body needs.  Sure it would be better if I could get her to eat a plate of beans and rice, or turkey and mashed potatoes, with some broccoli or sliced avocado on the side, but she isn't that type of kid.  She is a girl who likes to wear suits and bow ties, cut her hair short, talk and ask questions incessantly, about anything and everything, so who am I to make her "normal", and eat what "normal" kids do.  She doesn't even eat chicken fingers, or grilled cheese sandwiches, only "not grilled" ones which is why if I ever have time, I will start working with her on her very own website, www.grilledcheesenotgrilled.com. But I digress.  These cookies are a sweet treat, but they are packed full of vitamins and nutrients, so if you have a picky eater like me, or are a health nut like me, you need to make these a part of your baking routine.  You won't regret it!

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

I have been holding out this recipe for so long because they were so good, and my family and I ate them so fast, that we never got a great photo.  I was hoping to make them again before my backyard mint plants died, but never got around to it.  I know I could buy mint at the grocery store to make them again, but there is something special about adding something from my own personal garden, that it just didn't feel the same. But this recipe is way too delicious not to share, and since winter is also peppermint season, I thought it made sense.  I actually have about 40 candy canes decorating my house since Christmas that I plan to grind up into sugar soon, and I am sure if I substituted the sugar in this recipe with candy cane sugar, I would get a similar, although less natural, peppermint flavor.  If the idea of using mint leaves in baking seems odd, just think of a peppermint patty in a brownie, but nature's version.  It is surprisingly refreshing, and gives the rich chocolate taste of the brownie an unexpected twist.  For a healthier version of mint chocolate baking, check out my flourless, high protein, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Peanut Butter and Nutella Bites

Peanut Butter and Nutella Bites

These delicious little bites of heaven were a creation of mine last Spring in anticipation of a bunch of outdoor parties to which I had been invited.  Basically a layered version of my Inside Out Peanut Butter Cups, these tasty treats were a huge success and my poor friends who were lucky enough to try these have been waiting for 4 months for the recipe. Sorry for the delay, but it's been a crazy summer.  And now that Fall is here, I have actually been in my kitchen baking again, and too busy to sit and write a whole lot.  Hopefully I can get my act together soon, and once all the weekend events fade into snow days, I will have time to post all the delicious recipes I have been saving up.  I know I need to make these again soon, since I enjoy packing my kids' lunch boxes with homemade goodies and these definitely fit the bill.  As I mention in my ingredient list below, you can sub out the Nutella with a healthier chocolate alternative as there are numerous ones to chose from.  I actually bought an organic soynut butter at the store yesterday and used it to make an organic chocolate crisped rice treat.  But if you love peanut butter and chocolate as much as I do, and like simple recipes with a limited amount of ingredients, this dessert is a no brainer. And so so good.

Walnut Brownie Cookies

Walnut Brownie Cookies

I have definitely found my favorite dessert.  If you are like me and love dark chocolate, and like it to be extra dense, rich and fudgy, then these treats are for you.  And if you look at the ingredient list, you can easily see another reason why they are my favorite: they are a big bite of health disguised as a cookie.  The main ingredient is raw walnuts, sweetened with raw honey, coconut oil and cocoa powder.  Walnuts are honestly one of the healthiest foods on the planet and an everyday staple in my kitchen.  They are full of "rare and powerful antioxidants" and are proven to promote heart health and reduce cancer risk.* You do need a food processor to make these from scratch, but I am sure you could use a store bought walnut butter if you had to. I promise that if you try these cookies just once, you will be hooked and want to share the recipe with everyone you meet.

* http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/19/7-walnuts-benefits.aspx

Raspberry and Cocoa Beer Biscuits

Raspberry and Cocoa Beer Biscuits

I couldn't stop with just one variation on my Beer Biscuits, so the weekend after I first made my Blueberry Beer Biscuits, I changed the recipe a little more and made these. They are so moist, and delicate, with a rich chocolate flavor, that I almost felt guilty eating them for breakfast, but not for long.  You could easily substitute the butter in any of these recipes for coconut oil for a different flavor and nutrient content, and as I stated with the blueberry ones, any type of beer and mix in would work as well.  My favorite part is that from start to finish, it only takes about 30 minutes and my family can enjoy a healthy, slightly indulgent, home baked breakfast.  And if you have left overs, they freeze great and are perfect to pack into a kids lunch for a treat all their friends, and teachers, will want to try!

Strawberry Decadence Bars

Strawberry Decadence Bars

Feel the need for something sweet today?  This recipe uses 100% healthy, natural, powerhouse foods and doesn't even require any baking.  And unlike a lot of "raw", "vegan", "paleo" posts I see circulating around social media, this doesn't have any weird ingredients that you have never heard of before.  Just simple, healthy fruits, nuts, cocoa, maple syrup and coconut.  It only took me about 20 minutes to assemble and they lasted in the freezer for over a week, and after a few minutes thawing on the counter, tasted just as good each time I served them.  Both of my kids loved them and I love the bright pink, all natural, color of the middle layer.  A slightly thicker chocolate layer, might be nice next time so if you want a little more chocolate I would recommend doubling up on the final three ingredients. And you could always use a different fruit or nut depending on what you have in your kitchen or what your family prefers.  And then serve this treat knowing that you are providing a healthy snack disguised as a dessert!

Snickers Birthday Cake

Snickers Birthday Cake

I can honestly say that this recipe is probably the most unhealthy post I have made to date, but it is so delicious that I had to share it regardless.  It is a birthday cake, so obviously it is not something you should eat on a regular basis, but if the love of your life is turning 39 and you happen to have a one pound Snickers bar left over from Christmas, this cake is perfect. Because on your birthday you should be able to eat whatever you want and turning 39 is worth celebrating, as is every age (because the alternative to getting older is... well, not worth celebrating, obviously).  So go ahead, make yourself happy, and indulge in this amazing dessert with the people who you love!!

Chocolate Fudge Pie

Chocolate Fudge Pie

Chocolate. If you follow my blog, you know how much I LOVE chocolate.  So whether it is Christmas Eve, like today, or May, when I actually made this, a chocolate pie is always a crowd pleaser.  This is a twist on a fudge pie recipe that I saw on television once, but using organic ingredients, dark chocolate (antioxidants!!) and my favorite Coconut Oil Pie Crust (using whole wheat pastry flour).  So of course not a healthy food that you can eat everyday, but this is the Holidays, so I thought it was a perfect time to share one of my all time favorite ways to eat chocolate.

Chocolate Hazelnut Butter (Nutella II)

Chocolate Hazelnut Butter (Nutella II)

The last time I tried to make Homemade Nutella, I used a can of coconut milk and melted chocolate and although I enjoyed it and gobbled it up within days, I wanted to try making it again with slightly different ingredients.  This is a twist on my Chocolate Walnut Butter recipe, using hazelnuts instead and switching around the ratio of a few ingredients.  I have to admit, I think both my kids and I preferred this version, although it had been so long since I made the last one, it is a little hard to remember.  I like knowing that what goes into this yummy chocolate spread is all fairly healthy, so that I can enjoy it on toast, or a piece of fruit, or simply with a spoon, and know that I am treating myself in a responsible way.  And it tastes amazing. If you are not as big a fan of chocolate as I am, you should try the Maple Cinnamon Hazelnut Butter recipe instead.  That is definitely my son's favorite and honestly, a close second in my opinion to this one as well.

Nutella Cake

Nutella Cake

I love Nutella.  I know it isn't good for me, but it is delicious, and so every once in awhile I have to let go and make something incredible out of this addictive food.  I got the idea for this dessert after making both my Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Brownies and my Almond Butter Birthday Cake, and wondering what it would taste like if I substituted Nutella for the healthy nut butters and maple syrup in these recipes.  The result is this cake, which tastes as good as it looks and had my daughter exclaim that it is "the best cake you have ever made mom, ever!"  I think I actually cooked mine a few minutes too long and if you were to slightly undercook it, so it was gooey in the center, it might be even better.  But if you like fudge, and brownies and chocolate, and of course Nutella, then you have to try this cake.  It has to be better for you than simply eating spoonful after spoonful straight from the jar as I have sometimes found myself doing!

Cheerios Bars

Cheerios Bars

I don't know many people who do not love Rice Krispie treats, but as the name suggests, they are a treat, and should not be eaten very often.  Puffed white rice has no nutritional value and is processed in the body the same way that white sugar is, so when you add marshmallows (I don't even want to know what those are made of!) and butter, you might be left with a yummy snack, but it doesn't help you or your kids out in the long run.  By switching the cereal to healthy whole grain Cheerios, with a touch of flax seed mixed in, and substituting almond butter and raw honey for the marshmallows and butter, you can create a delicious, sweet treat that is high in fiber and protein and will give you and your kids the energy they really need to face a busy day.  I made these for one of our first soccer game filled weekends this past month and both of my kids gobbled up large pieces for breakfast and I took along an extra for me to eat on the run as well.  They are great with a thin layer of chocolate on top, but it isn't necessary and are best eaten slightly cold.  So although I do still get a craving for a taste of childhood and will make regular Rice Krispie treats (maybe using puffed brown rice instead!) every once in awhile, this recipe is definitely a better choice.

Crock Pot Cake

Whole Wheat Coconut Slow Cooker Cake

Now that the weather is getting cooler, I have found myself using my slow cooker more often, since there is nothing better than throwing a few ingredients into the magic pot, closing the lid and enjoying the smell and the ability to relax as a meal is prepared for you.  But did you know you could also use your slow cooker for dessert?  I honestly thought I had posted this recipe last year, but I guess I actually made this cake before I began my blog and although I have made other versions of it since, I never got around to posting anything.  But today at the gym, something came up about using a slow cooker and not having a liner, and I stated that I never use a liner, and although I sometimes worry that the smell from the last meal I cooked might linger, that has never actually happened.  And I know this because while you might not taste last week's chili when cooking a potato soup, I would have noticed it when I made a cake in my crock pot.  As soon as I said the words "cake" and "crock pot" in the same sentence, two different people asked me to share my recipe, as they had never heard of using a slow cooker to bake, and were intrigued. I was sure this recipe had already been posted, so I checked on my phone over and over again, but came up empty.  So I knew I had to get home and remedy this situation as soon as possible.  So although I do not have more than one photo to display my "crock pot cake", I assure you it is worth the minimal effort involved.  And if you aren't a fan of coconut cake, you can basically try any basic cake recipe you like and I am fairly certain you will get the same result.  My personal favorite, since I love chocolate, is to use my Chocolate Birthday Cake recipe.  The cake comes out extra moist, almost gooey, reducing the need to even use frosting.  Plus it will make your house smell amazing for hours. And trust me, nothing smells better than a cake cooking, low and slow, filling your house with sweetness and warmth... you cannot buy that experience in a candle!  So next time you want to treat yourself and don't want to hang around over a stove, give your old crock pot something to cook besides dinner!