APPLE PIE cookie dough bites!

Its never the wrong time of year for Apple Pie right?

 Who cares if its not late july picnics or beautiful fall weather, I'm going to enjoy Apple Pie ANYTIME!!

(for more apple pie fun try Easy Apple Pie or Apple Pie Oatmeal)

I have to say,  my kids L.O.V.E.D this! 

I mean - couldn't stop asking for them. 

Which made me happy. All I have to do is make a huge batch, freeze, and remove for after school snacks. SOooo easy! 

I can even throw them into a lunch for a healthy sweet treat!

Go ahead and try these!!! Let me know what you think!

1 C Regular Oats (gluten free if possible) 

1/3 C Boiling Water

1 tsp Coconut Oil

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 tsp allspice

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

pinch of Nutmeg

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Walnuts

1/4 C Pecans

1/2 LARGE Apple (honey crisp, pink lady, fuji) (or one small one)

1 Packet of Nunaturals Stevia (or 1/2 tsp) - to taste (or 1-2 Tbsp honey, for not sugar free)

Directions:

1) Put Oats in Blender or food processor and make Oat Flour

2) Mix in salt, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon with oat flour

3) Mix Oil into boiling water, and stir into oat mixture until it clumps together. Let sit a few minutes.

4) In food processor pulse nuts until chopped VERY small (almost a butter consistency, but not quite). Add in Apple with skin and pulse until apple is chopped. Add in Vanilla and Stevia.

5) Mix Oat mixture and apple mixture together. Either by hand or very lightly with food processor. You don't want to over process!

6) Roll into balls with hands (you may want to refrigerate a bit before doing this, but I never do). Roll into Oats.

7) Store in Fridge or Freezer for long term. I love microwaving for a few seconds to make them warm!

 It seriously tastes like Apple Pie Cookie Dough!!

(If you are a fan of Candied Ginger, this would probably taste great in these! 

I'm not a huge fan, but the flavors would be awesome! 

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3 minute Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats!

Honestly - is there anything better than Chocolate and Peanut Butter! 

I mean, the two complete my life!

I about die when I eye those gooey chocolate rice bars on pinterest. Amazing!

 I'm sure, but I would definitely not be able to eat just one!

So to the kitchen I went! The PERFECT little treat for kids

 (or afternoons when I need a mommy "pick-me-up") 

I like to store them in my freezer, so I have to wait for them to thaw and it controls portion size!

But with these little babies, you won't feel as guilty if indulging wins!

 Wrapped in packages and Tied with bows - anything looks cuter!

1/3 c honey

1/4 c crunchy peanut butter (all natural!)

1/4 c raw cacao powder or cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt if pb is unsalted, or you like salt!

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 c puffed brown rice cereal

1/2 c regular oats

Mini Chocolate Chips or Unsweetened Carob chips (for a lower sugar option)

(ps. I like lots of salt! Salt and sweet are for me! 

So lessen the salt if you want, but if you like salt - go with kosher salt! Its the best!)

Warm the Honey and Peanut Butter a little in microwave safe dish. 

Stir and add the rest of ingredients.

  Stir quickly and let cool a tiny bit before adding chips.

Roll into balls with hands and place in fridge until hardened

ENJOY!

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Chocolate Cherry Cookies - SUGAR FREE!

Our new Favorite (sugar free (shhh)) 

Chocolate Cherry Cookies!!

These are seriously so much better than you would think! 

I was ecstatic when my husband said I could actually call these a cookie! :)

They are grain/gluten free and sugar free!!!!!

Recipe slightly adapted from wing it vegan

Ingredients

1/2 C dried unsweetened dried coconut

1/2 C Date Sugar or coconut palm sugar

1/4 C cocoa powder

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

Pinch salt

1/2 C almond or peanut butter

4 Tbs almond or coconut milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 - 3/4 C Dried Cherries!! The cherries are key! They really make the cookie.

Try to find unsweetened cherries, here is a link

Optional Add Ins: Dark Chocolate Chips ( I use cacao nibs for a sugar free crunch instead), toasted Macadamia Nuts - chopped, White Chocolate Chips - would be amazing if you weren't too concerned about sugar, Dried Cherries!! The cherries are key! They really make the cookie. 

Try to find unsweetened cherries, here is a link

Bake at 375, 15 minutes

(I flattened my slightly before baking)

If you can hold out - put them in a paper bag and let sit overnight. 

They taste way better the next day!

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Naturally sweetened/grain free chocolate chip cookies!

Nothing like a yummy, Naturally Sweetened Chocolate Chip cookie!

Not to mention, grain free and full of protein and fiber!

I'm really into Date Sugar right now! 

Been having fun finding ways to use it!

Ingredients:

1 can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup quick oats (or certified-gf quick oats)

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tbsp oil (canola, veg, or coconut)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup Date Sugar, or soaked dates blended

3/4 cup unsweetened carob chips or mini Choco chips

1/4 c milk, only add if batter seems dry

Put all ingredients in food processor and pulse until blended well. 

Add extra choco chips at the end if you want a little crunch.

Place into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 for about 7-9 minutes.

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Creamy Dreamy Macadamia Nut Icecream -Dairy/Sugar Free

I LOVE the 4th of July - mostly because of Summer Food!

If I had more time in my life right now, 

I'd be sharing the best Portobello Burgers with you, but I think a sweet treat is just as good. Right?

 I love a thick creamy treat. 

This would be divine over my gluten free peanut butter chocolate brownies (stay tuned ;-))

But for a cool, yummy treat - Eat up!!

3 Large frozen bananas, chopped before freezing.

1 - 1 1/2 C Macadamia Nut Creme

1 tsp Good Quality Vanilla

Pulse bananas in Food processor until creamy. Add the remaining ingredients. 

Eat immediately or put in container and freeze for amazing ICE CREAM!

Macadamia Creme:

1 C Macadamia Nuts  and 3 large dates (soaked in 1 cup of water for about 15 minutes)

Place in vitamix or high speed blender and blend until almost frothy. 

Add a little almond milk if it seems too thick. 

Add 1/8 C Maple Syrup if desired, for more sweetness.

This is so yummy as a fruit topping, cake frosting, or on pancakes or waffles!

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COCONUT BUTTER - Tips and Ideas

I am Excstatic that I have finally figured this out! I've seen it all over the web, and was dying to try it. I've tried to make it with so many failed attempts, but finally figured it out!

All you need is a big bag of unsweetened coconut and a vitamix! 

THAT'S IT!

And you have a creamy, sugar free dream!

You can spread this on waffles, pancakes, or muffins, add to a smoothie to get a 'pina colada' result, blend with fresh pineapple and make frozen popsicles,  spread on graham crackers and sprinkle with mini choco chips for a treat, make a sugar free fudge (see below), place in freezer conatiners and make a frozen treat that's delightful (see below), or mix with Date Honey for an amazing fruit dip!
SO MANY OPTIONS!

Here are my no fail tips:

1) You have to have a vitamix, I haven't been able to make it work with my processor :( But some have been able to run it for 10 minutes and make it work. I just haven't been able to.

2) You must FILL your vitamix to the top!! I know its a bummer to have a large batch, but this is the only way to make it work. It also lasts forever in your cupboard and can be melted to spread again.
3) The unsweetened coconut chunks, instead of shredded coconut, works better!!

4) Don't let it get too hot, Let it run for about a minute or two, then stop and let it cool down, and do another 1-2 minutes. It should end up creamy. If it still doesn't get creamy, add another cup of coconut.

5) Use the damper the whole time while it runs to keep things going through.

6) Don't let your vitamix overheat, if its just not happening, you may need more coconut.

7) I just use unsweetened shredded coconut, you can a little bit of the sweetened stuff if you want.

Coconut Butter Bites:

Mint Chocolate Chip-

Mix about 1/2 C of Coconut Butter with about 1/8 tsp of Peppermint extract, 

place in freezer molds (or ice cube trays)

and sprinkle with cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips. Freeze until firm.

Cinnamon Raisin-

Mix about 1/2 C Coconut Butter with about 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and chopped raisins.

Place in molds and freeze until firm.

Cinnamon Vanilla-

Mix 1/2 cup of coconut butter with roughly 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp vanilla.

Place in molds and freeze until firm! YUM

For more fun ideas visit CCK

I also made a variation of CCK's Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge:

Salted Chocolate Sugar Free Fudge

Ingredients:

4 Tbl Coconut Butter

2-3 Tbl Creamy Peanut Butter (all natural)

2 Tbl Cocoa Powder

1 tsp Vanilla

pinch salt

1/2 VERY RIPE Banana

You may need about 1/4 cup of Almond milk for a creamy consistency

If you want to add some stevia, feel free.

Pour into parchment lined plate or ice cube trays. Sprinkle with Kosher Salt and Dark Chocolate chips if desired. (or melt it and drizzle it on top!)

(I would have used mini chips if I wasn't all out!)
Take out of freezer and slice into pieces.
Store in fridge for a soft fudge, or freezer for a harder fudge.

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Simple NO BAKE - Cookie Dough Bites!

Sunday is my day I allow myself to cheat! 

I believe there is nothing better than the taste of Cookie Dough! 

 Here's what I came up with.

Ingredients:

1/4 C Pecans

1/2 C Cashews

1/3 C Oats

1/8 tsp Salt (only if your nuts are unsalted!!!)

1 Tb Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Dark Chocolate Chips, or Mini Chocolate Chips

Put first four ingredients in food processor. Pulse until well combined and ground fine. 

Add honey and vanilla. Pulse until you get a dough like consistency. Fold in chocolate chips.

Store in between wax paper in the freezer for a quick grab and go treat! 

That is, only if you have leftovers!! 

 ENJOY!!

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Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Bars

Tried to think of  a shorter title, and couldn't. 

Too many words to describe. 

If you like Sweet and Salty (which we totally do in this household!)
You will LOVE this one!  And ITS GUILT FREE!

Good enough to take for a dinner dessert!

Adapted from the amazing Chocolate Covered Katie!!

Pretzel Bars

1 C Brown Rice Krispies

1/2 C Oat Flour (grind oats in blender)

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

5 Tbl of Honey or my choice is Brown Rice Syrup

3 Tbl All Natural Peanut Butter

1 C Chopped pretzels (GF if needed)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hard Shell (recipe below)

Combine Dry ingredients in a bowl (except pretzels). Combine wet ingredients, you may need to microwave peanut butter to get it smooth and able to mix well. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and slowly stir to combine. Line a bread pan with parchment and press into bottom of pan. use a cup to REALLY PRESS hard and smoosh down. Take chopped pretzels and spread them on the top. Take your hands and/or a cup and press the pretzels into the bars. Put in freezer for about 1/2 hour (or overnight if you like).  

Drizzle Chocolate Peanut Butter Hard Shell on top and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips (or mini dark chocolate chips would be even better!). You could also sprinkle chopped peanuts on top! YUM Place back in freezer for about 15 minutes until hardened. Pull out of pan and chop into bars. Enjoy VERY SOON - they get gooier (is that a word??) and gooier as the time goes on!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hard Shell

2 tsp Peanut Butter

1 Tbl Coconut Oil

Melt those two together in microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir and add:

3 tsp Cocoa Powder

1/2 tsp Stevia (or more if you need more sweetness)

Stir to combine and drizzle over bars. 

ENJOY!

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Chewy Lemon Curd Cookies

I loved these cookies - the texture was GREAT! 

I loved the chewiness of it. 

The tart lemon was a perfect compliment!

Extremely Low Fat and Low Sugar - A guilt free treat!

Adapted from HERE

NOTE: Make the curd ahead of time (recipe below)! It has to sit for two hours.

Cookies:

2 C Spelt Flour or White Whole Wheat Flour

1 C Finely Ground Almonds, or pre-bought almond flour, or leftover pulp from almond milk

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 C Pure Maple Syrup Or Honey (melt the honey a little to make it really soft)

1/2 C Unsweetened Applesauce

1) Mix all ingredients together. Flatten a heaping tablespoon on cookie sheet and press thumb in middle. Fill with about 2 tsp or more of lemon curd. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Let cool COMPLETELY before eating.

-Mine tasted better after setting in the fridge for a bit! Yum!!

Curd:

1 C Fresh Lemon Juice (or bottled if you're really desperate)

2 T Lemon Zest

1 tsp Stevia

1/2 C Xylitol

1/4 tsp Salt

2 Tbl Coconut

3-4 Tbl Corn Starch dissolved in 3 Tbl Water

2 T Earth Balance Spread (or butter if you dare :))

 Combine first 5 ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat.  When sugar is well dissolved add everything else but the butter.  Cook for quite awhile, stirring constantly, until hit starts to thicken and bubbles a lot. Add the Earth Balance and continue to cook and stir until it's thick like pudding. Remove from heat and let cool. (Mine still needed a little thickening and I added UltraGel)
Let sit in fridge atleast 2 hours.

ENJOY!

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One Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

I get anxiety when asked to make treats! Knowing the smell in my house and finger-lickin goodness is so close to be found, its impossible to not loose it and gorge myself!! Its better for me to never have that stuff around me!! Today the kids wanted to make cookies for a friend. I couldn't bear saying no to them, and knew there little friend probably wouldn't appreciate Applesauce Oat cakes or Coconut Breakfast Cookies. :-) 

So I just needed enough ingredients to just make a few. Not a ton that sit there and stare at me, just the perfect amount to give one to the kids and fill a plate with cookies to deliver. No scraps, done!

I have to say - I did this whole project without cheating!! I am SOO proud of myself! Trying to stay off sugar has been so hard, but its getting easier and easier as I go on and stay strong!!

One Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/4 C Butter (unless you want to do applesauce for fat free)

2 Tbl Unsweetened Applesauce

1/3 C Sugar

1/3 C Brown Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

Cream together. Then Add:

1 Egg

1 1/4 C Flour

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 C Chocolate chips

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

ENJOY

Want to have a chocolate chip cookie without the guilt?? Try THESE!!!

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Sugar Free Easter Treats

I've been off sugar (except for one or two hershey kisses) this week. Its killer and I feel like I binge just trying to get rid of the craving! Is this worth it?? Why is it so DANG hard!!???? Anyway - here a few fun treats we tried this weekend.

Sugar free Lemon Almond Sugar Cookies

(-these were ok, I wish I blended it, instead of processed it, and I wished that I roasted my almonds to get a stronger flavor. They still turned out a little dry, but my kids LOVED Them! Surprisingly!! They were a fun little thing to decorate. - I'll be experimenting more with this recipe for sure!)

Click HERE for the recipe

(make sure to soak your almonds overnight and then let dry, or roast in oven)

I didn't make her frosting recipe, Here's what I did:
Lemon (Dairy Free) Cookie Frosting

3/4 C Raw Cashews (Soaked overnight or at least 3-5 hours)
2 Dates (soaked for an hour or so - optional, but helps)
1 tsp Vanilla
pinch Salt 
Juice from 1 lemon
little lemon zest
1/2 tsp Stevia powder
1/4 Water (add more if you want a thinner consistency)Taste it - you may want to add some Agave/Honey

Blend for quite a while, it thickens as it blends. Add in desired food coloring and enjoy! 

You do need to eat rather soon once frosted, (they didn't store well frosted).

Peanut Butter filled Chocolate Eggs

These were pretty tasty! I did the sugar free version, which wasn't bad! It would taste way better if you wanted to use the real stuff, or even honey would be fine
(might need to add in flour to thicken it).

I froze the peanut butter egg shapes for a couple hours, this made the chocolate harden right as I dipped it! It was so yummy! Just store in fridge or freezer, cause it will melt and get soft, 

and they were way tastier with a hard shell! :)

Click HERE for the recipe

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Chocolate Cherry Almond Oatmeal!

Nothing less than chocolate for a birthday breakfast.

It's been a theme for Breakfast on Birthdays.

Like my son's chocolate waffles!

2 C Rice Milk (or almond or regular) (I like rice milk cause it's a little sweeter)

1 C Water

1/4 C Cocoa Powder 

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

1/2 tsp Stevia powder (optional - but it adds a zero calorie sweetness - or you can just add 2 Tbl sugar)

2 Tbl Chia Seeds

2 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (use gluten free oats if needed)

1 Ripe Banana

1/2-3/4 C Frozen Cherries

2 Tbl Pure Maple Syrup

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Cacao nibs (optional)

Top with: Toasted Slivered Almonds, dried cherries, and mini chocolate chips!

1) Slice the banana and place on microwave safe plate. 

Put into microwave about 2 minutes, until flattened and melted.

2) Place milk and water in large pot. Sprinkle cocoa powder of the top and whisk over med-high heat until combined. Add Salt, Almond Extract, Stevia (or sugar), and chia seeds until combined. Stir in Oats, melted banana, Cherries. Cook a few more minutes until thickened.

3) while cooking place slivered almonds in dry skillet over med-high heat. Shake skillet every couple minutes until they are lightly toasted.

4) Remove oatmeal from heat, Stir in Maple syrup, Vanilla, and Cacao Nibs.

5) Top with milk (optional), toasted almonds, dried cherries, and mini chocolate chips.

Enjoy!

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Lucky Green Food!

Have fun tomorrow with some great "green" options!

Green Eggs! (the Healthy Way!)

Shown here with yummy (gluten free!) Sunflower Millet Bread

1 Handful of Spinach

1 or 2 Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges

1/4 C milk of choice

Blend in food processor or blended until smooth. 

In a separate bowl mix:

 4 eggs (I prefer free range organic), the spinach mixture, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, 

and salt and pepper to taste. 

Scramble over med- high heat.

Parmesan or cheddar cheese for garnish. (optional)

Lemon Broccoli Pesto

Large Head of Broccoli and Stems roughly chopped 

(or two small heads) (reserve some for topping pasta)

1 C Sunflower Seeds (soaked for an hour if possible)

1/4 C Pine Nuts

Large Handful of Fresh Parsley or Basil

1/2 Lemon, Juice and Zest

1 Large Clove Garlic

Small Handful of Parmesan Cheese (optional - put how much you want!)

1-2 tsp Sea Salt (to taste)

Put all ingredients in food processor, and blend until combined.

While in processor, drizzle in 2 Tbl Milk, 1 Tbl Olive Oil, and about 1/4 C water. Watch it closely until you get the consistency you want.

Mix with Whole Wheat Pasta and top with Some Broccoli And optional Parmesan Cheese and/or Pine Nuts.

I mixed my pesto with Zunchinni Noodles, made with a sprilalizer. YUM!

Diary Free Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream!

2 Frozen Bananas (make sure to slice before freezing)

3/4 C Coconut Milk or Almond Milk (frozen in ice cube trays)

1/4 tsp Mint Exctract

Couple Drops of Green Food Coloring

handful cacao nibs

2 Dates - soaked for 1/2 hour

1/8 tsp stevia or Agave or Honey - whatever sweetener you prefer

1/4 C Dark Chocolate/Mint Chips - or just chocolate chips

Put Bananas and milk cubes in microwave for about 30 seconds. Puree in processor until smooth consistency. Add the rest of ingredients and puree until smooth. Sprinkle with some mini chocolate chips or sprinkles if you like. :)

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!

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Hot Chocolate Cinnamon Torte

My birthday is coming up. I've been brainstorming like crazy trying to figure out the birthday cake I want to make! haha -  ya - I prefer to make my own, no one else is as strict as me! (no offense!)

This was one of the options, made it a little bit ago, don't know if I loved it.
Don't get me wrong - It's good, but probably not as sweet as the cake pops.
This might be more for the adults (however, my kids devoured it!)

But for a light, 
HEALTHY chocolate dessert this is perfect!
It even has ZUCCHINI! SHhhhhh...

1 C Spelt Flour (or all purpose - if you dare :))

1/2 C White Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

3-4 Tbl of unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1/2 C Sucunat (or brown sugar)

Whisk the above ingredients.

Place 2 Tbl of Chia seeds in 3/4 cup of water and let sit 5-10 minutes until thickened.

1/4 C Honey

1/2 Tbl Vanilla

3 Tbl of Prune Puree (prunes and a little water in blender) or Applesauce

Mix in separate bowl and add to dry ingredients.
Fold in:

1 C Shredded Zucchini (secret ingredient!)

May need 1/4 cup of water if dough is too thick

1/2 C Chopped Walnuts (optional)

1/2 C Chocolate chips (optional)

Grease a circle pan. Lay out batter and spread evenly.

For Hot Chocolate Topping. Mix 2/3 C Brown Sugar and 1/4 C cocoa in bowl. Sprinkle over top of cake. Pour 1 1/2 C Boiling water over the top of the cake. It will seep through the cake and make a caramel topping at the bottom.

Bake 350 for about 35-40 minutes. Knife should come out clean. Flip over onto plate and garnish with whatever you prefer. Powdered Sugar, Fresh Blueberries, Shredded coconut, or slivered Almonds

Enjoy immediately!

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Valentine Treats

Oh man  - keep that dove chocolate away, cause it will be devoured fast if it comes in my view! 

I have to be prepared with some new, fun ideas! So I thought I would share. 

Coconut Date Butter

This really was SO good!

1 C Dates:

(Soaked for about 1 hour or just simmered in water over small pot for about 20 minutes)

1 Bag of Unsweetened Coconut

THATS IT!!! Can you believe it??

Throw the bag of coconut into your vita-mix or food processor. And GO TO TOWN. You may have to scrape sides every once and while, but it should start to form a pureed coconut butter. (sometimes this doesn't work - it may take a little patience) If it doesn't totally puree - thats ok! 

Add in the dates and a little of the water ( I just see if it needs more  - depending on your desired consistency) And blend until combined. Spread on toast, dip fruit in it, sweeten baked breads, on pancakes - whatever you can think of! YUM!

Raw Almond Joy Candy Bars!

Yum - these are seriously amazing and REALLY taste like an Almond Joy!!!

Who knew a candy bar could be good for you???

This is the coconut before being dipped in chocolate. 

(I freezed in between stages)

CLick HERE for the recipe. 

note: If you can't find coconut butter, just use coconut oil. You can also sub Honey for Agave.

 (or make your own coconut butter in blender like I described above)

Or some Simply Sweet No Bake Cookies 

Easy to make and fun to package up!!

Seriously - I was in love with both of these!! Will be making these quite often!

Hopefully you can click on the picture to enlarge and print? 

Let me know if you want me to email this to you!

The second recipe was from chocolatecoveredkatie!

no sugar, no dairy added - 

Chocolate Cherry Ice cream! 

YUM!

2 VERY RIPE Bananas - cut into chunks and frozen

3/4 C Frozen Cherries

2 Tbl Dried Cherries

1/4 C Cocoa Powder

1/4-1/2 C Almond Milk

Cacoa Nibs or Mini Chocolate chips

Feel free to add some fresh cherries in at the end as garnish. 

Place Bananas in Food processor. Pulse until they begin to melt and combine. (like in this post). Once they are mostly combined add cocoa powder and frozen cherries and continue to pulse for about 30 seconds. Add dried cherries and turn machine on until they are chopped pretty small. While machine is running add milk just small bits at a time until you reach desired consistency. Add in nibs or chips and pulse once or twice just to combine. 

ENJOY immediately!!

Top with coconut or nuts if desired. :)

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Ready for some sugar?? .....Cake Pops!

I know!

Crazy huh?

  Am I really putting cake pops on this blog?? ya- the real cake pops are sorta against my religion. :) But February is a big birthday month. We have two in our family, so the sweets come out. I'm always attempting a new way to make something better for us. I hope I've found it!

I still used white  flour and white sugar (gasp! - I know) but at least its not these:

These are the two ingredients that make up typical cake pops.
Cream cheese frosting and Cake mix!

Do you see those ingredients? tons of stuff you can't even pronounce AND partially hydrogenated oils - 

AHHH - STAY AwAY!!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake Pops (FROM SCRATCH!!)

Adapted From HERE

Birthday Party Football pops :)

Ingredients:

One Yellow Cake Mix (recipe below)

1/2 C water

1 tsp Vanilla

2 Eggs

1 Egg white (or egg replacer)

1 C Mashed Ripe Bananas

1 C Mini Chocolate Chips

Yellow Cake Mix:

2 C All Purpose Flour (feel free to try white whole wheat)

1 1/2 C Sugar

1 Tbl Baking Powder

1/8 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 C non fat Dry milk powder

Mix

Blend well. Place in 9x13 pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. Let the cake totally and completely cool. (maybe even over night)

Take cake and break into bowl with fingers. Using a fork Stir in about 1/4-1/2 C of Cream Cheese frosting:

Recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting:

5 oz of Neufchatel cheese or Low Fat Cream Cheese

1/4 C of Honey or agave to taste.

Roll mixture into balls. I shaped mine into little footballs for a birthday. Melt Dark chocolate in microwave. Dip cake pop sticks in chocolate and push into cake balls - go pretty far. They should stick straight up. Do this to all balls and then freeze for about an hour.

Melt Dark chocolate chips in microwave with a little coconut oil. Or buy the prepared chips at a craft store that are made for melting (this will insure a positive result - but won't be as good for you). Dip each cake ball in chocolate until fully covered, tap on side of glass to let excess drip off. Poke sticks into a styrofoam block while the chocolate sets up. Once hard, decorate as desired and ENJOY!!!!

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Need a 'Pick me up?" - SUGAR/WHEAT/DAIRY Free Peanut Butter Cookie

Here is a little "cookie" to enjoy! Sugar/dairy/wheat free! 

NOTE: Please do not go making these for your friends dinner party! People who are used to sugar will HATE them! But if you love peanut butter - (who doesn't?) This ones for you!

1 C Oats

1/3 C Almond Flour (almonds ground in blender)

1/2 C Peanut/Almond Butter

1/2 C Applesauce

1/2 C Date Honey

1/2 C Dried Coconut (or coconut butter)

1 t Vanilla

2 Tbl Raisins

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1)Date Honey: Place 5-6 Dates in pot and barely cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until soft. Then Blend it all.
2) Place about 1 C of Coconut in a blender and process until almost solid. This will take awhile, and no biggy if it doesn't change. Just add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the mixture.
3)Add all of these ingredients in a food processor and lightly pulse to combine. Don't over mix. If you want a baked cookie feel free to bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Flatten down with fork before  hand.
4) You can also add a little cocoa or carob powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist. :)

 I put half in balls and froze them and baked half, and the unbaked ones tasted better to me! You decide. :) Or you could just eat straight out of the bowl!! hahah

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