Almond Joy Cups

With only three days until Valentine's days I thought I would give you another homemade chocolate treat recipe.  This time I gave a makeover to one of my favorite candy bars, Almond Joys. With only 5 ingredients that you can actually identify and less than 10 minutes of preparation time, you've got yourself a healthy homemade candy bar.  

This year, instead of purchasing a box of chocolates for your Valentine, impress them with these homemade Almond Joy Cups! Homemade sweets are just that much sweeter, I promise! 

Almond Joy Cups
Makes: 24, Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup almond butter
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup coconut flakes
• ⅓ cup roasted almonds (optional)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil, honey and almond butter.
2. Microwave ingredients for 30 seconds and stir.
3. Add in cocoa powder and coconut flakes and mix until well combined.
4. Divide mixture into 24 mini muffin tins and top each with a roasted almond. 
5. Freeze for 30 minutes, use a knife to pop out of muffin tin then store in an airtight container in the freezer.

adapted from Lean Green Beans Freezer Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

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Mason Jar Peanut Butter Brownie Sundaes

      February is here and I have been getting creative in the kitchen with another favorite food of mine, chocolate!  Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, contains heart healthy anti-oxidants called flavonals. Studies have shown that these flavonals can help relax blood vessels lowering blood pressure and may help prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels). The higher the amount of Cocoa the more antioxidants.  I recommend 70% Cocoa. Higher is good but if you are a super taster like me, it can be quite bitter.

     This week I am sharing my Mason Jar Peanut Butter Brownie Sundae recipe. Oh man, my mouth is watering already! These perfectly portioned desserts are a great way to treat yourself or flatter your Valentine.  My hubby has already given this recipe two thumbs up!

   Stay tuned, I have another chocolate inspired recipe coming next week!

Mason Jar Peanut Butter Brownie Sundaes

Servings: 9

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar (can substitute regular sugar)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free all purpose flour)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 1/2 teaspoons peanut butter
• oil spray

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9, 4 ounce Mason jars with vegetable oil spray. Place Mason jars on rimmed cookie sheet. (Note: Muffin tin can be used in place of Mason jars.) 

2. In a medium size bowl, mix together oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat in eggs.

3. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, salt, and baking powder.

4. Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

5. To each Mason jar add about 2 tablespoons of brownie mix, then add ½ teaspoon peanut butter then layer with another 2 tablespoons of brownie mix.

6. Bake for 25- 30 minutes. Remove and let cool for 10-15 minutes. If storing, place lids back on Mason jar and place in fridge.
7. Serve with fresh berries and frozen yogurt!

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Oatmeal Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

     Happy Holidays! 'Tis the season for delicious sweets and baked goods! Cookies make a great easy treat for a holiday party or gift for friends and co-workers.  I got started early this year and began whipping up my first batch of holiday cookies this weekend to share with my co-workers. My favorite oatmeal cookie recipe got a bit of a makeover. To make them a bit more healthy I cut back on some of the fat and sugar and added a couple of my favorite ingredients; pistachios and dried cranberries.

        Pistachios are quickly becoming a staple in my kitchen for a quick healthy snack and an ingredient in baking and savory dishes. They are a tree nut like almonds, cashews and walnuts and are packed with mono-unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins and antioxidants. Did you know that pistachios yeild the most nuts per one ounce sering, you can eat about 49 nuts in comparision to about 23 for almonds, and all for only 160 calories! Pistachios contain a sweet and nutty flavor making them perfect in baked good and sweets. Their green color also make them a great addition to a holiday treat.

      Nothing says Merry Christmas more than these cookies. You can feel good about giving your friends, family, or co-workers something that is both healthy and delicious this holiday season! Happy baking!

Oatmeal Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

Makes 18-24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup craisins
• 1/2 cup pistachios, unshelled and roughly chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine dry ingredients; oats, flours, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon.
3. Combine wet ingredients; oil, applesauce, egg, and vanilla. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
4. Fold in craisins and pistachios.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Blueberries: An Antioxidant Powerhouse!

         This time of the year is my favorite for picking up fresh produce at local farmers markets. One of my favorite summer fruits are blueberries, so of course they were a pick up must at a recent visit to the farmers market.
         Blueberries are not only delicious but low in calories and packed full of vital nutrients like fiber, vitamins, mineral, antioxidants and other phytonutrients. Antioxidant is a definite buzz word in the world of health and nutrition these days. Blueberries are among the highest in antioxidant value. Anthocyanin, one antioxidant found in blueberries, gives blueberries their bright blue color and has been found to help fight cancer cells, improve cognitive health, promote cardiovascular health and even improve insulin sensitivity. Needless to say these are some powerful berries!

Top Ways to Enjoy Blueberries
-Eaten by the handful!
-Added to cereal or yogurt
-Made into jelly or jams
-Added to baked goods (muffins, pancakes, pie etc)
-Added to smoothies

Try my newest recipe creation for Blueberry Peach Crisp using both blueberries and peaches that I got from the farmers market! YUM


Blueberry Peach Crisp

Servings: 8
Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups blueberries
• 3 peaches, sliced with skins on
• 1/2 lemon zested and juiced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp corn starch

Topping

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, not packed
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick of butter), melted

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine blueberries, peaches, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar. Sprinkle with cornstarch and mix together.  Place fruit in un-greased pie dish.

3. Combine topping ingredients, mix to combine the sprinkle over the top of the fruit mixture.

4. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Serve with Frozen Yogurt and enjoy!
 

Nutrition Information (per serving): 233 Calories, 6.6 g fat, 3.6g saturated fat,15 mg cholesterol, 35 g carbohydrates, 4.4 g fiber, 2 g protein