Tag Archives: Chocolate

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, and these are a perfect chocolate indulgence if you looooooove chocolate chip cookie dough or chocolate chip cookies like me! They are enrobed in their own little portion size packages of dark chocolate. The recipe is egg free, so no need to be concerned about eating raw egg. They are also free of dairy, nuts, and gluten!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites Dairy Free, Nut Free

You can package these in a pretty little container for gift giving, store them in the freezer, refrigerator or at room temperature. I like them cold. It just depends on how firm you want them. They will be quite firm in the freezer, less firm in the refrigerator and have a soft interior at room temperature.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls - Dairy Free

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Ingredients for Cookie Dough:

1/3 Cup of Coconut Flour (scooped)

1/4 Cup of Avocado Oil

2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1 Tablespoon of Ground Flax

1 Tablespoon of Grass Fed Gelatin

1 Teaspoon of Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/3 Cup of Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions: Sift together the Coconut Flour, Flax, Gelatin, Baking Soda and Sea Salt. In a separate bowl whisk together the Avocado Oil, Maple Syrup, Vanilla and Lemon Juice. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry, and mix with a hand held electric mixer until your dough is well combined. Stir in the Mini Chocolate Chips.

With a tablespoon sized cookie scoop, scoop the dough into round balls with flat bottoms onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Place the dough balls in the freezer for at least an hour.

Chocolate Exterior:

1 Cup of Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips

When you are ready to dip the balls in chocolate, melt the chocolate chips over simmering water in a double broiler stirring constantly until all the chips are melted. (I make my own by taking a small saucepan and filling it with an inch of water and putting the chocolate chips into a metal mixing bowl that will fit on top of the saucepan and not touch the water.)

When the chocolate is smooth, dip each ball, one at a time, into the melted chocolate with two forks, coating it quickly. Then, place it back on the parchment lined cookie sheet.

Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about half an hour.

Makes 9

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls Perfect for Valentines Day

A Decadent Chocolate Treat for Valentines Day or Special Occasion! These are delicious and free of major allergens.

Double Chocolate Bakery Style Cookies

Double Chocolate Cookies - Coconut Flour Baking

We talked about getting in your vegetables, which is so important to our overall health! Community and celebrations are equally important and a key factor that Octogenarians living in the Blue Zones of the world all have in common. Celebrations invariably have food, including sweet choices. Balance is key and not diving in face first into a whole batch. Believe me, I’ve been there! Think college years! I myself love a delicious treat that is full of healthier ingredients! So, here is one we enjoy here at my home that I am proud to bring to any gathering!

Double Chocolate Cookies Date Sweetened Coconut Flour

This Double Chocolate Jumbo cookie recipe is a healthier version of a coffee shop cookie, but just as delicious, with less guilt, and more benefits! I used a date paste I made myself with just pureed dates. You can easily make a batch and keep it on hand in the refrigerator, or make just enough for this recipe. It takes very little time! There are local pastured eggs in these beauties, Enjoy Life chocolate chips (here) which are dairy and soy free, raw cacao and heart healthy olive oil. Let’s bake!

Jumbo Double Chocolate Grain Free Cookies

These are perfect for a picnic or while sitting in the park waiting for the Fireworks!

Double Chocolate Jumbo Cookies with Coconut Flour

Double Chocolate Bakery Style Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350º degrees.

Date Paste Directions:

Soak 1 1/2 cups of Medjool Dates in hot water for five to ten minutes until soft. Drain and remove the pits. Blend in a blender with 1/2 cup of hot water. That’s it! Date Paste. You will use 1/2 cup in this recipe. The rest lasts a long time in the refrigerator, or you can freeze it or make just enough for these cookies.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup of Date Paste

1/2 Cup of Olive Oil

1/3 Cup of Coconut Flour

1/4 Cup of Raw Cacao Powder (here)

2 Pastured Eggs

1 Tablespoon of Grass Fed Collagen (optional here)

1 Teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/2 Cup of Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips (here)

Directions:

With a handheld electric mixer, cream the olive oil and date paste. Add the vanilla and the eggs, one at a time, blending after each addition. In a separate bowl, sift together with a wire whisk the coconut flour, raw cacao powder, salt, baking soda and gelatin. Add it to the date and egg mixture, and blend thoroughly. Fold in the mini chocolate chips, then let sit for five minutes. The coconut flour will thicken up the batter. Scoop the dough onto a large parchment lined cookie sheet with a muffin sized scoop, spacing the cookies evenly into 8. Flatten slightly with a fork so the tops are even. Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool on the cookie sheet for ten minutes. Mmmmmm!

Enjoy your day!

Double Chocolate Cookies Grain Free and Yummy

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Brownies that are very chocolatey, fudgy and grain free is possible! I kept coming back and experimenting with this recipe over the past several months. Initially they were more cakey than fudgy, and my favorite kind of brownie is fudgy. It is finally blog worthy! Maple syrup is the perfect addition for a chocolate dessert. It compliments the chocolate and is a natural sweetener. There is also some cooled coffee in the recipe to amp it up even further. If you are a baker, you will probably know that coffee makes chocolate taste more chocolatey. Finally, for the ultimate moist fudge flavor, I added 2 ounces of an organic 85% Dark Chocolate Bar. I would very happily make these brownies for my grain loving friends and family with confidence! Aren’t they pretty?

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

To make this batch of brownies you will use an 8″ x 8″ square pan. It makes twelve generous brownies or nine jumbo ones.

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350º degrees. Line a 8″ x 8″ square baking pan with parchment paper.

Ingredients:

3 Eggs

1/2 Cup of Medjool Dates (soaked in warm water for 5 minutes then pitted)

1/3 Cup of Unsweetened Applesauce

1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1/4 Cup of Raw Cacao Powder

1/4 Cup of Brewed Coffee (cold)

3 Tablespoons of Coconut Flour

2 ounces of Dark Chocolate, finely chopped (I used organic 85% Alter Eco Dark Blackout Bar here)

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Directions: Pulse the dates and eggs in a food processor, then blend until creamy, about one minute.

Add the remaining ingredients, except the 2 oz. of chocolate bar. Blend thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the processor twice. Add the 2 ounces of chopped chocolate and pulse a few times until evenly distributed. You want little pockets of chocolate! Scrape the batter into the prepared square pan. Let sit for ten minutes. Then pop the pan into your preheated oven, and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until just baked. When you insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies you should have moist crumbs on the toothpick. Don’t over bake.

Cool completely, then slice. Viola! Moist and Fudgy Brownies!

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

These Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies are Fudgie Perfection! Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free!

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Dates are a great addition to your diet! I like to throw a couple in a smoothie to add natural sweetness in whole food form or use them to make energy bites with things like nuts and berries in them. These balls are made up of raw cacao, peanut butter (or a nut or seed butter of your choice) and dates. They are healthy and satisfying! I like to pop in these super quick and easy sweet treats when I have a craving for something chewy and chocolate. The raw cacao is loaded with antioxidants and magnesium and is a natural mood elevator. Dates are full of fiber, vitamins and essential minerals and are a whole food, natural sweetener eaten for centuries. The fat in the peanut butter or nut butter of your choice is satiating, and nuts contain protein. Use a peanut butter or nut butter with no added sugar, just salt.

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls – Yummy!

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups of Soft Medjool Dates (pits removed, if they are not soft between your fingers, soak them for five minutes in warm water)

1/3 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder (like this)

6 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter (no sugar added)

Directions: Place the dates in a food processor with a blade attachment, and puree. Add in 1/3 Cup of Raw Cacao Powder and the Peanut Butter or nut butter. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed with a rubber spatula. Place the remaining two tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder in a bowl. With a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into balls, roll them between your hands to form a round globe, and roll in cocoa powder. The balls can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or freezer depending on your preference. Pop these in when you need a healthy chocolate fix or a energy boost!

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Eat Your Nutrients!

Chocolate Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream Sandwiches (Grain Free)

No ice cream freezer? No problem! This old fashioned Ripple Ice Cream is made in a loaf pan! Then it is pressed between two Grain Free Chocolate Graham Crackers (recipe here!) for a spectacular ice cream sandwich!

The dairy free vanilla ice cream uses a handful of ingredients, and while it has it’s initial freeze, you can whip up the Blueberry Spoon Fruit (recipe here!) for the Ripple!

Chocolate Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 Batch of Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream

1 Batch of Grain Free Chocolate Grahams (get the recipe here!) 🙂

Directions:

To make the Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream you need:

1 Cup of Full Fat Coconut Milk

3 Tablespoons of Good Honey, warmed

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil, melted

1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Whisk the ice cream ingredients together, and pour into a loaf pan. Freeze for 30 minutes. Then remove from the freezer and marble in the Blueberry Spoon Fruit by placing dollops onto the top of the vanilla ice cream and running a knife in swirling motions throughout.

Marbling Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream

Place back in the freezer until frozen solid. This will take 2 to 4 hours.

Soften the ice cream, by letting it set at room temperature for approximately ten minutes, until it is scoop-able!

Assembling Chocolate Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream Sandwiches

Take two grahams per ice cream sandwich, and scoop a ice cream scoop size ball of Blueberry Ripple Ice Cream onto one graham. Place the other graham atop the ice cream, and press gently to squish!

Melty, Cruchy, Gooey!

Eat right away, or they can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen to enjoy straight from the freezer. You can stock pile these by making a double batch!

Yield: 5 Ice Cream Sandwiches

Funky Monkey Crumb Cake (Microwave Mug Cake)

This mug cake is quick and easy! It has a pretty crumb topping with the crunch of pecans and the decadence of chocolate. It is grain free, moist, cakey and full of flavor!

Funky Monkey Crumb Cake - Paleo

It is so cool to be able to whip up a cake in the microwave! I dunno why I am so fascinated with it. It must be from my Easy Bake Oven days. Gosh! I Loved an Easy Bake Oven. It was on my wish list, but I never received one as a child, but I sure loved going to my friends and using theirs.

Another reason I really like these mug muffins and cakes is you aren’t making a huge dessert cake. It is a guilt free, smaller treat!

This recipe takes just 3 minutes to cook! It pops way up, and I was holding my breath when testing it, because it looked like it was going to overflow in the microwave, but it rises way up and then settles down again, like magic!

It is a really delicious cake!

Funky Monkey Crumb Cake

Ingredients For the Cake:

1 Ripe Banana

1 Egg

¼ Cup Almond Flour

2 Tablespoons of Coconut or Almond Milk

2 Tablespoons of Dark Chocolate or Chocolate Chips

2 Teaspoons of Honey or Maple Syrup

¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon

¼ Teaspoon of Baking Soda

¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Sea Salt

For Crumb Topping:

2 Tablespoons of Almond Flour

2 Tablespoons of Broken Pecans

2 Tablespoons of Dark Chocolate Pieces of Chocolate Chips

Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions: Puree the banana and egg together by mashing or blending with a hand mixer or small blender like a Ninja. Add the remaining cake ingredients except the chocolate pieces and mix until incorporated. Fold in the chocolate and pour into a individual serving bowl that holds 1 ½ cups like a soup bowl or extra large mug.

Mix the Crumb Topping together and sprinkle on top of the cake batter.

Microwave for 3 minutes. It will puff way up, but should not overflow the dish. Cool Slightly.

Funky Monkey Crumb Cake

Funky Monkey Crumb Cake - Grain Free

Funky Monkey Crumb Cake

Easy Chocolate Mousse for Two

By definition a Mousse is a dessert that incorporates air bubbles to give it a light and airy texture and can range from light and fluffy to creamy and thick.

I was considering calling this mousse Miracle Mousse because there is no cooking and no eggs or dairy in the recipe yet it is thick, creamy and smooth. I whip this decadent dessert up in five minutes flat, at which time it resembles a chocolate syrup. After refrigerating it for 4 hours it thickens and becomes the creamy deliciousness you see below.

Dairy Free Easy Chocolate Mousse for Two

Raw cacao is my favorite for making chocolate recipes, because it is cold pressed and keeps the live enzymes, and you can control what sweetener you use. In this case it was raw, local wildflower honey.

Why should you make this mousse?

You Crave Chocolate
You Want to Impress Someone
You Need A Fast Dessert Recipe Because You Are Busy
It Has No Refined Sugar
You Have a Romantic Date
It Has Clean Ingredients
It’s Darn Good!

The recipe serves two! How romantic! 🙂

Easy Chocolate Mousse for Two

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups of Full Fat Coconut Milk (see In My Pantry for my favorite brand)

1/4 Cup Raw Cacao Powder

1/4 Cup Raw Local Honey

1/4 Teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract

a pinch of sea salt

Directions: Dump all the ingredients in a high speed blender. I used the big cup on my Ninja blender. I have also made it in my Vitamix. It just needs to be high speed to incorporate those air bubbles that makes chocolate mousse…..mousse. 🙂

Pour into two individual ramekins, serving bowls or cups.

Refrigerate for 4 hours and up to two days.

This is a decadent dessert for chocolate fans! Enjoy!

Easy Chocolate Mousse for Two

Eat Your Nutrients!

Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls

These little Energy Balls are a great way to bust a craving, with benefits! The raw cacao busts an intense chocolate craving, which can actually be your body’s way of telling you it is deficient in magnesium. Raw Cacao is rich in it! The almond butter contains protein and healthy fat, walnuts contain brain boosting Omega 3’s, tart cherries are anti-inflammatory, the honey is a natural form of sweetness, and the sea salt gives our bodies trace minerals it needs. Just one of these a day can really help reduce cravings for sweets, or why not replace these with other sweets you might reach for that don’t contain clean, health promoting, ingredients? Here’s the easy recipe! They are delicious to serve at a holiday party as a truffle.

Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls

Ingredients:

1 Cup Almond Butter, no added sugar (I Used Artisana Brand)

1/3 Cup Raw Cacao Powder

1/3 Cup Dried Tart Cherries with no Added Sugar

1/4 Cup Raw Honey

1/8 Teaspoon Almond Extract

1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt

3/4 Cup Raw Walnuts, Coarsely Chopped

Directions: In a food processor, or vigorously with a fork in a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except the chopped walnuts. Form the mixture into 34 balls, and roll in chopped walnuts. Refrigerate in a sealed container, or if you like them firmer you can freeze them.

Chocolate Peppermint Syrup

chocolate peppermint syrup healthier

This recipe is for the Peppermint Mocha and Chocolate Pepperming lovers in my life! My husband, Doug, uses it in his coffee, and my daughters like to add some to steamed almond milk for a Peppermint Hot Cocoa. They also put it on top of coconut milk ice cream! I put it out after a birthday dinner I had recently for my sister-in-law when I served the coffee, and it created a buzz! I sent a jar home with Jenni tied with red and white ribbon. It makes a very nice homemade gift or a hostess gift! It is so delicious! It is sweetened with honey, and I use raw cocoa powder for added nutritional benefits. So, if you are going to have a treat, no need to feel guilty. For my SCD friends, the cocoa powder is not allowed on the SCD Diet. It is good also if the cocoa powder is omitted if you are a peppermint lover and would like a Peppermint Syrup. There are health benefits to raw cocoa such as flavonoid antioxidants. This is super easy to make!

Chocolate Peppermint Syrup

1/2 Cup Honey

1 Cup Full Fat Coconut Milk (I use Thrive Brand)

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Raw Cocoa Powder

Pinch of Himalayan Pink or Sea Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract (I use Flavorganics)

Blend all the ingredients in a blender. Store in a pretty glass container. That’s it! Super easy and delicious!

Chocolate Peppermint Syrup Yum!