Tag Archives: Valentines Day

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.

 

Strawberry Pecan Pie – Grain Free, Dairy Free

You know what I love about February besides having three of my daughter’s birthdays in this month and Valentine’s Day? I start seeing good strawberries in the store again! I also find people are starved for color, and February is full of red and pink and hearts. This Strawberry Granola Dessert is just right!

Strawberry Pecan Granola Tart

Strawberry Pecan Pie

The crust for the pie is a coconut pecan crust that is grain free. It rolls really well and blind bakes beautifully. The pecans and coconut in the recipe with a touch of honey makes it very tasty!

There is a jammy berry bursting filling that has berries cooked down to intensify the strawberry flavor naturally, and fresh strawberries stirred in afterwards, along with some coconut butter to add creaminess.

The granola on the top of this pie adds a crunchiness that is fun to eat and delicious with the creamy filling. It is crunchy and airy with the freeze dried strawberries, toasted coconut flakes and crunchy chopped pecans. The granola topping stands alone in my opinion, so make extra to snack on!

Strawberry Pecan Granola Tart with Coconut Pecan Crust

Strawberry Pecan Pie with Coconut Pecan Crust

 

Strawberry Pecan Granola Tarts

Strawberry Pecan Pie

 

Strawberry Pecan Pie (makes two smaller or one full pie sized)

Coconut Pecan Crust

For the crust: Preheat your oven to 350º degrees F.

In a food processor with a blade attachment add the following ingredients:

1/4 Cup of Coconut Flour

1/3 Cup of Pecan Halves

1/4 Cup of Coconut Butter (I could eat this brand right out of the jar)

1/4 Cup of Coconut Flakes (unsweetened, shredded)

1 Egg

2 Tablespoons of Honey

1/8 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Pulse all the ingredients in the food processor until it forms a ball. Grease your pan of choice. This is either a full sized pie pan, or like the ones I used which hold 2 Cups each.

Roll out the crust between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap with a rolling pin. If you have two pans, divide the crust in half, one for each pan. Take off the top layer of parchment after rolling the crust out, and carefully transfer it to the pans. It will probably need some patching, so use your fingers to form the crust to your liking. Don’t panic. 🙂

Bake for ten minutes, or until the crust is golden brown on the edges. Remove it from the oven and cool. Now let’s make the filling!

Coconut Pecan Pie Crust

Coconut Pecan Pie Crust

Filling

1 Lb. of Fresh Strawberries for making the jam filling

1 Cup of Fresh Strawberries for stirring in

1/4 Cup of Coconut Butter

3 Tablespoons of Honey

1 Tablespoon of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

a Pinch of Sea Salt

In a heavy medium saucepan over medium high heat, cook the ingredients. When the jammy filling comes to a simmer, mash the berries using a potato masher to break up the berries. Continue cooking for five to ten minutes at a high simmer until the mixture thickens,stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and fold in one cup of fresh diced strawberries. Set aside to cool.

Strawberry Granola Topping

This is an easy peasy granola, and you are going to love it!

1/4 Cup of Pecan Halves

1/4 Cup of Freeze Dried Strawberries (my favorite here)

1/4 Cup of Dang Lightly Salted, Toasted Coconut Flakes (they are amazing straight out of the bag…here. Easy to find in grocery stores too)

Directions: Break up the strawberries and coconut flakes with your hands or a knife. Coarsely chop the pecans. Mix them all together in a bowl.

Simple Strawberry Granola Ingredients

Simple Strawberry Granola Ingredients

Assemble!

Pour the Jammy Strawberry filling into the cooled pie crust, and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the delicious, crunchy Strawberry Granola Topping on top. Be artistic! Refrigerate for four hours before serving.

Happy February!

Dishing it Up! Strawberry Pecan Granola Tart

Dishing it Up! Strawberry Pecan Pie (smaller version)

strawberry pecan pie - grain free, dairy free

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Nut Bites

Valentine’s Day is a fun time to eat these delicious little pop ins. They are rolled in crushed, organic, freeze dried strawberries that burst with flavor in your mouth and have the health benefits of Raw Almonds and Walnuts! I recently finished reading The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from The People Who Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner, and eating nuts is one of the things the octogenarians in all the blue zone regions had in common. They are simple to make and portable. I have been packing them in lunches, (include an ice pack), and they are great when you want a little something sweet.  February is a busy month at my house. Three of my daughters have birthdays this month….the 21, 22nd and 23rd, and also my youngest daughter’s adoption day is on the 22nd. For Valentines Day this year my husband is taking me out to our favorite Spanish Tapas restaurant. The food is excellent, and they are very aware and careful about food allergens. It is a Paleo friendly restaurant as well. The recipe for Strawberry Nut Bites is below.

Strawberry Walnut Truffles 1

Strawberry Nut Bites

Ingredients:

1 Cup Freeze Dried Organic Strawberries, Like These

1 Cup Raw Walnuts

1 Cup Raw Almonds

1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut, unsweetened

1/4 Cup Clear Honey

2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt

Directions:

Place the strawberries in a food processor with a blade attachment and finely grind the strawberries. Remove them from the food processor and put in a medium bowl for rolling the formed nut bites in.

In the same food processor, place your nuts and coconut and pulse until finely chopped. Add the honey, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Continue to pulse until the mixture forms a ball. Pinch off enough of the nut filling to form 1 1/2 inch balls with your hands, and roll the balls in the strawberries. Store them in the freezer or refrigerator. I like them frozen. They are berry delicious! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

Whether you have a significant other or not at this time in your life, I hope you have a Happy Valentines Day, spread a little love, and enjoy these nutritious treats!

*Note: 1 Strawberry Nut Bite is a serving if you are very Low FodMap.

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

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