SALTED CARAMEL AND PEANUT BUTTER RAW SNICKERS SLICE

Even though I’m not dairy free or vegan I like to try healthier recipes from time to time. They’re loaded with protein, good fats and sweetened with dates instead of processed sugar – a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling the guilt. Danny and I may have made 2 batches when we went vegan for a month…and may have eaten them the same day we made them 😉 We couldn’t resist the yummy layers of sweet, nutty, caramel and chocolate goodness.

10X10” glass dish
Makes 8 slices

Ingredients

Base
2 tbsp. rolled oats
1/2 cup roasted almonds (or almond meal)
3 soft medjool dates
1 tsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. coconut butter

Peanut Butter Nougat
1 1/2 cup cashews (soaked in water over night)
3 soft medjool dates
1 tbsp. almond milk
2 tsp. vanilla bean paste or extract
2 tbsp. smooth peanut butter

Caramel
2 tbsp. tahini butter
2 tbsp. peanut butter
4 soft medjool dates 1
1 tsp. sea salt flakes
1 tbsp. coconut butter
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or extract

Chocolate Topping
3 tbsp. raw cacao powder
1 tbsp. coconut oil
1 tbsp. coconut butter

Crust Base: Throw ingredients into a food processor. Pulse until combined. Line the dish with the crust and press evenly until covered. Set aside.

Peanut Butter Nougat Layer: Add all peanut butter nougat ingredients into your cleaned food processor (I used our Vitamix…so blender or food processor will work). Blend until very smooth. Add water if needed to reach a “thick pour” consistency. Pour over the crust and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Place in the freezer.

Caramel Layer: Place all ingredients in your cleaned food processor and blend until smooth. Add more salt or soft dates until desired taste is reached (some like it salty, some like it sweet). Take dish out of freezer and pour on the next layer. Place back in freezer while you prepare the chocolate layer.

Chocolate Layer: Place all chocolate topping ingredients in a heatproof bowl and place in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir until “chocolate” is liquefied, smooth and the oil has mixed into the cacao. Pour evenly on top of the dish and place back into the freezer for 5 hours or until the raw snickers dish has completely hardened. When ready, pop it out of the dish by pulling on the plastic wrap. Peel off the plastic and cut the dessert with a large knife into desired size squares.

*Top with sea salt flakes

Healthy Protein Bliss Balls

Little protein bites! They’re so easy to make and they hit the spot when I need a sweet fix. I’ll roll them in whatever sounds interesting… chocolate covered cacao nibs, matcha green tea powder, pecans, roasted coconut flakes and sesame seeds. The base is made from soft medjool dates, organic peanut butter, coconut butter, vanilla and almond extract, honey, garbanzo bean flour and splash of water. Lots of protein and a healthy dose of good fats to keep you going. They’re silky smooth!

Ingredients:
8 soft dates
1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour
2 tbsp smooth organic peanut butter
2 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp coconut butter
1 tbsp water (may need more)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
1/4 tsp almond extract
*desired toppings for rolling

Warm the coconut butter in a glass bowl set over a small saucepan of simmering water until it’s semi-soft. Remove from the heat, and add to a food processor with the rest the the ingredients. Blend until mixture resembles a smooth paste. Ingredients vary, so add a bit more garbanzo flour or water if necessary. Using your hands, roll the mixture into 12 balls, then roll each one in your desired topping. Coat thoroughly. Place in the fridge for at least 10 minutes to set. Story any leftover truffles in the fridge.

Peanut Butter Coco Cups

Ingredients:
Young coconut water
Young coconut meat
1 frozen banana
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
1 tsp mesquite powder
1 tsp organic coconut sugar
1/2 tsp maca powder
1 handful Ice

*Blend in a blender until smooth and pour back into coconut. Top with chocolate covered cacao nibs, coconut flakes and drizzle with pb and chocolate!

Creamy peanut butter hazelnut chocolate swirled nice cream

Creamy peanut butter hazelnut chocolate swirled nice cream with double chocolate baked granola, cocoyo, pecans and cacao nibs. Dairy and refined sugar free! Dan and I just moved into our new home so I thought we should celebrate with a super yummy breakfast… it did NOT disappoint! Ohhh man this is the stuff dreams are made of!

Base
2 frozen bananas
1/2 cup vanilla hemp mylk
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
2 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp chocolate hazelnut butter
*Blend in a blender until smooth and creamy

Layer with double chocolate chunk granola, vanilla coconut yogurt, cacao nibs and pecans

A Toasty Breakfast: Chocolate Hazelnut & Pb With Strawberries

Keeping it simple this morning multigrain omega-3 toast with chocolate hazelnut and pb spread, topped with strawberries, cocoa almond granola and hemp seeds + cinnamon spice apple water to go! I love flavoring my water…it’s always been a challenge for me to drink those 8 glasses a day. I found that flavoring water with fruit and spices keeps me interested. I thought it would be fun to embrace the fall season with some traditional flavors… cinnamon sticks a few cloves and allspice or star anise, apple slices or orange peels etc. Sip and refill! The flavor should last for 2 days if you keep it refrigerated!