“Healthier” No-Bake Cookies

 

If you’re anything like me, you like to have simple ingredients on hand to satisfy your chocolate craving when it decides to pop up. Instead of reaching for something full of refined sugar, artificial colors, or genetically modified substances…learn to fulfill your craving with “healthier” options. Organic raw cacao, raw honey, almond butter, and maca powder are a few of my secret weapons when I allow myself to “give-in”, while still staying on track with my healthy lifestyle. Don’t deprive yourself from everything you enjoy, but instead learn to find healthier alternatives that feed your body with nutrients.

 

No-bake cookies were one of my favorites growing up! I had a constant “sweet tooth” and could live on chocolate. Thankfully my lifestyle has changed drastically since then, but I still enjoy some dark chocolate on occasion. There are a lot of no-bake cookie recipes out there, but I tried to incorporate some beneficial foods into mine so it seems less like a treat. These are packed with superfoods like cacao, maca, and coconut oil. Cacao is packed full of antioxidants, magnesium, and iron. It can also help increase serotonin levels and give you mood enhancing benefits. Maca is an adaptogen and can help balance hormones naturally and increase fertility, increase energy levels, and is a good source of vitamin C and iron. Coconut oil is rich in healthy fats and can help decrease inflammation, as well as lose weight!

 

ingredients no-bakes

 

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Nutiva Butter Flavored Coconut Oil

1/2 Cup Organic Raw Cacao Powder

1/4 Cup Almond Butter (or Peanut Butter)

1/4 – 1/2 Cup Raw Honey or Maple Syrup (sweeten according to your taste preference)

1 TBSP Organic Maca Powder

1 Tsp Organic Vanilla Extract

1 3/4 Cup Organic Sprouted Quick Oats

(Feel free to add nuts, seeds, shredded coconut or other “superfoods“)

 

no-bakes

 

Directions:

In a stainless steel pan over low heat, combine the coconut oil, cacao and maca powders, almond butter, vanilla and honey. Mix well and wait for a mild simmer before adding the oats. Stir in the oats and combine well. Cover a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. Drop TBSP size amounts onto the parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to set.

Enjoy!

 

 

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Sugar Cookies

When adapting a healthier lifestyle, it becomes a little more difficult to find treats that don’t taste like cardboard. But I can proudly say that you will not notice that these cookies don’t have gluten or dairy! They taste absolutely amazing, but bring much less of an inflammatory load than the traditional sugar cookie. This recipe has been adapted by my sister and myself to accommodate our healthy lifestyle changes over the past years. We are both happy to share these gluten-free dairy-free sugar cookies with you and your family, to help make your health and taste buds both happy!

 

gluten-free dairy-free sugar cookies

Ingredients:

1 Cup Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil (Butter Flavor)

1 Cup Organic Cane Sugar

1 Pasture-Raised Egg

1 Teaspoon Organic Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract

2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Almond Milk

3 Cups Namaste Gluten-Free Flour Blend

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

 

Instructions:

Cream the softened coconut oil and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining wet ingredients and continue to beat together.  In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and combine well.  The dough works best when chilled for about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out the dough onto a floured surface or onto parchment paper. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet after cutting with your favorite cookie cutters. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool before frosting.

 

dairy-free frosted gluten-free sugar cookies

 

Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil (Butter Flavor) 

1/2 Cup Nutiva Organic Palm Shortening

3/4 Cups Organic Powered Sugar (depending on desired consistency)

Unsweetened Almond Milk as needed for desired consistency

1 Teaspoon Organic Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Almond Extract

Add Plant-Based Food Coloring if desired

 

Directions:

Cream together the coconut oil and shortening in a large mixing bowl. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and extracts, and continue to add sugar and milk until desired consistency is reached. Feel free to add plant-based food coloring to achieve the perfectly decorated cookies.

Enjoy! 

Paleo-friendly Pumpkin Pie

Don’t miss out on pumpkin pie this year because you can’t eat grain, dairy, or sugar! Here is a paleo-friendly pumpkin pie recipe that will allow you to splurge without the added inflammation. Pumpkin is rich in Beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A within your body. Vitamin A is very beneficial for immune health, as well as a potent antioxidant.

Use food as medicine to attain optimal wellness!  Learn to make healthier versions of desserts and treats to keep yourself as healthy as possible throughout the holiday season.

Ingredients:

15 oz Organic Pumpkin Puree

1/2 Cup Full-fat Organic Coconut Milk or Dairy-Free Milk

3 Pasture-Raised Eggs

1/4 Cup Organic Maple Syrup or Raw Honey

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 TBSP Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice  

1 Tsp Organic Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp Himalayan Salt

*1 Tsp Organic Molasses (Optional)

*Optional for added sweetness – 2 TBSP Organic Coconut or Date Sugar

 

Pie Filling Ingredients

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all ingredients together very well, and pour into a par-baked grain-free crust. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until set. (This will vary depending on your oven)

 

Looking for a crust recipe that doesn’t taste like cardboard? Click HERE to see which pie crust I use when I bake my pumpkin pie. I haven’t been able to find anything that compares to this yummy recipe, while avoiding grains, dairy, and refined sugar. It is a must try!

*I’ve found that only making a 1/2 recipe when using a standard pie dish is best to avoid too thick of crust.

Enjoy!

 

 

Grain-Free Pumpkin Bread

Don’t go without your favorite foods because you decided to “cut out” grains or gluten. Enjoy this rich grain-free pumpkin loaf without the guilt!

 

Ingredients:

1 cup Organic Pumpkin Puree

3 Pasture-Raised Eggs

1/4 cup Maple Syrup or Raw Honey

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 cup Almond or Coconut Milk

1 cup Almond Flour

1/2 tsp Himalayan Salt

1/8 cup + 1 Tbsp Coconut Flour

1/8 cup Tapioca Flour

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp Baking Soda

 

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour all the liquid ingredients together and mix well. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl and blend well. Now combine all liquid and dry ingredients together and mix thoroughly. Line a glass loaf pan with unbleached parchment paper or coconut oil before transferring the mixture. Feel free to add extras to the bread with this step. Pecans, cacao nibs, pumpkin seeds or whatever you please, can add a little something extra to this bread. Bake the bread for 55-60 minutes, or until “set”. (This is a heavy bread and won’t rise too much, so don’t overcook if it doesn’t look done).

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding Recipe

This healthy pumpkin chia pudding is packed full of nutrients – healthy fats, vitamin A, iron, and antioxidants. Whether this is for breakfast or dessert, it will not disappoint!

Ingredients:

2  Cups Full-Fat Organic Coconut Milk

1/8 Cup Organic Pumpkin Puree

1/2 Cup Chia Seeds

1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1/8 Cup Raw Honey or Maple Syrup

1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 Tsp Cinnamon

 

Instructions:

Combine all the pudding ingredients, besides chia seeds, in a blender or food processor. Blend for 30 seconds, or until everything is mixed well. You may now add in the chia seeds and mix with a spoon. Transfer the mixture into small glass bowls or mason jars. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until the pudding is thickened. (You may want to stir or shake the jars a couple times during the first hour to prevent the chia seeds from clumping to the bottom).  Feel free to add toppings such as, chopped pecans, crumbled gluten-free graham crackers, cacao nibs, or just a sprinkle of cinnamon. ENJOY!

 

Chocolate Avocado Pudding Recipe

This healthy version of chocolate pudding will devour your chocolate craving and feed your body healthy fats and antioxidants. It’s a win-win situation!

Ingredients:

1 large Avocado (make sure this is perfectly* ripe)
4 Tbsp Coconut or Almond Milk
3 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder
3 Tbsp Raw Honey or Maple Syrup

Directions:

In a food processor, combine all ingredients and mix well.  Add more cacao or honey if you want a more intense chocolate flavor or more sweetness. Sprinkle with cacao nibs, hemp seeds, or your choice of nuts. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes if desired. Enjoy!

*Ensuring the avocado is perfectly ripe with give you the best flavor. When it is too ripe, you will taste much more avocado flavor and it will be overpowering. Also, this should be enjoyed right away, or expect to taste more avocado undertone if left for the next day.