Holiday Healthy Peppermint Bark

This Holiday Healthy Peppermint Bark is the perfect balance with a mix of crunchy pumpkin seeds, sweet dried cranberries, and a touch of peppermint, it's a treat that brings joy and health. It's the perfect bite-sized way to add a little magic to your holiday season or anytime.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 3/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds and/or chopped almonds

• 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

• 2 12-ounce bags of dark chocolate chips

• Natural crushed candy cane pieces in top (optional) or mint extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet, spread coconut and pumpkin seeds.

2. Bake for approximately 3 minutes or until coconut is lightly golden and fragrant ( keep an eye on this).

3. Add cranberries to parchment lined baking sheet and mix with coconut and seeds. Set aside.

4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat ( or a double boiler) warm chocolate chips, stirring until chocolate is mostly melted. Remove from heat and keep stirring until chocolate is completely melted.

5. Pour chocolate over coconut, seeds, and cranberries. Using a silicone spatula, spread out into a smooth layer covering the parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle crushed candy cane on top of chocolate mixture if desired . Let cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until completely cool and solid. Once chilled, remove, break bark into pieces, and serve.

6. You may freeze for a later date …if its lasts that long!

   Note: If you choose not to use candy cane, you can add a few drops of mint extract to the chocolate.

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour

• 12-13 whole soft large dates ( soak in water for 10 minutes if not soft)

• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder

• 2 tbsp mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1-2 tbsp of water ( if necessary)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients ( except water) in a food processor

2. Add 1 tbsp of water if its is not coming together ( it should be a touch hard to process)

3. Transfer to a bowl and put in the freezer for 15-20 minutes

4. Take a small ball scooper and roll into 1” balls

5. Roll in cacao powder ( optional: sprinkle with shredded coconut or even drizzle some melted chocolate over each ball)

6. Place rolled balls in the freezer separated on a small sheet pan or flat tupperware lined with parchment until hard . Store in a covered container in the freezer to keep fresh.

7. Eat chilled or at room temp.

Double Chocolate Banana Almond Mini Muffins

I love when my fellow Chefs, health foodies, and plant forward pioneers make some awesome treats to share. Here is one of my faves. The fact that they are mini, helps with the portions sizes and you can also share ( if you can!)

VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE, DAIRY-FREE

Serves: 24 mini muffins

INGREDIENTS

• Wet Ingredients
  • 3 medium, very ripe bananas
  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water, whisk together, set for 10 mins)   or 1 egg beaten

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients
• 1 cup gluten free oat flour
• ¾ cup almond meal
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Add-ins
• ¼ cup vegan mini chocolate chips
• ¼ cup sliced almonds, chopped
Optional for topping
• 1 tablespoon each: vegan chocolate chips and sliced almonds, chopped

 INSTRUCTIONS
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 24-cup mini muffin pan with mini muffin liners.

• Add peeled bananas to a large mixing bowl. Using a sturdy whisk or fork, mash bananas until smooth. Add coconut oil, maple syrup, flax egg, and vanilla. Whisk until well incorporated.

• Add the dry ingredients: oat flour, almond meal, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk together until just incorporated, making sure no flour patches remain.

• Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop batter evenly into muffin cups (about 2 tablespoons of batter per muffin). Optional: sprinkle chocolate chips and almonds on top of the muffins.

• Bake for 16-24 minutes. Mine took 19 minutes. Allow to cool on a cooling rack for about 1 hour. Lift out and enjoy!