Are you Coo-Coo for Cocoa??? (Coco Chip Puffs Recipe)

Some days I want to be like Adam Sandler in the movie "Click" and have a remote to life.  There are the seasons that I would love to fast-forward, the scenes I wish I could delete, the moments I want to rewind and relive over and over again, and then there are days like today where I wish that I could just hit pause.  You see, my oldest is home sick.  Thankfully he is in great spirits and it's a manageable case of strep.  So after the dreaded positive "swab test", and a trip to Target for meds, Clorox wipes, throat lozenges, and a new toothbrush, we had a leisurely afternoon of hanging out.  It was wonderful to soak up some long over-due quality one on one time with him.  He read to me from his latest book, quizzed me on things from the 2014 world records book, and then we watched a little Duck Dynasty.  After lunch he wanted to rest, so I set up camp in the kitchen to whip up his new favorite food for an "after school" surprise snack when his sisters get home.

We actually came up with the name for these while sitting in the waiting room at the walk-in clinic this morning.  These little guys are super easy to whip up, and after some feedback on the brownies, I will say this is definitely a beginner-level recipe. And BONUS, you will be happy to know it only dirties three bowls.  The best way I can describe these little guys is like a fluffy chocolate chip cookie.  It even melts in your mouth.  Mmmm! 

Coco Chip Puffs

(the taste of chocolate chip scone combined with the ease of a drop biscuit)

(these are grain-free, gluten-free, and can be dairy-free with your choice of chocolate chip)

 

Ingredients:

1 & 3/4 cup almond flour/meal
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 teaspoon salt (I prefer sea salt)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon ground flax
1/4 cup honey
1 Tablespoon vinegar
2 Tablespoons coconut milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons unrefined coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup chocolate chips (I prefer the mini ones so you get a little chocolate in each & every bite)

 

Directions:

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium mixing bowl combine flours, salt, baking soda, and flax.  Stir to combine.

In a separate bowl add honey, vinegar, coconut milk, egg, and vanilla.  Stir until evenly blended.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until all ingredients are mixed together and moistened.  Pour in melted coconut oil and stir yet again.  Now just stir in the chocolate chips and your almost done.

Drop dough by the spoonful onto the parchment-lined baking sheet into 9 biscuits and slightly flatten using the back of the spoon or fingertips dipped in water (to prevent sticking).
Bake for 12-14 minutes until slightly browned around the edges and it feels "set" (or slightly firm) in the center.  Let cool on pan 10-15 minutes before transferring to a plate/storage container.  Honestly, we can not resist waiting and eat them right off the cookie sheet fresh from the oven, but they tend to crumble if you do not let them cool slightly first.

Store leftovers in an air-tight container.

Nutritional Information: (approximate)

Serving: 1 puff

Calories: 200 calories
Fat: 15.5 g
Carbs: 15g
Sugars: 9g
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 3.5g

I promise, this is the closest thing you can have to a cookie for breakfast, not feel guilty about, and will still leave you satisfied for hours.

Enjoy!



Cookie Dough Balls (Protein-Power Packed)

It has been another busy week in my kitchen, and I have two more amazing recipes to share with you.  These are hands-down my kiddos absolute FAVORITE things to eat for an after-school snack or before a practice, training session, or soccer game.  They have truly enjoyed the "taste-testing & experimenting" process for this recipe, and now request that we have a constant supply on hand.   My husband has even given them his stamp of approval and packs them to eat before or after a workout, or as a quick snack in-between his constant meetings at work.  I have tested them on practically every adult and kid that has entered our home over the past 2 weeks, and even the finickiest eaters have given me a smile and a thumbs up. 

It is always bittersweet to post a recipe.  It's like a baby bird leaving the nest.  I honestly put so much work into them, tweaking them until I find that perfect balance of nutrition and yumminess.  Although I have opted for an alternative way of eating, being grain free, I refuse to give up on taste and texture.  This southern girl will never solely think of food as a source of energy.

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Power Balls

(these are grain-free, gluten-free, and depending on your protein powder & chocolate chip, can be dairy-free)
Ingredients:

9 medjool dates, pitted
1 & 1/4 cup cashews, unsalted
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
3 scoops vanilla protein powder
2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine, dates, cashews, flours, protein powder, flax seed, and salt in a food processor.  Blend until combined and evenly ground.  While food processor is running, add in syrup and vanilla.  Blend until a stiff dough forms. 

Transfer dough to a medium mixing bowl and stir in chocolate chips. 

Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. 

Makes about 24 balls.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 ball

Calories: 90
Fat: 4.5g
Carbs: 8.5g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1.5g

Seriously, compare that to your average chocolate chip granola bar that has: 100 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 18 carbs, only 1 gram of both protein & fiber and 6 grams of sugar.  Which one do you think is going to fuel your body better???

Peanut Butter Power Balls

(these are grain-free, gluten-free, and depending on your protein powder & chocolate chip, can be dairy-free)

These little guys are a throwback to my all-time favorite candy.  In my mind, chocolate and peanut butter were meant to be together forever just like me and yoga pants.  I seriously came up with this recipe one afternoon after we purged our pantry of all candy.  Yes, there were tears in our house for sure.  Now I can enjoy that same beloved combination and not feel guilty about it or have that nasty sugar high & low.  I have yet to not have a kid ask for seconds of this tasty and power-packed snack.

Indredients:

9 medjool dates, pitted
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons ground flax
3 scoops vanilla protein powder
2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips (optional, but included in nutritional info)

Directions:

Combine, dates, peanuts, flours, protein powder, flax seed, and salt in a food processor.  Blend until combined and evenly ground.  While food processor is running, add in syrup and vanilla.  Blend until a stiff dough forms. 

Transfer dough to a medium mixing bowl and stir in chocolate chips. 

Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. 

Makes about 24 balls.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 ball

Calories: 90
Fat: 4g
Carbs: 8.5g
Sugars: 5.5g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1.5g

Enjoy!