{Coconut Oil} Chocolate Fudge

 

So, I am currently obsessed with coconut oil! I use it all the time, whether when I bake or even sautéing my vegetables in it. I also use it as a moisturizer and I put just a dab on my eyelashes to strengthen them and help them grow. Coconut oil helps you body put up a resistance against bacteria and viruses. It also helps fight off yeast infections, regulate your blood-sugar levels, and give your metabolism a good boost.

 



Because I will be graduating NEXT WEEK!!! I am SO incredibly excited! Anyway, as I will be graduating next week, I will also be having my senior piano recital the very next day. I am going to be baking loads of treats, and I thought that maybe my Coconut Fudge would be a nice tropical kind of sweet. It took me about two or three times before I finally got it right, but that's all in the art of baking!
 

{Coconut Oil} Chocolate Fudge

 Ingredients:

1 cup extra virgin coconut oil

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/4 cup cacao powder

1/4 raw honey

1/2 raw dark chocolate

Instructions:

1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

2. In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and simmer until oil is combined with other ingredients and chocolate is completely melted.

3. Pour fudge into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm.

4. Cut into squares and store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer.

~Enjoy! - Gabi xoxo~

Quinoa Energy Bars

So, Memorial Day was this past weekend and when I was not working, I was spending time with my family. Veterans Day is a big day for my family because my Grandfather was a WWII pilot, my one uncle served in the Marines, and my other uncle, who passed away a little over year ago, after over a 20-year battle with cancer, also fought for our country. It was a great reminder to cherish the time with my family, and I give thanks for the men and women who fought and laid down their lives for our freedom.

As a good bonding family time, we went of a six-mile hike. It was a beautiful and it was so enjoyable! We made it back just before the dark clouds rolled in and it started to sprinkle. While on the hike, all of my family had their protein and granola bars, but as I have gone gluten-free, I couldn't have either. I needed something to nourish me, energize me, and give me something healthy to snack on at other times.

These energy bars have quinoa and dark chocolate! Quinoa is one of these best sources of protein, and if you are not a huge fan of the taste, no worries for the berries mask the taste. Dark chocolate is the best kind of chocolate for you and is a great antioxidant, it lowers blood pressure, and it fills your chocolate craving without overindulging.

Quinoa Energy Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

2 Tbsp. chia seeds (alternative is flax seeds)

1/2 cup frozen berries

1/3 dried cranberries

Enough dark chocolate to spread over top lightly

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degree F.  Line baking pan with wax paper.

2. Rinse quinoa and cook according to package. Drain and set aside.

3. Food process chia seeds, frozen berries, and dried cranberries until gooey.

4. In mixing bowl, mix together quinoa and gooey mess. *Optional: Mix in whole dried cranberries.

5.Spread thinly on baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, or until crispy. Remove and let cool.

6. Melt chocolate and spread thinly over the energy bars. Let cool completely.

7. Store in airtight container. Best if refrigerated or frozen for more of a crunch!

~Enjoy!! -Gabi xoxo~

{Flourless} Cacao Cookies

As my first post, I thought that I would tell just a little about me personally. I am about to graduate high school in  14 days and I could not be more excited! I have been baking since I was a little girl, but only discovered about two years ago that I had a knack and passion for the culinary arts. You can usually find me trying out new recipes, or concocting my own.

 I live in a family that enjoys food, and luckily I have two younger brothers who seem to be always hungry and they are always willing taste testers. My family is very supportive and they are never to scared to tell me the truth if something is bad.

In the fall, I am planning on attending culinary school in order to get my degree, and I am so incredibly thankful for how all the pieces have simply fit into place.

I am hoping to one day have either my own little shop, or a catering business. My specialty is desserts, so I will warn you right now, that you will be seeing a lot of recipes to satisfy the sweet tooth.

Well, lets get down to business! The recipe for today is for all you Gluten-Free people, but also for those who have a big sweet tooth.

These cookies are delicious, but as a warning: these cookies are rather sweet. My dad thinks that gluten is an amazing thing (*insert eye roll*), and he LOVED these cookies!

No exaggeration! Another plus side to these cookies, is that they are only 68 calories! Each!! The centers are rich and gooey, with a meringue edge.

{Flourless} Cacao Cookies

Ingredients:

3 cups powdered sugar

3/4 cup organic cacao powder

1/4 tsp. salt

4 large egg whites

1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cacao powder, and salt.

3. Stir in vanilla and egg whites. Whisk until batter is moistened.

4. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Scoop the batter by the tablespoon onto baking sheet. Leave enough space between each cookie for each cookie to expand.

6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are glossy and lightly cracked.

7. Let the cookies cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage. Leave at room temperature or freeze (they're really good either way).

~Enjoy!- Gabi xoxo~