Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Do you have chocolate cravings too? I'm totally guilty of having them more often than not. I've found a healthy way to curb those cravings. 

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding.



It's so delicious and it kicks the cravings right to the curb. I like to top it with a touch of greek yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup and a couple of dark chocolate chips. YUM!!

It's also super easy to make. You just have to have a little bit of patience while it sets!

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds 
• 1/2 Cup Almond Milk 
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Pure Maple Syrup, divided use
• 1 tsp Cacao powder 
• 3 Tbsp plain greek yogurt, divided use
• 4-5 dark chocolate chips 

Instructions

• Place chia seeds, almond milk, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, and 2 tbsp greek yogurt in a bowl and stir well 
• Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight 
• Stir once or twice while refrigerating so it sets evenly 
• Once to the consistency you prefer, top with 1 tbsp greek yogurt, 1 tsp maple syrup, and chocolate chips!  

I hope you enjoy this healthy chocolatey treat as much as I do!

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

I've posted so many times about my love for peanut butter. If peanut butter could be my spirit animal, it totally would be. Pair peanut butter with chocolate and I'm definitely in love. Which is why you see them as a common pairing among my sweets and treats recipes on the blog. These cookies are made with only 7 ingredients, they're chewy and delicious, and the ingredients are definitely going to surprise you.

Ingredients

• 2 cups quinoa, cooked according to package
• ½ cup all natural peanut butter (peanuts should be the only ingredient!) 
• 5 Tbsp pure maple syrup 
• 1 dash sea salt
• 1 tsp (I let it run over) pure vanilla extract 
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (60%+ Cacao), divided

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
• While quinoa is cooking, lightly coat two large baking sheets with spray. Set aside. 
• Combine cooked quinoa, peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, vanilla, and egg in a large bowl; mix thoroughly. 
• Fold in ⅔ cup of dark chocolate chips; mix until melted and blended. 
• Drop by Tbsp onto prepared baking sheets. 
• Add remaining chocolate chips to the tops of each cookie
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until set. 
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes on baking sheets after removing from the oven. 
• After 5 minutes, transfer cookies to a cooling rack (or parchment paper) and allow them to cool completely. 
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

I know what you're thinking.... Quinoa?! For cookies!? Don't knock it till you try it! They are chewy and mouth-wateringly delicious. Plus, who says no to peanut butter and chocolate in any form?

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dark chocolate, walnuts, and almond flour make a delicious cookie with a great texture. They're gluten free, and use pure maple syrup to sweeten. They help curb my sweet tooth cravings and are DEFINITELY a bit of a healthier version of the original chocolate chip cookies we all love. Nate and Gabe actually prefer these to my normal chocolate chip cookies. So they're a hit with all ages! 

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup coconut oil, room temperature 
• 1 large egg 
• 2 egg whites 
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (I always let a little bit run over the tsp) 
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (I let this one run over a little bit too) 
• 3 cups almond flour 
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (60% or greater Cacao)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper 
• Combine dry ingredients (almond flour, baking soda, sea salt), mix, and set aside 
• Mix coconut oil and pure maple syrup in a mixer for about 5 minutes. 
• Add whole egg, egg whites, and your vanilla and almond extracts, mix for 2 more minutes 
• Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mix until just combined 
• Add in chocolate chips and walnuts, mix until well combined
• Use a tablespoon and place large, rounded tablespoons on your prepared baking sheets 
• Using the back of the spoon lightly flatten each ball of dough 
• Bake for about 15 minutes, until golden brown

They're fairly easy and pretty quick. If you're in the mood for cookies, these are a great option. Store in a sealed container on at room temperature for about a week. Enjoy!