Inside-out Almond Joy

I went out for a little dessert picnic at the Astoria Park with my girlfriend, which warranted a new creation that would be delicious and easily transportable.

If you hadn't noticed yet, I love coconut and particularly coconut macaroons. Simple to make, easy to share, and healthy as usual.

These little guys turned out lovely! They're the consistency of an oatmeal cookie but the flavors of coconut with the little gooey treat inside! Also perfect for travel and easy to eat on the run if you need a quick pick-me-up.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to: 350'

2. Mix together all ingredients until a stiff dough (except almonds and chocolate)

3. Rub hands with flour and grab a little scoop of the coconut mixture, pat it flat in your hand, place 1 almond + 1 chunk of chocolate in center, fold over, and roll into a ball. Repeat.

4. Place on oiled cookie sheet or parchment paper. 

5. Bake for 12 minutes

6. Let cool a little + enjoy

Yield: 10 balls

Tips: You can roll these in almond pieces, or in melted chocolate for a more refined appearance, or mix in the almond pieces for flavor throughout. But I like the idea of a little hidden treat in the center. 

Double the batch, they're addicting!

Enjoy!

-Nelli

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Cheer-Up Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you spend much time with me you will learn that I make the best chocolate chip cookies you've ever had. Now I am usually a modest gal, but when it comes to my cookies it's no holds bar!
I have been perfecting this recipe from the ripe age of 12, so in all honesty I've had some time to work out the kinks. In high-school I would bake a batch and hand them out at school. As an adult I occasionally make a batch and bring them to work, or (as is the case today) wrap them up and mail them off to friends. Today I got news that one of my buddies has been going through a rough time, in my infinite wisdom I decided I would bake him some cookies to cheer him up since I couldn't be there in person. These little guys will be mailed off tomorrow, its just too bad I couldn't send some milk to go along with them.

I've realized over the years I use baking to help people when they are down, but in doing so I make myself happier as well. There is a joy that comes with the process of creating a homemade gift, and imaging the recipients joy upon arrival. Acts of kindness do not happen often enough (myself included), can you imagine the world if we all did just a little more to help out one another? Hold the door for the person behind you, give the homeless woman your change, say 'hi' to a stranger on the street, send a random gift to your friend?
I guess my message today is simply: Spread the Love.

And so I hope that these little packages cheer up those to whom they were sent.

Here is a random TedX talk I recently watched: How to Buy Happiness

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350'
2. Mix together everything except the flour + chocolate chips in a large bowl
3. Mix in the flour 1/2 cup at a time (3x 1/2 cup)
4. Stir in the chocolate
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes
6. Remove from cookie sheet + let cool
-- if you leave them on the cookie sheet to cool they will continue to cook. Only do this if you prefer a crunchier cookie

Yield:
20 medium sized cookies

Tips:
Check the batter before you put the chocolate chips in: if the batter is too wet throw in a tad more flour, if it is too dry add more milk or butter.

I challenge you to do something for another person, even something as small as a compliment might improve that persons day.

Until we meet again, keep watch on your mailbox!

-Nelli

Ready to ship

Delivered

Clean Eatin' Cookies

Uhm..yes please!

I typically never buy premade cookie dough, as I'd rather make the dough myself. But when I saw "Immaculate's Chocolate Chunk Non GMO" cookie dough I just had to try them! What initially caught my attention about these cookies was the packaging to be honest, but what made me actually pick them up was the fact that they are GMO free. If you don't know GMO stands for genetically modified organism. The topic of GMOs is vast, and does require and deserve a blog all of it's own. Be on the look out for that one to come sometime soon!

Check out this awesome brand's website
for more information!

Okay so back to the cookies. As I mentioned what initially caught my mind about the cookies was the packaging, and as the cookies were baking I took a closer look.

This is an actual piece of art by....

Artist feature

Of course the fact that they have a piece of art, and information about the artist made me love this cookie brand even more! Not to mention the cookies were super delicious!! I do feel bad hyping these cookies up, as I forget to take a single picture of the finished product, but rest assured they are delicious!! You can find these bad boys at your local Raley's!

Until next time..cheers!!

Banana-Coconut Oatmeal Muffin Tops

Some of my favorite baked goods are:

Banana Bread

Coconut Macaroons

Oatmeal Cookies

So when I stumbled upon this recipe over on Vegan Richa I couldn't help but give them a go. I modified the recipe a little as I do with most recipes I test, but they are never the less delicious!

Before you get started, keep in mind that these are not the consistency of a cookie, but are more like a muffin or muffin top. The banana will keep them moist, the oatmeal + flax seed will make them healthy, and the coconut + sugar make them delicious.

Ingredients:

2 tsp. flax meal

2 tbs. hot water

2 ripe bananas (mashed)

2 tbs. olive oil

2 tbs. raw turbinado sugar (or honey)

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tbs. orange juice (fresh)

1/2 cup oat flour

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup coconut

dried cranberries (as needed)

Directions:

1. Mix flax meal and hot water, let sit for 5 minutes

2. Make oat flour: out 1/2 cup of oats into food-processor and blend until it becomes a coarse flour

3. Mash bananas (in separate bowl)

4. To the flax add: oil, sugar, spice, salt, orange juice, and mashed banana. Stir.

5. Add the oats + flours to the mixture. Stir.

6. Add coconut +/or dried cranberries to taste. Stir.

7. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper (or grease sheet) and spoon on mixture to desired size.

8. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes

Yield:

I made these cookies the size of one spoonful, which made 16.

Tips:

The dough is very sticky when you're mixing, and they are dense (doughy) after baking.

I am glad I made them on the smaller size as they are quite dense, but they have a ton of flavor, and will be a great breakfast for me this week!

ENJOY!