Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Ciao everyone!

Can you believe it's almost Easter!??!??!?

Where has time flown off to???

Seriously, I feel like we just got off of the Christmas joy-spirit high!!

Apparently I'm not in control of time though, because while I'm over here singing Angels We Have Heard On High, the church choir is polishing rehearsals of Christ is Risen.

 Better get on the train I guess...or I could just keep singing until December...

However, since my vocal chords probably would get tired by then (and very out of tune)...I think I'll meet somewhere in the middle and make chocolate to honor the actual holiday we have arrived upon. Yup, this could work quite well;)

The question then becomes... what is one of the most popular Easter candies that make the holiday so special?

I don't know about you, but in my house, there must be Reses, or the holiday must be postponed.

So...let there be Reses!

Oh wait...I forgot...they are terribly unhealthy and full of sugars and fake ingredients.. hmmm..what to do, what to do...

 

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

(Oh yeah, I went there;] )

makes-10

Ingredients for Chocolate:

1/2 tablespoon coconut oil

2 1/2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk

1 tablespoon stevia cup-for-cup

1/3 cup natural cocoa powder

1 tablespoon water

Ingredients for PB filling:

2 tablespoons natural peanut butter

1/2 tablespoon sweet vanilla protein powder (or sugar-free powdered sugar...for which there is a recipe on this blog, if you have no idea what i'm talking about)

1/2 tablespoon stevia cup-for-cup

Directions: (this has a few steps to it...but they are not difficult, and very worth it. Trust me)

1) Start by preparing candy liners by either placing 10 small cupcake liners in a baby muffin tin, or using tin foil to create cute and shiny little cups in the muffin tin as a mold. 

2) Next, make the filling- Mix together ingredients listed until very combined. Set aside.

3) Now, make the chocolate- Begin by melting oil. Stir in milk and stevia. Whir in cocoa with electric beaters. Add water as beating, to create a very smooth consistency. 

4) Finally, assemble chocolates- Press chocolate into bottom of liners and a bit up the sides if you can. Add filling in a little ball in the center. Cover with chocolate.

5) Lastly, let it set by sticking them in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Enjoy! (Does not have to be kept in the freezer after this...but if you actually managed to have a few leftover and did not devour all at once, store in the fridge.)

Ciao for nowww!

-TheRedLady-

 

P.S. As you may be able to tell, the recipe makes 10 adorably sized chocolates. Feel free to make them a bit larger than I did; or (an even better plan) just make a double batch and make more or make them all bigger:)

Nutella Fudge Dough Bites

Ciao everyone!

I know why you're here.

A word so simple, yet it carries so much in its name alone.

NUTELLA.

If you haven't already seen my post about how to make it, you should do that too.

But for now, something more crafty!

First, of course, a story is in order...

Do you ever fail miserably at something, and then later realize you actually created something entirely different than your original goal, but somehow it is fantastic in itself?

I applaud your efforts, and your surprise creation:)

This recipe came from one of those times.

In an attempt to make actual copycat Nutella, I definitely failed in the first try.

Out of the food processor came this fudgey dough stuff--far from the creamy goodness I was dreaming of.

Still, it went into a container and into the fridge till I could figure out what to do with it....and then I realized...

THAT IS NUTELLA DOUGH!

Let's do some math...

Cookie Dough=Delicious, Fudge=Delicious, and Nutella=Delicious...

Soo... Cookie Dough+Nutella+Fudge+Nutella Fudge Dough=???

I think you can solve that last one on your own;)

If you're having trouble, just go ahead and try out the recipe. Then try the equation again. Or forget the equation in a serious attempt and mental challenge to not eat the whole bowl  lovely party involving you and the Nutella Dough;)

Nutella Fudge Dough Bites

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup stevia (cup for cup baker's bag)

1/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder

4-5 tablespoons vanilla almond milk

2 tablespoons agave nectar

Directions:
1) Blend well in a food processor ALL AT THE SAME TIME until well combined
2) Scoop dough with a spoon and roll into bite-sized balls
3) Enjoy!

Ciao for now!
-TheRedLady-

Chocolate Pudding Pie Cups

Ciao everyone!

Guess what?

It's tomorrow again.

But I'm still awake from yesterday, and something grand occurred on yesterday, so let's marvel on it instead!

Do you know what December 16th is?

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED ANYTHING DAY<3<3<3

That, my friends, is a VERY important thing to celebrate by all means possible.

Here is a chocolatey recipe post for the road.. just for fun:)

And because now you have a reason to make it... In honor of the today of yesterday.

Or something.

Oh whatever.... did you really need a legit reason to make something chocolatey?

I didn't think so. ;)

Chocolate Pudding Pie Cups

(makes: 32 mini pies!)

Ingredients:

Crust-

1 1/4 cups homemade oat flour

1/4 cup + 1/2 tablespoon water

1/2 tablespoon flax oil (or olive oil)

1/2 tablespoon vanilla almond milk

pinch salt

about 1/2 teaspoon stevia

Filling-

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk

3/4 cup unsweetened, natural cocoa powder

 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons stevia, baker's bag

1 tablespoons agave nectar

1 1/2 teaspoons extract of choice *

Optional: decorative topping, such as blueberries, raspberries, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc

Directions:

1) Start by making the crust- Mix ingredients together in a bowl with a fork. Set oven to heat to 375 degrees while you press the crust into a well greased mini-muffin tin. Remember, you need about 32 prepared spaces. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out; allow to cool.

2) Make filling- Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into cooled shells. Top with whatever you like. Refrigerate overnight (the longer it sits, the softer the crust will get. I made mine two days early for a party because I wanted it soft like a graham cracker crust).

3) Enjoy!

* I very much enjoyed this recipe using almond extract, but you could certainly use any other that you like! (Or a mix!) Ideas include:

-vanilla

-peppermint

-raspberry

-coconut

-banana

-mint

-cherry

-lemon

Ciao for now<3

-The Red Lady-