chocolate

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

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These sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies are so good! The sourdough gives them moisture and a bit of tangy goodness.

I’ve been making sourdough bread for about six months and have mastered a few of the discard recipes like banana muffins, waffles, English muffins and crackers. If you aren’t sure what I am talking about the “discard” is the stuff you would throw away when feeding your starter—I keep mine in a jar in the fridge so when I get the push to bake something, I have extra for some fun recipes.

I am a huge fan of cookies but rarely make them because I have zero self control when it comes to cookies. Thankfully I have a house full of people coming this weekend who will gobble these up in no time.

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

*This recipe requires you to chill the cookie dough for at least 2 hours FYI! Don’t skip this step because it will help your cookies bake up the best!

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 + 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp. baking powder

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup sourdough discard

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 stick of butter

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar

• 1/2 cup white sugar

• 1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips (butterscotch chips are great, too!)

How to Make Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. In a large bowl mix all your dry ingredients. Use a fork to whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and then set aside.

2. In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the egg, sourdough discard and vanilla. Set aside.

3. In a mixer add your cold, cubed butter and both the brown and white sugar. Beat on low-speed until the mixture forms small crumbles. This shouldn’t take more than 1 minute. Add the chocolate chips and mix for another 30 seconds. You can also hand mix just make sure everything gets incorporated well.

4. Add all your dry ingredients and mix on low-speed for about 30 seconds or a few minutes by hand. Once the dough begins to pull away from the bowl, you’re good! Don’t over mix.

5. Make small balls of dough either with a cookie scoop or a large spoon. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Put cookie sheet in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. I have also used a mini muffin pan like this, or in a pinch for time made cookie bars using a baking pan like this.

6. Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown.

If you happen to have any left, you can store in an air tight container and these also freeze really well. I also love to give a little gift to others using this cute boxes you can write a special message on.

Yum!

Easy Peanut Butter Bars

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Let life be sweet like chocolate.

I am all about easy when it comes to quick breakfasts or snacks. Who has time for the whole shebang? Not this busy girl.

I am not a banana girl at all but if they are paired with chocolate and peanut butter how can you go wro

These simple bars are perfect for on the go people like me or to stash in the lunchbox for the kiddos.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 super ripe bananas

• 1/4 cup smooth, natural peanut butter

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cup instant or quick cooking oats

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.

2. Add the bananas to a large bowl and mash until almost smooth. Add in the peanut butter and vanilla extract and mix well.

3. Add in the oats, salt, and baking powder and mix to combine. Fold in 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips, reserving the rest for the top of the bars.

4. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan, using a spoon or spatula to smooth it out on top. Add the remaining chocolate chips to the top of the bars. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Let cool and cut into 6-8 pieces.

Enjoy!

One Bowl Breakfast Cookies

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I admit it. I cannot keep cookies in the house without eating at least one per day. I recently solved my guilt by making some healthy versions of cookies. Since I am also not a big breakfast eater I wanted to try to make something that is healthy and something that I would actually want to eat. And, does anyone ever really eat all the bananas before they go brown??? This recipe is great for those forgotten bananas.

These One Bowl Breakfast Cookies are so quick and easy to make–it’s as simple as mixing together wholesome ingredients in one bowl and baking them into the best morning meal. These nourishing banana oat breakfast cookies are the perfect way to start your day, because cookies taste even better for breakfast! Plus, you can play around with different mix-ins so you will never get bored. Who could get bored with a cookie anyway??? My latest favorite thing to toss in is shredded coconut and my favorite chocolate protein powder …… soooo good. And the protein gives you a little more to keep you feeling full.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cup quick oats (I choose gluten free oats)
  •  ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  •  ¼ tsp salt
  •  ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
  •  ½ tsp vanilla extract
  •  2 large ripe bananas mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
  •  ¼ cup dark chocolate chips

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

  • Mix-Ins: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins for extra texture and taste. Some ideas include dried cranberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, unsweetened shredded coconut, and chopped nuts. 
  • Nut Butter: You can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter. To keep it nut-free, try sunflower seed butter or even smooth tahini can be used. 
  • Something Sweeter: The bananas add natural sweetness to these cookies. However, if you want them sweeter, add 2-4 tablespoons of maple syrup, honey (note that honey is not vegan-friendly), or agave nectar.

LETS MAKE SOME COOKIES

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until combined. Drop 2 tablespoon scoops onto the baking sheet.
I recommend baking your cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet to avoid the cookies sticking. Flatten into the shape of a cookie. The cookies will not spread, so they will come out of the oven in the same shape that they go in. You can use a cookie cutter to help form perfect circles or use the bottom of a juice class to smush the dough down. Bake at 350°F for 14-17 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Remove from the oven, cool and serve. I like to store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week (mine never last that long though).

Enjoy!

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Red Velvet Cake Balls

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While I love a good ol’ classic cake I decided to try my hand at making red velvet cake into bite-sized treats for Valentines Day! An added punch of Wild Orange essential oil gives these an extra decadent flavor. If you have never added essential oils to food you’re missing out! Check out this free ebook download that explains many ways to use essential oils, including in food! Be sure to always check that your oils are tested for purity, though!

Okay, back to decadent chocolate goodness! These are so pretty and taste amazing!

How to Make Red Velvet Cake Balls

This tasty creation is made out of red velvet cake that is bonded together with homemade cream cheese frosting and coated in white chocolate. For an extra decadent finish, white chocolate and dusted the top with sprinkles for a stunning polish.

Make sure to add sprinkles before the chocolate dries to ensure that they firmly stick. We chose red and white for a color theme, but you could use sprinkles and sanding sugars in any array of colors to match a party theme, team uniforms, or holiday.

Ingredients

  • 1 (15.25-oz.) pkg. red velvet cake mix
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ? cup (2 2/3 oz.) salted butter, melted
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • Nonstick spray
  • 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (4 oz.) salted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (about 16 oz.) powdered sugar
  • 3 (10-oz.) pkg. white chocolate chips
  • 2 drops wild orange essential oil
  • Red and white sprinkles and sanding sugars

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat cake mix, milk, melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment on low speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium, and beat 2 minutes. Pour batter into 13- x 9-inch baking pan that has been sprayed.
  2. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 24 to 28 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Turn cake out onto wire rack, and let cool completely, about 2 hours.
  3. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and softened butter with heavy-duty stand mixer fitted paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add powdered sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla, beating until blended. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Crumble cooled cake into a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups of cream cheese frosting. (Reserve any remaining frosting for another use.) Roll cake mixture into 48 balls, about 1-inch in diameter. Place balls on baking sheets, and cover with plastic wrap. Chill 8 hours or overnight.
  5. Melt 1 package of the white chocolate chips in a medium-size microwavable bowl in microwave according to package directions. Stir in two drops of wild orange essential oil. Start with 16 cake balls (continue to chill remaining 32 cake balls). Using a fork and working with 1 cake ball at a time, dip ball into melted wafers, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Place ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and immediately sprinkle with desired amount of sprinkles or sanding sugars. Repeat with remaining 15 cake balls and melted wafers in bowl, cleaning fork between each dip. Wipe bowl clean, and repeat 2 more times with remaining chilled cake balls and 2 packages of melting wafers, and desired amount of sprinkles. Chill until ready to serve.

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Valentines Day Heart Shaped Mini Chocolate Cake

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I am a huge lover of chocolate but rarely take the time and effort to bake something from scratch. This year however I have committed to being more deliberate with how I choose to spend my “free” time. (Does that really even exist)??

This Valentine’s Day I wanted to be deliberate and intentional in creating something luscious, chocolatety, and seductive. A practice of self love and love for others, right?

Chocolate + raspberry with a minimal hint of orange will bring just that. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this.

It may be a tad more work than a whipping up a cake mix from a box or buying something from the bakery, but I’m feeling excited to create something so wonderful.

Intentional. Deliberate. And soooooo good.

Ingredients

  • Cake Mix:
  • 1 1/2 cups of flour
  • 1 cup of white sugar
  • 1/3 cup of dark cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 4 ounces of cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup of raspberry jam
  • 1 cup of whipping cream
  • Two drops pure wild orange EO
  • 12 oz bag of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Red and white sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Beat softened cream cheese and raspberry in a bowl. Add powdered sugar and whipping cream, mix on high speed until smooth. Place in the refrigerator.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Next, add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Beat well until mixture has no lumps.
  3. Fill up each opening halfway with batter. If you decide to make cupcakes instead, fill up liners about a 1/3 full. You can find the mold I use in my Amazon shop below.
  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Once done, place mini cakes on cooling rack and allow them to completely cool. (I place them in the refrigerator to speed up the process)
  5. Carefully cut the mini cakes lengthwise and place both halves on the cooling rack with a cookie sheet underneath. (You’ll need it later to catch the excess chocolate)
  6. Add a spoonful of the raspberry filling to the flat side of one cake half and top with the second half.
  7. Melt dark or semi-sweet chocolate until smooth according to package instructions.
  8. Pour melted chocolate over mini cakes until fully covered. Smooth out with a spatula if needed. Add festive sprinkles or candies of your choice. Place in the refrigerator until chocolate sets.