Dessert

Fudgy Chai Blender Muffins (Vegan)

September 18, 2017 by Nicole 6 Comments

In one of my monthly Favorite Things posts, I mentioned the Flourless Banana Blender Muffins recipe from the Chocolate Covered Katie blog. I’m obsessed with them and I can’t recommend trying Katie’s recipe highly enough. These fudgy chai blender muffins with a vanilla glaze are my twist on her original delicious muffins.

The one (non) issue for me with the original recipe is that I seriously eat the entire batch in one day. Something about the added chai spice of today’s version makes it a lot easier to have just one or two and then be done. Don’t get me wrong—these chai blender muffins are DELICIOUS—but it’s like comparing chocolate chip cookie dough to gingerbread cookie dough. I’m satisfied with a finger lick of the latter. I could eat the entire bowl of the former.

The vanilla glaze drizzle is totally optional. These are delicious with or without it. The glaze is a nice touch when you plan to eat these as a healthier dessert, but if you want them for breakfast or a make-ahead snack, you could definitely skip it.

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If you’re expecting the fluffy, bready texture of a traditional muffin, know that these are a bit different. The tops will have a satisfying hardness to them while the insides with be dense and fudgy. I can’t get enough of the texture!

If you give these a try, let me know what you think! And be sure to check out Chocolate Covered Katie for the original recipe.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Almond Butter Banana Chia Seed Pudding

April 3, 2016 by Nicole 17 Comments

I’ve been loving this almond butter banana chia seed pudding as a make-ahead breakfast option! This might sound weird, but I go through phases where I’m completely disgusted by eggs—can’t even smell them cooking without gagging—and I’m in one now. My mom says it’s because of a heightening consciousness (veganism is part of her faith), and that makes me sound super cool so let’s go with that. 😉

Regardless of reasoning, I’ve been in need of easy eggless breakfast options lately. Chia seed pudding is awesome because you prepare it the night before and then in the morning have it ready to go. This almond butter banana chia seed pudding recipe is SO GOOD. It makes for a great breakfast but could also satisfy a sweet tooth craving at night if you’re looking for healthy dessert options.

I have a blueberry mint chia seed pudding recipe on the blog as well. And if you’re looking for other make-ahead breakfast options, I have some delicious overnight oats recipes you’ll love:

Sweet Potato Overnight Oats – if you’re roasting sweet potatoes for dinner, save some and prepare this recipe for breakfast the next morning!
Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats – love this one during the summer time; it was a light, refreshing taste.
Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats – my go-to flavor combo!

Prep this banana chia seed pudding tonight and kick your week off right by enjoying it for breakfast tomorrow morning! If you prepare it in a mason jar, it makes it easy to bring with you to work or to school.

Are you a chia seed pudding fan? What are some of your favorite flavor combos? And anyone else get weird temporary food revulsions? Happens to me with eggs, melted cheese and fish. Maybe my body is telling me to be a vegan …

xo Nicole

Filed Under: Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: chia seed pudding

Chickpea Chocolate Chip “Cookie Dough” Bites

May 5, 2014 by Nicole 14 Comments

These chickpea chocolate chip cookie dough bites are proof that clean eating can still be delicious…and make you fat (I dare you to not eat the entire batch of these in one day). 😉

I needed something to help wean me off my ridiculous Starbucks cake pop addiction (I’m on week three of cake pop sobriety; working the 12 steps; taking it one day at a time; feeling great), so I decided to experiment with vegan, gluten-free, bite-sized treats using no added sugar. It took a few rounds of tweaking—the first batch tasted like…chickpeas—but I think I finally nailed this one. I got the idea from this chickpea cookie dough dip recipe I kept seeing on Pinterest.

If you’re looking for more of a snack versus dessert, skip the outside chocolate coating. If you’re trying to satisfy a sweet tooth, go for the gold—dip your bites in melted chocolate, pop in the refrigerator to let the outer shell harden, and then say hello to your new favorite food.

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I get back from Mexico late tonight so tomorrow is the last of my pre-vacay scheduled posts. I’ll be tan, bloated, in need of a green juice and a workout, but ready to respond to all the comments and emails you’ve left while I was gone. 🙂