Chocolate Mint Mousse

I like to watch YouTube videos on healthy recipes. Here is one I saw, I changed the amounts of the ingredients to make it my own and to my taste.

Ingredients:

3 ripe avocados, pitted and scraped out with a spoon
5-6 dates, pitted
2 Tbsp. honey
Hand full of mint
1-2 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of salt

In a blender (I used my Vitamix) add ingredients. You will need to use the wand for this. Blend until smooth and scrape out with a spatula.
Place in serving dish and chill for about an hour before serving.
Enjoy!

Recipe by: Becky

Frozen Bananas & Banana Ice Cream

One of my favorite summer treats is Frozen Bananas. I wait until they are really ripe on my counter (with lots of spots). Peel them, place them all on a cookie sheet, and pop them into the freezer. Then the next day I put them in a ziplock bag in the freezer, ready to eat. (I like to hold the banana in a paper towel while I eat it).

There is something that happens to bananas when they get frozen, they become extra creamy in their texture and flavor. Yummy!

I also like to make banana "nice cream" with my frozen bananas. I used to have such a hard time making banana ice cream out of my frozen bananas in my Vitamix, because they wouldn't blend that well. But, Kristina from Fullyrawkristina gives a great tip. Put a soft unfrozen fruit in the blender first then add the bananas. You could use peaches, pears, pineapple, etc.

Here is the link to her video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cG8j1qmlzQ&list=UU_cOrj8dlCqYnGgp0xdkxow

You also have to use the wand that comes with the Vitamix. This is one of my families favorite desserts, and it's healthy! Bonus!

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

I love coconut. These weren't too rich and were a great treat after Sunday dinner.

1 2/3 C. flaked sweetened coconut* (don't pack into measuring cup)
1/3 C. sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
chocolate for dipping

Mix coconut, sugar, flour, and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside. Beat egg whites in a medium-sized bowl until frothy--about 30 seconds. Add extracts and mix until combined. Add coconut mixture and stir until combined.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto well-greased baking sheets, parchment paper, or silicone baking sheet. (Macaroons are notorious for sticking to the pan). Shape with fingers so they are nice and round.

Bake at 325 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown around the bottom edges. Let cool completely before removing from pan to prevent sticking.

Dip bottom half of cookie into a bowl of melted chocolate.
Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

*For a tasty option, toast half the coconut by spreading coconut in single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until coconut is light brown. You can also put coconut in toaster oven on "dark" cycle. Check frequently to avoid burning.

Recipe from the Book English Trifle by Josi S. Kilpack

I would recommend using a silicone baking sheet if you have one. I did and they came off great.
You can also use melted chocolate chips for dipping.

Cake Balls

My version of Cake balls. You can put them on a stick and call them Cake Pops.

Bake a cake by following the instructions on the back.

Dump in a large bowl

Add 1 C. frosting

Mix with hands until it is a play dough consistency

Form into balls and put on a cookie sheet

Melt 2 C. chocolate chips (You can use white, milk, semisweet, butterscotch, etc.) in the microwave until it is a runny consistency.

Add about 1 Tbsp. shortening to the chocolate chips and continue stirring. I didn't do this step and I think they would have been a lot prettier if I would have.

Roll balls in chocolate with a spoon and place on greased cookie sheet.

When they are still wet, sprinkle with what ever sprinkles you have.

Let set.

Enjoy!

Recipe by: Becky

For a more professional looking cake ball, check them out over at Little Miss Momma.

Hot Fudge Sauce

In a pot on the stove add:
1/2 can evaporated milk
1/2 C. butter
3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 C. white sugar
1/2 C. chocolate chips
1 C. marshmallows
Stir until marshmallows are melted. Heat well.
Add:
1 tsp. vanillla
Serve over ice cream. Top with crushed peppermint candy canes. (Put candy canes in a ziplock baggy and pound with rolling pin or hammer until it reaches the right amount of fineness).

Very tasty! If I don't say so myself. :)
Store leftovers in the fridge. 

Recipe by: Becky

Candied Almonds

These are a great Holiday treat or even a wonderful gift idea.

In a non stick pot on the stove add:
1/3 C. water
1 C. brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Stir together with a wooden spoon. 
Bring to a boil.

Add:
3 C. raw almonds
Cook while stirring continuously until all liquid in dissolved and fully coats almonds. 

Add:
1 tsp. vanilla  extract
Stir.

Add:
1/3 C. white sugar
Stir until all nuts are coated with sugar.

Pour onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Separate with your spoon and let cool.

Recipe by: Becky

Peppermint Bark

This is a great Holiday treat. I made it for some of our neighbors this year.
In a glass bowl melt:
As much almond bark (they sell it at the store by the chocolate chips) as you want in 30 second to 1 minute intervals. Stirring each time with a wooden spoon.
When it melts add 1/8 C. crushed peppermint candy canes (put in a plastic bag and pound with a hammer or rolling pin) to every 2 C. melted bark. Stir well.
Pour on a greased cookie sheet or in a greased 9X13 inch dish. When it sets up scrape underneath with a metal spatula. Break in large pieces and put in a container.

White Chocolate Caramel Apples (or Pears)

Love these! And my great friend Laurel shares a great tutorial on how to make this yummy treat. It really is perfect for the fall. Check it out over at House Full of Monkeys.

Carmel Corn Puffs

This is one of my favorite treats because it is so easy to make and it tastes yummy! This is made with corn puffs that are kind of hard to find but they come in a bag like chips. It can also be made with popcorn.
Recipe:
1 cube butter
1 cup Karo syrup
1 cup brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
melt butter in a saucepan, add karo syrup and brown sugar, stir bringing to a full boil for three or so minutes, until starts forming into a ball. Add sweetened condensed milk, turn down heat and stir until bubbles. Be careful because the milk can set at the bottom and burn so you have to keep stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over puffs or popcorn. Enjoy! The kids love this for a fun snack for a movie or an enjoyable night together!
notice: this is the same recipe I use for buttermilk syrup, but instead of the sweetened condensed milk, I add cinnamon and buttermilk. Easy!