How to Make the Best Homemade Fudge Energy Bars (gluten, dairy, and cocount free)

Welcome to my no bake kitchen.  Because me and the oven have been best of enemies the past week.

 

(funny story about this photo - see the cocoa powder everywhere?  yeah, so I was trying to set a spoonful down on the cutting board, to look all professional, you know? and I lost my balance and flipped the spoon.  hence the cocoa powder everywhere.  my life story)

Ovens need time to heat up. 
Baking needs precise amounts of baking soda.
Cakes and cookies need planning ahead for prep work and cooling time.

Read:  Idonothavetimerightnow.  Or skills - obviously!

I tried a sponge roll cake.  I tried homemade bagels.  I messed up little details on both.  *faceplant*  I DID make these cookies and these cookies, but they weren't blog material because I've already posted them. 

So I stuck with what I know, however uncreative it may be.

No bake energy bites.

 

(don't you just want to finish that bite???)

I am in a not so creative rut right now (hence the lack of posts!)  But I have made these so often (I don't even measure anymore) and this last batch was so good I decided to go ahead and share it with you ... and since I didn't have anything else.

So today I'm going to break down why these are the best homemade fudge energy bites and how you can make them at home, too!

First up: the dates.  aka the key to refined sugar free energy bites.  Dates are the sticky sweetness that makes these taste like a dessert.  And without them, your energy bites will fall apart.  They contribute all of the wet ingredients that hold these bites together.  As for nutritional value, dates are a pretty good source of fiber, especially compared to honey and white sugar.

Next: the almonds!  All nuts, when blended enough, become like a butter.  I don't do that with the almonds in this recipe, but I blend them enough so that their natural fats create a thicker, firmer mixture.  Thanks to the almonds, these energy bites have a nutty, stick-to-ya factor.  You want to make sure you have at least 1:1 ratio of nuts to dates in these kind of recipes.  Otherwise, you will have a wet and sticky hot mess on your hands.  Trust me from multiple experiences.  And, almonds pack a big punch of healthy fats, and protein. 

Third on the list: oats.  Although oats have a bad rap thanks to clumpy lumpy bowls of oatmeal, these energy bites will have you taking back any nasty comments.  Instead of the traditional flour, oats are a hearty gluten free option.  They soak up any extra moisture, ensuring you don't have a wet and sticky hot mess described above.  They aren't usually used in Larabar or Clif bar copycats, but I like the chewiness that oats add.  Plus, they are a great source of fiber!

Finally, our choc-o-la-tay!  On to the goods!  Cocoa powder is an awesome substitute for flour in recipes where you want more chocolate oomph.  It serves the same purpose as the oats in terms of adding body to the energy bites, but it is obviously for the fudge factor.  When cocoa powder combines with dates, you've got a major fudge thing going on.  The rich and chewy fudginess is so darn good!  I use a hefty three tablespoons, but these aren't bitter (also learned from previous experiences) thanks to the dates and the ...

... Dark chocolate chips - don't you dare point to these little beauties and slam these energy bites as unhealthy.  Dark chocolate is good for you (or so I hear ... and tell myself as I eat half the bag) because of all those antioxidants.  (I honestly have no idea what they are but I hear they are good for me.)  And seriously, dark chocolate chips taste amazing. 

Blend those all up, with a little water to make it smoother, and roll into balls. 

Instant fudge gratification. 

These are some of my favorite things to make.  We're talking serious fudge truffles here!  When I want chocolate, I don't want to wait 45 minutes for brownies.  Now I don't have to.  These satisfy my random chocolate fixes in five minutes AND keep me fueled all morning and afternoon ... and afternight. 

In. Love. 

Homemade Fudge Energy Bites
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 12 bites

1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup oats
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Water

In a good food processor (I used my Ninja) blend the dates with 3 tablespoons of water. (It is okay if they aren't super smooth)
Add almonds and oats and blend again.
Add cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and 1-2 tablespoons more water.  (Start with 1 tablespoon water and if you need more, add the second tablespoon.)
Roll into 12 balls.
Enjoy healthy fudge bliss.
If you have any, store leftovers in refrigerator.

Raspberry Truffle Bites {healthy, GF}

 

I love talking with people. 

 

I'm extroverted and I like talking anyways, but getting to talk with people is so much fun. There are so many different types if conversations. There are the for fun chats, the one on one discussions, the group conversations, the long distance phone calls - they're all unique, but all special.  I love the different aspects of different friendships and I'm so blessed to have friends who are willing to share their different interests with me. For example, I like to get together and bake/experiment/make a mess with one friend. Then I like discussing and analyzing books and stuff with another friend.  One it's volleyball, another fashion, another pinterest - I'm truly blessed by the friends I have.  God created us for fellowship!  Getting to talk things out, getting up hash things over, getting to speculate ; conversations are gifts and memories. 

 

I'm working on what I love. Because it bugs me to no end when people say they love something or someone and either 1) it gets old and loses its meaningfulness or 2) you know they person really doesn't love him/her/it and then you don't know if you can believe them every time they say it. 

Words are powerful and I want mine to be meaningful and not fluff. Whether I'm in a group of one on one, I want to not regret my words (trust me, I've stuck my foot in my mouth more times than you can count) but have an image of sincerity. I want my love for things to be special.  Reserved for friendships and conversations. Not the best chocolate pudding ever. 

So here we go. 

 

I really really really like this chocolate cheesecake pudding. Last night at a friends house, my friends mom offered me avocado and we both laughed ... she knows me well!

The chocolate filling in these is divine.  It tastes like rich chocolate pudding and after being refrigerated, takes on the texture of cheesecake.  Not kidding, it is amazing.  The oat base is slightly nutty, has a lot of texture, and pairs with the ultra smooth filling so well.  And the raspberries aren't really necessary, its just for aesthetics;)
 

 

Raspberry Truffle Bites
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 12-16 bites

Base: 

1 cup oats (gluten free certified)

1/2 cup almonds 

1/4 tablespoons honey 

2 teaspoons vanilla 

Truffle: 

1 avocado, ripe 

1/4 cup cocoa powder 

1/4 cup honey 

1 tablespoon milk 

Optional: raspberries for garnish

For the base: In a food processor, blend all the ingredients together until it forms a ball.  Form into 12-16 bases.  Freeze for 10 minutes.

For truffle filling: In a food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth.  REfrigerate for 10 minutes.

To assemble: Spread a 1/2 - 1 tablespoon truffle filling onto each base and top with a raspberry.  You can eat then, but best results are after you refrigerate the bites for at least four hours before serving.

Adapted from The Best Chocolate Pudding

 

These Almond Joy Energy Bites served as inspiration, too!

 



 

 

Almond Joy Energy Bites (No bake and Gluten Free)

Hello from Nationals!  My favorite memory of Halloween is the mini almond joys.  Oh my goodness, I could eat half a dozen of those in a heartbeat.  Now, I can have them in a healthy form!  But before I get to these energy bites, I want to thank you for all your sweet comments.  Seriously, you make my day.

Icing my hand does not make my day. (Icing cupcakes does ... But I can't do that right now.)

Ice hurts!  I know it's supposed to reduce swelling and pain, but, wow, my hand hurts worse after I ice it. I'd like to think I have a higher pain tolerance!  However, all athletes use ice when they hurt something because they know the pain is worth the quicker recovery. (Note to self; pick up games of volleyball do not result in quicker recovery. :)

I don't like the ice on my hand right now but I'm grateful something so simple makes such a difference. As I was thinking about this (I usually kill my 20 minutes of ice time on pinterest, but tonight, I just laid on the couch) I realized for me right now, grace is like that ice. It hurts me to give it. Isn't that terrible?  I don't like giving people grace or the benefit of the doubt or a smile when I feel like being rude. It hurts my pride to be gracious sometimes. But, it always makes me feel better. That's not ever a good reason to do something, but in this case, it not only blesses the person, but it lets Jesus shine through me and keep molding my heart. That's something that has popped up again and again in my bible times - letting Jesus mold my heart. The act of getting my heart to a place where if has no will and yields to Jesus. Where my life is given to God to interrupt and mold as He chooses. It's made me realize if I can't be responsible in the little things like grace, then there is something wrong with my relationship with Christ. That thought hurts, too, but if I respond to it, it will make me better. 

So, as I sit here trying to recreate Antarctica for my hand, I'm hoping to get rid of the Antarctica around my heart and let God melt and mold it as He chooses. 

I'm also eating the last of these energy bites. They're the only redeeming part of icing my hand:)

These are incredible. They truly taste like almond joys - but they're healthy!  The honey is the sweetener and binder, but not the dominant flavor. It's the coconut and chocolate chips that take center stage here.  The coconut shreds make these chewy and if you like coconut, feel free to add extra. My favorite part is the mini chocolate chips. First, they're mini!  I mean, what is not to love?  And second, they're chocolate!  Seriously, what is not to love?  

And these are gluten free, if you use certified oats. The perfect snack or dessert and they come together in five minutes. Totally worth icing my hand.

Almond Joy Energy Bites
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 12 bites

1 cup quick oats (divided) (use gluten free certified oats to ensure this is gluten free)
1/2 cup coconut shreds, sweetened
1/2 cup almonds (I used slivered)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Using a small food processor, grind 1/2 cup oats into a flour (or close to.)  Add almonds and pulse until finely chopped.  Add coconut shreds and remaining half cup oats and pulse once or twice. Pour in coconut oil and honey and pulse until mixture forms a ball. Stir in chocolate chips. Roll into 8-10 uniform balls and serve. Store at room temp or in refrigerator.

 

Salad Saturdays: Orange Chickpea Couscous Salad

This is the last installment of Salad Saturdays!

Although I've missed a week once or twice *sheepish grin* I've really enjoyed experimenting with salads for this series. 

1. Mediterranian Tabouli

2. Avocado BLT Bagel Salad

3. Crunchy Blueberry Orange Salad

4. Avocado Strawberry Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

5. Mexican Chicken Salad with Corn, Cucumber, and Avocado Salsa

6. Lemon Kale Salad

7. Todays Orange Chickpea Couscous Salad

This is a fresh, delicious tasting salad!  It uses couscous and chickpeas as its base and then is spiced up with parsley and green onions and finally drizzed with orange juice and olive oil.  Its amazing and can be served as a main dish or side.

Orange Chickpea Couscous Salad

Recipe Source: Adapted from Family Fun

Yield: 8 servings

Salad:

1 cup water

1 cup couscous

1 (14.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup dried parsley

1/3 cup slivered almonds

Dressing:

1 teaspoon orange zest

1/3 cup orange juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

Bring water to boil.  Place couscous in heat proof bowl, stir in the water, and cover, and let it stand until all the water is absorbed.  Fluff with a fork and cool.

In another bowl, toss the chickpeas, tomatoes, green onions, parsley, and almonds together. 

In a small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together.

To serve: 1) Serve couscous, chickpea mixture, and dressing separately, letting people chose how much they want of each. 2)  Stir couscous into chickpea mixture and toss with dressing.

P.S. Naptime Creations featured my Homemade Tzaziki in her Super Summery Eats!  Check out the link for more great summer treat ideas!

Salad Saturdays: Crunchy Blueberry Orange Salad

How are you all?!  Did you have a good 4th of July?

Our family's celebration began when dad let us all have some money to go but fireworks. Some of us (aka Nathan, Stephen, and I) pooled to get two big ones, while Luke and the girls got lots of tanks, fountains, and little artillery shells or whatever they are called. We shot them off on the 3rd because not al of us would be there on the 4th.  Stephen and I spent the fourth at the lake and Nathan and Luke spent the fifth at the lake. It worked great!

 

I've told you all about my love for tubing with Gracie. This year was no exception. Aunt Maury whipped us, tossed us, and drive us through BIG waves to our hearts content. My parents and uncle are convinced we over tubed, but I don't think there is such a thing. May they fit the idea from our finger cramps. Or our raw elbows. Or our incredibly sore and stiff arms. Or maybe our legs. Oh yes, our legs. We rubbed them raw the first day. I mean, raw. Our thighs were bright red and looked like we had chicken pox. It wasn't pretty but I didn't care. :)

We both realized, but weren't willing to admit, that our legs would be on fire the next day when we tubed. While getting bags of ice  at the little lake store that morning with my aunt, Gracie saw some long socks for sale. She immediately said, "We can cut the toes off and pull them around our legs so it won't rub."  I was a little skeptical, my uncle told us we we were rocking the oh so versatile socking look, but man oh man did they work incredibly well. They were light weight, very soft, and skin tight, like spandex. Saved our legs for sure. Because it didn't rub, it didn't hurt. That day, it was really bumpy and the whole ride, we were bumping and flying. So much fun and so much hard work!  Hanging on for dear life would be an accurate statement, but giggles/squeals (depends on who you ask) would bely any unenjoyment. You must try it at least a dozen times in your life. Gracie wished it was an Olympic sport. I agree.

And we aren't done yet!  After I hit publish, we are headed back for the last day of our 4th of July celebration!

Crunchy Blueberry Orange Salad

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life

Yield: 1 serving

3/4 cup chopped lettuce

1/4 cup mandarin oranges

1/4 cup blueberries

1 tablespoon slivered almonds

2-3 tablespoons chow mien noodles

Creamy balsamic vinaigrette dressing 

Toss first five ingredients together. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately. 

Apple Raisin Larabars

This weekend has been pretty crazy. 

Saturday was Field Day for the Hunter's Safety Class.  I was NOT happy about it.  Hunting isn't my passion and now I had to read this 200 page book about it and spend 7 hours outside learning about guns and hunting?  What!  I don't hunt and now you want me to go expose myself to the whole world?  Yes, embarrassing as it is, that's why I did not want to do this.  So Friday night, at 9:30, I made Dad come and show me how to load a gun, because I was not going to be the dummy who didn't know how to. 

What is so ridiculous is that the whole reason people take this class is because they want to learn how to.  Its not a test on your already acquired skills, its designed to teach and help you.   I cannot stand feeling unprepared and I know that is why I was nervous - I didn't know what to expect and was not ready to adopt the "go with the flow" attitude.  But I enjoyed it.  Let's just say the instructors probably wouldn't have put me and my brothers together based on shooting accuracy, but it was a fun day.  It didn't drag because the instructors were passionate about what they were teaching and we got to trek over fields, shoot every type of gun possible and practice archery. 

I was prepared, just in case I didn't like the field day, I would at least have a really good snack.  Wasn't necessary, but hit the spot anyway!

Okay, and after that, I got to go watch Gracie qualify for Westerns!  Regionals was in Wichita and now she is going to compete with the best gymnasts of her level in the west coast.  Pretty cool, huh?  I was thrilled to finally get to see her compete.  Then we stayed up all night (well, part of the morning too: /) talking, doing . . . stuff, and having a blast.  I forget how much I miss her until we get together and then one night just isn't enough.  I love seeing her and she is way more energizing than any homemade Larabar.  She has to be!   

My grandma's sister dehydrates apples and gives them to us every Christmas so we have bags if them, but store bought should work just fine. Larabars traditionally use dates, but raisins work well with apples and are cheaper. I love it when your wallet is happy and so us your tummy. Fruit is so sweet naturally and these are crazy good. Eh, they might be kinda fallish, but we don't really have to go there. The base is in the raisins and almonds, but the oats add body and chewiness while the apples and cinnamon meld it all together. There are a bazillion jillion chocolate Larabar recipes out there, so I decided to try something different and was really pleased with the result.  

 So there was my weekend!  Guns, gymnasts and granola-ish larabars!  (Sorry, I just had to use the "g" theme!)

Apple Raisin Larabars

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life

Yield: 4-5 large bars

1/4 cup old fashioned oats (use certified gluten free oats to make this gluten free)

3 oz. almonds

3 oz. dried applies

3 oz. raisins

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

dash of nutmeg and allspice (optional)

Cover raisins and apples in water for a couple minutes.  Grind oats and almonds in a food processor until fine.  Drain apples and raisins and add to oats and almonds. Add cinnamon, (and nutmeg and allspice, if desired) and process until mixture pulls into a ball.  Add water by teaspoon if necessary (in case your fruit was really dry.)



Homemade Blueberry Larabars

I fell in love with Clif Bars, Larabars, and Power Bars last summer.  We were out of any kind of bars the other day and since we weren't going to the store, I rolled up my sleeves and plugged in the food processor and five minutes later, I got this.

 
Not the prettiest thing in the world, but don't judge a book by it's cover!   Hidden behind its seemingly unattractive appearance is a dense, sweet, blueberry packed homemade Larabar that is waaayyy cheaper than the ones at the store.

My goal was a homemade Clif Bar. Particularly the blueberry crisp ones. Mmmm, I love those. But as you can tell, I ended up with Larabars. (Can I just say, the ingredients list uses the smallest font and adds in all these little things that make it impossible to decipher? However I persevered and squinted my way through the back of the Clif bar wrapper.) Since it has been several weeks since I had a blueberry crisp Clif bar, I don't remember what it tasted like, but this Larabar is uh-mazing. Perfect for snacking. Oh, and even though I don't do gluten free or sugar free or something-free, these have no added sugar, for those who like that stuff. Nada, zilch, noodle.  And even though Larabars are for athletic moments, baking is hard . . . Have you ever had to climb the countertops before?Deserves a Larabar every now and then;) 

 

It's sweet and a little tart from the blueberries and has that thick chewy texture I love in date/nut bars.

You all shouldn't be surprised that I turned to my hard working food processor again! It grinds your dry ingredients and then blends in your wet ingredients. A plus to this already super duper recipe? Oh yeah, there are only four ingredients.

 

Blueberry Larabars
Yield: 4 generous sized bars

1/4 cup old fashioned oats
3 oz. almonds
6 oz. pitted dates (I like SunMaid)
1/2 cup blueberries

Cover dates with water and soak for 30 minutes. Grind oats and almonds until fine. Drain dates. Add dates and blueberries and process until it pulls into a ball. Remove and spread onto saran wrap. Cut into bars and serve or freeze until later.

Seriously, this is a dangerous recipe.  Done in less than five minutes and they are so addictive.  It is a good thing it doesn't make very many!  Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life

My Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are also quick, healthy snack bars!

 

And the Secret "Fudge Brownie" Bars also use dates!

It is important to feed our bodies nutritional things.  Blueberries, oats, almonds, and dates are nutritional, healthy things.  But at the same time, if you ate this entire recipe of healthy ingredients, it would be just as unhealthy compared to eating a brownie.  Anything out of moderation is unhealthy and I think a mindset can become skewed without that principle.  Branding a food as "bad" will only lead to guilt.  Balance and moderation are the keys.   Yes, I eat homemade Larabars and such, but I also love butter filled cookies and carb loaded rolls.  Is that bad?  Is it "unhealthy?"  It would be if I ate five rolls and nothing else . . . but I don't.  You don't have to only eat fruits and vegetables and low calorie foods to be healthy.  I think God gave is food because He wants us to enjoy it and be creative in ways of preparing it.  But He does want us to be good stewards of our bodies and make wise choices in what we choose to feed our bodies.

So once you've made it through my thoughts on that (right, wrong or otherwise) I guess the bottom line I was trying to say was healthy isn't a one fits all thing.  And healthy shouldn't be depriving oneself of something.  Healthy is taking care of the body God has given you so you can be physically equipped for what He wants you to do.  That is my opinion - It is such a broad and confusing subject to be honest - and I want to hear your opinions!

Secret "Fudge Brownie" Bars

Did you know bananas get jealous?  Mine do.  Really jealous.  "Why does the avocado get to hang out with the cocoa powder all the time?  I want a black coat like the avocado's and I need to meet the cocoa powder.  Why can't I go over to the cocoa powder's side of the kitchen?  I always have to play with the apples.  It's just not fair!"

Really banana, get over yourself and be grateful.  Your side of the kitchen looks just like the avocado's.  Also, he's kind of a shady fellow, with that black coat and all.  Why don't you like your yellow coat?  It's so bright and sunny!  Can't you just be grateful for what you've got?

So, I, being the good kitchen overseer that I am, let the banana hang out with the cocoa powder.  And the dates.  And the almonds.  And it was a party!  A party in my mouth.

These are delicious.  The bottom layer is dense and slightly chewy while the top layer is super smooth and fudgy.  The nuts add a nice crunch in contrast to the frosting like top layer, combining to create a sweet treat with no flour or sugar.  Truly, if brownies could be healthy, these would be the ones.

Secret "Fudge Brownie" Bars
Adapted from FitSugar.  These are more like chocolate frosted Larabars, which is still really good, but these and these are true brownies.

6 oz pitted dates
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp.. vanilla

2 ripe bananas
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp instant coffee

Soak dates in warm water for 30 minutes.  Grind nuts until fine in food processor.  Drain dates and add to nuts.  Blend.  Gradually add cocoa powder and vanilla until mixture pulls together and is well blended.  Press into 9x9 pan.  Clean food processor.  Now, blend bananas, peanut butter and honey until smooth.  Add cocoa powder and coffee and blend again until smooth.  Pour over date mixture and freeze until firm (6+ hours for me.)  Cut into squares and freeze leftovers.

Note:  My bananas were really big, so you could taste a little of the banana.  If your bananas are bigger, I would use less banana or add more cocoa powder and peanut butter.  Once frozen though, the banana flavor mellows out, tasting a lot like this "ice cream."

Okay, the scene about Mr. Banana wanting to hang out with the avocado and his black coat  is fictional.  But the concept is not.

I believe as girls, one of the things we are most discontent with is how we look. We are often jealous of other’s appearances.  But there is a deeper issue.  Jealousy is saying we don’t believe God’s promises are enough. He says "Mary Frances, you are fearfully and wonderfully made," but we choose to let the magazines define our worth, saying "God, I’m not wonderful unless I look like her." Harsh? Yes. True? Sadly yes. I sometimes wonder why God offers us grace after we’ve shoved it back in His face. "No, I want to do it my way. You say beauty is in my heart, but I want my beauty to be in my face, body, or attitude . . . not my heart. That’s not important in our culture."  Jealousy is lack of trust in God.

So what do we do with jealousy?  I wish it was as easy as saying, "Mary Frances, you're just not going to be jealous today."  It doesn't quite work that way.  In order to overcome jealousy, I think we have to look at our priorities.  Why am I jealous?  Is it because I'm ungrateful?  Is it because I place a lot of emphasis on looks?  And then look at things that make you feel jealous.  I'm going specifically off of looks, but if pictures spark jealousy, step away from the pictures.  Turn away, move on.

And at the core, it is a mental battle.  In order to overcome jealousy, you must look for things to be grateful for instead of focusing on what you don't have.  I touched a little on this in

this post about thankfulness and I really should do it more often.  Instead of focusing on what we don't have, we must look at we do.  Even if it means being grateful for the sunshine instead of wishing I had that donut pan.  I've got to choose to be grateful for my yellow coat and apples.

Peanut Butter Granola

Need a pick me up this morning?  Look no further - this recipe is power packed full of energy to help you tackle our world's problems! (Or the algebra sitting on the table, but you know, its same difference.)

Peanut butter and honey are becoming staples in my our pantry.  This recipe is awfully similar to the Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, so if you could make those, you can make this granola!  It smells so good while it is crisping in the oven and unlike most granola recipes, this could actually be made the morning you want to eat it! 

Think about it.  No more hanging around the kitchen for hours, turning your granola every 15 minutes.  Its baking time is only 8 minutes! 

Peanut Butter Granola
Recipe Source: Adapted from Peanut Butter Fingers
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash of nutmeg
2 cups oats
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Melt peanut butter and honey on stove, stir in cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg.  Add oats and almonds, spread on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 325 for 8 minutes.  You will be tempted to eat some as it comes out of the oven, but resist.  It will feel a little soft, but give it a couple minutes and it will crisp up beautifully.

This makes a perfect breakfast.  I was getting a little tired of my cooked oatmeal and this is a delicious switch up.  Protein from the peanut butter, fiber from the oats, fill-me-up from the almonds  . . . perfect.  Its spices taste so warm and comforting, especially with all the snow about.  Its versatile, an easy snack, and did I mention less than 10 minutes in the oven?  I'm good at repeating things I like if you hadn't noticed.

One of the reasons I love this recipe is because it is short.  It doesn't take a lot of time, ingredients, or effort.  Its easy.  I have been doing a Bible Study on Daniel (not Beth Moore's; I'm still waiting to do that one) and I am continually amazed at how not-easy his life was.  First he is whisked away from his home and family.  Then, they take away his identity and give him a Babylonian name.  He doesn't know the land, the people, the culture, and he is expected to embrace it all.  Oh yeah, to make you feel better, we've decided you're really smart and you get to be an aide to the king.  I would want to curl up in a bed, pull the pillow over my head and tell everyone I'm not there and I don't want to do it. 

Thankfully, Daniel wasn't like me.  Not at all cowed, Daniel rejects the food (really buddy, don't insult the host's cooking) because it defiles his God.  Guess he knew he needed his own version of peanut butter granola to give him the energy to deal with royal nightmares.  He was constantly in demand after he interprets confusing dreams for Kind Nebuchadnezzar.  And King N. is only the beginning.  Daniel interprets several dreams of doom and is honored every time.  That cracks me up.  "The writing on the wall means you are going to die tonight!"  "Okay, thanks for interpreting, here you can be third on command."  God was definitely helping Daniel, because Daniel's life was not easy.  It didn't have short cuts or a short list of things to do.  He had to be thrown in the lion's den, interpret dreams and then be shown the end of the world and expected to keep quiet about it.  It is impossible to read it and not be challenged.  Challenged to stand up.  Just stand. 

Don't eat the defiled food.  Don't glory in what our culture does. 

Tell the king the truth: he is going to act like a cow pretty soon.  Be honest with people about Whom your identity is in.

Just listen.  Yeah, there is this creature with four horns and a creature that is too freaky to describe.  Just listen when God speaks.

Daniel is way bigger than the lion's den and I am having to be patient as I take it page by page, challenge by challenge.  I love one of the lines that says, "Let the lions roar."  Let them roar, because thats all they can do.  My fears can sound powerful, hungry, and ready to devour me, but in reality, God has shut their mouths and all they can do is roar.  God is the source of power.  Ultimate power, not the peanut-butter-protein-packed kind of power.  No, the kind that shuts lions mouths and silences kings kind of power.  And it takes less than 8 minutes.  It takes just as long as it takes for us to humble ourselves. 

Chocolate Covered Almonds

There are lots of kinds of nuts.

Health nuts.

Music nuts.

I guess I'm a nut nut.

I love nuts.  Sadly, I am the only one in my family who does.  Isn't that depressing?  On the upside, no one ever touches my countless bags of walnuts, pecans, and almonds.  However, I have no self control with nuts.  None.  Just ask my mom.  My favorites are Emerald's Cocoa Dusted Almonds.  They're pretty pricey though and I thought, hey, why not try to make them.

Cocoa Covered Almonds

2 cups almonds
2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1-1/2 tablespoons flour

Toss almonds with maple syrup and vanilla until coated.  Add cocoa powder and flour and toss.  Spread out on a greased pan and bake at 275 degrees for 25 minutes, turning every 5-10 minutes.

They are delicious. I ate the entire batch in two days.

UPDATE:  March, 2013.  The pictures above are new, but I decided to keep the pic below from the original post just to remember the difference.  Really, what was I thinking?  The sink drain in the background?  I think I was trying to get natural light from the window or something.  Anyway, hope the new photos are more appetizing!