almond apple butter cups

Remember that crock pot apple butter recipe from a few weeks ago?  I blended it with almond butter to make these mega Almond Apple Butter Cups!

Apple Almond Butter Cups ~vegan, gluten free~ A seasonal twist on your standard almond butter cup!

Apple butter, almond butter and dark chocolate make a heavenly combination!  Think of it as a seasonal switch from your standard almond butter cup!  This recipe makes a little more filling than needed, but it makes an amazing breakfast!  Spread the apple almond butter on toast with a dash of cinnamon…delicious!

Apple Almond Butter Cups ~vegan, gluten free~ A seasonal twist on your standard almond butter cup!

Swap Suggestions:

~Use sunbutter, peanut butter or cashew butter in place of almond butter

~Use pumpkin butter in place of apple butter for a pumpkin spice version

~Add a dollop of vegan date salted caramel sauce

almond apple butter cups
 
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Makes 6 Mega Almond Apple Butter Cups
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • ½ cup almond butter
  • ½ cup apple butter (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 bag vegan dark chocolate chips
  • pinch sea salt
Instructions
  1. Place 6 paper liners in a muffin tin and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together almond butter and apple butter.
  3. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate into the bottom of each liner, ~1/4 inch thick. Give the muffin tin a gentle shake to flatten out chocolate. Place into freezer for 10 minutes or until hardened.
  4. Remove from freezer and scoop a generous tablespoon of the apple almond butter and drop into the middle of each cup. Cover with remaining chocolate. Add a small pinch of sea salt to each.
  5. Place back until freezer or refrigerator until chocolate has set.
  6. Store in the refrigerator.
You will have excess of the almond apple butter, use on toast the next day!

    Apple Almond Butter Cups ~vegan, gluten free~ A seasonal twist on your standard almond butter cup!

    cashew pumpkin dip

    Pass on the pile of candy and dive into a bowl of Cashew Pumpkin Dip this Halloween!  It’s secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake!  Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack…or just eat it by the spoonfuls like I did :)

    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!

    This recipe takes only a few minutes to make.  Simply blend creamy cashew butter, pumpkin, maple syrup and spices until fluffy.  Cashew butter is a mild tasting nut butter that works well in recipes.  It’s also super buttery, which makes for a decant dessert!  Cashews are a great source of zinc, biotin, iron, potassium and magnesium.  They also provide protein and monounsaturated fat, making this a snack that will keep your glucose levels in check and in turn preventing sugar cravings.  Sugar cravings and Halloween are a bad combo!

    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!

    cashew pumpkin dip
     
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    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!
    Author:
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Serves: 8
    Ingredients
    • 1 can pumpkin
    • ¼-1/3 cup pure maple syrup
    • ½ cup cashew butter
    • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • pinch sea salt
    Instructions
    1. Place all ingredients in a food process or high-speed blender. Puree until smooth and creamy.
    2. Serve with apple slices, pretzels and graham crackers!
    Nutrition Information
    Serving size: 1 Calories: 137 Fat: 8 Carbohydrates: 16 Sugar: 8 Fiber: 2 Protein: 3

    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!

    P.S. Leftovers make a tasty topping on whole grain toast for breakfast! 

    Head over to Nuts.com for more healthy snack ideas including snacks for work, snacks for kids and high-protein snacks!

    boo bark

    I’ve seen so many variations of Halloween Bark floating around Pinterest these days.  They look beautiful, but are all loaded with artificial coloring and chemicals.  Here is my healthier take on it, Boo Bark!

    Boo Bark, healthier halloween bark! ~vegan, gluten free~ 

    I found the eyes and natural food coloring at whole foods.  I melted coconut butter and coconut oil together to create something similar to white chocolate.  It gave the bark a nice coconutty flavor!  I added brown rice crisps, dried cranberries and walnuts for texture, but feel free to add any of your favorite healthy snacks!  Pistachios, sunflower seeds, dried apple pieces, peanuts or dried kiwi would all work well!  Try this adorable recipe for Vegan Googly Eyes from Fork & Beans!

    Boo Bark, healthier halloween bark! ~vegan, gluten free~

    Boo Bark
     
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    Spooky Bark, a healthy version of Halloween Bark without all the added dyes or chemicals!
    Author:
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Ingredients
    • 1 bag dark chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)
    • ¼ cup coconut butter
    • ½ tablespoon coconut oil
    • a few drops of all-natural orange food coloring
    • walnuts
    • dried cranberries
    • brown rice crisp cereal
    • naturally colored green sprinkles
    • monster eyes (optional!)
    Instructions
    1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    2. Using a double boiler melt chocolate. Spread evenly onto parchment paper.
    3. Meanwhile, melt coconut butter and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add all-natural food coloring. Drizzle on chocolate and use a knife to swirl.
    4. Top with goodies of your choice such as walnuts, dried cranberries, brown rice crisps, sprinkles and monster eyes!
    5. Place in a cool place to harden. Once set, cut into squares and enjoy!
    6. Store in the refrigerator.

     Boo Bark, healthier halloween bark! ~vegan, gluten free~