no-bake double chocolate brownie bites

While the heat wave continues I am continuing on my no-cooking strike! It’s been way too hot to turn on my oven and I have no desire to “bake!”  That’s where these little No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites come into play!  All you need are wholesome superfood ingredients and a cuisinart, simple enough and you don’t need to heat up the kitchen!  These may be the easiest brownie recipe around…not to mention the healthiest!

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites ~vegan, gluten free~ No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants! They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth! Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup...5 ingredients, that's it!

No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants!  They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth!  Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup…5 ingredients, that’s it!

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites ~vegan, gluten free~ No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants! They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth! Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup...5 ingredients, that's it!

I talk a lot about the benefits of cacao and coconut oil, but did you know walnuts are also a superfood?

Here’s the breakdown:

-A great source of plant-based protein, healthy fats and fiber

-Promising studies show they improve heart health by lowering cholesterol

-Help stabilize blood sugar and improve type II diabetes

-High antioxidant content to lower risk of cancer

-Contain anti inflammatory compounds

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites ~vegan, gluten free~ No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants! They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth! Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup...5 ingredients, that's it!

The dates I used were pretty fresh and ooey gooey…if yours are not, soak in warm water for 10 minutes first!  If you don’t have raw cacao powder (found in Whole Foods, vitacost.com or most health food stores) you can use cocoa powder, however you’ll be missing out on a lot of antioxidants!

no-bake double chocolate brownie bites
 
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No-Bake Double Brownie Bites, made with only 5 ingredients and no oven needed! Makes 18 Brownie Bites
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 18
Ingredients
  • For the Brownies:
  • 1½ cups walnuts
  • 10-12 dates, pitted
  • ⅓ cup raw cacao
  • For the Frosting:
  • ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
  • ½ cup raw cacao
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Line a 5x9 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Place walnuts, dates and ⅓ cup raw cacao in a food processor. Pulse until well combined and crumbly.
  3. Transfer to lined loaf pan and press down evenly with fingers.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together melted coconut oil, ½ cup raw cacao and maple syrup. Pour on top of brownies.
  5. Place in refrigerator until frosting has hardened. Slice into 18 pieces and enjoy!
  6. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Calories: 152 Fat: 10 Carbohydrates: 15 Sugar: 10 Fiber: 3 Protein: 4

They also got the stamp of approval from the family…big ones and little ones :)

banana berry superfood smoothie bowl

Banana Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl

Banana Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl, a beautiful bowl of flavor!

Tucked away down a little path in the town of Wellfleet you can find the most beautiful smoothie bowls at a place called BOL.  Acai or pitaya blended with all sorts of creative ingredients such as mint and topped with granola and the most delicious crunchy coconut flakes.  Needless to say, we are addicted!  If you ever make it to Wellfleet, you must go!!!

When we can’t get into town for a bowl, we’ve been blending our own at home!  My freezer has been stocked with locally grown raspberries thanks to my friend April, which are perfect for just this very thing!

Banana Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl, a beautiful bowl of flavor!

A high-speed blender such as a vitamix is needed for making smoothie bowls.  Just add the fruit of your choice, a little almond milk, flip the switch and beat the heck out of it with the damper stick!  For easier blending make sure to cut the bananas into smaller chunks before freezing, and don’t forget to peel them!  (A rookie mistake that we’ve all made before!)  You can even add one frozen banana with one unfrozen banana for a more “pudding-like” consistency.

For the peanut butter drizzle I melted a tablespoon of natural peanut butter with a little coconut oil.  When it hits the cold smoothie bowl it hardens and gets crunchy!

Banana Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl, a beautiful bowl of flavor!

banana berry smoothie bowl
 
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Makes 1-2 servings. Banana Berry Smoothie Bowl, a beautiful bowl of flavor!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 3 tablespoons almond milk
  • Toppings:
  • banana slices
  • strawberry slices
  • coconut flakes
  • peanut butter
  • hemp seeds
  • granola
Instructions
  1. Place frozen fruit and almond milk in a high-speed blender, blend until an ice cream like texture is achieved. Use damper stick or scrape down sides of blender as needed.
  2. Add favorite toppings and enjoy!

I apologize for my lack in posts recently, this last week was a busy one!  My heart was full to have my brother, sister-in-law, sister and nephews in town to celebrate my parent’s 50th Anniversary!  It’s not too often that we can all spend time together with everyone living on opposite coasts.  We went on walks, went to the Proviencetown Portuguese festival, shopped in Chatham and ate out…ate a lot!  I’m feeling the consequences of all the wheat and sugar, but it was well worth it :)

Here are a few scenes from the week!

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almond joy superfood smoothie bowl

Almond Joy Superfood Smoothie Bowl

Almond Joy Superfood Smoothie Bowl ~vegan, gluten free~

Can you tell I’m on a superfood kick these days?!?  Smoothies are a great way to incorporate superfoods into your day!  This smoothie is loaded with antioxidant, vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber (13 grams protein and 12 grams fiber to be exact!)…plus it tastes like a bowl of almond joy ice cream!  Less liquid is added, so the consistency of this smoothie is more like a thick milk shake and requires a spoon!  However, you can add a little more milk for a drinkable smoothie!  We all agreed that this smoothie was sweet enough as is, but if you need a little more sweetness add a few pitted dates.

Almond Joy Superfood Smoothie Bowl ~vegan, gluten free~

A whole tablespoon of cacao is added, which will give you a jolt!  Cacao contains the stimulant theobromine, so use with caution!  I don’t recommend large doses of cacao for toddlers, especially while snowed in during winter storm Juno!  Also, use in moderation if pregnant…needless to say, we shared this smoothie bowl three ways!

I swear my kid wears clothes other than pajamas...but not often :)

I swear my kid wears clothes other than pajamas…but not often :)

almond joy superfood smoothie bowl
 
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Makes 1 portion (nutrition facts calculated using soy milk)
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 frozen banana (slice before freezing for easier blending!)
  • ¼ cup old fashioned oats (add nuts if going grain free!)
  • ½ cup milk of your choice (hemp, soy, almond, etc.)
  • ½ tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon raw cacao or cocoa powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
  • Toppings:
  • shredded coconut
  • hemp seeds
  • cacao nibs
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients (except the toppings) in a high speed blender and blend until creamy. Transfer to a bowl, add toppings and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Calories: 305 Fat: 8 Carbohydrates: 51 Sugar: 13 Fiber: 12 Protein: 13

Almond Joy Superfood Smoothie Bowl ~vegan, gluten free~