This recipe is late. V late. But I worked hard to perfect this ONE BOWL version of Vegan Gingerbread Cookies, and wanted to share it so that at the very least, it will be here next year and we can plan ahead! I am squeezing out every last bit of holiday cheer during these last few days of 2016, and sharing this recipe is one way I can do that! I am SOOO happy to report that no one could guess these were vegan, including my friends sweet mom. I delivered some cookies, and right before I left she complimented me on them. I told her they were vegan! She was just so shocked, because she has never had vegan desserts because when she wants dessert, she wants dessert!!!
Christmas Desserts!!
Its Christmas time and time for a carol, time to sing about the little King,
to fill the bowl and roll out the barrel have our selves a fling!
AND TIME FOR CHRISTMAS TREATS!
Here are some delicious Christmas dessert recipes! Most of these recipes have been healthified (pretty sure that is not a real word, but it should be...) where possible, but you know, they're cookies so they're not as healthy as a carrot...
Ode to Rustica: Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookies
I was home for a week in October, and the morning I left, we got up early and had breakfast at Rustica Bakery in Minneapolis. Everything we had was extraordinary and since Chris wasn't with me, I had to bring back some treats for him. Miraculously, the box of cookies stayed shut the whole entire flight back to Nashville. It didn't last long in the parking lot of the airport! Where most people have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads at this time of year, we've had visions of bittersweet chocolate chip cookies on repeat.
Espresso Shortbread with Butterscotch Glaze
As much as I enjoy decorating these cookies, I am not convinced that they are memorably tasty. I think I love the first cut-out sugar cookie. They are a little too sweet for me and the clean up and prep takes too much time. So my goal was to find something different, delicious, a little bit easier with less prep work, and memorable. And then I read about Espresso Shortbread with Butterscotch Glaze. Does it get more unique than this?
Vegan Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie (NO BAKE!)
I made this Vegan Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie and then realized it was perfect for our vegan friends. The other reason I made these is because I have a friend who much prefers savory over dessert, and Take 6 bars are her favorite. I wanted her to be able to enjoy a little something sweet too! And anyways, I have never met someone who didn't like a peanut butter/pretzel/chocolate combo. Have you?????
CHRISTMAS WORKOUT/Running PLAYLIST
The holidays are HERE. I like to incorporate the holidays into every single part of my life, and so, of course, that includes my workouts! Ever wonder what the true spirit of Christmas sounds like? Need help propelling yourself up a big hill during a run? I've compiled a list of joyful Christmas songs to infuse your workouts with hot beatz, cheer, and joy! From Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, to Diplo, to Justin Bieber, I've got you covered!!
FLAT CAP COCKTAIL - Bourbon + Orange Cream Soda Syrup + Bitters
We try to make it a point to try new things, especially when it comes to cocktails since we only know how to make, like, three to four cocktails. (Rhubarb Rumbler, Negroni, Gin & Tonic [does that even count??] and gin/st.germaine/grapefruit juice.) Chris, ordered the Flat Cap which is bourbon + orange cream soda syrup + bitters. IT WAS RIDICULOUS!!
Then we went back and he had another one/I had half. The next steps were obvious. I had to figure out how to make it. So here it is!!
Hearty Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Let it be known that between the dates of approximately December 8th to December 24th 25th 26th, my body composition consisted of 70% cookies, 10% caramel, 10% chocolate, 5% eggs, 3% oranges, and 2% water. Maybe that's why I feel like December sprinted past me. I was in a cookie/candy coma.
While I had visions of myself presenting people with large platters of delectable, Martha Stewart-worthy Christmas cookies, the very thought of eating another baked good or candy actually increased my bloating exponentially. I really didn’t even want to taste the batter, and the batter is one of the best parts about baking! It finally dawned on me. No one else wants any more Christmas goodies either.
Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders
Obviously, breakfast on Friday was pumpin pie, and then for lunch we had leftovers. Growing up, I loved leftovers on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Everyone loves the first round of leftovers.
Its when day 4 of leftovers comes around that its not as exciting. The turkey is dry. The rolls are rather stale. Someone ate all the marshmallows off of the sweet potato casserole. And I wouldn't touch the green bean casserole with a ten foot pole, no matter how fresh they were.