Coconutty Chocolates

My husbands favorite treat from See's Candies is their "Milk Almond". It is a cluster of almonds dipped in milk chocolate. I decided to re-create this treat myself and add an extra something to it. Of course, coconut! These were so delicious and were gone in seconds.

~ milk chocolate chips 

(amount varies depending on how many you want to make.

I used a big handful and it made 4 chocolates.)

~ unsweetened, shredded coconut 

(again, amount varies by how much you make)

~ raw almonds or walnuts

Melt the chocolate in the microwave, about 30 seconds. Stir in the coconut. Scoop (I used a cookie scoop) the chocolate mixture into and ice cube tray. Place an almond on top and press down slightly.

Place in freezer about 10 minutes and they will pop right out.

Enjoy!

Healthy 'Mounds' Bars

This little treat is full of coconut and coconut oil. It is a nice little healthy snack for after dinner, and can be store in the freezer for days.

'Mounds' Bars

Filling:
original recipe

2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 Tablespoons maple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Process for a few minutes. Spread into a glass bread pan. Place in freezer while you prepare the chocolate topping.

chocolate layer:
original recipe

1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 Tablespoon maple syrup

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Pour onto coconut layer. Freeze (about 10 minutes).
Leave on counter for 2 minutes before cutting into bars.

Baked Oatmeal

Every morning my husband eats oatmeal for breakfast. I can only eat a few bites of it before I get sick of it. So I make this oatmeal with strawberries, bananas, and chocolate chips, much tastier than plain oatmeal with cinnamon.

Baked Oatmeal

adapted from inspired taste

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

1/2 cup walnuts

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1 banana, sliced

In a medium bowl, mix together these ingredients then pour into an 8x8 baking pan.

1 cup light coconut milk 

(I used a can from Trader Joe's, saved the rest - about 1/2 cup, for a smoothie)

1 cup almond milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

Wisk together these ingredients in the bowl, then pour over the oat mixture. Be sure to cover it all. Then sprinkle 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional) on top.

Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes.

Let sit for a few minutes, then enjoy!

Almond Joy Squares

This little treat is full of coconut goodness. Growing up, Almond Joys were one of my favorite candy bars but they are full of unhealthy ingredients, so I was able to make a healthy version of an Almond Joy bar. It has a fudgy chocolate crust with a coconut almond topping, its delicious.

Crust:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil (unrefined, organic, extra virgin)
• 1/2 cup almond butter (I like Trader Joe's raw unsalted)
• 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Over low heat, melt coconut oil and stir in almond butter and cocoa powder in a small sauce pan. Once mixed, remove from heat, add honey and vanilla. Pour mixture into an 8x8 pan. Place in the freezer while you prepare the topping.

Topping:

• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 7 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/4 teaspoons almond extract
• 1/2 cup almonds (whole, raw)

Melt coconut in a bowl in the microwave for 10 seconds. Stir in other ingredients. Pour over crust, freeze for 30 minutes, or until frozen.

Cut them into squares and eat, or store them in a plastic bag in the freezer (coconut oil softens at room temperature). Enjoy!

Go-To Breakfast

Sometimes I wake up starving, and I need to eat something fast. So I have a favorite quick breakfast I like to throw together. Its very simple but saves my life when I can NOT wait for anything else to eat.

I just throw some cereal in a bowl, splash some coconut milk over it and stir. Ta da! Instant hunger satisfaction.

Sweet Coconut Treat

I needed a little something sweet after dinner tonight, but didn't want to make a lot of goodies, so I threw together this small dessert. It was just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. My mom used to make something like this all the time when she needed a tiny fix of sugar. She would use sweetened coconut, chocolate chips, and maple syrup. I tried to make it slightly healthier.

I took a small handful of shredded unsweetened coconut, then added a few squirts of sweetened condensed milk and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.