Amazing Pumpkin Pecan Sticky Buns

We really enjoyed these... I mean, REALLY enjoyed them!  They were even better the next day after sitting and soaking in the glaze overnight.  Yum!  I will be making these again.  Be warned, they are very sugary and not necessarily good for you... But, there is pumpkin in them! :)

Ingredients

Streusel

• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Glaze

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 Tb coconut oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Buns

• 2 1/2 cup flour
• 4 1/4 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 TB coconut oil
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 TB sugar

Directions

• Combine Streusel ingredients and set aside
• For Glaze, mix maple syrup and coconut oil together and pour onto bottom of 13x9 pan.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans.  Set aside.
• For Buns, in a large bowl stir all bun ingredients until dough forms.  Place dough on lightly floured surface.  Knead to smooth dough, about 10 times.  Roll out dough to 15x9 inch rectangle.  Sprinkle dough with streusel.  Roll up dough tightly from one long side; pinch seam to seal.  Use sharp knife to cut dough into 12 equal slices.  Place cut side down in pan.  Sprinkle with any streusel that falls out.
• Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Immediately turn pan upside down, releasing buns onto serving plate.  Serve warm.

Pumpkin Bites with Cream Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup white or whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/3 cup homemade applesauce
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 1 TB ground flax*
• 3 TB water*
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• Cream cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and spices.
• In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, syrup, applesauce, flax, water and vanilla until smooth.
• Add dry mixture to wet and mix until combined.
• Spoon into mini muffin tray and make 12-15 minutes.
• Let cool and top with cream cheese!

*Flax and water is used as an egg replacer, you can use 1 egg instead of flax and water.

Pecan Pie Larabars

Another great recipe from MyWholeFoodLife.  Pecan Pie Larabars.  These taste so delicious, it's hard to believe they are good for you!  With just 3 ingredients, you can't go wrong.  Go ahead, have 2 or 3 or 4...

1 cup raw almonds
1 cup pecans
12 medjool dates (or prunes)

Blend the pecans and the almonds in a food processor until they are fine. Then mix in the dates. The nuts will release their natural oils so there is no need for water. I was a little short on prunes, so I added just a little bit of maple syrup to help bring it together.  Line an 8X8 pan with parchment, leaving enough room for some paper to stick out the sides. Press the dough evenly into the pan. Once it’s spread out, use the extra paper to press the dough down with your palms so it’s packed well. Stick in the fridge to firm up for about 2 hours.  Remove, cut into slices, enjoy!

Pumpkin Smoothie

Even better than a slice of pumpkin pie, try a Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie!

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 2 handfuls frozen banana slices
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Handful of ice

Directions

• Combine all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth

Note: I also added a drop of doTERRA Essential Oil On Guard to each glass.  This is optional but a fantastic way to help maintain a healthy immune system while enjoying a delicious treat!

Chocolate Fudge Pumpkin Cake

This delicious, dense snack cake will make you think you are find dining in heaven.

Ingredients

• 3 oz dark chocolate, chopped (I used dark chocolate chips)
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup water (I used Zico Chocolate Coconut Water)
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• And if you're feeling adventurous, sprinkle a little cayenne pepper.  It is delish.

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease cake pan or 8 x 8 pan
• Melt dark chocolate
• Mix together pumpkin, water, vinegar, sugar, vanilla, oil and salt.
• In another bowl, mix together cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices.
• Combine wet and dry mixtures and mix until smooth.  Add in melted chocolate.
• Pour into prepared dish and make 35-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Adapted from Food.com recipe.

30 Days of Cookies - Day 1 Healhtier No Bake Drop Cookies

No Bake Drop cookies have always been one of my favorites when I need a quick cookie fix.  These cookies are a fantastic way to make your classic No Bake Cookies a little healthier.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 1/2 TB cocoa (or cacao powder)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter)
• 1/3 cup Almond Butter (Peanut butter is an OK substitute)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cup dried, unsweetened coconut

Directions

• Put honey, cocoa and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium high heat
• Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat
• Stir in almond butter and vanilla
• Stir in coconut
• Scoop by spoonfuls onto wax paper or parchment paper and put in fridge until hardened and set.  

I found these kept better in the fridge, but we keep our home at a cozy 80 degrees here in TX right now. 

Original recipe from Unrefined Kitchen. 

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

My newest favorite blog, My Whole Food Life, had this recipe for muffins.  It's near perfection and didn't really need much changing.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups flour (I used 1 cup white, 1 cup wheat, 1/2 oat)
• 1/3 cup organic, pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup homemade applesauce
• 1 can pumpkin (I used a mix of canned pumpkin and homemade sweet potato puree)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mix wet ingredients in a bowl
• Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to wet ingredients
• Spoon into greased or lined muffin tins.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on how full you fill the tins) or until toothpick comes out clean

Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Chip Brownies

Pumpkin and Chocolate and Brownies??  It just doesn't get any better than this.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup flour (I used 1/4 whole wheat and 1/4 oat, but you can use regular white flour too)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (you can also use 2/3 cup granulated sugar)
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (or pureed pumpkin or sweet potato)
• 3 TB oil (I used coconut)
• 2 TB Almond milk (you could use regular milk, too)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• Mix cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt
• In separate bowl, combine wet ingredients and mix
• Add dry to wet ingredients and mix
• Pour into greased baking dish (I used a 7.6 x 7.6)
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes (Mine took 48 minutes but it will vary depending on the type of baking dish you use, just keep an eye on them)
• Let cool (at least slightly if you can), cut into squares and enjoy!

Adapted from this Chocolate Covered Katie recipe

Healthier Rice Krispie Treats

I saw these Gluten Free Rice Krispies in the clearance section at the store the other day, just so happened I had a coupon so I decided to grab them.  I haven't made Rice Krispie Treats in a long time!  I got home it just didn't seem right to add a bunch of marshmallows to these "healthier" Rice Krispies.  I did a quick Google search and figured out what I was going to do.

• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 5 cups gluten free Rice Krispies

Melt the honey and peanut butter in a pan and then add the cereal, toss until coated and press into greased (buttered) 9x13 baking dish.  Chill for 1 hour then they are ready to eat!  Yum!  

Heavenly Vegan Zucchini Brownies

This recipe was floating around Facebook, I can't find the original post, but it is absolutely the best brownie recipe I have ever made.  If you haven't switched to Vegan baking yet, you need to.  It's amazing.  I also made some Berry Chia Jam and we decided to try it on the brownies...  Magic.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup homemade applesauce
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1 1/2 sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups finely shredded zucchini
• 2 cups flour

Directions

• Mix applesauce, bananas and sugar together
• Add vanilla & cocoa, mix.
• Add baking soda, salt and zucchini and mix.
• Add flour, mix.
• Spread into greased & floured 9 x 13 baking pan
• Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes

Lemon Blueberry Banana Creamsicles

So far we're made Homemade Orange Creamsicles and Pina Colada Creamsicles.  Today I wanted to try something new.  I asked my SD who is with us for the weekend what kind she would like.  "Blueberry!"  Ah ha, blueberry!  Good choice!  So here it is, Lemon Blueberry Banana Creamsicles.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Almond Milk
• 1 cup Blueberries
• 1/2 Banana
• 1/3 cup lemon juice

 Directions:

• Blend all ingredients, pour into molds, freeze and enjoy!

 

Pineapple Lime Jello in a Can

I'm not sure what the official name of this is...  It originated from Pinterest here.  My husband got one look at it and was dying to try it.  It really isn't that "healthy", but it qualifies for fun!  So, here it goes!

Ok so mine didn't turn out quite as pretty as the edited photo above, but hey it's not so bad.  :)

I'm not a fan of Jello, it was too sugary for me.  But hubby loved it!  I'm thinking of trying it again but making my own gelatin instead of Jello...  Maybe.  :)

Pina Colada Creamsicles

Ever since I made Homemade Orange Creamsicles the other day, my husband has wanted to try some other flavors.  His first request, Pina Colada.  Keeping it simple, and healthier, you only need 4 ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Banana
• 1/2 can Pineapple
• 1 cup Coconut Milk
• 1 tsp Honey

Directions:

• Blend, pour, freeze, enjoy!

The great thing about making your own popsicles, is that you can adjust the ingredients per your family's taste.  I actually put the whole banana in, but I thought it had too strong of a banana flavor, however my husband liked it that way.  But I would recommend starting with 1/2 a banana first.

Homemade Orange Creamsicles

Always on the search for Family Friendly Healthier Treats.  My husband and son LOVED them.  We used what we had on hand... Fresh oranges (2) and left out the orange extract.  We also used almond milk and 1 TB of coconut oil instead of coconut milk.  I plan to experiment a little bit more and come up with some other flavors.  (Hubby requested Pina Colada.) :)

http://pinterest.com/pin/18929260906445976/

Healthier Dark Chocolate Dream Cookies

I am working on making a Kid Approved (and Dad too): Healthy Cookies recipe book.  My son adores cookies, but then again what kid doesn't?  However, I really don't want to fill him full of sugar and empty calories.  So, if he's going to eat them...  He may as well get some good out of it too.  Here's a recipe I tried today.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter (I used half Dark Chocolate, half White Chocolate) (go here for a coupon!)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tb flax meal
• 2 Tb chia seeds (order here)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 Tb warm water
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Direction:

• Preheat oven to 350*F
• Combine all ingredients in bowl
• Spoon by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet
• Bake for 10-12 minutes
• Let cool on sheet for a few minutes before removing to cooling rack

Makes about 12 cookies, if you can keep from eating the batter :)

You can find the original recipe for these cookies here.