Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Chocolate chocolate chip cookies

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 large egg white(s)
  • 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
  • Cooking spray
Makes 40 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
  3. Beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy; gradually add granulated sugar, beating well. Add cocoa and egg whites, beating well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
  4. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 11⁄2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool completely on wire racks. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. Chocolate chocolate chip cookies are so decadent and delicious. These cookies literally melt in your mouth they are that good. I highly recommend that you indulge your sweet tooth by biting into one of these crisp cookies packed with melted pockets of chocolate chips, thanks to the dark brown sugar that gives them their delectable soft centers. As a bonus, the sugar also helps to deepen their flavor for even more richness. 

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Glazed strawberry hand pies

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chopped Strawberries
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1½ tsp. cornstarch
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1½ cups plain fat free Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Low-fat milk
  • pinch of ground cardamom
Makes 8 Servings (1 pastry per serving)
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, toss berries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Microwave on High until bubbly and thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool until ready to use.
  2. In a medium bowl, place flour, yogurt, and 1 tsp vanilla; stir well with a wooden spoon until just combined and then keep mixing dough in bowl with your hands until smooth (about 1 minute of kneading).
  3. Place a large piece of parchment or wax paper on a work surface and sprinkle lightly with a little flour. Divide dough in half. Roll 1 piece of dough into a 12 x 8–inch rectangle; cut into 8 (4 x 3–inch) rectangles. Arrange rectangles about 1 inch apart on prepared sheet pan. Roll other piece of dough into a 12 x 8–inch rectangle; cut into 8 (4 x 3–inch) rectangles. Spoon about 1 tablespoon strawberry filling down the center of each dough rectangle on sheet pan. Top each with 1 dough rectangle. Press edges with tines of a fork to seal; pierce top of each pastry with fork to allow steam to escape. Bake until lightly browned and crisp, about 20 minutes.
  4. Cool pastries on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir powdered sugar, milk, remaining ⅛ tsp vanilla, and cardamom. Drizzle glaze evenly over warm pastries.
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. When strawberries are at their seasonal peak—supremely fragrant, sweet, and juicy—they don’t need much adornment to taste great. Here, we barely sweeten them for a lightning-fast microwave jam that fills these pastries. The dough is a firm version of our two-ingredient filling.  A pinch of ground cardamom in the glaze pairs perfectly with the berries. These are best enjoyed warm; if you have leftovers, reheat at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
Photo of Glazed strawberry hand pies by WW


White & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

 Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 oz. white chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Makes 24 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)

  1. Place the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven to 350 F. Spray 2 large baking sheets with nonstick spray. 
  2. Put the oats in a blender and process until finely ground. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; set aside. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Add the flour mixture and beat until blended. Combine 1 tablespoon each of the white and bittersweet chocolates in a small bowl; set aside. Stir in the remaining white and bittersweet chocolates into the dough. 
  3. Drop the dough by level tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets 2 inches apart, making a total of 24 cookies. With a glass dipped in flour or with your fingers, press each mound to make 2-inch rounds. Sprinkle the cookies evenly with the reserved chocolate, pressing lightly so it adheres. Bake until lightly browned along the edges, 9-11 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through the baking. Let cool on the baking sheets on rack about on racks about 1 minute. With a spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and let cool completely. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These cookies are a new take on the traditional chocolate chip cookies and they are delicious. The combination of both bittersweet and white chocolate is quite divine and these cookies literally melt in your mouth they are that delicious. 

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Chocolate-Berry Pavlova

 Ingredients:

  • 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1/4 tsp. Cream of tartar 
  •  tsp salt
  • 1/4 cupsuperfine sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup mascarpone
  • 4 oz. softened low-fat cream cheese
  • 1½ Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. low-fat milk
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • ½ pound(s), fresh strawberries hulled and sliced (or raspberries)
  • 1 oz. bittersweet chocolate
Makes 12 Servings (1 wedger per serving)

    1. Preheat oven to 250°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. To make meringue, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in large bowl until soft peaks form when beaters are lifted. Add superfine sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
    3. Sift cocoa over beaten whites in three additions, gently folding with rubber spatula just until cocoa is incorporated, being careful not to deflate the meringue. Spoon meringue onto prepared baking sheet and spread to form 9-inch nest with 1-inch- high edge.
    4. Bake meringue 1 1/2 hours. Turn oven off and let meringue cool in oven 2 hours. Remove from oven and slide meringue with parchment onto wire rack and let cool completely.
    5. To make filling, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat together mascarpone, cream cheese, milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl until smooth.
    6. To serve, transfer meringue to serving plate. Spoon mascarpone mixture into center of meringue and top with strawberries. Using vegetable peeler, shave chocolate over berries. Using serrated knife, cut pavlova into 12 wedges and serve immediately.
    WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. This beautiful pavlova will make the sweet finale to any spring party. A chocolatey-crunchy meringue is topped with a mascarpone mixture and topped with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings for a refreshing and irresistible dessert. In the summertime, you could use fresh raspberries, blueberries or blackberries instead. The delicate meringue base is slowly baked to achieve a crispy exterior and soft, marshmallow-like interior. You can make the components a few days in advance and keep them separate until ready to serve. Store the meringues in airtight container at room temperature and the mascarpone mixture in the refrigerator. For best results, we recommend enjoying it immediately after it’s assembled.
    Photo of Chocolate-berry pavlova by WW








    Chocolate Chip Cookies

     Ingredients:

    • cooking spray
    • 2/3 cup low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
    • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
    • 2 tbsp. granular sugar
    • 1 large egg white
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
    • 2 tbsp. milk
    • 6 oz. mini chocolate chips
    Makes 24 Servings (1 cookie per serving)

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray or cover with parchment paper.
    2. Beat cream cheese and both sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer until sugar is fully incorporated (should not have granules); add egg and vanilla and blend again.
    3. Combine both flours, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl.
    4. Add half the flour mixture to the cream cheese mixture; beat until well incorporated. Add milk and remaining flour mixture; beat until fully blended and then fold in chips.
    5. Drop heaping teaspoons of dough onto prepared cookie sheet and press dough down with dampened fingers to form 1-inch cookies. Make sure to leave at least an inch between each cookie. Bake cookies until slightly golden on top, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet for 1 to 2 minutes; remove to a wire rack and cool completely. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. Here’s your new go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe. In this version of a classic American dessert, cream cheese is used to give the cookies a soft, chewy texture and whole-grain flour and brown sugar to add a flavor-boost. Store the baked treats at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to a week.
    Photo of Chocolate chip cookies by WW

    Sunday, March 28, 2021

    Orange-Almond Ricotta Cheesecake

     Ingredients:

    • 1/2 cup slivered almonds 
    • 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
    • 6 large eggs, separated
    • 3/4 tsp. cream of tartar
    • 1/3 cup granular sugar substitute
    • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp. almond extract
    • 1 (32 oz.) container part-skim ricotta cheese
    • 2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
    • 1/4 cup orange juice
    • orange twists, for garnish (optional)
    Makes 12 Servings

    1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 275 F. Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes, or until light golden. Let cool.
    2. In a food processor, pulse the cooled almonds until finely ground. Add the graham cracker crumbs and  pulse to combine. Increase the oven temperature to 325 F. 
    3. In a large metal bowl, with an electric mixer at high speed, beat the egg whites until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes longer. 
    4. In a separate large bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar substitute, vanilla, and almond extracts for 1 minute. Add the ricotta, orange zest, and orange juice. Beat on high until smooth. Gently fold one-third of the whites into the yolk mixture, then add the rest of the whites and gently fold until well combined. Spread the crumb mixture over the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter into the pan and place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until cake is golden and mostly set. Cool completely. 
    5. Run a knife around the edge and release the cake from pan. Chill, loosely covered, for 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled, garnished with orange twists if you like. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super-Quick Cookbook. This is a new and  flavorful take on traditional cheesecake. This is a lighter version of cheesecake to enjoy on later phases and it's a wonderful dessert for get-togethers. The crust is made from ground graham crackers, ground almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg which give the crust a nice flavor. The vanilla and almond extracts and orange zests add a nice tough of zing to this cheesecake. If you want to add more flavor to this cheese cake, I highly recommend adding lemon juice and zest to the cheesecake for a more authentic Amalfi Coast flare. I also highly recommend adding a touch of berries of your choice for a more fruity flavor. 

    Wednesday, October 21, 2020

    Coffee-Almond Flans

     Ingredients:

    • 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
    • 3 tbsp. water
    • 1 cup half-and-half
    • 2 tsp. instant espresso powder
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/4 tsp. almond extract
    • pinch cinnamon
    • pinch nutmeg
    • 2 tbsp. slice or slivered almonds, toasted
    Makes 4 Servings

    1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 
    2. Combine 1/3 cup of sugar and the water in a small heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, without stirring, brushing side of saucepan with brush dipped in cool water during first few minutes of cooking time, until syrup turns amber. Immediately pour caramel into 4 (6 oz.) ramekins, gently swirl ramekins to coat bottoms halfway up sides. Refrigerate until caramel is hard, about 10 minutes. 
    3. Meanwhile, combine half-and-half and espresso powder in medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until bubbles form. Whisk eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, the almond extract, cinnamon and nutmeg in bowl. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk hot half-and-half mixture into egg mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Pour through sieve set over bowl. 
    4. Divide custard  among ramekins. Put ramekins in 9-inch square baking pan. Place pan in oven; add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until flans are just set around edges and jiggle in center, 35-40 minutes. Transfer ramekins to rack; cool 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 1 day. 
    5. To serve, run thin knife around edges of flans to loosen from ramekins. Unfold onto plates; spoon any sauce over flan. Sprinkle with almonds. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. Flan is an open tart-like pastry with the flavor of a sweetened egg custard and a caramel topping. This was my first attempt at flan and it wasn't bad. The combination of coffee and homemade caramel is quite delicious mixed in the with the ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Flan is very sweet so enjoy it wisely. 

    Frozen Hot Chocolate

     Ingredients:

    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • pinch of salt
    • 2 cups low-fat milk
    • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 (6 oz.) container fresh raspberries
    Makes 4 Servings

    1. Combine sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Cook over medium-high  heat stirring, until mixture simmers, about 8 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour cocoa mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan; let cool. 
    2. Place cocoa mixture in freezer 30 minutes. Remove pan from freezer; with fork, stir cocoa mixture, breaking up any ice crystals on bottom or along sides of pan. Return to freezer, stirring every 20-30 minutes, until mixture is completely frozen. about 2 hours. 
    3. To serve, fluff cocoa mixture with fork; spoon evenly into 4 goblets or dessert dishes and top with raspberries. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. The dessert is an oxymoron itself but it is quite tasty. The combination of raspberries and chocolate is quite decadent. Frozen hot chocolate is not that bad and you can enjoy it as a snack during the day. You can use any kind of berries in this dessert and the dessert will still be tasty. 

    Wednesday, September 30, 2020

    4-Ingredient Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce

     Ingredients:

    • ½ cup cocoa powder
    • 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
    • 2 Tbsp. erythritol-based sweetener (confectioners’)
    • 2 Tbsp. water

    Makes 4 Servings 

    1. 1. Whisk cocoa powder, coconut oil and erythritol in a medium-sized bowl until combined.
    2. 2. Add water, whisking until the sauce reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
    3. 3. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    WW POINTS VALUE: ?

    Note: This recipe appears on www.palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. This homemade chocolate sauce is quick, easy and delicious. This sauce is perfect for a low-carb diet and it goes great in or on everything. It can go in a yogurt bowl with fruit, homemade oatmeal, with fruit, in a coffee to make a mocha latte or on top of pancakes for a decadent breakfast. 
    chocolate sauce recipe

    Monday, August 24, 2020

    Plum & Toasted Almond Dessert Pizza

     Ingredients:

    Dough:

    • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp. baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • 1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
    • 2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
    • 1 egg white
    • 2 tsp. low-fat milk
    • 1 1/4 tsp. vanilla 
    Topping:

    • 1 egg white, lightly beaten
    • 8 ripe purple plums (about 2 lbs.) halved, pitted & thickly sliced
    • 1 tbsp. granular sugar
    • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
    • 2 tbsp. sliced unbleached almonds
    Makes 8 Servings (1 wedge per serving)

    1. To make the dough, put the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor; pulse to blend. Add the ricotta, butter, egg white, milk, and vanilla; pulse until the dough begins to form a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight. 
    2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray. 
    3. Roll out the dough between 2 sheets of wax paper to form a 10-inch round. Remove the top sheet of wax paper and flip the dough onto the baking sheet; remove the wax paper. Fold the edge of the dough over to form a 1/2-inch rim. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool about 5 minutes on the baking sheet on a rack. 
    4. Brush the crust with the egg white. Beginning at the edge, arrange the plum slices in concentric circles, overlapping the slices slightly, sprinkle evenly with the sugar. Bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle the almonds over the fruit and bake until the crust is golden brown and the plums soften but still hold their shape, about 10 minutes longer. Cut into 8 wedges and serve at once. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Cooked fruit is such a delicious treat and you can enjoy a slice of pizza for dessert. Plum pizza is quite delicious. I reduced the granulated sugar from 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup  in the dough, 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon for the topping and added ground cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the flavor of  the plum pizza. The dough for the pizza crust is refrigerated before being rolled out for two reasons: to relax the gluten in the flour and to make the dough easier to work with. This plum pizza is so delicious it will become a favorite at your table. 



    Wednesday, June 17, 2020

    Chocolate Truffles

    Ingredients:
    • 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
    • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
    • 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half
    • 3 tbsp. finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
    • 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
    Makes 32 Servings (1 truffle per serving)
    1. Line a 5 X 9-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap; spray with nonstick spray. 
    2. Combine the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan and set over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until melted and smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the half-and-half until well blended. 
    3. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the loaf pan and spread evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days. 
    4. Put the hazelnuts and cocoa powder on 2 separate plates. Invert the loaf pan onto a cutting board; remove the plastic wrap. With a sharp knife, cut the chocolate mixture into 32 equal squares. Lightly coat half of the squares in the hazelnuts and half in the cocoa powder. Place the truffles in a covered container, separating the layers with sheets of wax paper. Refrigerate up to 1 week. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. You can have your truffles and eat them too. These sweet truffles are sugar-free and are chocolatey and addictive. I highly recommend using bittersweet or dark chocolate for a richer flavor. I also highly recommend putting the chopped hazelnuts into the truffles for more of a crunch. These sweet treats literally melt in your mouth they are that delicious. 

    Monday, June 8, 2020

    Mocha Pots de Creme

    Ingredients:
    • 1 cup half-and-half
    • 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
    • 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
    • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute or 1 egg finely mixed
    • 2 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
    • pinch salt (optional) 
    • 4 whole coffee beans, for garnish (optional)
    Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup custard per serving)
    1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 
    2. Bring half-and-half just to a boil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chocolate, espresso powder, and vanilla; whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. 
    3. Whisk together eg substitute or egg, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the half-and-half mixture. Add the remaining half-and-half mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. 
    4. Divide the custard evenly among four 5-ounce ramekins or 6-ounce custard cups and place a 9-inch square baking pan. Put the pan in the oven and add enough boiling water to the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins . Loosely cover the pan with foil to prevent  an skin from forming on the custards. Bake until the custards are barely set around the edges and jiggle in the center, about 25 minutes. Do not overbake, the custards will continue to firm up as they cool. 
    5. Carefully transfer the ramekins to a rack and cool. Refrigerate, covered, until thoroughly chilled and set, at least 3 hours or up to 1 day. Garnish each pots de creme with a coffee bean (if using). 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Pots de creme is French for pots of cream. Pots de creme date back to 17th century France when these desserts were serve in porcelain cups. They are usually made from eggs, egg yolks, milk and a flavor, usually vanilla or chocolate. Other pots de creme flavors can include coffee, maple, mint or pumpkin. These desserts are elegant and flavorful and are the perfect ending to a decadent dinner. They leave a nice aftertaste in your mouth because they have such a nice texture to them. 

    Monday, May 18, 2020

    Salted Tahini Dark Chocolate Fudge Cups

    Ingredients:
    • 1/2 cup tahini
    • 2 bars sugar-free dark chocolate bars
    • 1/4 cup coconut oil
    • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
    • coarse sea salt for topping
    Makes 12 Cups (1 cup per serving)
    1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with silicone cups or paper cupcake liners.
    2. Microwave the tahini, dark chocolate, and coconut oil together in 30-second increments, until the chocolate is melted. 
    3. Stir in the vanilla extract and pour the mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle with salt and freeze for at least 2 hours. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the New-Keto Friendly South Beach Diet book. Tahini is a thick, rich paste that is made from sesame seeds and is most commonly used to flavor Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush. Tahini can be used in desserts and the end result is decadent and delicious. The creamy tahini is combine with the dark chocolate to make these decadent fudge cups. These sweet treats are so delicious you'll forget they are good for you and you won't buy store-made fudge again. 


    Sunday, April 26, 2020

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

    Ingredients:
    • 1/2 cup cashew butter 
    • 2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
    • 2 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
    • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup coconut flour
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 2 tbsp. sugar-free chocolate chips
    Makes 12 Balls (1 ball bite per serving)
    1.  Stir together the cashew butter, coconut oil, granular sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. 
    2. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to chill for 15-20 minutes, or until firm. 
    3. Using a heaping tablespoon, portion the cookie dough into 12 balls.
    4. Place the balls in a container with a lid and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Chocolate chip cookie dough is a guilty pleasure for a lot of people but this keto-friendly version is good for you and it tastes just as delicious as regular cookie dough. These cookie dough bites are packed with flavor and they are delicious when they are eaten cold. This recipe calls for cashew butter but you can use almond or peanut butter and the cookie dough bites will be just as delectable. You can also use almond extract in this recipe in place of the vanilla extract. 
    No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

    Monday, March 23, 2020

    Warm Raspberry Crisp

    Ingredients:
    • 3 cups fresh raspberries 
    • 1/3 cup granular sugar substitute
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    Topping:
    • 2/3 cup almond flour
    • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
    • 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
    • 2 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
    • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
    • 4 tbsp. melted butter or coconut oil
    Makes 8 Servings (1 square per serving)
    1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
    2. Mix the raspberries, granular sugar, and vanilla in an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread evenly in the dish.
    3. To make the topping, stir together all remaining ingredients in a bowl and then use your hands to crumble it over the berries. 
    4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Allow the crisp to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Cut into 8 squares and serve. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 13 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Cooked fruit for dessert is quite delicious and flavorful. The original recipe calls for 1/3 cup of granular sugar substitute but you can cut the sugar in half or substitute honey in place of the sugar with the raspberries and the filling will be just as good. I also cut the sugar substitute in half for the topping and added a touch of ground nutmeg with the ground cinnamon for a healthier and more flavorful topping. This dessert is gluten-free and make a wonderful, filling dessert. 

    Monday, February 24, 2020

    Chocolate Freezer Fudge

    Ingredients:
    • 1 cup almond butter
    • 5 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
    • 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 3 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/8 tsp. salt (optional)
    Makes 16 Squares (1 square per serving)
    1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside. 
    2. Whisk together all the ingredients and pour in the mixture into the prepared pan. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or until set. 
    3. Use the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares. Store the fudge in a freezer for a firm texture, or the refrigerator for a softer texture. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto Friendly South Beach Diet book. Chocolate fudge is a decadent guilty pleasure but it's got so much sugar in it and it can be expensive. You can make your fudge and eat it too. This fudge is super creamy, chocolatey and can be made with 6 basic ingredients. You can use any kind of nut butter and/or another extract (such as almond or maple instead of vanilla) for different kind of varieties of fudge and the sweet treat will still be decadent. 
    Chocolate Freezer Fudge

    Tuesday, February 18, 2020

    Peanut Butter Cups

    Ingredients:
    • 1/3 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
    • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
    • 2 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
    • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/4 tsp. almond extract
    • 6 tbsp. natural peanut butter, unsweetened
    • coarse sea salt, for topping (optional)
    Makes 6 Servings (1 cup per serving)
    1. Line a 6-count muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
    2. Whisk together the cocoa, coconut oil, granular sugar and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
    3. Scoop 1 rounded tablespoon of the cocoa mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup.
    4. Place the muffin tin in the freezer and leave it for 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to solidify. 
    5. Scoop 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter into each muffin cup, spreading it into an even layer.
    6. Top the peanut butter with another tablespoon of the cocoa mixture. 
    7. Freeze the peanut butter cups for another 5 minutes. 
    8. Top each peanut butter cup with a pinch of coarse sea salt if desired.
    9. Serve immediately or transfer to a container in the refrigerator to store for up to 1 week. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts.

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Who doesn't love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate? You can have your peanut butter cups and eat them too in this recipe. These sweet treats contain natural ingredients and A LOT less sugar than the ones you would buy at the store. I added a touch of almond extract to enhance the nutty flavors. You can also completely eliminate the sugar in these cups and the cups will still taste delicious. If you don't like peanut butter, feel free to substitute any other nut butter of your choice and the cups will still be delicious. 



    Monday, February 10, 2020

    Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Ingredients:
    • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/2 cup erythritol-based sweetener (granulated)
    • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 cup erythritol-sweetened chocolate chips
    Makes 16 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
    2. Whisk together coconut oil, eggs, erythritol and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Add the almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips. Stir well to fully combine.
    3. Scoop the cookies by the heaping tablespoon onto the prepared pan, leaving at least 1-inch of space between each cookie. 
    4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are just barely cooked through. Allow to cool for up to 20 minutes on the pan before serving. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: ?

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. The people behind South Beach Diet have done it again this time with Keto and with a classic comfort food dessert. You can have your cookie(s) and eat it (them) too. The coconut oil works just as well as butter. These cookies are made with almond flour and they are just as chewy and flavorful as regular chocolate chip cookies. If you can't find sugar-free chocolate chips, bittersweet or dark chocolate chips will work just as well. Don't forget to have a glass of milk on hand. 
    chocolate chip cookies


    Monday, February 3, 2020

    Chocolate Brownie Cookies

    Ingredients:
    • 1 cup almond flour, finely ground
    • ¾ cup stevia or erythritol
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ cup dark chocolate cocoa powder, unsweetened
    • ¼ cup avocado oil (or other vegetable oil)
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • ¼ tsp. salt
    • ½ cup powdered or confectioners erythritol/stevia (optional)
    Makes 20 Servings (1 cookie per serving)
    1. In a large bowl, combine the cocoa powder, vanilla, sweetener and oil. Mix well.
    2. Add one egg at a time to the large bowl and use a blender or whisk to combine. Blend until smooth.
    3. In a separate bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking powder and salt.
    4. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl. Knead until it becomes smooth.
    5. Form dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours.
    6. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
    7. Form 1" dough balls with your hands and place them on a baking sheet. Press down in the middle to flatten them.
    8. Baking for about 12 minutes.
    9. When cookies are slightly cooled (but still warm), cover them in the powdered sweetener (optional).
    10. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.
    WW POINTS VALUE:

    Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Keto Cookbook. If you can't decide between brownies or cookies, these chocolate treats are for you. These treats are a combination of brownies and cookies and they are so delicious. They are also gluten-free because they are made from ground almonds. These brownie cookies are so chocolately and delicious you will be satisfied after only two.
    chocolate


    Sunday, March 31, 2019

    Old-Fashioned Ginger Cookies

    Ingredients:
    • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
    • 1 tsp. ground ginger
    • 1/4 cup canola oil
    • 1/4 cup dark molasses
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
    • 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
    Makes 36 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)
    1. Place the oven rack in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. 
    2. Whisk together pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger in a medium bowl. Whisk together the oil, molasses, egg, and fresh ginger in a large bowl until smooth; whisk in 1 cup of the sugar. Add the flour mixture and stir until blended. Let the dough rest about 10 minutes.  
    3. Spread the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar on a small plate. Roll scant tablespoonfuls of the dough into 1-inch ball, making a total of 36 balls. Dip the tops of the balls in the sugar and place, sugar side up, on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until the cookies are cracked, soft in the center, and firm along the edges, 10-12 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets on racks about 2 minutes. With a spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and let cool completely. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. If you love gingerbread cookies, these treats are for you. These cookies are tasty and addictive. I had to make adjustments to this recipe to make the dough more doughy. I cut the sugar from 1 cup to 1/2 a cup, added 1 egg to make it 2 eggs and I added 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg to make the cookies more flavorful. If you don't have canola oil on hand, use olive oil instead and the cookies will be just as tasty.