• Whole-Wheat Maple Banana Bread

    Three brown bananas are sitting on the counter … not actually a joke, just the most common way my baking adventures begin. Although if you have a punchline to that beginning, by all means provide it in the comments. This recipe, however, is no joke. It is an easy-to-toss-together and delicious bread that never fails me. I literally threw this together during a commercial break (one of the few benefits of commercial breaks). I love having a nourishing baked good at the start of the week to get me through, but this is a delicious choice for anytime. Whole-Wheat Maple Banana Bread Recipe adapted from Cookie + Kate Ingredients: ⅓…

  • Almond Butter Brownies

    A great small batch of decadent brownies for when you want, nay NEED, a treat that’s more indulgent than the healthiest option (see, e.g. sweet potato-protein varieties), but still healthier than your traditional sugar-butter brownies. These are made with almond butter, whole-wheat, maple syrup, and dark chocolate, and only make a half batch. Healthy fats, protein, and fiber with all the sweetness you need, so perfect! Almond Butter Brownies Adapted from Dessert for Two Ingredients: 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup almond butter 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 1 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp whole-wheat flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/8 tsp sea salt, plus more for topping 1/4…

  • Tahini-Date Chocolate Chip Cookies

    I’m not going to say too much here, because I know how it feels to scroll through the blah-blah-blah’s to get to the good part of a post—-the recipe! Plus, these cookies need no introduction. They are insanely delicious, have an addicting texture, and are sweetened only with dates and bittersweet chocolate. You have officially found your guilt-free indulgence, so stop looking and start baking. Tahini-Date Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients: 1 cup almond flour 1/3 cup date syrup (I used Date Lady Date Syrup) 1 cup tahini 1 tbsp espresso powder 1 egg 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2-3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli) Method: Mix together almond flour,…

  • Healthy Banana Bread (sweetened with dates)

    The base recipe for this loaf is is my absolute favorite for quick breads. And bananas (plus choco chips most times) is my absolute favorite type of quick bread. Easy, super healthy, and completely delicious. Enjoying this bread with coffee in the morning before I face the world is the only thing that makes me a civilized human being some days. This recipe is essentially the same as my pumpkin bread, just swapping pumpkin for bananas and mixing up the spices a bit. I also used oat flour this time, which makes it even more breakfast-y. This bread literally gets me out of bed in the morning I look forward…

  • Healthy Gingerbread Cookies

    These are vying for the best cookies I’ve made all year.  I’m a huge gingerbread lover already, so these are going to be CRUCIAL in getting me through the winter and these hard times of waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones (winter is heeeeereee).  These cookies are amazing because they are legitimately a healthy version of gingerbread that still tastes like the original–maybe even better.  The almond flour and butter give them a very satisfying nutty crunch.  Even though they are filled with good-for-you ingredients, they still roll out beautifully and taste incredible.  It’s an all-around win and I’m so happy I found this recipe.  I used…

  • Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Bread (sweetened with dates!)

    Guys.  No but, guys.  This is real.  This pumpkin bread is ridiculously good.  Seriously. It has that delightfully fluffy texture you’d expect from a bakery or coffee shop pumpkin bread, but unlike something you’d find at most bakeries, this one is SO GOOD FOR YOU. This bread is made from locally milled whole-wheat flour, which I highly recommend.  You could also try oat flour or rye flour–my other favorites.  I haven’t tried them with this recipe yet though.  The dates in this bread not only provide a beautiful caramel flavor, but also good-for-you vitamins, minerals and fiber.  I’m also a fan of warm spices, so this bread is packed with…

  • Whole-Wheat Skillet Cornbread

    My strategy is simple.  Cook and bake as if it were the crispest fall day and the weather will follow suit.  So far it hasn’t worked.  It was almost 90 degrees when I was making this cornbread and chicken chili. This cornbread is super delicious and is due in large part to the perfectly crisp crust, which is achieved by heating the pan before pouring in the batter.  That shock of hitting the butter slicked cast iron causes the batter to instantly create a barrier, which allows the bread itself to remain soft and crumbly while the crust continues to darken and crisp. Next up, I’m swapping a portion of…

  • Chocolate Chip-Peanut Butter Bars

    Every weekend I go through the same song and dance with myself.. an exhausting internal monologue (sometimes it’s aloud if I’m honest) that involves arguing over whether I should get a chocolate croissant from the patisserie or make something at home. I go through the the cost/benefit analysis, the nutrition/lack thereof analysis, the time/energy analysis… comprehensive analyses are kinda my thang. Depending on the weekend, it could go either way.  Though more times than not, I end up tinkering on something at home. Today, I tinkered.  Oh yes, I tinkered.  My goal is always, yummy and decadent with ingredients that I feel good about.  The magic of nut butters in…

  • Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These cookies are amazing AF. I can’t stop eating them.  Drop everything and make these now. Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies Makes about 16 cookies Ingredients: 1 cup almond meal (walnut would also be nice) 1 cup tahini 1/3 cup honey 1 egg 1 tsp baking soda 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips Flaked sea salt Method: Mix almond meal, tahini and honey together in a large bowl.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let dough rest and ingredients meld.  This step is important to the process, so do not omit. Right before the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take dough…

  • Chocolate Squash Muffins

    When I’ve had a tough week and need to unwind, or even when my week was fine, but I need some self-care time (as we millennials call it)–more times than not, I turn to muffins. (That was a completely organic and unintentional, rhyming poem and I refuse to change it.) Muffins are so easy, you almost have to TRY to not have a muffin turn out.  As a result, they are the perfect vehicle for kitchen creativity.  I’ve been toying more with veggies and beans in my muffins, so expect more of this ilk to come.  I’m all about feeling healthy while relying on a muffin for emotional support.  Enjoy.…