Guilt-Free Chocolate Fudge Balls

Eating clean has forced me to do something I hate doing.... making healthy desserts. I found this on pinterest and it happened to be from an awesome website I had seen before called Chocolate Covered Katie.  She is a dessert queen, so check it out if you have a craving. 

Chocolate Fudge Balls

3/4 cups dates or prunes

1/2 cup pecans

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 tablespoons shredded coconut

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon agave nectar

Put all ingredients into a small food processor. Pulse until dough begins to come together and forms a ball. Remove from food processor and roll into 1 inch balls using hands. That is it!!! So easy and the first bite is crazy delicious. I did find however that the more I ate, the more I could taste the prunes. Which is probably good because I have heard a few rumors about prunes.....

Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Every time a make this I swear I will never make them again. They are so good I usually eat 1/4 of them before they make it in the oven, and then try to share the rest, but end up eating those too. They are super easy, soft, and you could probably convince yourself they are healthy because of all the oatmeal. 

Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups quick cooking (instant) oats

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

1. In a large bowl cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Slowly fold into wet mixture a mix until just incorporated. 

3. Add oats and chocolate chips and gently fold in, careful not to over mix.

4. Add large spoonfuls to a baking sheet and bake for 11-12 minutes until edges begin to brown.

Oscar cursing that chocolate is poison.

I melted some baking chocolate with butter and drizzled over the top of each cookie for some added chocolate.....because thats all we really want :)

Nanaimo Bars

A little treat for all my American friends....

Nanaimo Bars. These are delicious, and sadly, a Canadian treat.  I had never had these until I moved to Canada. But I need to spread the word. Eating one is never enough. But try to give some away to your friends, otherwise you may eat the whole tray. 

Nanaimo Bars

Bottom layer

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup white sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 egg beaten

1 cup graham crackers

1/2 cup almonds

1 cup coconut

Middle Layer

1/2 cup butter

3 tablespoons cream or half and half

2 tablespoons vanilla pudding powder

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Top Layer

2 tablespoon butter

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

Grease an 8x8 pan, or line with parchment paper.

In a food processor, add graham crackers, coconut and almond. Pulse until smooth. Make sure there are no large chunks of almonds or graham crackers! I overlooked this detail.... not pretty.

In a double boiler, or large metal bowl melt together butter, sugar, and cocoa powder. Once melted whisk in egg. Once smooth, fold in dry mixture until combined. 

Press mixture into  pan. Press hard so there are no air pockets, This will ensure it does not break when cut! Place into refrigerator while preparing the second layer.

In a large bowl cream together butter, sugar, vanilla pudding powder, cream, and vanilla extract. Once smooth, remove bottom layer from refrigerator, and spread evenly over bottom layer. The colder the bottom layer, and warmer the middle layer, the easier it will spread. 

Place in fridge while preparing top layer. 

To make top layer, melt together chocolate and butter and pour over chilled middle layer. Spread evenly over middle layer, then refrigerate until top layer is hard. 

Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies

THESE ARE AMAZING.

I haven't done a dessert post in a while, and while I was trying to eat healthy.... you can only go so long without chocolate. This adaptation for brownies is so perfect. I admit, you have to like rich, fudgey brownies. I am not a big fan a dry, or cake like brownies. I want to feel like I am eating brownie batter. And chocolate chunks are a must in all of my baking, they are soooo much better than just chocolate chips. So with that being said, this is a sure fire way to gain a few pounds. Just in time for summer? LOL but seriously, someone come to my house and take these away from me. 

Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies

4 eggs

3/4 cups butter

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder

2/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chocolate chips

3 ounces dark chocolate squares

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 8x8 pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl mix eggs, sugar and vanilla, whisking until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Set aside. 

Heat 2 inches of water in a saucepan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Place large metal bowl on top of pot, add butter and 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate. Melt butter and chocolate together, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. 

Once cooled, add cocoa powder and combine until smooth.

Add flour and stir until smooth.

Slowly add egg mixture into chocolate mixture. Beat together until just combined. 

Using a large knife, chop dark chocolate squares into large chunks. Set aside with chocolate chips.

Add half of the chopped dark chocolate chunks chocolate mix into brownie batter.

Once mixed, pour 3/4 of mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips and chunks, and pour remaining batter into pan.

Bake in oven for 25-28 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes before you eat the whole pan :)

This recipe made a little too much batter for a 8x8 pan, so put the remaining into a mini muffin tin and sprinkled with sea salt. For Double Chocolate Brownies with Sea Salt....I love salt and chocolate....one of my fav combos. Try it if you want!