coconut macaroons

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Ingredients:

• 3 large egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 14-ounce package sweetened shredded coconut (about 5 cups)

vegan banana peanut butter ice cream

Ingredients:

• 2 bananas
• 1 tbsp. creamy peanut butter

low fat banana nut bread

Ingredients:

• 7 ripe medium bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 2-1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 oz (3/4 cup) chopped walnuts
• baking spray

mango cashew sunshine bites

I saw this recipe on a great blog called My New Roots. I can’t wait to try these…

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup dried mango pieces (purchase organic, unsweetened, unsulfured)
• ½ cup unsweetened desiccated coconut, plus more for garnish
• 1-2 tsp. creamed honey, for sweetness if desired
• seeds of 1 vanilla bean
• lime zest
• pinch sea salt
• pinch ground turmeric (optional)

healthy dessert: strawberry banana creams

Ingredients:

• 8 strawberries
• 2 oz. vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1/2 small banana
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds

Mash the banana in a bowl with a fork. Mix in the yogurt. Using a knife, carve out the middle of each strawberry. Fill the center of each strawberry with the banana-yogurt mixture and top with sliced almonds.

Other toppings ideas – blueberries, dried cherries, chopped cashews, crystallized ginger, a sprinkle of granola, or a few chocolate chips.

Source: Fit Sugar

july!

Fourth of July cupcakes with fresh fruit.

skinny chocolate chip fro-yo sandwiches

I saw this recipe on one of my favorite recipe sites Skinny Taste. I plan on making these a lot this summer for family parties!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups organic fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
• 1/2 cup sprinkles

vegan banana chocolate chip cookies

I saw this recipe, and cannot wait to make these. My all-time favorite cookie recipe is my Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies. These healthy cookies contain no butter, minimal sugar, and are entirely vegan.

Ingredients:

• 3 large, very ripe bananas
• 1/2 C natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 3 Tablespoons coconut oil, liquified (or sub canola)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup (or honey for non-vegan)
• 1-1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips

bread pudding with whiskey sauce

I’m going to make this for someone special on Valentine’s Day. The Pioneer Woman calls it the “Best Bread Pudding Ever.” It’s definetly not skinny!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 1/2 to 5 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/3 cup pecans, chopped finely

spicy chocolate-dipped pineapple with sea salt

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Whole Trade pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 24 chunks
• 2 (3.5-ounce) bars Whole Foods Market Tanzania Organic Dark Chocolate
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

blueberry oatmeal grape-nuts cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup Grape-Nuts cereal
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 12 pieces
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups frozen blueberries

valentine’s day treats

I made this Sweet Bread Pudding recipe last night for my boyfriend, adding tart apples to the recipe. I also baked my famous Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies. Happy Valentine’s Day…baking is the way to go!

chocolate granola

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats (Quaker oats)
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

more flourless pb cookies

Toasted, Roasted Peanut-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (use less if using salted PB)
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped

banana bread parfaits

Ingredients:

• 1 piece banana bread
• 1/4 c. greek yogurt
• 1 Tbs. peanut butter
• 2 tsp. of honey (or sweetener of your choice)
• Cinnamon
• Sliced banana

Heat up a grill pan, dry. Place banana bread and grill until crispy. Let cool and dice. In a separate bowl, mix together greek yogurt, peanut butter and honey. In a clean bowl, lay down a few cubes of banana bread and top with peanut butter yogurt mixture. Repeat layers. Top with sliced banana and cinnamon. Makes 1 serving.

Source: Food Gawker