Almond Butter Cups (Healthy)

 These are a fun healthy snack. They can be enjoyed all day long. They are loaded with protein and low sugar. They taste great too.  A great little pick me up for your day. Have a great weekend. Spring is coming up quick. Love it.


Ingredients

Bottom layer

1/3 Cup almond butter (no sugar added) (Or nut butter of your choosing)
3 Tablespoon coconut oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Top layer

1 Cup almond butter (no sugar added)
1/3 Tablespoon coconut oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Makes about 9 regular or 16 mini cups

1. In a small bowl mix together the first 3 ingredients with a spoon. If needed put in microwave for 15 seconds to soften. It should be a nice smooth consistency.

2. Then stir in the vanilla and cocoa powder until all combined and smooth.

3. Put a spoonful into each cup greased muffin pan, mini or regular size. You can also use muffin cups. (I have a picture of making them with cups and without)  It should just be enough to cover the bottom.

4. Mix together the first 3 ingredients for the top layer. If needed put in microwave for 15 seconds to soften and get a smooth consistency. Then stir in the vanilla until smooth.

5. Pour the top layer by spoonful on top of the bottom layer. Smooth with spoon to completely cover the bottom layer.

6. Place muffin pan in the freezer for. Should harden in 30 min. Take out of muffin pan and store in air tight container in freezer or fridge for easy access for a healthy snack. Enjoy!!

Old-Fashioned Vanilla Pudding (Low Sugar, Gluten Free)

I received some dark chocolate dessert cups a little while back as a gift, and I have been trying to find an excuse for using them. When Mother's Day weekend came along and my mother-in-law was coming to my house, I grabbed my chance. This pudding fit the bill perfectly. Top the concoction with strawberries and it was perfect. It felt light and complete. And it only had about 1 Tbsp. of sugar per serving (at least in the pudding!). That felt a lot better to me than the usual desserts I make.

Ingredients (for 4 servings)

4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
2 egg yolks
3 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. Stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt in small saucepan. Gradually add milk. Cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until mixture thickens and becomes bubbly. Lower heat and cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.

2. Beat egg yolks gently. Take a small amount of cooked mixture and stir it into egg yolks to temper egg. This will prevent eggs from becoming scrambled in your pudding. Return egg yolk to the mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a slow boil. Cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla.

3. Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

(recipe adapted from allrecipes.com)

Update 6/11: Tried it chocolate as well. Instead of adding vanilla I stirred in about 1/3 c. melted chocolate chips. Not as healthy, but it was delicious.