No. 1 : Quick Recipe
Three Easy Festive Fun Holiday Cookies
Chocolate Decadence
- 8 OZ Dark Chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
- ¼ Cup Coconut Oil
- 3 TB Water
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- ¼ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 Cup Pistachios, Chopped Finely
Step One Melt chocolate with oil, water, vanilla and sea salt in sauté pan over low heat. Pour into an 8 x *8 pan and refrigerate 2 – 3 hours until firm.
Step Two Use a small ice cream scoop or portioner, make about 24 small balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Roll in either cocoa or pistachios. Place in the fridge to keep up to 2 weeks.
Coconut Almond Cookies
- 1¼ Cups *Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
- ¼ Tsp Baking Soda
- ¼ Tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1 Large Egg
- 2 Tsp Almond Extract
- 3 TB Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 TB Natural Creamy Almond Butter
- 1/4 Cup Almonds, finely chopped
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Coconut
Step One Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
Step Two Beat the egg, extract, and olive oil together until smooth. Add in brown sugar and almond butter. Stir in the flour mixture and chopped almonds. Roll dough into one-inch balls and coat with the coconut. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Walnut Blondies
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar (or Coconut Sugar)
- 1 Large Egg, lightly beaten
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1 Cup Whole *Wheat Pastry Flour
- 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/8 Tsp Baking Soda
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- ½ Cup Toasted Chopped Walnuts
Step One Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly oil and flour an 8 X 8 inch pan. Whisk together the melted butter and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk.
Step Two Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix together, then add the walnuts. Scoop into the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool and cut into squares.
No. 2 : Kitchen SCOOP
*I call for Whole Wheat Pastry Flour in my baked goods, because its 100% whole wheat that is ground so finely, so we can use it one-to-one for all purpose flour. If you can’t find it substitute all purpose flour.
No. 3 : Clever Idea
I know everyone is SO busy this time of year. Good News – each of these cookie recipes can go right into the freezer, so you can make them ahead of time and enjoy them during the whole holiday I season. They double and triple well, too!
No. 4 : CHEERS
Dow’s Fine Ruby Port
Portugal
About $15.00
Ruby Port is an excellent match for dark chocolate. It’s a rich and robust mix of indigenous Portuguese grapes that is sweet enough to pair with the sweet treat. Good news – its one of the least expensive ports because it’s a blend of different years or vintages and its matured in oak only from 2 to 5 years. Don’t hold on to your ruby port – its ready to drink when you purchase it!