No-Bake Cookie Bars

No-Bake Cookie Bars

Ever had a day where you are just craving something sweet? These no-bake cookie bars will be your saving grace! I swear! They are packed with whole ingredients and are refined sugar-free (a.k.a all the sweetness without the sugar crash). Total win!

No-Bake Cookie Bars

When you bite into one of these cookie bars it is hard to believe that they are better for you than your average dessert. Plus the almond meal and peanut butter in this recipe help keep you full and satisfied. I honestly can’t rave about these bars enough!

No-Bake Cookie Bars

No-Bake Cookie Bars

Cookie Bars:

  • 1.5 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 3 Tbs maple syrup
  • 2 Tbs melted coconut oil
  • 2 Tbs peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt (or sea salt)

Chocolate Topping:

  • 2 Tbs coconut oil
  • 2 Tbs honey
  • 2 Tbs cacao powder

Recipe:

  • In a microwave safe bowl, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir until smooth.
  • Pulse the oatmeal in a food processor until it reaches a flour-like consistency.
  • Add the oatmeal, almond flour, and salt into the bowl and mix until well combined.
  • In a parchment lined pan, spread out the mixture and place in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes.
  • In the meantime, mix up the chocolate topping by melting the coconut oil in the microwave and adding the honey and cocao powder.
  • Take the cookie bars out of the fridge and spread an even layer of the chocolate topping over the bars.
  • Place the bars back in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Enjoy!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Roasted Butternup Squash Soup

In the wintertime, soup is my go-to lunch option. It is quick and easy (score!) and warms you up from the inside out. I fell in love with Costco’s Organic Tomato Soup last year, but my sister introduced me to an amazing Pinterest find last time I was home – butternut squash soup!

Roasted Butternup Squash Soup

I love things with a bit of spice, so the curry powder in this soup recipe was a pleasant surprise! When I made the soup at home myself, I added a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to give it an additional kick. However, this can easily be skipped over if you are not a fan of spicy food.

Roasted Butternup Squash Soup

As the recipe suggested, I topped my soup with pumpkin seeds and added my own twist with a sprinkle of fresh chives. Feel free to get creative and add a bit of crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, or homemade croutons!

If you make this soup at home make sure to use the hashtag #beautyandblooms. I would love to see photos!

Champagne Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Champagne Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

When you live 2.5 hours away from your family, you end up taking a lot of road trips. After a while I get sick of the top 40 radio stations and pester Ian into deep, thought-provoking conversations. During one of these conversations Ian asked me, “If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Without hesitation I said, “chocolate covered strawberries.” Yes, I know. This is groundbreaking information.

Champagne Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Sadly, Ian doesn’t share my love for chocolate covered strawberries. Therefore, I devised a plan to sneak my favorite dessert on the Valentine’s Day menu. My tactic of choice? Infusing the strawberries with alcohol.

Champagne Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

The end result was perfection. The dry champagne paired with the sweetness of the strawberry and the bitterness of the dark chocolate has your mouth savoring every bite.

If you are looking for a last minute Valentine’s Day gift idea a box of these strawberries would make anyone happy! Enjoy!

Champagne Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients:

  • 12 strawberries, rinsed and dried
  • 1 bottle of champagne
  • 1 bar of dark chocolate

Directions:

  • Place the strawberries in a bowl and submerge in champagne
  • Let the strawberries soak in the champagne for 12 – 24 hours
  • Remove the strawberries from the champagne and pat dry
  • Heat the dark chocolate in a glass bowl in 30 sec. increments in the microwave until melted
  • Dip each strawberry into the chocolate and place on a non-stick surface (I used a silicone mat)
  • Wait until the chocolate has hardened before serving