Paleo Raspberry Almond Muffins garnished with Cacao chocolate

When Josh and I were in Utah, my mother in law made these AWESOME muffins! 

They are paleo-style muffins and are dairy and grain free. 

I've made them ever since Christmas and my boys LOVE these 'cupcakes'

This recipe makes 12 muffins (cupcake size)

Ingredients:

1 C. Almond Flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp pure almond extract

3 eggs, whisked

1 cup fresh ground almond butter (you can use organic too)

1/3 C. raw honey

1/3 C. slivered almonds (I actually don't use them in mine, but it adds a great crunch)

1/3 C. Coconut Oil, melted

1 C. fresh raspberries, rinsed and dried
Dark chocolate chips, for garnishing

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl, set aside.

Mix eggs, almond butter, honey, almonds, almond extract, and coconut oil together in another medium bowl. Combine with dry ingredients and mix together.

FOLD in fresh raspberries.

Scoop batter evenly into 10-12 muffin cups (lightly greased with coconut oil or lined with a paper muffin liners)

I garnish my muffins with a few dark chocolate chips and just place them on TOP of the batter and slightly press into the batter.

Bake for about 15-20 min. REALLY watch your muffins to be sure they DO NOT overcook.

Enjoy!
I love these because they don't leave me feeling heavy and taste delicious!
My boys love them because they are soft  like cake and have a very nutty taste!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I always thought you had to have special "melting" chocolate to do this wonderful dessert. 

 Nope. You just need a double boiler and some good Ghirardelli chocolate.

So....here is one EASY peezy strawberry dessert.

Ingredients:

-Bag of chocolate

-Strawberries--Rinse them and FULLY DRY THEM!! 

I don't have an official double boiler, so this is my makeshift one.

Put about 3/4 C. water into the pot.
Bring to a light boil.

Pour entire bag of chocolate chips in bowl.
Stir constantly while water in pot is still boiling.

This process should take place rather fast.
As soon as the chocolate is fully melted, turn the heat off.
(It will stay warm enough for you to cover all your fruit)

Cover your fruit!

Place on parchment paper OR foil.

The best results are this:
Place in fridge for a few min., then let them come to room temperature and consume.
Placing them in the fridge will harden the chocolate shell faster (which isn't a bad thing)
but if left in fridge too long then the strawberries underneath will start leaking juices.

So we like to eat the strawberries really fresh after we have them dipped.

ENJOY!

Homemade Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is one of my absolute favorite snacks!  The problem is, dried fruit in stores is pricey AND full of sugar.  So here's a healthier way to make your own dried fruit.

• First you need a Dehydrater (pictured is a dehydrator from www.nesco.com)
• Then purchase your favorite fruits
• Let your fruit sit out and over ripen

 

Kiwi

Peel, slice 3/8" to 1/2" ~ Average drying time is 5-12 hours

 

Pineapple

Peel, core, and slice 3/8" thick ~ Average drying time is 6-16 hours

After drying...ready to eat!

YUMMY!