Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Since having to go dairy free, I've had to make some changes in my daily diet. The biggest change was cutting out my Greek yogurt addiction.  It was tough, but I feel so much better so it was worth it!  To replace my daily pro-froyo, I've started making a similar pudding but with avocado instead of yogurt.  You can't even taste the avocado and it makes it so much creamier.  With the addition of the xantham gum you get a voluminous healthy treat!

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Serves 1

In a nutribullet or blender, blend until smooth:

• 1/2 an avocado
• 1/2 cup cashew milk
• 1/8 t xantham gum (optional thickener)
• 2 stevia packets
• 1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 

Toppings

• 1 T unsweetened shredded coconut
•  1 T Lily's Sweets stevia sweetened Dark Chocolate chips

S’mores Cookie Bars

It's been a while!  I seem to do more of my "fun", experimental cooking in the summer months, and I've also settled down quite a bit after a big move, the addition of a puppy, and most of my wedding planning.

Nothing says summer quite like s'mores, so for Memorial Day, I knew I had to give this tasty bar a go!  It was definitely a crowd favorite that I will be making again very soon!

S’mores Cookie Bars

 

Makes: 32 bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar stevia blend (or 1 cup sugar)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 t vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 3 1/2 king-sized milk chocolate candy bars
• 3 cups marshmallow fluff

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil sprayed with cooking spray
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light
3. Beat in egg and vanilla
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt
5. Slowly add to flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on a low speed until combined
6. Divide the dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan
7. Place chocolate bars over dough (they should fit almost perfectly side-by-side)
8. Spread the marshmallow fluff on top of the chocolate
9. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (roll the dough out onto a piece of foil and transfer the top dough onto the fluff)
10. Bake for 35 minutes or until lightly browned
11. Cool completely before cutting into bars

Note: You can also cut the recipe in half and use an 8x8 inch baking pan.  The cooking time will be slightly reduce to about 30-35 minutes.