Health(ier), Gluten-free Treats

Sweet Treats

Swimsuit season is approaching yet my sweet tooth won't leave me alone. The following treats are gluten-free and healthier than your average dessert (for those of us who are health conscious, but unwilling to give up sweets)...

Flourless Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies & Frozen Chocolate Bananas

Flourless Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies

The first time I made these I was so confused when they came out of the oven. How can cookies without flour look so much like traditional cookies? How do they taste so good? Why would I ever make cookies with flour again? If you love peanut butter & chocolate and want to have this same epiphany, continue to the following recipe...

Ingredients:

*Adapted from Bon Appetit

• 1 cup super chunky, reduced fat peanut butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or half dark chocolate and half white chocolate chips)

Recipe:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Mix the peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, baking soda, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl:

3. Mix in the chocolate chips:

I used half white chocolate and half dark chocolate.

4. Using moistened hands (make sure you do this or else to dough will stick to your hands), form 1 tablespoon dough balls. Arrange the dough on a greased baking sheet:

5. Bake until puffed and golden on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

Frozen Chocolate Banana Pops

Have you had the "Gone Bananas!" chocolate covered banana slices from Trader Joe's? If not, go buy them immediately...they're delicious...

The following recipe is a take on this tasty (and healthier) sweet treat...

Ingredients:

*Pictures and recipe from Comfort of Cooking blog

• 3 firm-ripe bananas, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 6 ounces (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
• Toppings: sprinkles, coconut flakes, nuts, crushed pretzels, etc.
• Toothpicks

Recipe:

1. Insert a toothpick into each banana slice:

2. Arrange bananas, toothpick side up, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm (about 2 hours).
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate in 10 seconds increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth:

4. Quickly dip each banana piece into the chocolate, shake off excess, and cover in topping. Chocolate should set quickly, but you can freeze or refrigerate pops before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2 days:

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies recipe to print:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Mix the peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, baking soda, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.
3. Mix in the chocolate chips.
4. Using moistened hands (make sure you do this or else to dough will stick to your hands), form 1 tablespoon dough balls. Arrange the dough on a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake until puffed and golden on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

Frozen Chocolate Bananas recipe to print:

1. Insert a toothpick into each banana slice.
2. Arrange bananas, toothpick side up, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm (about 2 hours).
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate in 10 seconds increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
4. Quickly dip each banana piece into the chocolate, shake off excess, and cover in topping. Chocolate should set quickly, but you can freeze or refrigerate pops before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2 days.