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holiday 2020

Peppermint Mocha Brownies

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NEW and perfect for the holidays, Peppermint Mocha Brownies. These festive brownies are insanely fudgy and full of chocolate and peppermint flavor, only require one bowl, and made gluten free and refined sugar free (so a delicious guilt free holiday treat).

The Best Lighter Peppermint Mocha Brownies

One of my favorite holiday flavor combos is chocolate and peppermint. I love how the bright peppermint flavor pairs so well with the rich chocolate to make a balanced and delicious treat. I am also always team brownie (for any holiday or celebration). They’re so easy and an irresistible treat!

So, I set out to make a lighter (slightly better for you version) that still had the fudgy rich texture needed for any good brownies, IMO, perfect chocolate flavor, with just the right amount of peppermint. Oh am I about to deliver. These peppermint mocha brownies are gluten, free, refined sugar free, made in only one bowl, and insanely delicious.

Let’s bake!

Main Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these brownies:

  • dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate: melted with the butter, it gives the brownies that rich, fudgy texture and bold chocolate taste. I love to use Hu gems (to keep it refined sugar free) or ghirardell
  • butter: I’ve tested this recipe so many times and found butter provides the best fudgy texture, so its’ my fat of choice for these brownies. I use a high quality, salted grass fed kind (but a regular kind works too!)
  • coconut sugar or allulose baking blend: to keep these brownies on the lighter side, I use refined sugar free coconut sugar or my fav plant-based zero calorie sweetener, Whole Earth Allulose Baking blend. Both provide the perfect amount of sweetness!
  • eggs: 2 eggs and one egg yolk provide a nice, fudgy brownie! Make sure they are at room temp. so they best incorporate into the batter.
  • vanilla + peppermint extract: provides natural sweetness and that peppermint kick that gives these brownies those peppermint vibes.
  • espresso powder: just a touch gives us our mocha flavor. If you do not have this, you can omit and will still have a rich, chocolate-forward brownies.
  • almond flour: provides a nice texture and keeps these gluten-free.
  • cocoa powder: for extra chocolate flavor! I like my brownies with a super chocolate flavor, and these definitely deliver on that!
  • dark chocolate peppermint bark: reinforces that beautiful chocolate peppermint flavor and adds extra texture and gooey-ness!

How to make peppermint mocha brownies

These brownies are so easy and come together in just a few steps!

  • Melt together chocolate chips and butter: in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter in increments of 30 seconds until fully melted. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.
  • Whisk in sugar: add coconut sugar to melted butter chocolate mix and whisk until sugar is dissolved
  • Beat in eggs and extracts: add eggs and yolk, one at a time, gently until incorporated into the batter. Stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.
  • Add the dry ingredients: Gently fold in almond flour and cocoa powder.
  • Fold in chocolate chips: last, fold in some extra chocolate chips for an extra gooey chocolate bite!
  • Pour into pan and top with bark: pour the batter into a prepared 8×8 baking dish and top with chopped up peppermint bark.
  • Bake! for 22-25 minutes (less if you like a super fudgy brownie!). Allow to cool completely and cut into bars and enjoy!

Why you will love these brownies

  • Easy: made in one bowl and can be whipped up in just under an hour.
  • Delicious: these brownies taste like the real deal; fudgy, full of chocolate flavor, and perfectly sweet.
  • Wholesome Ingredients: these brownies are lightened up with wholesome ingredients, like coconut sugar, dark chocolate, and almond flour. Yum!
  • Freezer Friendly; I love to make a batch or two of these and store extras in the freezer. I just cut them and wrap them individually and pull one out when I am craving a chocolate treat (just pop in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute until warm and gooey again!).

Enjoy!

These festive peppermint mocha brownies are insanely fudgy and full of chocolate and peppermint flavor, only require one bowl, and made gluten free and refined sugar free (so a delicious guilt free holiday treat).

If you make this peppermint mocha brownies, please leave a comment below.  I absolutely love to hear from you guys and your thoughts on my recipes. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or pin it on pinterest, because sharing is caring!

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Peppermint Mocha Brownies

These peppermint mocha brownies are fudgy, full of chocolate & peppermint flavor, require one bowl, and gluten-free and refined sugar free.

Course Dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 16 brownies
Author Dani

Ingredients

  • ½ cup 1 stick salted butter, use high quality grassfed butter, cut into chunks
  • ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips plus ¼ cup for folding in batter
  • 1 cup coconut sugar or Whole Earth Granulated Allulose Baking Blend
  • 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk room temperature
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ½ tsp. peppermint extract
  • 2/3 cup fine almond flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • Pinch sea salt
  • 6 dark chocolate bark candies chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line and grease an 8×8 pan.
  2. In a large bowl, add the butter and ½ cup chocolate chips. Microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Stir until smooth.
  3. Whisk in sugar until dissolved.
  4. Add in eggs, one at a time, and gently mix into batter. Stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.
  5. Gently fold in cocoa powder, almond flour, and pinch salt until everything is incorporated. Gently fold in ¼ cup chocolate chips. Do not over-mix.
  6. Pour into greased pan. Top with half the chopped peppermint bark candy.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Top with other half of chopped bark. Let cool completely. Cut into 9 or 16 squares. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Bake closer to 22 minutes for gooier brownies.

Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate

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Creamy, decadent, and flavorful chai spiced hot chocolate. Made dairy-free and vegan for a wholesome and delicious treat!

delicious creamy chai spiced hot chocolate

Is there a better way to stay cozy this winter than with a cup of hot cocoa!? Yes! By adding warm chai spices to your cup of chocolate goodness – together it feels like a big warm hug on a cold winter’s day.

Chai spices, a mixture of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper, work perfectly with dark chocolate. The bold, slightly sweet and earthy spice blend compliments the rich, robust chocolate. Together they create the dreamiest combo that’s irresistible!

ingredients

  • good quality dark chocolate or chocolate chips
  • unsweetened vanilla almond or cashew milk
  • maple syrup
  • pure vanilla extract
  • cacao or cocoa powder
  • chai spice blend

more about the chai spice blend

You have two options for the chai spice blend.

First, you can make your own. This is my personal preference because it’s more cost effective and you can control the flavor profile (aka increase or decrease the quantities of your favorite and least favorite spices in the blend). I have a guide on how to create your own chai spice blend HERE.

Of course, you could also just buy a chai spice blend at your local grocery store or spice market. Admittedly, it can be hard to find sometimes and a bit expensive. But in that case, simply make your own!

Either way, I highly recommend adding the chai spice blend to your hot cocoa as it adds depth of flavor that amps up your hot chocolate to a whole new level!

how is this wholesome?!

I incorporated a few simple swaps to lighten up this hot chocolate without sacrificing flavor.

First, I used an unsweetened almond milk – it stills keeps the hot chocolate creamy without tons of fat and sugar. I also used a high quality dark chocolate and cacao powder – both full of antioxidants and low in sugar. I also only sweetened it with a hint unrefined pure maple syrup and a hint of pure vanilla. It’s not loaded with white sugar like some hot cocoa recipes.

The result is a creamy, luscious, and delicious hot chocolate that’s also refined sugar free, dairy-free, and vegan.

how to make chai spiced hot chocolate

This couldn’t be simpler!

First, combine the vanilla almond milk and chopped dark chocolate in a medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is fully melted. Whisk in the remaining ingredients until smooth and no lumps from the cacao powder are present. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking occasionally, until pleasantly warm and frothy. Pour into 2-3 mugs.

I also like to finish my hot chocolate with a dairy-free whipped cream and a touch more chai spice, but totally optional!

make it an adult hot cocoa

This recipe would work beautifully with dark spiced rum or bourbon for an extra little kick (I would add 1-2 tablespoons per glass, but of course add as much or as little as you like!)

Picture this: drinking a warm, delicious, slightly boozy cup of chai spiced hot cocoa by the fire watching a holiday movie, with your Christmas tree or holiday lights glistening in the background (children fast asleep of course. Pure magic!

enjoy!

This chai chocolate is super luscious and creamy, full of warm spices, and perfectly sweet. It’s a great cozy drink for those chilly nights.

If you make this chai spiced hot chocolate please leave a comment below.  I absolutely love to hear from you guys and your thoughts on my recipes. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or pin it on pinterest, cuz sharing is caring!

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Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate

Creamy, decadent, and flavorful chai spiced hot chocolate. Made dairy-free and vegan for a wholesome and delicious treat!

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk cashew or even light coconut milk works too*
  • 1/3 cup dark chocolate morsels I recommend Enjoy Life, Hu, Lily’s or other high quality low sugar brand
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder cocoa powder works too
  • 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup depending on sweetness level desired
  • 1 ½ tablespoons chai spice blend
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • Pinch sea salt
  • Dairy-free whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Combine the almond milk and dark chocolate morsels in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.

  2. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is fully melted. Whisk in the remaining ingredients until smooth and no lumps from the cacao are present. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking occasionally, until pleasantly warm and frothy. Pour into 2-3 mugs.

  3. Top with whipped cream, if using.
  4. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note: if you use coconut milk, it will be slightly thicker and have a slight coconut flavor.

Baked brie with fig jam and bacon.

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This baked brie with fig jam and bacon is the perfect, easy, but impressive holiday appetizer. Gooey, warm brie topped with sweet and earthy fig jam, umami-packed bacon, and crunchy pecans creates a crowd-pleasing and delicious appetizer.

baked brie with fig jam and bacon.

This time of year, it’s all about holiday entertaining. It may look different this year (much smaller get-togethers or zoom parties), but that doesn’t mean you can’t go all out! I’m a firm believer you can throw a fun and epic party, even just for two. Trust me, it’s totally worth the effort and a great mood booster during these crazy times.

That means still buying festive napkins, decorate the whole house for Christmas (hello magic!), and making delicious holiday food.

On my menu is this delicious baked brie with fig jam, bacon, and pecans. It’s takes about 5 minutes to put together, 15 minutes to bake, and .01 seconds to devour (it’s that good!). It’s also bursting with holiday flavors like figs and pecans. Oh, and there’s bacon, so you know it’s going to be good!

ingredients in this baked brie.

This easy, appetizer recipe only takes 5 ingredients to make:

  • 1 8 oz wheel of brie, Camembert works too
  • 1/2 cup fig jam, I just used store-bought to make this a quick appetizer, but, you could also use homemade. This is my favorite brand!
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, adds a delicious nutty flavor plus crunch and texture.
  • orange zest, helps add a pop of freshness and cut through all the richness.
  • 1/3 cup chopped cooked bacon, adds that irresistible salty, crunch bite!
  • Plus, bread and/or crackers for dipping, I love serving this with crusty, warm slices of French bread and my favorite crackers, which you can find here and here .

how to make baked brie with fig jam and bacon.

This couldn’t be easier!

Simply, add the brie wheel to a baking dish. Top it with the fig jam, chopped cooked bacon, and chopped pecans. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the brie is gooey.

Remove from the oven and top with orange zest. The orange zest adds a beautiful citrusy note that compliments the other flavors while also cutting through the richness.

Serve with crusty warm bread and crackers. I used a plain or whole wheat baguette, which I cut into slices, drizzled with olive oil and garlic salt, baked at 400 degree for about 5 minutes, or until a little crispy and warmed.

Oh, and a glass of red wine works great with this too!

can you save extras if you don’t eat it all.

Well, it’s unlikely you will have any leftovers 🙂

But, if you do, you can save the rest. Make sure the brie has cooled completely. Either cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap (this is what I do because I can easily pop it in the oven when I want to eat it again) or transfer it t an air tight container and store it in the fridge for 3-5 days (then when ready to eat, transfer it bake to a baking dish).

When ready to eat, heat it in a 400 degree oven for 5-10 minutes, or until gooey again. Easy as that!

other delicious appetizer ideas.

enjoy.

I hope you love this easy and delicious appetizer!

If you make this baked brie with fig jam and bacon, please leave a comment below.  I absolutely love to hear from you guys and your thoughts on my recipes. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or pin it on pinterest, cuz sharing is caring!

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Baked Brie with Fig Jam and Bacon

A delicious and easy appetizer perfect for Holiday entertaining.

Course Appetizer
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 8 oz wheel of brie camembert work too
  • 1/2 cup fig jam
  • 3-4 slices bacon cooked and chopped*
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
  • 1/2 tablespoons orange zest
  • favorite crackers for serving
  • whole wheat or plain crostinis for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degress.

  2. Place the brie wheel in a small baking dish.

  3. Top with fig jam, chopped bacon, and chopped pecans.

  4. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the brie is goeey.

  5. Remove from oven and top with orange zest.

  6. Serve with crostini and/or crackers.

Recipe Notes

For the bacon, you should cook it and render the fat out before topping it on the brie. I like to cook it the bacon so it’s just a bit crispy (and not too browned). It will continue to crisp up when you bake the brie. 

Holiday Cheese & Fruit Board

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This epic holiday cheese & fruit board features 3 different cheese, fresh, Fall produce, earthy and sweet fig jam, a delicious blend of mixed nuts, and rich, sweet honey. This show-stopping cheeseboard was made entirely from ingredients found at my local Jewel-Osco.

An epic and easy holiday cheese & fruit board

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jewel-Osco. All opinions are 100% my own. 

My favorite go-to party appetizer is an epic cheese board. It’s easy to put together but still looks beautiful and sophisticated. Plus, has something to please everyone, so makes the whole family happy for holiday get togethers!

This year, holiday celebrations may look and feel a little different, but that doesn’t have to stop us from enjoying a fun and festive holiday. Even though my holiday celebrations will be a bit smaller, I still plan to go the extra mile to create memorable dishes for my immediate family. This holiday cheeseboard is the perfect way to celebrate, and impress, my loved ones!

Tips for making a holiday cheese and fruit board

When creating a cheeseboard, I like to keep it seasonal. For instance, I created a fruit and summer cheese board using delicious, ripe, colorful fruit found only in the summer and lighter cheeses. I’ve also created a Spring inspired hummus platter, which features Spring produce, like snap peas, carrots and radishes with a light, flavorful hummus.

For the holidays, I created this Fall inspired cheeseboard using Fall produce and seasonal eats. Here’s how I kept it true to this season:

  • Rich, Fall appropriate cheeses. Since it’s chilly in Fall, I wanted to use heartier, richer cheeses. I used a sharp white cheddar, funky, gooey brie, and a smoky gouda. These robust cheeses pair great with Fall produce.
  • Seasonal produce. I used fruits that are bountiful in Fall, like pears, pomegranates, and honey-crisp apples. These fruits remind everyone of Fall and signal to your guests this is a Fall cheese platter.
  • Color theme. I used hues of reds and greens, which are the colors of the holidays. The reds are found in the Fall produce. Plus, I added pops of green by using fresh, rosemary, a fragrant and festive Fall herb.
  • A little something sweet. To pair with these rich, tangy cheeses, I added fresh local honey and a delicious fig spread. These sweet extras help play into the Fall holiday theme while also pairing perfectly with the cheeses.
  • Extra seasonal eats. Any good cheeseboard needs something crunchy to go with the cheese and fruit. I added an assortment of entertainment crackers and mixed nuts from Jewel-Osco’s Signature Select® line.
  • Wine pairing. To me, a cheeseboard always needs to pair with a good glass of wine. In the cozy, cool Fall months, I prefer a glass of red. I recommend a Pinot noir or blend to accompany this holiday cheese & fruit board.

Where to find the ingredients for this epic holiday cheese & fruit board

I purchased all of the ingredients for this show stopping cheese & fruit platter from my local Jewel-Osco. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff plus great assortment of fresh, affordable, high quality products, it’s no wonder Jewel-Osco is my favorite local grocery store! 

Jewel-Osco has a great assortment of fresh cheeses and produce, making it easy to customize your cheeseboard for any season. I also made the cheeseboard extra special by adding delicious, rich clover honey, mixed nuts, and an assortment of entertaining crackers from their Signature SELECT™ line. 

I buy my Signature SELECT, O Organics® and Open Nature® products at my local Jewel-Osco stores, and you can also find them exclusively at the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including ACME Markets, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets and Carrs/Safeway. Visit jewelosco.com to find a store near you and discover meal prep tips and recipe ideas.

Jewel-Osco also offers Grocery Delivery and DriveUp & Go™ for convenient ways to shop!

Why this cheese & fruit board is perfect for your holiday entertaining

This cheeseboard is perfect for your holiday get-togethers this year for several reasons:

  1. It has something to please everyone, so everyone in your family will love it!
  2. You can customize the size based on how many people will be at your holiday gathering. So even if you are just getting together with your closest family members, you can make it perfect for a small gathering!
  3. It’s super simple and easy to put together.
  4. It’s beautiful and sure to impress!

enjoy!

This epic holiday cheese & fruit board is an elegant way to impress your family for the holidays. No one has to know it was super simple to make thanks to the great selection at your local Jewel-Osco store!

If you make this holiday cheese & fruit board, please leave a comment below.  I absolutely love to hear from you guys and your thoughts on my recipes. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or pin it on pinterest, cuz sharing is caring!

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Holiday Cheese and Fruit Board

A beautiful and festive holiday cheese and fruit board perfect for entertaining!

Course Appetizer
Prep Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 8oz block shark white cheddar sliced
  • 1 6 oz round block smoked gouda sliced
  • 1 8 oz wheel of brie
  • 1 medium red pear thinly sliced
  • 1 medium honey crisp apple thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup pomegrante arils
  • 1 box Signature SELECT entertaining crackers
  • 1 BAG Signature SELECT mixed nuts
  • 1/4 cup Signature SELECT clover honey
  • 1/2 cup fig jam
  • favorite red wine to pair
  • 1 small container rosemary for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Take out a large cheese platter. Add the brie to the center. Arrnage the other cheese, fruit, jam, and crackers around the brie. Add spigs of rosemary for garnish.

  2. Serve with red wine. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Overnight Oats

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My favorite breakfast with a delicious healthy holiday spin. Creamy, luscious overnight oats flavored with molasses and spices to taste just like the classic gingerbread cookie.

Gingerbread overnight Oats

Gingerbread Overnight Oats

Gingerbread is a classics holiday flavor. Gingerbread cookies typically are filled with spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and clove and sweetened with rich, smoky molasses. It’s warm and comforting, so perfect for this time of year.

I decided to take those traditional flavors and use them in one of my favorite breakfast go-tos: overnight oats. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this nostalgic holiday treat in a new and healthy way!

Gingerbread Overnight Oats

How to make overnight oats?

I love overnight oats because they are so simple to make. You simply combine old fashioned oats (gluten-free oat options available if preferred), a sweetener, a liquid, and any flavorings. You mix it all together and allow for it to set up overnight. In the morning, you have a delicious breakfast ready to go.

For these gingerbread overnight oats, I used oats and vanilla almond milk as my base. It’s flavored with traditional gingerbread spices of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. To sweeten it, I used molasses as it is quintessential to gingerbread cookies and gives them their dark hue and rich, interesting flavor.

I also used date syrup from D’vash. I recently discovered date syrup and I love it. It’s a dark syrup make from dates and has a rich sweet flavor. It’s also vegan and 25% less sugar than honey, so its a great unrefined sugar option.

Gingerbread Overnight Oats

Main Ingredients

  • Old Fashioned Oats (gluten-free if preferred)
  • Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (or milk of choice)
  • Molasses
  • Date Syrup
  • Spices
  • Vanilla
Gingerbread Overnight Oats

Equipment Needed

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula
  • Serving Bowls & Spoons
Gingerbread Overnight Oats

Other overnight oats recipes

Enjoy!

This is the perfect guilt-free treat for the holidays. It taste just like a gingerbread cookie with warm spices and that classic sticky sweet molasses flavor. But it’s vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, so a healthy holiday treat!

If you make these gingerbread overnight oats, please leave a comment below.  I absolutely love to hear from you guys and your thoughts on my recipes. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or pin it on pinterest, cuz sharing is caring!

Gingerbread overnight oats.
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Gingerbread Overnight Oats

Creamy, luscious overnight oats flavored with molasses and spices to taste just like the classic gingerbread cookie. A festive, guiltless treat for the holidays!

Author Danielle

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon clove
  • 2 tablespoons date nectar or maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • Vanilla cinnamon yogurt optinal, for topping
  • Gingerbread cookies optional, for topping
  • Favorite granola optional, for topping

Instructions

  1. Add all of the ingredients (except toppins ingredients) to a big mixing bowl and stir until well combined.

  2. Cover and place in fridge.
  3. Allow to set up overnight.
  4. In the morning, divide the mixture between 3-4 bowls. Top with vanilla cinnamon yogurt and favorite granola or crushed up gingerbread cookies, if desired.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This can be stored in an airtight container for a week in the fridge.

If making dairy-free and vegan, use a dairy free yogurt for topping or omit. 

If gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free rolled oats. But they must be rolled old-fashioned oats, not quick oats, or it will not set up correctly.