Flourless Fudge Cups

Not the prettiest picture, but nevertheless, they fulfill that 9pm chocolate craving!  These are quick and easy and anyone can make them - no flour required!  My husband and I can eat forever, so this recipe is perfect for us because it doesn't make a lot - perfect for the 2 of us.  I do have 5 kids but it seems like it is always at night when they are in bed that I whip these up.  For normal people, it would serve 4-6.

Flourless Fudge Cups

3 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate

1 T. oil

1/3 c. cocoa

4 egg whites

½ c. brown sugar

Microwave chocolate and oil 1-2 min. or until completely melted.  Stir in cocoa, let stand 5 min. 

Beat egg whites and sugar on high for 3 min. or until tripled in size.  Reduce to medium and blend in chocolate mixture.  Spoon batter into 6-8  greased muffin cups.  They don't rise a lot so you can fill them pretty full.  Bake 18 min. at 350, or until puffed and center is set.  Let stand in pan 5 min.  Serve warm.  Great with a scoop of cream, cool whip, or ice cream on top.

Oh Henry's - Healthy Make-Over

I'm sure most of you have had these delicious morsels of heaven, if you haven't you have been deprived! This is hands down my family's favorite treat and it truly satisfies my chocolate/peanut butter addiction.  These are easy to make gluten free and we are blessed to have wonderful friends who go out of their way to make these at events they know we are attending.  I will give you the version that I make, it is healthier, and then I will give you the original recipe and you can do what works for you!

Oh Henry Bars

In sauce pan, mix:  1/3 c. sugar

                             2/3 c. agave

When sugar is dissolved and it reaches a boil, remove from heat and

stir in:  2/3 c. peanut butter

Add:      6-7 c. GF rice krispies, (We love the Erewhon Brand-Crispy Brown Rice). 

Spread into greased 9 x 13. Pat gently but don't firmly press them in.

Meanwhile, combine:  1 c. chocolate chips

                                 1 c. butterscotch chips(Guittard & Hershey are GF, make sure to check the package)

Microwave until melted- 1 minute increments, stirring in between.

Spread melted chocolate over the mixture.  Let chocolate set up and enjoy!  If you can't wait the fridge will help speed up the process!

For those of you who can't do dairy or soy, just melt 2 c. chocolate chips and don't use the butterscotch chips.

*Regular recipe:  use 1 c. sugar, 1 c. corn syrup, 1 c. peanut butter - everything else stays the same

This is linked back to Linda's Gluten free Wednesdays - check it out for lots of great recipes.

Muddy Buddies

When the 9:00pm chocolate peanut butter craving calls, this always satisfies!  Chex has a great recipe for this snack and the great thing is that you can also make it dairy, soy, and nut free!  It is so easy to adapt and you can't ruin it!  I never really make it the same twice, I just dump.  Here is what I usually do- but remember don't bother measuring, this will just give you an idea of the amounts!

Muddy Buddies

1 c. chocolate chips(use regular, dairy free, or Enjoy life soy free)
1/4 c. peanut butter(if you are allergic to nuts, just leave it out)
6 c. rice or corn Chex(make sure they are General Mills)
1 c. powdered sugar
Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 1 min., stir, continue to heat for 30 s. intervals, stirring in between, until melted.  Stir in Chex until coated.  In a gallon size Ziploc bag add the powdered sugar, stir in the Chex mixture and shake.  Refrigerate.

*If you want to add butter, add a few Tablespoons.  This will make it runnier and you can add more Chex.
**If you need variety, omit peanut butter and stir in a small amount of mint extract.

Caramel Popcorn

gluten free, soy free, dairy free

For those of you with additional allergies like dairy and soy, you probably thought you would never have a great caramel popcorn again - you were wrong.  This is a staple at our house.  This popcorn goes camping, on vacations, to parties, and is a must for movie night.  It is so simple, soft and divine.  You have to try it!  It works great with butter, Earthbalance nondairy butter, and the soyfree Earthbalance spread.  I usually use air popped popcorn, however, on vacation I take along some microwave popcorn and that works great too!  The key to this recipe is to cook it on low, that way it keeps it nice and soft.

Caramel Corn

¾ c. marshmallows

½ c. butter

½ c. brown sugar

2-3 quarts popcorn

Stir on low until completely blended and melted.  Add popcorn and stir until well coated.  Put on wax paper and let cool.

Homemade Granola Bars

Having 5 kids and needing snacks as we run out the door, these granola bars do the trick.  They travel on vacations, up mountains, in lunchboxes, diaper bags and anywhere we go.  I know there are a lot of  "healthy" granola bar recipes out there, but I need a granola bar that tastes good, and one that my kids (and me) will eat.  I am the picky one and you won't see a lot of nuts and stuff in my recipes.  The recipe is versatile and you however, may add all your healthy nuts and seeds to your hearts content.

Granola Bars

2 c. GF oats

2 c. rice/corn chex(or any cereal you like)

1/2 c. rice krispies (make sure they are gf)

1/2 c. chocolate chips

1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 c. honey

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 c. flax meal, or 2 T. chia seeds

In a ziploc bag, crush the chex with a rolling pin.  Add them to a large mixing bowl along with the oats, rice krispies, chocolate chips and seeds.  In a small saucepan combine brown sugar and honey and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in peanut butter and vanilla; blend until smooth.

Pour over cereal mixture; mix well and press(I mean really press firmly) into a 13" x 9" pan(lightly spray with non-stick spray)  Cool(a few hours),then cut into bars.  I end up getting 16 bars out of one pan.  I then cut some foil, wrap them up, and store in a Ziploc bag.  I usually double this recipe and mass produce.