Tasty Tuesday: Gluten Free Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 6:00 AM

These are a bit of a spinoff of the Toddler Cookies, though I didn't have that intent when I was making them.  Basically, I was craving chocolate cookies but I didn't want the unhealthy aspects.  So what's a girl to do?  I modified this recipe from it's original version, found here.  I had full intentions of incorporating zucchini, but didn't end up doing so.  That's not to say, however, it couldn't be done, I just haven't tried it out (I'm sure it's fine).

1 1/2 cup oat or almond flour (I used oat, I'm going to use almond next time)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup applesauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract.  Or both.  I loveeee almond extract)
1 cup GF oats
1 cup mini marshmallows (or regular, both are swell)

Also, feel free to add a cup of whatever else you like- nuts, dried fruits, etc.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cocoa  powder.  Set aside.

Using a mixer, mix brown sugar, applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract. Add previously mixed dry ingredients.  Then mix in oats and marshmallows.

Spoon onto a baking sheet (I use an ice cream scoop), spacing cookies 2 inches apart.  Bake for 11-14 minutes or until they just barely pass a toothpick test.  Let cool and enjoy!

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Tasty Tuesday: Black Bean Brownies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 10:00 AM

Okay, okay, I know.  Brownies made out of black beans sound weird and disgusting.  But bear with me, these are fantastic.  I'm always on a mission to make something that I love, that is horribly unhealthy, and make it into something healthier, that I can (at least somewhat) guiltlessly indulge in.  This recipe is one of those things.  It turns a chocolate craving into something with at least some form of real sustenance.  Plus, they're egg and gluten free.  They look, taste, smell, and feel like real brownies, so really, what is there to lose?  Give 'em a try!

Ingredients:
2 15oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 cup oatmeal flour (just grind up 2 cups oatmeal in a blender)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 12oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x13in baking pan.

Puree black beans in a blender.  Add water and 1/3 cup applesauce, as needed, until smoothy-like consistency.

Combine black bean mixture, sugar, and remaining applesauce in a large mixing bowl.  Mix until well combined.

Add oatmeal flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until smooth.

Stur in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared pan.  You can lick the batter with no guilt since there's no eggs :)

Bake for 25-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.


-Jenn

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