salted chocolate peanut butter cookies

Moving on is something I'm really struggling with lately. I know that some people come through our lives to stay. And some are just merely passing through for the purpose of teaching us lessons and helping us to discover ourselves. But sometimes, they meld together and look like the same. You'll think someone is there for you always {the kind that sticks around.}, but it turns out they're just one of those ones that you learn something from and you're supposed to forget and move on after they've done their time.

I'm doing my best to put this all into perspective, but sometimes when you don't have much going on for you, it's hard to take a step back and see the big picture. I'm thinking of my life as a book- there's events that come and go and characters who soon fade away into the first few chapters. As much as you loved those characters or you loved those cliff-hanging events, you have to keep reading to see what happens next, regardless of who comes and goes. If you sit there thinking about how the way things COULD have turned out, you'll simply scan over the words of the present and miss out on the next big thing.

It's so so hard to let go of a friendship I thought would be a lasting one. But things change. People change. And I know I've got to move on, but I can't stop clinging to the past and the things that used to be. This letting go has been one of the hardest things I've gone through in all my years and has been in the painful process for months. I keep feeling like I'm on the mend, but if I think of or see the littlest thing that reminds me of the way things used to be, I burst into tears. This afternoon, it was a full on lay-in-my-parents-bed-in-the-fetal-position-head-in-my-hands-sobbing-my-eyeballs out. But I know I'm supposed to be learning something about myself, about life in general. So thank you to the ones who have come and gone and taught me things. I'll keep on moving. Life goes on before and after you. 

After I had my little meltdown, I dragged myself out of bed, eyes red and puffy, and decided to make some cookies. I knew it would help- it always does. I'm thankful for friends I can talk to, peanut butter, chocolate, and chunks of sea salt. And I put them all in cookies and great things happened! Errrrr waaaaaaaait. I don't put friends in my cookies. That is one thing you will not need to run to the store and grab for this recipe. You'll need them for other things, not eating. This is getting awkward.

salted chocolate peanut butter cookies {gluten & dairy free}

3/4 c. peanut butter
2 eggs
1/3 c. + 2 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/3 c. oat flour
1/2 c. gluten-free flour
1 tsp. sea salt + more for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375ºF and grease or line a baking sheet. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, peanut butter, and eggs until smooth. Add in cocoa, flours, and salt. Mix until evenly combined. Scoop onto prepared baking sheet. Press down slightly and spindle with sea salt. Bake for 7-10 minutes.

XXL dark chocolate & sea salt brownie cookie

So I'm kinda on this chocolate kick lately… Exceeeeept when am I not on a chocolate kick? Hi, my name is Sophie and I am addicted to Lindt 70% cocoa dark chocolate. {Hiiiii, Sooooophiieeeee.} No but really. This is getting out of hand. Looking back, I just realized there hasn't been a day in the last- oh, I don't know- EVER, that I haven't had chocolate in some way shape or form. It's a crazy love for the stuff. A yearning. A desire as strong as Channing Tatum's abs. A BURNING PASSION IN MY SOOOOOUL. 

I'll stop. 

I've come to the mature decision to feed this obsession in a good, healthy way. Although if you ask me, chocolate is pretty healthy in and of itself. It's just probably not very good if you go and eat the whole bar of chocolate, batch of brownies, pint of ice cream… You get my gist. I'll admit. I basically eat chocolate in every single way possible. In my oatmeal? Dunnniiitttt. Definitely not a bad idea, if you're wondering. Smoothies? Check. Healthy brownies? Shooosh yahhhh. Eaten the whole dang pan, in fact! But let's not go there. 

AND NOW. COOKIES. Actually, cookiEEEEE. Just for you and your pretty little chocolate loving face. 

This cookie is kind of sort of a freaking SUCCCCESSSS. I've tried making a healthy single serving cookie before and oh my gross, you guys. So did not work. That experience kind of scarred me for life and I was hesitant about trying out a new recipe. Thank heavens I did though. I basically saved all of humanity with this cookie. {things get baaaaad if I don't satisfy my cravings fast.}

This cookie is going to blow your mind. It's soft and chewy AND CHOCOLATEY. So much chocolate. So much happiness. GET EXCITED. The cookie itself is like a little hunk 'a fudgalicious brownie. And if that couldn't get any better, I pressed some of my beloved 70% on the top. And if THAT couldn't get any better… Sea salt. This is just pure chocolatey, fudgey greatness made JUST for you in a matter of minutes. 

It's actually healthy too. I know, weird huh? WHOOODA THUUUUNKED IT? It's dairy-free, gluten-free, and processed sugar free. Which MEANS. You can eat it for breakfast. With a cup of hot coffee? Oh my gosh, that is like. Heaven. Like suddenly, all is right in the world while you dip your fudgey cookie in a ginormous mug of coffee. 

No more werrrrrrds.

…… Except I do have a few more. My sincerest apologies.

You know that song "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran? I am making a parody… Caaaaaalled. {drumroll please.} "Give Me Fudge". Give me FUUUUUUUUHHUUUUDGE… Hmmmm myyy myyyuhhhh hmmm myyyyyy myuuhhh. Give me fuuuuuuudgeeeeee. I sure hope you've heard that song before because otherwise, you're totally thinking I'm a fool right now. And you would be correct. 

Ok, thanks for listening! Now go make yerrrsehhhlf a cookie.

XXL dark chocolate & sea salt brownie cookie

1 egg

1 1/2 tbsp. coconut oil

1 tbsp. nut butter {I used peanut butter. duh.}

dash of vanilla

2 tbsp. pure maple syrup

1/4 c. gluten-free flour

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. baking powder

pinch of sea salt

1 square 70% cocoa dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine egg, coconut oil, nut butter, vanilla, and maple syrup. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and form into a disk. Press dark chocolate chunks onto the top of the cookie and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 10-15 minutes. 

salted dark chocolate almond coconut oil cookies

 So the other day while grocery shopping, my brother made this weird face as we trotted on by the health food section {i.e. a little 3 foot shelf full of gluten free flours, molasses, and xylitol. that's aboooout all. } and exclaimed with a questionable tone, "COOOOOconut oil?" I was all like "WHAAAA FOOOO!" I've been wanting to use coconut oil for um ever since I saw it making appearances in healthy recipes all over the interwebulars. So when my brosophegus spotted it I totally freaked out. Likeeeeeeeeee full on freaked. Did a little jig? Sang a little bit? Made a fool out of myself in front of the entire population of the grocery store? Why yes. Indeed I did. No shame.

Immediately my mind went all the places. Cookies. Muffins. Blondies. Cake. Where the heck am I supposed to start experimenting? There's no telling when I'll quit. Or if I ever will.  After discovering that replacing butter with coconut oil seriously didn't change the flavor or texture of cookies, there's no turning back now. I've gone to the dark side. Errr actually, the light side! These cookies kinda blew my mind. Ya know when you try to healthify cookie recipes and use yogurt or banana instead of butter? Things don't go right. Things get cakey and weird and not like how cookies should be. Cookies that are more like muffins are just not okay. BUUU-HUUUUUT. No butter here. And no muffin-y cookies. Mind bloooooooooown.I've been really wanting something to dunk in my morning cup of coffee and pretty sure these cookies couldn't be any better for the job. Nothing wrong with starting out the day with some chocolate! The fact that they're healthy and actually taste like normal cookies makes me super excited. No guilt and no surprise breakouts due to dairy!! 

salted dark chocolate almond coconut oil cookies

1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. wholewheat flour
1 c. oat four
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. dark chocolate chunks/chips
1/2 c. raw almonds, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease/line a baking sheet; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk coconut oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix in flours, oats, salt, and baking powder. Stir until just combined. Fold in almonds and chocolate chunks. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before removing to a wire rack. Recipe yields about 15 cookies.

fudgey double chocolate brownies with peanut butter cookies 'n cream frosting

I typically only make rich, indulgent desserts when there are other people that are gonna eat it. I enjoy making other people fat, but put spinach in my smoothies every morning. 

Riddle me that one.

It's even better when said rich, indulgent dessert is made for three teenage boys. That way I am guaranteed no leftovers. 

No leftovers means I don't have the temptation to stand at the fridge with the door open, digging into a pan of brownies with a fork. 

Hey, it happens. At least I'm willing to admit it. 

I love when I bake something and it's gone in minutes. Because A) that means it was good. and B) I don't have to wait to get rid of leftovers and can bake something again!

Moooooore sugaaaaaaar fooo yooo faaaace.

SO let's talk. About brownies, cuz DUHHH. 

These brownies are my fave recipe. I've made them multiple times and have memorized the recipe. True love right derrrrr. 

I actually made these same brownies the other day and trashed them up with cherry baking chips. Note to self- I don't care what the package says, those things are far from cherry. They smelled like lip smackers. 

Don't you love lip smacker flavored brownies? Yahhhnoooo. 

GRODYYYY.

Chapstick flavor aside, these brownies are pretty bomb. Simple, fudgey, and moist. Yah, I went there. MOIST. I made them again sans cherry chips and topped them off with FROSTING. Peanut butter frosting. With crushed Oreos in it. So yah. 

I was technically on a "raw diet" but my tongue somehow found its way to the spatula covered in brownie batter. And then my finger found its way into the bowl of fluffy peanut butter dreams. I mean frosting. 

BUT seriously. How the heck am I supposed to make frosting without tasting it? That's not even legal. I don't think.

Butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and oreos are kinda sorta destined for greatness, but you know what I mean. At least that's what I tell myself.

You understaaaaand me!

fudgey double chocolate brownies with peanut butter cookies 'n cream frosting

brownies: 

3/4 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. chocolate chips 

frosting: 

1/4 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1/3 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. powdered sugar

10 oreos, chopped

Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease a 9x13 pan; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in eggs. Add flour, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan; bake for 25-30 minutes. While brownies are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all ingredients until smooth. Add more powdered sugar or milk as needed. Once brownies are completely cooled, spread frosting evenly. 

raw chocolate truffles

Oh my woooooooord, I haven't posted in a week! Hmm, let's not be stereotypical and go into this whole shebang about "ohemmgeeeeeee I've been so busy lately." and this, that, and the other thing. Instead, I'm going to tell you I was busy sitting on the beach. {for three days not 7 since my last post. But gimme a break people.} Trust me, it's not as glamorous as it sounds. We drove three hours to a German beach town on the coast of Namibia called Swakopmund. That place is seriously an oasis in the desert and our favorite place to escape to. 

But ya know how it's winter right now? Yah, well multiply our cold weather in Otji times 50. We were seriously freezing our buns off for those three days in Swakop. It was kind of sort of miserable. COLD WEATHER IN AFRICA! Isn't this a strange world we live in? Methinks yes.

Since all my brothers wanted to do was run around on the beach {where it's coldERRR} and swim in the water {where it's coldESSSST}, my mom and I did everything in our power to stay warm. This required coffee- much coffee. I had 5 cups in a day once. Or twice. 

Also some emergency shopping trips whose purpose was to find some wooly infinity scarves. But then we found snazzy sunglasses fooo cheeeeap. And boyfriend jeans were on sale. Oh gosh. My mom and I can do a lot of damage in not a lot of time. My dad just adores it. 

Surprisingly, we didn't only drink coffee and shop while we were there. We also took a little boat tour where we saw beautiful pelicans, seals, and dolphins. The morning fog that faded into the oceans expanse was a sight to behold and no photo or fancy camera lens could ever do it justice! I could just sit on a boat wrapped up in a blanket staring out into the distance for the rest of ever.

Whenever we're in Swakop, we always stuff ourselves to the brim, binging on sushi, pastries, gelato, and pretty much all the carbs in the land. I kept thinking "Ugh, this is so unhealthy. I'll just skip when we eat at the bakery." But then I realized was being to hard on myself and was missing out on some dang good food. I can just diet when I get home. So that's what I did. I ate what I wanted and I freaking enjoyed it, thank you very much. 

But when got home, I was seriously more than eager to dive back into green smoothies and salads. Since going on that diet a few months ago, I've realized dairy really is the culprit to my skin issues. If I over do it on yogurt for breakfast during the week or eat one too many cookies, my skin breaks out horribly. But when I cut dairy out completely, it worked wonders! The amount of dairy and sugar and gluten I consumed over the weekend was enough to make my skin go all wacky, so I'm back at it. 

These truffles are the perfect way to cure a sweet tooth the healthy way. They're raw, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, no-bake, require only five ingredients, and take only a few minutes to throw together. Plus, there's chocolate involved. Win win.  

{new nail polish. hardy har har.}

raw chocolate truffles

1 c. ground almonds {or 3/4 c. raw almonds, ground in a food processor or coffee grinder}

1 c. finely chopped dried dates

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder + more for rolling

1/4 c. honey

1 tbsp. soymilk {or other non-dairy milk to keep it dairy-free}

Combine all ingredients using a fork or pressing with the tips of your fingers until the dough resembles a coarse crumb. Add more milk if it seems to dry. Roll dough into tablespoon sized balls and roll in extra cocoa powder. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate. 

no bake trail mix cookies

The last few days, I've gone through a box of tissues and a few rolls of toilet paper. Been close to coughing my brains out. Taken numerous bubble baths. Worn nothing but pajamas and yoga pants. Spent hours in bed reading. Eaten mainly chicken soup and smoothies for my meals. And have watched tons of movies and episodes of the Office. 

In case you can't tell, I've come down with one heck of a cold. 

I felt it coming on when we were in the car driving to Windhoek for the day. That night, I was so miserable laying on that hotel room floor and didn't sleep a bit due to my stuffed up nose, congested chest, and sore throat. 

What. a. dream. 

Trust me, I love being lazy- I'm basically a professional. 

But after day one, I'm ready to not be sick in bed. It drives me CAAAHHHRAAAZAAAAAY. Not to mention, since I haven't exercised since Wednesday, I feel like a big old blob. 

Unless I want to cough and wheeze to my death, I probably won't be able to run until next week. 

I am starting to feel a lot better though. I'm still so stuffed up, but I can actually taste some of the things I eat. My energy is coming back too... enough so that I was able to climb a water tower last night. 

BUUUUUUUT that's a whole other story. 

I have also come to the conclusion that the Office is basically the best show there ever was.

In one episode when Andy said "My whole life is a freaking snot bubble!", I found it oddly hilarious and relevant. I laughed so hard.

And then had a cough attack and nearly died.

Gross, sorry.

Anyways, this post is pretty scattered, but I figured I'd end it with something appropriate to a food blog… Food!

These cookies take about 5 minutes from bowl to face hole and you don't even have to turn on the oven! The base for the cookies is honey, peanut butter, and oats- that's it. I love this combo and, I'm gonna admit, at times when I need something sweet {which is. umm. always.}, I mix those ingredients together in a bowl and eat it with my fingers like cookie dough. 

For add-ins I just grabbed what I could find out of the cupboard. Raisins, peanuts, chocolate chunks, almonds, and flax seeds. You could substitute whatever nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate you would like though- the possibilities are endless. 

no bake trail mix cookies

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1/4 c. + 2 tbsp. honey 

1 1/4 c. quick oats

2 tbsp. flax seeds

1/4 c. salted peanuts

1/4 c. seedless raisins

1/4 c. chopped almonds

1/2 c. chocolate chunks {or chocolate chips}

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients. Stir until combined. Roll dough into balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Press down with a fork or the palm of your hand. Store in a plastic container. 

chewy peanut butter oatmeal cookies

These cookies… Oh my gosh, these cookies are glorious. 

They were born last weekend because I needed some baking therapy. I'm not talking about going online, printing a recipe, and actually *gasp* measuring. No, I'm talking whipping out a bowl, a few ingredients, throwing them in the bowl, and mixing it all up with fork. 

It makes my soul so joyous and has the power to change my attitude from crappy to happy in seconds. 

Surprisingly, they don't even have flour or butter in them which makes them {accidentally} gluten and dairy-free! Honestly, you don't even miss it at all. In the words of my brother "They taste buttery!" My dad, who mind you, usually hates on all my healthy baked goods, loved them. I didn't say anything until he'd eaten at least 4. The whole batch was gone in less that 48 hours so I knew they were a keeper.

Of course, since I and everyone else who tasted them loved these cookies so much I decided to make them again, measure the ingredients, and photograph them. My family actually said they liked them more than last time! 

Also. If you're wondering what those pink specks are in the cookies- it's jelly from the peanut butter jar. These brothers of mine eat PB&J on the daily, I kid you not. 

chewy peanut butter oatmeal cookies {dairy-free, gluten-free} 
yields 1 dozen cookies

1 c. creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1 1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, mix the peanut butter, eggs, vanilla, and brown sugar. Add oats, salt, and baking powder. Stir until combined. Roll dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Press down slightly with a fork. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Let cool before removing to a wire rack.

date & walnut oatmeal cookies

When I made these cookies, I talked to my nana on FaceTime that afternoon. She asked what I was up to and I replied with the usual "… just made cookies." When she asked what kind of cookies and I told her, she said "Oh, dates and walnuts are old person food!" It's never occurred to me, but I guess they kinda are. All the old church cookbook classics like date bread or bread pudding have nuts or dates in them. So it's obviously legit. {not.}

One of my absolute favorite treats as a kid were these date filled sugar cookies from Cub Foods. Those things were the best reward for long grocery shopping trips. My grandma {the same one I now talk to for baking advice.} used to by BOXES of those cookies just for me whenever I stayed at her house. I remember sitting at her kitchen table and eating one or two or three with a glass of cold milk. Ahh, those were the days. 

I know when it comes to nuts in cookies, you're either like "Oh my gosh, YES!" or "Oh my gosh, NO!" I'm the first. I seriously love the added crunch and flavor nuts add to baked goods. I think they make great additions to classic oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies. Although they're really necessary in these cookies, if you seriously can't stand them, you could leave them out. 

These cookies are some of the best I've made in a LONG time. I like my cookies on the underdone side, so they turn out really soft and gooey. The nuts and dates go together really great in these chewy oatmeal cookies. I made the recipe completely from scratch, but I didn't tell anyone until AFTER they had one and exclaimed how great they were. 

Mission accomplished. 

date & walnut oatmeal cookies

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. dark brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. wholewheat flour

3/4 c. quick cooking oat

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 c. chopped dates

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugars, and vanilla. Whisk in eggs. Add flours, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until combined. Fold in dates and walnuts. Scoop dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Yields about 18 large cookies or 2 dozen smaller cookies. 

honey nut oatmeal breakfast cookies

It's no doubt morning is my absolute favorite time of the day. I guess that would make me a, uhh, morning person? Weird.

I'm crazy and am usually in bed by 9:30 every night WHICH means I'm up and ready to conquer the day before 6.

I totally love it.
Being up before the rest of town, no dogs barking {yet}, no cars. Just birds, trees, and breeze.

Every morning, I walk out to the kitchen in my pajamas and turn on the hot water for my first cup of coffee. {… I drink instant. Is that wrong?}

Then I sit down on the couch and start my morning off the right way with some Jesus before things get busy and stressful.

While I was making my coffee this morning, the idea for breakfast cookies came upon me. 

Yah, I know there's like a zillion billion and one recipes for breakfast cookies out there. Not to toot my own horn errrr anything, buuuuuut… Mine are the best. 

The texture of these cookies is more like a muffin than an actual cookie. In fact… you could totally make this dough, throw it in a muffin tin, and you're cool. 

The honey nut flavor in these cookies reminded me of those granola bars I made awhile back. Sweet, nutty, flavorful, and warm.

The best thing about these cookies? They're hearty and healthy enough to eat for breakfast! They're great with your morning coffee and a side of fresh fruit. 

Breakfast just got awesome. 

… AAAAND I just realized this is my third cookie recipe in a row. 

Whoops?

honey nut oatmeal breakfast cookies {gluten-free, dairy-free}

1 banana

1 egg

1/2 c. soymilk

1/4 c. honey

1/2 c. dark brown sugar

2 c. gluten-free all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. oats 

1 c. chopped nuts

In a large bowl, combined the banana, egg, and soy milk. Whisk in the honey and dark brown sugar. Add all of the dry ingredients and sir until combined. Scoop dough onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 20-25 minutes. 

puffy peanut butter m&m cookies

Lately, I've found myself in a seriously full-blown photo rut. Let me tell ya. It ain't fun.

Awhile ago, I was in love with how my photography was turning out, but then all of a sudden it was like "dude. whoa. whaaaaat happened."

People always say "you can never get worse. you can only get better."

Well, look at me, guys! Breaking trends and conquering the impossible. Just call me… WONDERFUL-COOKIE-MAKER-WOMAN.

Saving the world… One fat, wrinkly cookie at a time.

Haaaaardy haaar… haaar… har.

Dear people.

If you every find yourself in the same rut as me- walking around the entire house looking for a room with good lighting and even resorting to taking pictures ONAFREAKINGBED- well maybe that part's just me- but anyways. I was saaaaaaaaying.

If you ever have issues with light, go outside. It works MA.GIC.

For these cookies, uhh… I took a hundred and fifty nine photos. Yes, 1-5-9. Hashtag- foodbloggerprobs.

The first hundred and eight I took inside, uploaded them to the computer, edited them, uploaded them to my blogpost, decided I hated their stinking guts, deleted them, and then proceeded to whine a little bit like a three year old.

Then I manned up, trotted outside, and took fifty one more. 

When I was taking pictures outside, my dog came with, hoping I'd find his chubby little face so irresistible {which I do.} and give him human food{which I didn't.}. HA. Suckaaaah. He got no cookies, but sat by the table, stared at the plate of cookies, and licked his lips over. and over. and over. and over again. 

Well. I'm still not in love with these photos, but they did turn out better than the first hundred and eight. 

It's been a long day, I have packing to do for a little weekend trip with our missions team, I have studying to do, it's 3:30 and I'm still in my pajamas, and I probably should go for a run. 

So no more picture taking for me! An hour and a half for five pictures is good, thanks. 

Oh yah, and cookies! I made some. They're fat and wrinkly just how I like 'em. 

Like I said, we're going away on a little "retreat" with our team and I'm so excited to have some time away and do some relaxing. And sleeping. 

My mom said I could bake something to bring along and I figured why the heck not make some cookies. 

Puffy, chewy peanut butter cookies studded with some crunchy peanut M&M's. 

Do you need anymore convincing? 

I think not. 

Excuse me while I go run off all those "taste-tests."

puffy peanut butter m&m cookies

1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. cake flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cornstarch
1 1/4 c. peanut m&ms

In a large bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, and eggs. Stir in sugars until smooth. Add flours, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Mix until combined. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. When you're ready to bake the cookies, reheat oven to 375ºF and grease a cookie sheet. Roll chilled cookie dough into balls about 1 1/2 tablespoons each. Press down with your palm or a spoon. Press 4-5 m&ms on top of each cookie. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and remove to a wire rack.

white chocolate chunk pretzel cookies

When it comes to blogging, one of the biggest issues I have is posting. Call me Captain General. Wait, what? Ugh. No, I mean, how often to post. I have to admit, peer pressure still exists in the blogging world. {grr.} 

Every day, I see bloggers have posts going up, filled to the brim with beautiful pictures and drool-worthy, time-tested recipes. Quality over quantity is a big thing, and it's something I'm definitely kicking myself in the butt about lately. *ninja butt kick* 

I feel pressured to be posting every time I whip something out of the oven, when really, if the recipe COULD be better, it'd probably be better not to post it at all. When you lovely people visit my blog, do I want you to see a whole BUNCH of awesome recipes maybe only posted once a week, or crappy posts posted every day with a good one thrown in to the mix every once in awhile? 

So I'm just forewarning you, I think I am going to be posting a little less. I feel like that with all my healthy eats, they're taking over the blog {"The health-nuts are coming, the health-nuts are coming!"} and they definitely get less hype than anything else. Sure, this IS my blog and I can post whatever the heck I want, but if it's not improving my blog in anyway, I think I'll leave it out. 

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm not going to be making healthy recipes. I just won't be posting them as much if ever unless they're going to blow your pants off. {Just kidding! For the love of bunnies, please keep your pants on!}

Long story short. I need to not post recipes that really aren't that great or when the pictures don't turn out good. Because I want to keep this blog AAAAALL about beautiful, happy, scrum-diddly umptious food. Sorry, I guess that was a lot of unnecessary boredom.

Boringness aside… 

COOKIES!!

Gosh dang it, it's been way too long since I've made a batch of cookies and just left them alone without making them all healthified-like. {Speaking of healthified!!! REMEMBER THOSE GF MUFFINS I MADE? I MADE A BETTER VERSION!!!!!!} {SHOULD I POST THEM!!!!?} {TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!!!}{SORRY ABOUT ALL THE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!}

Where was I? Oh, cookies! Derr. 

These are full on, butter packed, flavor packed, fat packed cookies that will make your tummy happy. Not your hips. But your tummy. I promise you.

Sweet and salty is one of my faaaaaavorite flavaaah combaaaahnahhhtions and these cookies are stuffed with all kindsa good things that are sure to satisfy any sweet and salty cravings. 

Dark brown sugar makes them super chewy and soft. Then I added white chocolate chunks and pretzels because white chocolate and pretzels go together like… dark chocolate and pretzels! MMM.

On another totally random, unrelated, and irrelevant note… I'm super happy because I found a new place to take good pictures! Awhile ago, we got rid of our white oven which was the perfect place for me to take my food pictures. The new oven just wasn't the same, but I've found a new place on the counter where I can take decent pictures without them looking like they were taken in a dark dungeon way down under the ocean. {What.}

So there's that.

Thanks for listening to me babble. I believe your face needs a cookie or ten. 

white chocolate chunk pretzel cookies

1 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. dark brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 3/4 c. AP flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. sea salt

1 c. white chocolate chunks {or white chocolate chips}

3/4 c. pretzels, coarsely chopped {plus more for topping; optional}

Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, eggs, sugars, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Mix until combined. Fold in white chocolate chunks and chopped pretzels. Scoop cookie dough into balls about 1-1 1/2 tablespoons each and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until cookies or golden brown and slightly underdone in the middle. Let cool before removing to a wire rack. 

fruit & nut energy bites

So, ya know that whole "challenge" thing {no d-word} I'm doing? Well, I'm actually kinda sorta loving it. Way more than I thought I would at least.

I hardly even eat bread, but of course when I can't, it's all I'm thinking about. Again with that whole food consuming my thoughts… It's like a disease!!

Anyways, I'm learning to live with it and instead eat corn cakes, brown rice, and oats as my carbs. It's interesting to see what I can and can't eat. Of course, I'm not being SUPER strict about it. Or at least when it comes to the gluten part, because we think it's either dairy or sugar.

Food interests me a lot, so I went into full-on food nerd mode and read about gluten and what kinds of everyday foods are {and aren't} gluten free.

I looked up oats and apparently there's controversy over such. I read that oats say they contain gluten only because of contamination {like there being gluten in the production facilities} or if it was grown next to a grain containing gluten.

So since I'm not actually ALLERGIC to gluten, I'm gonna keep oats in my diet. After all, it's pretty much the only grain I can find here that I can eat for the next month. Almond flour and all that other weird stuff? Nowhere. In fact, I'm pretty sure if you asked someone if they knew where you could find hemp flour {that's a thing, isn't it?}, they'd look at you like you had five heads.

Trust me, I'm all too familiar with getting weird looks.

You're probably wondering how in the heck I'm somewhat enjoying this.

WELL, three days into it, and I can already tell a difference in my skin. Not only that, but I feel so much better! I thought I ate healthy, but I'm really starting to be able to tell I could have been doing so much better. I'm amping up my intake of protein, fruits, and veggies, and I can definitely tell a difference in the way I feel after I eat. So much less bloated, but perfectly full.

SOOO anyhoooozles- enough about that.

Today's my birthday! And these things are my birthday cake. How sad IS that? Hooray for oats and honey and nuts and fruit! Not my typical sugar feast, but I guess I can deal.

P.S. Since I'm focusing mainly on cutting out dairy and sugar, I used regular oats and rice krispies in this recipe. They both have just a liiiiiiitle bit of gluten in them, but if you're looking for a totally gluten free version, just use 1 1/4 c. gf oats instead.

fruit & nut energy bites

1/2 c. chopped dates

1/4 c. honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. rice krispies, crushed

3/4 c. oats

2 tbsp. raisins

2 tbsp. salted peanuts

3 tbsp. banana chips, roughly chopped

2 tbsp. dried cranberries

3 tbsp. sunflower seeds

In a large bowl, combine the chopped dates, honey, and vanilla extract. Add the crushed cereal and oats. Fold in the dried nuts and fruit and stir until everything is combined. Roll into balls about 1 1/2 tbsp. each and store in an airtight container or plastic bag. 

chewy chocolate energy bites

The last few mornings, I've taken Carl for a walk. If you don't know who Carl is, he's my pet turtle. Just kidding, he's my huge 120 pound baby rottweiler! He's the cutest thing ever, despite the amount of toilet paper and other non edible objects he consumes on a daily basis. He's got quite the funny personality too. He loves to sit on people because he thinks he's approximately the size of a poodle. Carl's got identity issues.

Anyways, I think he has ADHD times a thousand, so we don't bring him for walks often {read: EVER}. That AND you know how the dogs are here… They bark at you like nobody's business and the owners just leave the gates open so that their dogs can so lovingly approach you. Or attack you. 

The last time we took him outside of the gate was probably at least 5 months ago. Poor guy, so anti-social like. That didn't go well… Our walk was like 5 feet long because he was going bonkers and decided he wanted to roll over and lay down in the middle of the road. Cool, Carl. Cool. 

You should see people's faces when they see us coming down the road. At one point in our walk the other morning, there were lots of people out walking. But when they saw Carl and I coming down the road, everyone moved to the other side. It was kinda hilarious. Because none of the dogs here are really taken care of let alone walked on a daily basis, we get some pretty funny and scared for their life looks. 

WELL! Turns out, his skills have improved over the months. I don't know HOW since he doesn't have much experience, but I'll take it. I took him on a route on a side of the neighborhood where the dogs are better behaved. Yah, the neighborhood is split up into areas of good dogs and bad dogs. But, he did WAY better than I expected. Baby boy didn't even bark the whole time and just kinda… Stared at the other dogs. "Yah, Look at me. I'm outside of the gate, suckers!" 

Towards the end of the walk, he's so pooped, so I decide to take advantage of it and run a little bit. First, he starts of walking and I'm pretty much dragging this dumb 120 pound dog down the road. But then, he gets little bursts of energy and pulls me with all his might. It's kinda like an "I pull you, you pull me." situation. So… my arms are pretty sore. 

In other news… I made you energy bites. They're chocolatey and healthy. Surprised? Perfect for a post-walk snack! Or any-time-of-the-day snack. 

chewy chocolate energy bites

makes 9 medium sized bites

1 1/4 c. dried pitted dates, finely chopped

3 tbsp. honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. oats

3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 c. dark chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the dates, honey, and vanilla. Add oats and cocoa and fold in dark chocolate chips. Roll dough into balls; about 1 1/2 tablespoons each. Place into an airtight container or plastic bag and store refrigerated.