Last Chance: Christmas Baking

Christmas is tomorrow.

What?

Yup, it's true. Sneaky Christmas , came out of nowhere this year!

So you find yourself panicking and needing some quick and easy Christmas recipes that wont make you gain the average 7lbs over the holidays (7 lbs!). Well these recipes are for you!

Peppermint Bark - adapted from | Tone It Up |

What you will need:

12oz unsweetened 100% cocoa chocolate

6oz dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or more)

6 candy canes, finely chopped

1/8-1/4 C unsweetened shredded coconut

Melt the chocolate, in a double broiler, on low-medium heat until melted. Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn.

While it is melting, prepare your candy canes.

I put the candy canes on a chopping board, in a ziplock bag (be sure to suck all the air out) and smashed it with the back of a pan. It was quite invigorating.  Haha :)

Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, cover a cookie sheet with wax paper and evenly spread chocolate mixture across. Make sure the layer is not too thin!

Sprinkle on coconut and candy canes. Press down to adhere to warm chocolate.

Put in freezer for 15 minutes. Break apart into smaller pieces.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Snowballs

What you will need:

1 1/2C spelt flour (or white whole wheat or whole wheat)

3/4C chopped unsalted pecans

6oz package of dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or more)

3/4C earth balance butter

Pinch of sea salt

1C clean-eating icing sugar*

3/4tsp peppermint extract

2 tsp cold water

*Clean-Eating Icing Sugar Recipe

In a food processor, combine 1 C arrowroot powder and 3 packets of stevia.

Combine flour, pecans and dark chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a large bowl, cream butter. Gradually add salt and 1/2 C icing sugar, extract and water. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture until well combined. (will still be crumbly )

Form dough into 3/4" balls and place on non-stick cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 18 minutes

While cookies are still warm , roll in 1/2 C icing sugar to coat. Cool on rack.

I had to taste test to make sure they were perfect for all of you.

And they were.

But remember, these are still treats ... enjoy in moderation! The calorie count is still a little higher then I'd like in the snowballs as they are mostly flour and butter. I will work on adapting it more for calorie purposes, but it is still a great clean-eating recipe!

Enjoy :)