Keep It Sweet

This past weekend, in the midst of browned butter muffins, goat cheese biscuits and that little eating fest called the Super Bowl, I decided I should bake something healthy for a change.  I know.  You just took a double take, didn’t you?

The thing is, I generally eat really healthy and exercise like a maniac to balance out everything that you see here.  But sometimes, no matter how many salads I eat or how often I go to the gym, the cookies/cakes/cheesecakes/truffles…. they absorb me.  They take over my brain and haunt me around my waistline.  They call my name from the oven, the freezer, halfway to the trash.  It is a crazy hold they have over me that I can’t quite explain. And on days or weeks like that, I try to trick myself. I put something in the oven that tastes good enough to be dessert but is wholesome enough for breakfast and for just a short moment, I am eating a treat that isn’t going to force me into a sugar high and crash spiral.

This dish falls into that category.  I had in my mind that I was going to make apple cinnamon breakfast cookies and ended up with something completely different but delicious nonetheless.  Heavy on fruit and whole grains but low on sugar, this crumble is a great way to start the day.  Top a serving with a dollop of Greek yogurt for some extra protein.  Feel like having some for dessert? Scoop some frozen yogurt right on top of a warm bowl.

Not to worry, I’ll be absorbed back into butter heaven momentarily.

How do you trick yourself out of eating a full batch of brownies?

It may only be the beginning of February but I’m already dreaming of summer.  There isn’t anything I can do about the weather, so I’ll channel the season with food instead.  Check out my new post on Fox to get the recipe for these Margarita Cheesecake Bars.

It’s Thursday before Super Bowl and you’ve probably seen so many versions of buffalo chicken dip that your head is about to explode with hot sauce.  I love the traditional salty/creamy/fried/cheesy items as much as the next person, but it doesn’t mean that we can forget about dessert.  So for those of you looking for some fun pick-up desserts to add to the mix, here are some of my favorite less traditional ideas.

Bite Sized Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Ganache A football game is the perfect excuse for delicious bite-sized cookie sandwiches

Blueberry Pretzel Clusters Three ingredients and probably five minutes to make, what’s not to love?

Chewy Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bars These are one of the easiest things to make and they will please any sweet and salty lover; no fancy baking skills required

Double Chocolate Mint Crispy Treats These were a huge hit at my sister-in-law’s shower; another super easy recipe

Grown Up S’mores Cookies Even the biggest chip and dip lover can’t resist

Individual Peanut Butter Cheesecakes, lightened up You can still enjoy cheesecake at the super bowl with these individual treats

Individual S’mores Brownies You might want to make a double batch

Kitchen Sink Cookies and Bars Throw in whatever ingredients you feel like, even the leftover broken pieces of potato chips and pretzels will work

Oreo Mallow Clusters Substitute the peeps with regular marshmallows for these super easy chocolate treats

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Pretzel Pops These are actually a little bit healthy, really!

Pumpkin Pie Cookie Dough Truffle Pops I may or may not have eaten a few of these out of the freezer the other night

Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate and Toffee Bars I can’t wait to have an excuse to make these again

Now can someone please tell my body that calories don’t count during the Super Bowl?