Nektar Honey Crystal Doughnuts

Can you keep a secret? There is such thing as a healthy doughnut my friends. It's not a Krispy Kreme or a Duncan, but this mini version packs protein and whole grains. I love making these with my kids, there is just something so great about a mini version of food! Not to mention the folks over at Nektar have created these drop-dead yummy honey dusted pretzels. And hello, anything with dark chocolate is always my fav! You can find these yummy pretzels on Amazon. These are perfect for you Valentine!!

Nektar Honey Crystal Doughnuts

3/4 c whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 c cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 TBSP coconut oil, melted

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c maple syrup

1/4 c plain greek yogurt

1/4 c almond milk, unsweetened

glaze:

1/4 c plain Greek yogurt

1 TBSP cocoa powder

1 TBSP melted coconut oil

2 TBSP Trivia baking blend

2 crushed Nektar Honey Crystal Dusted Pretzels (topping)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a mini donut pan (i use the Wilton Mini Doughnut Pan ) with non stick spray. Set aside
2. Blend together flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in a small bowl.
3. In a larger bowl add coconut oil, egg and vanilla extract. Stir in maple syrup and yogurt.
4. Add in flour mixture slowly to wet ingredients. Then add in almond milk.
5. Transfer  bater to Ziplock baggie and snip off corner
6. Pipe in batter into donut cavities, filling them full.
7. Tap pan on counter to get rid of air bubbles. Bake for 5-7 minutes and allow to cool in pan for a few minutes. Transfer to wiring baking rack to cool entirely. Repeat with remaining batter.
8. Once mini doughnuts are cooled, mix together glaze ingredients. Place doughnuts face up on rack and dip top into glaze one by one. Add Nektar crushed pretzels on top.
9. Enjoy!

The Best Breakfast Smoothie....Ever

A few years ago my husband and I stayed at a super swanky hotel in Southern California. After our spa treatments, I ordered a Blueberry Chia and Lemon Smoothie from the spa menu. Let me tell you, it was life changing. I feel like blueberry and lemon are an obvious flavor combo, but chia? Genius. Here is my version of this delicious concoction.

Lemon Blueberry Smoothie

1 cup unsweetened almond milk 

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

handful of frozen blueberries

1 tsp chia seeds

¼ lemon diced (with peel on but remove seeds)

½ frozen banana

5 ice cubes

1. Blend!

 XO,

Veggie Lisa

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Vegan Cookies

I have been making these cookies for years, and over time have made little tweaks here and there. Vegan cookies can be tough to make and not be dry and crumbly. However, these have a few unique ingredients that make them super moist. Also try to follow the baking steps closely, if you mix the batter too much, the cookies will become dense and dry.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt (or 1 tsp regular salt)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

*mix together in bowl and set aside

*in separate bowl combine

1 cup natural, chunky peanut butter ( I use Adams from Costco)

3/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Add dry ingredients to wet all at once. Stir until just combined. Wait 5 minutes and then five a few more stirs to the batter. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto parchment or silicone baking sheet. Press down on the top gently to flatten a bit. Bake for 9-10 mins. Do not overbake. Allow to cool on wire rack and store in a ziplock bag or airtight container. These are even healthy and yummy enough to eat for breakfast or take to a cookie exchange

XO,

Veggie Lisa