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RECIPE | Butter Crunch Bars

Wednesday, January 29


The real name for these delicious after-school morsels is "Sunflower Seed Butter Crunch Bars".
Knowing Ella would put her nose up to something that remotely sounded healthy, I opted to shorten them to "Butter Crunch Bars" when she asked me what I was making the other day. *wink*
After-school snacks are always a bit of a struggle. 

As a parent, I want to feel good about giving Ella something without all of the sugar and processed junk in typical snacks...but also something she is excited to eat because it actually tastes good. 

These delicious butter crunch bars are the exact thing Ella and I have both been looking for.
They are filled with good-for-you ingredients, are easy to whip up, and are quite tasty! (maybe even a little addicting). 


Adding the little heart sprinkles was a complete after-thought but...
how cute would these be for a guilt-free indulgence on Valentine's Day?!

I hope you'll try the recipe! It's definitely a winner.



PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
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Enjoy the recipe - Pin It for later!!




Yield: 24 - 1 inch squares
Author:

Guilt-Free Butter Crunch Snack Bars (adapted from the Eat What You Love Cookbook)

Guilt-Free Butter Crunch Snack Bars (adapted from the Eat What You Love Cookbook)

Delicious, no-bake wholesome treats for after school, or packed lunches.

ingredients:

instructions:

How to cook Guilt-Free Butter Crunch Snack Bars (adapted from the Eat What You Love Cookbook)

  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. In a small bowl combine finely chopped pecans, 3 TBSP maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat evenly. Spread on baking sheet in single layer.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes or until syrup is bubbling.
  5. Remove from oven.
  6. Using coconut oil, lightly grease sides and bottom of 8x11 glass baking pan.
  7. Line bottom and long sides of pan with parchment, allowing ends to hang over sides of pan. (will be used as handles for lifting finished bars from pan).
  8. Place chopped Lindt bar in 1 cup measuring cup. Add 1 TBSP or more of Godiva chips to fill the rest of the measuring cup.  Add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil plus measured chocolate in top pan of double boiler and set aside. 
  9. Add 2 inches of water to bottom pan of double boiler and bring to boil. Add top pan with chocolate and oil and remove from heat. Allow to sit and melt while moving forward with the rest of the directions. 
  10. In a medium bowl, add sunflower seed butter, 2/3 cup maple syrup , arrowroot powder, coconut flour, cacao butter, vanilla, 1/2 tsp. salt. Stir together. Add candied pecans and press mixture into prepared pan. 
  11. Stir melted chocolate in double boiler. Pour chocolate over sunflower butter mixture. Using spatula, gently spread chocolate to cover and smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour or overnight. 
  12. Gently lift parchment flaps to remove slab from pan. 
  13. Use a sharp knife to cut into 1 inch square bars.
  14. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
  15. Keeps for up to 2 weeks. 
Calories
150.88
Fat (grams)
13.10
Sat. Fat (grams)
2.80
Carbs (grams)
7.14
Fiber (grams)
1.37
Net carbs
5.77
Sugar (grams)
3.19
Protein (grams)
3.06
Sodium (milligrams)
100.75
Cholesterol (grams)
0.00

Did you make this recipe?
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KEEPING IT REAL
I wasn't supposed to be eating these until after my whole30 is finished - 5 more days...
but I just HAD to sample to be able to give you an accurate review. *wink*

STYLING | Valentine's Day Hot Cocoa Bars

Friday, January 24


Fresh florals to replace the fresh cedar and now we've got a whole new look for the Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar I created for Christmas. I love how everything else was kept exactly the same except for the florals and now it looks like a completely different hot cocoa bar - perfectly perfect for Valentine's Day or a winter wedding.  (see the original ->Christmas Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar)

I then took things a step farther after a fun poll on Instagram stories.
I gave everyone over there 3 different "Valentine's-ish" sign options to choose from and here's what they picked...


Same florals, different sign and now another different vibe....even more Valentine's-esque.
This "Cuddles + Cocoa" sign is just so simple and charming and was actually my personal favorite of the three options I let everyone choose from.




I went into designing this with the idea of creating a cozy, dreamy, romantic setting for a night of snuggling on the couch with Jay while sipping on mugs of delicious hot cocoa and binge-watching Netflix together. *wink*

I hope this inspires you...knowing how simple changes can create an entirely new vibe - for your home decor, for your wardrobe, heck...even a recipe. *wink*

And...I hope this lights your creative fire for some cozy Valentine's Day ideas...we are exactly three weeks away from celebrating!!

PS - Flash Freebie RIGHT NOW to grab this sign and the other two I mentioned for FREE...
see details below!

Love you friends!!

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
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• • • • •

TODAY ONLY...for my blog readers and IG followers...
"Flash Freebie" happening now! Grab all three signs as FREE DOWNLOADS until 10pm this evening. THREE signs to choose from --> and THREE SIZES for all three signs --> 11x14, 16x20 or 20x30 (as shown in these images). 

Simply click the "flash freebie" button below and pick the sign you want!
Download and print as many times as you'd like -> PERSONAL USE ONLY

Enjoy!!


UPDATE: Flash Freebie has expired!
so as not to miss out on the next "Flash Freebie" and other free Printables.

KEEPING IT REAL
The cozy, dreamy Valentine's Day night I mentioned?
Well...it's actually going to look just a tiny bit different.
There's a daddy daughter dance that evening and Ella's bestie is coming to town for the weekend. So much for the "romantic" part of the evening! Ha!! We love when Elise is here and I'm totally looking forward to snuggling all together for a movie after they return from the dance. Lol!

Slow start to my January with regards to my blog but slayin' things on the homefront with getting organized, decluttering and setting goals for 2020.
I love using the entire month of January to reflect on the previous year...giving myself time to set some well thought-out goals. 

RECIPE | Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Mix - Bulk Recipe

Wednesday, January 8


Our Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa bar this year included a deliciously delightful bulk recipe for Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa. It's so yummy.

Not only will you and your family enjoy this...you'll want to package some up for gift-giving during the Christmas season. Or just for the heck of it during the winter. *wink*




I think I hear it calling your name. *wink*
Sure hope you'll try it out and let me know what you think.





PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

........

ADDITIONAL BLOG POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY
Boho Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar

KEEPING IT REAL
Not only does this taste delicious...
it's also quite beautiful with cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top. And that matters to me. *wink*

RECIPE | Easy Cinnamon Marshmallows


I knew going into creating our Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa + Cookies Bar I wanted to include cinnamon marshmallows as a topping option.

At first, I thought I'd just purchase a bag of cinnamon marshmallows from the popular brands out there but was surprised to find the cinnamon flavor doesn't exist. What?

I then considered making homemade marshmallows but really wanted to keep things simple for myself and also for any of you considering making some.

I discovered the easiest, fastest solution for creating cinnamon marshmallows and wow!
They. are. delicious! 

CINNAMON MARSHMALLOWS
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 TBSP powdered sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Place in ziplock bag. Shake until covered. Enjoy!
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Easy, right?
Sure hope you'll try them.





OTHER BLOG POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY
Bulk Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
Boho Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

KEEPING IT REAL
I couldn't bring myself to call this a "recipe" - it's just way too simple.
I think it's more of a technique...or process. *wink*

STYLING | Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa + Cookies Bar

• • • • •
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These links allow me to easily share with you the same or similar items and tools 
I use for recipes, crafts, or projects...while also earning a little commission - without costing you a thing. 
So THANK YOU for your clicks! Each one supports my small business and allows me 
to continue sharing fun ideas + creative content with you. Yay!
• • • • •

The family voted to bring back the snickerdoodle hot cocoa flavor this year for our annual family hot cocoa bar..and I certainly wasn't going to argue. It's hands-down one of our favorite flavors we've come up with.

It's creamy and delicious, and absolutely "cozy in a cup"...or mug in this case.
I promise, once you've had a mug of this...I'm not certain you'll ever go back to classic hot cocoa mix again - recipe linked at bottom of post.


Since I'd done the "Boho Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar" previously, I knew I had to come up with ways to make this one unique and a little different.

FOUR DISTINCT DIFFERENCES
Four specific, intentional things I decided to do differently this year was the addition of snickerdoodle cookies to the bar, the creation of cinnamon marshmallows, splurging on some beautiful handmade mugs and plates and the creation of a bulk recipe for Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Mix - eliminating the need to add brown sugar and ground cinnamon to your mug like we did last time. Bulk recipe linked at the bottom of post.

THE SIGN
Believe it or not, I started designing the background of this sign November 2018...
I just never had time to finish it for our 2018 hot cocoa season. (just one more reason I had my Christmas decor up by Halloween night this year...so I could ENJOY the holidays this go around). Lol.

Anyway, good thing because the whole vibe of the sign compliments the snickerdoodle theme this year. I'm in love with the subtle snowflake details and the Old World charm. (sign tutorial coming)

Framing out the sign with fresh cedar gives a subtle nod to the Christmas season, which I adore.

Knowing we'd be keeping the hot cocoa bar up through February, as in previous years, I wanted something that would transition seamlessly from Christmas and throughout the winter season. (and allow me to use it for Valentine's Day with a few simple changes - that idea is coming soon).

You'll notice in some of the images, I originally only had greenery on the sign and the hot cocoa mix jar but later decided to add it to the glass dome on the cookies and also chose to lay a piece on the small cake stand holding the wood spoons, paper straws, cinnamon sugar shaker, and the cinnamon sticks used for garnish + decor.  It's simple little touches like that that make the overall look feel finished and cohesive. I'm so happy with it.

Sit back and enjoy the imagery...I'm hoping it will inspire you to create your own Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa + Cookies Bar this winter season. Resources listed at the bottom of the post.
















I love when home decor doubles as a family treat - don't you?
But seriously, could you see a version of this used at a wedding. Gasp!!





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OTHER BLOG POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY
Cinnamon Marshmallows Recipe

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

..........

RESOURCES:
Glass Dome + Cake Stand - TJ Maxx
Small Marble-Topped Cake Stand - Tuesday Morning
Handmade Mugs + Plates
Cabinet with drawers
Table Runner
Sign - Pen + Paper Flowers
Copper Spoons - Tuesday Morning
Striped Straws - couldn't find striped but here's another option
Marshmallow Jar - juicer jar I had...removed the juicing components.
Glass and Wood Jar for Hot Cocoa Mix
Mini Wooden Scoop for Hot Cocoa Mix
Wood Spoons - Amazon

KEEPING IT REAL
I may or may not have devoured sipped on a ridiculous amount of mugs of snickerdoodle hot cocoa during the month of December. It's just sooooo good.
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