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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

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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*

CRAFT | Valentine's Day Treat Packaging Idea :: The TomKat Studio

Friday, January 31


Box up your Valentine's Day treats with this adorable packaging idea!
I made chocolate covered oreos but I could totally see using these ideas too:

Mini Chocolate Sweetheart Truffles
Chocolate Hugs and Kisses
Conversation Hearts
Dove Chocolates

I'm sharing all of the details over on The TomKat Studio so head over there to learn how to put this together.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Getting ready to make some mini donuts for another project I've got to photograph today.
Bummed the sun isn't out for great lighting - "Pretty please, Mr. Sun… could you peek out from behind the rain clouds for just a little bit at some point today? Earlier than later, please! *wink*

BAKE IT | No-Bake Raw Vegan Brownie Bites

Friday, May 31

If you celebrated with me yesterday...
then you'll be expecting this recipe today.

 No-Bake Raw Vegan Mini Brownie Bites

Before diving straight into the recipe...
I thought I should first share with you

TREAT | Work Inspired™ Compendium Giveaway

Friday, November 2

Hello November!!
This is one of my absolute favorite holiday seasons...
an entire month giving us the opportunity to focus specifically on gratitude and thanks!


That being said...
Today's blog post is dedicated to YOU!
My blog is where it's at today...
in large part because of YOU!
Over the last couple of years now...
you all have...
encouraged...
supported...
inspired...
befriended...
reached out to...
and absolutely uplifted me!

The engaging comments you leave...
the euphoric response to giveaways...
and your enthusiastic feedback...
continue to be a large part of the source of energy that keeps this blog alive and well.

This blog directly impacts all areas of my business..
and because of your daily dedication...
and your genuine interest about what I have going on here...
business. is. good.

I am deeply grateful to each of you...
even those of you who quietly lurk... *wink*
your presence is felt and sincerely appreciated.

With that said...
I wanted to start the month off with a FANTASTiC giveaway...
A giveaway centered completely on my gratitude for each of you...
a celebration of sorts to all of you who have helped contribute to the growth of my blog...
and ultimately to my business.

My passionate love for Compendium, Inc. products has given way to a wonderful opportunity.
I'm now a brand ambassador for them...
which means I have the opportunity to share more of their inspirational products with you.
The Compendium, Inc. philosophy and motto "Live Inspired"
has now given way to a new line of home office products:

WORK INSPiRED
A beautiful collection of coordinating home office products
to help keep you organized, productive...and ultimately as with all Compendium products...INSPiRED!!










WHAT'S THE PRIZE FOR ENTERING?

The lucky winner will receive these FREE products:
AND...because this giveaway is all about my gratitude for each of you
I'm throwing in the gorgeous "Thanks a Bunch" book filled with inspirational quotes

I hope you are as genuinely excited about these stunning items as I am.
Who doesn't love to add some "pretty" to their work space.

And hey...
Just because you may not work from home...
We all pay bills...
make lists...
file stuff away...
and need a little daily inspiration.

As the winner...
you could even share your prize by giving some of the items as gifts this holiday season?

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER
Use the Rafflecopter app below to enter the giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest starts today: Friday, November 2nd
Contest ends: Thursday, November 8th.
Winner announced:  Friday, November 9th.
Good luck everyone!

Thank you Compendium, Inc. for providing ongoing inspiration through your beautiful product line!!

"Thanks A Bunch"!! - for your amazing support, friendship and blog-love everyone!
It means the world to me!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Trust me when I say...
it's very hard for me to part ways with these gorgeous, inspiring items.
Just so you know...
As a brand ambassador for Compendium, Inc...
I'm able to choose what I want to do with the products that are sent to me.
I could totally choose to photograph the items to share with you visually...
and then opt to keep the items for personal use if I wanted to.
However...
You KNOW I love to share...
and I will do so every chance I get...
'cause I adore you all! *wink*

Pssst...it's my birthday tomorrow!!

SUGAR | Halloween Lollipops

Wednesday, October 31

It's Halloween!!
I figured I'd TRiCK you today...
by TREATiNG you with a double blog post.

I shared our Phantom Pumpkin treats  with you earlier today...
which included these...

Homemade Lollipops

Although the "bewitching hour" is close at hand...
and the idea that some of you would even attempt these with festivities just hours away is far-fetched...
I'm sharing these lollipops because they are actually quite versatile.
Change out the colors and the edible images...
and you're all set no matter what holiday/event you've got coming up.


You may remember the original lollipop tutorial I shared with you...
from the Lemonade & Sunshine party I styled for my daughters.

I've revised some of my techniques a bit...
and we will be incorporating edible images for these boo-liscious treats.

SUPPLiES NEEDED (adapt to your specific likes/preferences)
• Edible Images - I designed my own and had a sheet printed by my local grocery store bakery. 
                               You can also find them pre-printed online or in craft stores
• 1" Round Craft Punch (make sure your punch results will fit in the cavities of the lollipop mold you are using).
• Lollipop Mold
• 4" Lollipop Sticks 
• Cookie sheet - for placing the lollipop mold on when baking
• Hard candy - I used LifeSavers
• Ziploc bags - if your hard candy isn't individually packaged
• Kitchen Mallet or rolling pin - for crushing candy
• Packaging supplies - small cellophane bags, ribbon or fabric

STEP ONE
GATHER SUPPLIES


I took the image I designed and printed onto cardstock to my local grocery store bakery.
They basically "photocopied" it to create an edible image. 
- notice the difference in the ink color between the cardstock and edible sheet?


STEP TWO
PUNCH OUT EDIBLE IMAGES



STEP THREE
PEEL OFF BACKING FROM EDIBLE IMAGES AND PLACE FACE-DOWN IN LOLLIPOP CAVITIES



STEP FOUR
CRUSH HARD CANDY
Avoid a sticky mess by leaving the candy in their individual packaging while crushing... 
this makes it easy to fill the lollipop mold too.

STEP FIVE
FILL LOLLIPOP MOLD
I used two lifesavers per cavity



STEP SIX
MELT IN OVEN
Bake at 275º 5-8 minutes until completely melted
Caution: Higher heat will melt the candy faster but it will also cause the candy to brown in some cases


STEP SEVEN
ADD LOLLIPOP STICKS
Working quickly, add lollipop sticks.
I find pressing the sticks down into the candy and twirling them 
allows the melted candy to grab hold of the sticks - making them more secure.
Be Careful - the mold and baking sheet are hot!


STEP EIGHT
COOL COMPLETELY AND POP OUT
After cooling, turn the lollipop mold upside down and gently press on the middle of each cavity to remove lollipops.
Tip: Hold the inverted mold close to the countertop so that when the candy pops out, it won't break on impact.


STEP NINE
PACKAGE THEM UP
Use small cellophane bags (or mini ziploc bags with the "zip" cut off) and a ribbon to finish it off.
Give them away individually or add them to a mix of treats.


I hope you'll try this candy making technique out.
You can personalize them for favors to use at any celebration...
and you can even create a bouquet of lollipops for a sweet gift.

RESOURCES
• Lollipop Sticks - TomKat Studio
• Lollipop Mold - Bake It Pretty
• Hard Candy - LifeSavers individually packaged

KEEPiNG iT REAL
It was through trial and error that I finally perfected the edible image lollipops.
Things I learned:
• The image doesn't show up very well if you try to embed it in the middle of the lollipop.
• Embedding the edible image not only takes more time but the results aren't favorable anyway. *wink*
• Keeping it simple is ALWAYS the better choice. 
• Be patient. Melting the candy faster on a higher temperature causes the candy to brown in areas. 
• Don't forget to peel the backing off of the edible images prior to using
• Although it's safe to put the lollipop sticks in the oven when melting the candy...
   adding them afterwards prevents burning your fingers when pushing and twisting the sticks mentioned in STEP SIX.
• Make sure the edible image is positioned in the lollipop cavity the way you want it seen while it's being held...
   meaning, make sure the image isn't upside down when you are actually holding the finished lollipop.

SUGAR | Halloween Cookies

Monday, October 15

Remember the Spinning Leaf Oreo® Cookie Molds I introduced you to?

Well, I've got a few more SUPER CUTE...
SUPER creative ideas for you today...
Along with a couple of other "filling suggestions" for your kitchen crafting...
Halloween appropriate...of course. *wink*

Phantom + Jack-O-Lantern + Monster Cookies







Cookie Crime Scene *wink*


LOVE the versatility of these Spinning Leaf Cookie Molds...
After creating the basic cookies... (GO HERE FOR MY FULL TUTORiAL)
All I had to do was add some...
ROYAL iCiNG GOOGLY EYES for instant spookiness.
and I even tried some green sprinkles for frightfully simple ghoulishous cookies.
Did you notice I also used some "mouths" I created from the these Ghosts Sandwich Cookie Mold.

MOLDS USED TO CREATE THESE COOKIES:
Rectangle Stencil Sandwich Cookie Mold (two versions created using Nutter Butter Cookies and Mini Pretzel Rods)
Standard Sandwich Cookie Mold (using Oreo® Cookies)

LOVED using the mini pretzel rods to create a Salty & Sweet combination.
I encourage you to be adventurous...get creative!
and email me anything amazing you come up with: pnpflowers AT live DOT com

I also wanted to mention...
Spinning Leaf has some BRAND NEW festive Cookie Stamps available for creating embossed sugar cookies...
Here are just a handful taken straight from the website...

EMBOSSED SUGAR COOKiES using Spinning Leaf Cookie Stamps


Cookie Stamps from Top Left: Poison  |  Top Right: Evil Grin 
Bottom Left: Black Widow  |  Bottom Right: Halloween Cat
Super cool...right?
I haven't yet tried them myself...
 but there's a TUTORiAL on the Spinning Leaf Website you can check out.

DON'T FORGET:
Save 30% on any of the Spinning Leaf products...
Now through October 31st.
Here's the discount code: pnpflowers30
Thanks again Spinning Leaf for the fab giveaway and discount!

Enjoy your week, sweet friends.
Hugs!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The mouths and eyes I used on the cookies...
from the Ghosts Sandwich Cookie Mold??
They MiGHT have been a couple of weeks old. shhhh!
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