No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding: A Healthier Alternative

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The a2 Milk Company™. All opinions are 100% mine.

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding - a healthier alternative to the traditional recipe

Dessert is one of my family’s favorite parts of our meal. And most of the time when we all get together for a family meal, dessert is served. However I’ve noticed a few relatives who’ve declined dessert over the past few get togethers. After chatting with one of them about the reason, I found out that they’ve realized that they have an issue with lactose and since most of the desserts served have some sort of milk product, it’s easier to say no than deal with the consequences later. While they haven’t been formally diagnosed with lactose intolerance, by avoiding dairy they’ve reduced their tummy troubles. 

Because I hate seeing people feeling left out I figured I’d play around with one of my favorite pudding recipes and replace the dairy with a2 Milk®. Then I went a step further and figured out a way to make it thick and creamy without cooking it! Since I already use bananas and avocados in my smoothies to make them creamy and thick, I thought they’d be amazing together in this pudding recipe as well. And the best part? I mix everything together in the blender! Takes less than 5 minutes for everything to come together. 

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding in blender

Haven’t heard of a2 Milk® before? It’s pretty awesome. Originally, all milk contained only the A2 protein. Over time a genetic mutation occurred in cows and a new type of protein developed called A1. This A1 protein causes digestive discomfort and is in all cows’ milk in-stores today, even organic milk.  a2 Milk® is the only fluid milk on the US market that is guaranteed A1 protein free.

How do they do it? 

The a2 Milk Company™ has partnered with U.S. family dairy farmers in upstate New York and the Midwest to expand the a2™ herd. Their cows naturally produce milk with only the A2 protein. And their farmers are certified in the humane treatment of animals, their cows are fed a vegetarian diet and never given hormones or rBST, and the milk is antibiotic free and contains no artificial ingredients or additives. Pretty cool huh? And it tastes no different than regular milk! My kids love it and haven’t caught on that it’s any different.

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding ingredients

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup honey* (or other sweetener)
  • 1/2 cup a2 Milk®

Add all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until completely blended. Serve right away with some berries or chill in the fridge if you prefer cold pudding.

* If you’re making this for children under 1, use an alternative to honey like agave or maple syrup.

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding with raspberries

The results are an amazingly creamy and chocolaty pudding that the kids (and adults) all gobble down! I call that a success.

What’s your go-to dessert when family come over?

Interested in more info about a2 Milk®? Check them out on Twitter and Facebook or find where you can purchase it by using their Product Locator! Or check out the great recipes they have on Pinterest. And right now you can take advantage of this a2 Milk® $1 Off Coupon.

Visit Sponsors Site

Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes

Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Last month was a month for celebrations. Not only because of the holidays, but because my sweet girl turned 5 at the beginning of the month. In an effort to lessen what I had on my plate for her party I decided to have a friend make the cake. So instead of making her cake this year like I have in the past, I opted to make these amazingly delicious cupcakes. She chose the flavors and I delivered!

If you’re looking for a chocolatey cupcake that’s equally balanced with sweetness then this is for you. The chocolate flavor is enhanced by the coffee (and my favorite coffee syrup) and the cream cheese frosting adds a bit of sweetness. Don’t like overly sweet desserts? Skip the frosting!
Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes - amazingly delicious chocolate cupcakes

Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:

  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • ½ cup hot coffee
  • ½ cup Dave’s Mocha coffee syrup
  • ¾ cup bread flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 8 ounce package cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard-size muffin pan with liners. Place the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Pour the hot coffee over the mixture and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate mixture for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside.

Whisk the oil, eggs, vinegar and vanilla extract into the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth. Add the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.

Divide the batter evenly between the muffin pan cups. Bake until the cupcakes are set and just firm to the touch, 18 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on the wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

Make the Frosting: In a stand mixer, whip the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the sifted sugar 1/4-1/2 cup at a time until incorporated. Frost the cupcakes as desired. The frosted cupcakes can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

What are your favorite cupcake flavors?

Sweet Treats: Easy Chocolate Covered Caramel Candies

Chocolate Covered Caramel Candies - perfect for gifts

Giving handmade gifts over the holidays is a simple and inexpensive way to share a little something with those you love without breaking the bank. I love finding new things to bake or make to add to the tin of goodies we prepare every year. And candies pair very well with our normal mixture of cookies and baked goods.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, these simple and easy chocolate covered caramel candies would be the perfect treat to make as a gift or as a sweet treat. I made them over the Christmas break and loved how quickly they came together. Add a sprinkle of kosher salt on the top for a sweet and salty mix that any friend would love to receive.

Chocolate Covered Caramel Candies

Chocolate Covered Caramel Candies

  • 12 ounces of sweetened milk chocolate chips
  • 24 caramel squares
  • Parchment Paper
  • Candy Sticks or toothpicks
  • Chocolate Melting Pot (optional)

Prepare your chocolate in a melting pot, or if you don’t have a melting pot you can use the microwave or a double boiler over the stove.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it near.

Prepare the caramel squares with candy sticks down the middle. Alternately, you can use toothpicks. Dip caramel squares into the melted chocolate, cover each square completely with chocolate.

Place chocolate dipped caramels on parchment paper to dry, pulling candy sticks out as you go.

As each caramel hardens, peel it away from parchment paper.

Enjoy immediately or keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

How would you dress up these easy chocolate covered caramel candies?

9 Amazingly Delectable Gingerbread Recipes for the Holidays

9 Amazingly Delectable Gingerbread Recipes

I have a confession to make. I’m a bit obsessed right now. Obsessed about gingerbread! And not just the classic cookies and houses (although I have a recipe for those that I share below). I’m talking gingerbread cakes, gingerbread casseroles, and gingerbread bread puddings!

Have a piqued your interest yet? If so, read below to find some deliciously tasty gingerbread recipes from some of my favorite bloggers!

9 Amazingly Delectable Gingerbread Recipes for the Holidays

Soft-and-Chewy-Gingerbread-cookies

1. As I mentioned previously, I have a stellar gingerbread cookie recipe that can be used any time of the year. And you don’t just have to make gingerbread men (and women) if you don’t like! This is great for ornament cookies, various shapes, etc. And the results are a fabulously soft and chewy cookie that’s amazing. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself!

2. Sometimes the classic recipes are the ones we start to crave. Grandma’s cookies. This old fashioned gingerbread recipe from Vintage Recipe Project is definitely one of those. You can find it by visiting their site here

3. But enough about the classics. Bring on some new, innovating gingerbread! That’s exactly what Betsy of BetsyLife did in this gingerbread pineapple upside down cake recipe. OMG! Seriously… how good does this sound? I cannot wait to make it this weekend for the family.

mini-gingerbread-cakes

4. And then there are the cute, mini gingerbread cakes from Made With Happy. Just thinking of them makes me happy! So festive and perfect for parties. The drizzle of icing makes them even more irresistible.

5. What isn’t better with banana? Living Sweet Moments paired it up with gingerbread wonderfully in this banana gingerbread recipe with brown butter glaze. Sounds just as good as it looks!

6. I love a recipe that can also serve as decor as well. And who wouldn’t want these cookies perched on the edge of a mug or added to a place card. These olive oil gingerbread cookies from Family Spice are a bit different than the traditional gingerbread recipe but the results? Well… they’re worth it!

gingerbread-french-toast-casserole-recipe

7. One of my favorite things to make for guests when they come to visit for brunch is french toast casserole. Not only is it super simple to make, but it uses up the leftover bread I might have around that won’t get eaten. How awesome is that? Now this gingerbread french toast casserole from BetsyLife is the perfect spin on this classic crowd pleaser for the holidays. Great for Christmas breakfast! 

8. I can honestly say that I’ve never had gingerbread pudding. But Texas Type A Mom makes it look so good in this pumpkin gingerbread pudding recipe. What kid would say no to that? 

9. To round out our 9 delectable gingerbread recipes is my favorite one of all. My gingerbread cake recipe. Not only is this amazing cake easy to make, it’s also perfect for breakfast OR dessert and pairs well with coffee, ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream. Now it isn’t overly sweet, so if you prefer something on the sweet side, I suggest whipping up some cream cheese frosting.

gingerbread-cake

What’s your favorite way to incorporate gingerbread into the holidays?

Entertaining During The Holidays: Homemade Pudding Parfait with Cookie Crumble

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayPairings #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Homemade Pudding Parfait with Cookie Crumble

Ah… the holidays are here! And now is the time for holiday cheer… right? One thing I LOVE about the holidays is unexpected guests. Whether it’s friends stopping by to drop something off, family members coming to catch up, or a random neighbor who shows up at your door as you’re sitting down to eat dinner. I’m not joking either. My house may be a mess, my kids may need baths, but I will always have room in my home for our family and friends. Now I would love a little heads up call ahead of time so that I can pretend to pick up before guests arrive.

One of the reasons why unexpected guests don’t stress me out, especially around dinnertime, is that I keep a well stocked pantry and fridge. On any given time I can whip out some Pepperidge Farm crackers to pair with cheese and fruit to keep the guests busy while I prepare dinner. And dinner can be as simple or elaborate as I want. I can whip up a delicious pasta dish in less than 30 minutes. Give me 30 more minutes and I’ll have some homemade pudding to make individual pudding parfaits.  Sometimes I just keep it basic and put a spread of Pepperidge Farm cookies out. It’s good to keep a box of their Classic Cookie Collection on hand just in case. But don’t think you’ll be getting any of the Milanos out of that package if you’re near my husband. He’ll snag them before you even notice they’re gone!

Entertaining during the holidays - simple cheese platter with fruitEntertaining during the holidays - simple cracker and cheese platter paired with wine

Entertaining during the holidays with Robert Mondavi wines

The Cracker Trio pairs well with a variety of cheeses. I love the classics – brie, sharp cheddar, and a salami mozzarella roll sliced up. And since we usually have grapes and some sort of berry on hand, we can put out a simple spread to keep appetites satiated. Plus busting out the Robert Mondavi wines helps too. My favorite? The pinot noir.

The pinot noir also tastes amazing in this pasta dish I just made recently. I grabbed some Barilla Pronto spaghetti and was intrigued at it’s claims to be ready in minutes. With my newly inherited electric range, I can’t get pasta to boil in less than 30 minutes! So frustrating. But after sauteing some onions and browning some steak, then de-glazing the pan with a little wine, I removed everything from the pan and added the pasta. Covered with 3 cups of water and cooked it on high for 10 minutes.

About 20 seconds till the end of that 10 minutes I had a skillet filled with fully cooked pasta. Amazing. All I had to do was toss the onions and beef in with the pasta and sprinkle with some parmesan to create a delicious one-skillet pasta dish in less than 30 minutes from getting out the ingredients to putting the skillet on the table for dinner.

Entertaining during the holidays with easy pasta dishes Entertaining during the holidays with Barilla Pronto Entertaining during the holidays with easy pasta meals

In between cooking the onions, steak, and pasta, I whipped up a chocolate pudding from scratch. It would be the perfect light dessert to end our meal. Plus it was a great way to enjoy our favorite cookies. Pudding is not that hard to make. With a few simple ingredients I can make a silky pudding that can cool and set while we eat dinner. Sometimes I even make an avocado pudding. Interesting AND delicious with it’s greenish tint.

Entertaining during the holidays with pepperidge farm

Homemade Pudding Parfait with Cookie Crumble - a deliciously simple dessert

Homemade Chocolate Pudding Parfait

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a heavy saucepan, heat milk to warm, not boiling. Set aside.

Add sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch into a small bowl and mix to combine.

Pour 1 cup of the warm milk into the bowl with the chocolate mixture and whisk.

Pour chocolate mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, slowly whisking to incorporate together.

Heat over medium high heat whisking frequently until mixture starts to boil and thicken. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Pour pudding into individual dishes, or one large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap so that a skin doesn’t form on the top of the pudding. Chill at least 1 hour to cool.

Homemade Pudding Parfait with Cookie Crumble bite

Homemade Pudding Parfait with Cookie Crumble

What you need:

  • milk frother
  • heavy whipping cream
  • 1 batch chocolate pudding (see above)
  • Pepperidge Farm cookies of your choice, crumbled
  • small glass bowls or cups

What you do:

1. Using the milk frother, thicken the heavy whipping cream. You don’t want it super thick but thick enough to form a layer between the pudding.

2. Grab a glass cup and pour in about 1/4 cup chocolate pudding.

3. Top with whipped cream.

4. Add cookie crumbles. I used two types from the Pepperidge Farm Classic Cookie Collection.

5. Repeat once again.

6. Top with a pirouette or other cookie of choice and serve with a spoon!

Pepperidge Farms Cookies at Walmart

Robert Mondavi wine at Walmart

Make sure to visit the Simple Entertaining hub to learn more about the upcoming wine tastings as well as Barilla & Pepperidge Farm demos at select Walmart Stores in November and December. You can find the products I featured above at your local Walmart.

How do you keep entertaining easy during the holidays?

Party On A Ritz: Carnitas Street Taco Bites

These carnitas street taco bites featuring our love of travel and food are brought to you by our sponsor, Ritz, . Read ahead to find out how to marry your favorite destinations all on one tablescape! 

I’m planning a fall harvest party for my family and cannot wait to share a few of the recipes I’ll be serving at the party. With the help of Ritz, I’ve created two delicious destination dishes that include one inspired by local foods here in San Diego, and another dish inspired by a Southwest Airlines destination I’m dying to travel to.

One thing these recipes have in common are that they’re both very simple to put together and the dessert can be made ahead for easy serving at the party. I love make ahead dishes! Not only do they make planning easier, timing is also easier with a few make ahead dishes at the party.

I’ve also submitted both of these recipes to be featured on LuvRitz.com in a contest they’re hosting with Southwest Airlines. I have a chance to win a $500 Southwest Airlines voucher if I receive the most votes on my recipes! How awesome is that? Read ahead to check out my recipes and don’t forget to vote for me:

Carnitas Street Taco Bites

I’ve lived in San Diego all my life. Born and raised with deep roots in this city. I’m 3rd generation San Diegan and my husband is 4th generation. It’s pretty rare to find one of us around town and we’re pretty proud of the city we live in. One thing I absolutely love about this city is the copious amounts of good mexican food available around town. From our favorite taco shops, to our go-to mexican sit down restaurants, whenever I have a craving for the food I love, I am always close by.

I don’t just head out for mexican food either. Being raised by a dad who’s half mexican and half english rubs off on you, even if that means eating tortillas and drinking tea for breakfast. And some of my relatives make the best carne asada and mexican rice out there. I remember my dad’s stories of his father making fresh tortillas for him and his siblings and how he wished he had a chance to learn how to make them too.

Needless to say, I enjoy preparing mexican inspired dishes in my own home today. And that includes street tacos! But when I’m serving food at a party I love making things bite size. So for our upcoming fall harvest party I decided to miniaturize our favorite street tacos and put all of our favorite flavors on a Ritz. All of the deliciousness of carnitas street tacos in one bite!

Carnitas Street Taco Bites with guacamole

Carnitas Street Taco Bites

  • Ritz crackers
  • Carnitas, shredded
  • Guacamole
  • Onions/cilantro
 
Grab a Ritz, top with shredded carnitas, guacamole, and onion/cilantro mixture. Place in mouth, chew, and enjoy!
 

Carnitas Street Taco Bites

  • Ritz crackers
  • Carnitas (shredded)
  • Guacamole
  • Onions/cilantro
  1. Grab a Ritz, top with shredded carnitas, guacamole, and onion/cilantro mixture. Repeat on as many crackers as you’d like. Place in mouth, chew, and enjoy!

 
Party On A Ritz
 
Stay tuned to see more of my fall harvest party next week! In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of the tablescape I’m planning.
 

What are your favorite bite-size meals for parties?

Love this recipe and want more? Here are some great dips to dip your Ritz into! 

Pin this article for later! 

Click the Pin button on the image below to save for later. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters

This shop featuring a delicious recipe for chocolate peanut butter ball monsters has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpreadTheMagic #CollectiveBias

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters

Sometimes I just get the urge to bake and create. Nevermind that I’m completely busy and have a very clingy 8 month old (how did that happen??) at my feet or on my hip all day, I can still find time for simple treats. Especially when that involves gifting them to friends. I don’t know why but after having a baby I feel as if my social life goes down the drain.

Oh, wait! Yes, I do know why. It’s because I can’t go anywhere past 7pm because the littlest needs her mama cuddles. And I’m totally cool with that. These moments won’t last for long and I’m enjoying them every single night. But that doesn’t mean that I can shake things up and invite the girls over to my place for a girls night in! And a girls night in means treats.

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters are an awesome sweet treat to serve at a Halloween themed party. Not only are they super easy to make (you’re looking at the ingredients below), they taste amazing! Like Heaven in ball form. And? This Peter Pan’s NEW Simply Ground peanut butter gives it the perfect amount of crunch with every bite! Why? Because you have the smoothness of a creamy peanut butter with a hint of crunch. I also needed a container to send leftovers home with the girls so I upcycled the peanut butter container into a cute gift box. Easy peasy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters ingredients

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters

  • 1 jar Peter Pan Simply Ground peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • green candy melts

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place the peanut butter, butter, and salt in a microwaveable bowl, and heat in the microwave for about one minute or until just soft (check and stir the ingredients every 20-30 seconds). Stir in the vanilla extract and confectioners sugar and mix until it has the consistency of a stiff dough (add more sugar if necessary).

Roll the dough into 1 inch round balls. Place on the cookie sheets and refrigerate until firm (several hours or even overnight). You can also place the peanut butter balls in the freezer and freeze until firm (this makes them a LOT easier to dip in the melted chocolate).

Melt the candy melts in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir and melt again another 30 seconds. Repeat until melts are completely melted. Dip the balls, one at a time, in the melted chocolate, making sure the entire ball is coated with chocolate. Then, with two spoons or a dipping fork, remove the peanut butter ball from the melted chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the chocolate covered balls back on the baking sheet. Add a monster eye or two to the balls.

When all the balls have been dipped in the chocolate, place in the fridge until the chocolate has set. Once set, add more decorations to the balls if you’d like. I choose to add hair to a few of mine using black icing. Once done, serve and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen but probably won’t last that long.

You can taste a little crunch in each bite!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters simply ground

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters with eyes

Upcycled Peanut Butter Container Treat Boxes

Once you’ve made your monsters, let them chill out in the fridge until your guests arrive. In the meantime you can make some treat boxes for the guests to bring some chocolate peanut butter ball monsters home. 

1. Grab that empty container (or two) of Peter Pan Simply Ground peanut butter and wash it well with hot water and soap. Using a scraper (or a sponge) take the label off completely and throw it away. You should have a perfectly cleaned, clear jar to work with. LOVE the wide mouth of this container for easy cleaning (and scooping out the PB).

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters empty pb canister

2. Now you just grab some sticker paper OR duct tape in whatever pattern compliments your themed treat. we had some fun sticker paper we picked up at the dollar store a few weeks ago as well as some Halloween themed stickers so we used those.

3. Measure out how wide the strip of sticker paper or duct tape needs to be to wrap around the jar. If you’re using an 8.5×11 sheet of sticker paper, it won’t completely wrap around the jar but that’s ok, it’s nice to get a little peek at what’s inside. Cut the strip after measuring and adhere to the jar.

4. Then grab some twine, stickers, labels, or other decoration and decorate the top of the jar. I simply used the lid as a stencil to cut out a round piece of sticker paper to adhere to the top. Then I cut down one of the stickers to fit and whala!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters treat containerMy little peanut butter monsters have the perfect home to travel with my friends. And I don’t have to stare at peanut butter balls all week every time I open up the fridge. I don’t know about you but my willpower this time of year is pretty low so I like to send home as many treats with my friends as possible. Makes it easier on all of us!

Except I still have a few jars of Peter Pan’s NEW Simply Ground peanut butter in my cupboard. Did you know that it contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. And? No need to stir! Plus it comes in a wide mouth jar that makes snacking so much easier. Just open and dip right in! I want to grab a spoon right now.

Check out this coupon for a little savings when you pick a few jars up yourself from Walmart. You can find them in the bread aisle with the other peanut butter.

peter pan peanut butter at walmart

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters in a treat cup

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball Monsters container

 Do you send leftovers home with your guests after a get together?

Bite Size Raspberry Tarts

RaspberryTarts

We are finally back in the swing of things as school started this week and we’re starting to create our new schedule. With this comes a tad bit more time during the day without all three kids at home as I work. So I’ve had some time while the baby sleeps to actually have some fun and bake a bit more. Using the same basic tart dough as the strawbery cream tarts and lemon blueberry tarts, I made some raspberry tarts for a fun weekday dessert to enjoy after dinner.

What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to throw together. And how many variations of a similar recipe can be made. Next time I’m planning on adding a little cocoa to the cream for these to pair the raspberry with some chocolate. With a little chocolate drizzle over these, they’d be perfect for my next girls night in paired with some delicious wine!

Raspberry Tarts with basic tart dough

Bite Size Raspberry Tarts

  • Basic Tart Recipe, baked and cooled
  • 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • fresh raspberries, washed and dried
  • Mint for garnish (optional)

In a mixing bowl on high speed, whisk whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff. Add additional sugar if desired.

Spoon into prepared tart shells and top with raspberry and mint garnish.

Serve immediately

Makes 24

Raspberry Tarts with mint garnish

Strawberry Cream Tarts

Strawberry Cream Tarts - delicious and full of flavor

I almost want to cry. Its nearing the end of another strawberry season and those sweet, juicy, red bits of amazingness are starting to become scarce again. But I couldn’t just give up on my beloved strawberries. I had to celebrate our last delicious bit by making these strawberry cream tarts.

Like the lemon blueberry tarts we made a few weeks back, they start off with a basic tart dough recipe that can be baked up in advance. That makes these an awesome party favorite.

If you are having friends and/or family over, whip up a batch of these and watch them disappear just as quickly as you add them to the serving tray.

Strawberry Cream Tarts - a quick and easy dessert

Strawberry Cream Tarts

Strawberry Filling

  • 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
  • mint, if desired for garnish

In a large mixing bow, beat cream cheese and sugar. Add whipping cream and beat until stiff. You can add more sugar, a tablespoon at a time to sweeten to your taste.

Spoon filling onto prepared tarts and top with sliced berries and mint garnish. Serve immediately.

Makes 24

Strawberry Cream Tarts with mint

What’s your favorite tart filling?

2-Ingredient Nutella Banana Ice Cream

2 ingredient Nutella Banana Ice Cream

While I’m watching what I eat in an effort to get down to my ideal weight (no number just yet, just more comfortable in my body then where I am now) I do enjoy a little indulgence every once in a while. Since we didn’t have any ice cream on hand for a late night snack, I decided to turn to the frozen bananas I had in my freezer for smoothies and turn them into something a little more decadent… 2-Ingredient Nutella Banana Ice Cream.

I love how easy banana ice cream is. Normally just one ingredient if you want something sweet and creamy but by adding just one more ingredient, something simple is taken to the next level. I’m always amazed at how two ingredient recipes can be so amazing!

Nutella Banana Ice Cream

Nutella Banana Ice Cream

What you’ll need:
3 bananas, sliced and frozen
1/2 C. Nutella
What you do: 
Place the frozen banana slices into the food processor and pulse.
Nutella Banana Ice Cream - banana in food processor
Add in the 1/2 a cup of Nutella and pulse until the bananas and Nutella are combined.
Nutella Banana Ice Cream - nutella in banana
Pour the ice cream mixture into a freezer safe dish, cover and freeze for an hour prior to serving.
*Makes 2-3 servings

Nutella Banana Ice Cream - 2 simple ingredients

Looking for more 2-ingredient desserts?Try this 2-ingredient chocolate hazelnut cake!

2 Ingredient Chocolate Cake slice

How do you keep dessert simple?



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