Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- [q:1/3] cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- [q:1/2] tsp baking powder
- [q:1/2] tsp baking soda
- [q:1/2] tsp salt
- [q:1/2] cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- [q:1 1/3] cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- [q:3/4] cup chocolate chips
- [q:1 1/4] cup coarsely chopped peppermint candy canes
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together room-temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce speed and beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla.
- With speed on low, add flour mixture, beating until just combined, about 1 minute. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips and chopped candy canes. Place dough in fridge for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a 1-ounce scoop (equal to 2 tablespoons), scoop out 6 balls of dough onto each lined baking sheet. Place balls approximately 3 inches apart. If there’s any exposed candy cane, push back into dough.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are set in their centers, rotating pans halfway through cooking time. Remove cookies from oven and transfer to cooling racks.
- Repeat steps 6 and 7 to make remainder of cookies with the dough.
Milk Chocolate Yogurt Mousse
- 8 oz good-quality milk chocolate, chopped (do not use chocolate chips)
- 2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water until chocolate is completely smooth.
- Remove from heat and briskly whisk in yogurt. Once a completely smooth texture has been achieved, whisk in vanilla.
- Spoon mixture into 6 small glasses or jars.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours to set. Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator.
Spiced Chocolate Truffles
- 16 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Simply Organic Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Simply Organic& Cinnamon
- [q:1/2] tsp Simply Organic Nutmeg
- [q:1/4] tsp Simply Organic& Cloves
- Ideas for rolling:
- crushed candy canes
- sprinkles
- cocoa powder
- nuts
- Into a large heat-safe bowl, add chopped chocolate, then set aside.
- Into a small saucepan over medium heat, add heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Heat until just beginning to simmer (do not let it come to a boil), then remove from heat.
- Pour over chopped chocolate and cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until chocolate is completely melted.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours, until chocolate is set.
- Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion truffles into balls, then roll between your hands. For best results, use food-safe gloves (this will get very messy!). If truffles start to melt, transfer to freezer for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Roll truffles in your favorite toppings. Store in refrigerator.
Chocolate-Dipped Pita Chips
-
Chocolate-Dipped Pita Chips
- 1 package of Ezekiel 4:9 Whole Grain Prophet's Pocket Pita Bread
- [q:1 1/2] cup dairy-free chocolate
- Sea salt
-
Candy Cane Dip
- 1 9 oz container of coconut whipped cream
- 1 8 oz container of vegan cream cheese
- 3 peppermint candy canes, crushed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
-
Chocolate-Dipped Pita Chips
- Preheat the oven to 400º.
- Slice each Ezekiel 4:9 Whole Grain Prophet's Pocket into 6 triangles.
- Set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the pita chips until browned and crisp, about 10-15 min.
- When the pita chips are done baking, melt 1 ½ cups dairy-free chocolate in a bowl in the microwave or over a double boiler.
- Dip half of each chip in the melted chocolate, set on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Set the tray in the freezer for minimum 15 min so the chocolate can set. Set aside once ready.
-
Candy Cane Dip
- Crush up candy canes with a hammer or heavy bottom glass in a Ziploc bag. Set aside.
- Mix together 8 oz cream cheese, 9 oz of coconut whipped cream, and 2 tbs maple syrup using a hand mixer until well combined.
- Stir in the candy cane pieces, reserving a few sprinkles to garnish the top.
- Transfer the candy cane dip to a festive bowl, and plate the chocolate dipped pita chips on the side to serve. Sprinkle the dip with the reserved candy cane pieces.
Chocolate Pomegranate Tart
For the Crust
- 20 chocolate sandwich cookies
- [q:1/4] cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling
- 9 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp Simply Organic Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- [q:1/2] tsp Simply Organic Cinnamon
- [q:1/3] cup powdered sugar
- [q:2/3] cup heavy cream
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- [q:1/4] tsp sea or Himalayan pink salt
- [q:3/4] cup pomegranate arils, for topping
- Into a food processor, add chocolate sandwich cookies and melted butter; pulse until fine crumbs form.
- Press mixture into bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Place in freezer while preparing filling.
- In a large heat-safe bowl, add semisweet chocolate, vanilla extract and cinnamon, and set aside.
- Into a small saucepan, add powdered sugar, heavy cream and butter. Heat over medium heat until just beginning to simmer (do not let it come to a boil), then remove from heat.
- Pour over chocolate-cinnamon mixture, then cover with a clean kitchen towel and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Add salt to mixture and whisk until chocolate is completely melted, then pour into crust.
- Use a spatula to smooth out filling, then top with pomegranate arils. Refrigerate for about 4 hours until set, then slice and serve. Store remainder in refrigerator.
Whoopie Pies
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- [q:1/2] cup unsweetened cocoa
- powder
- [q:1 1/4] tsp baking soda
- [q:1/2] tsp salt
- [q:1/2] stick unsalted butter,
- softened
- [q:2/3] cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- [q:1/4] cup low-fat milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling
- 1 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened
- [q:1 1/4] cups powdered sugar
- [q:1/4] cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 350˚.
- Oil two rimmed baking sheets, or line them with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- With a hand mixer or a standing mixer, beat butter and sugar until well combined. Add egg and beat in. Add yogurt, milk, and vanilla extract until combined. Slowly add in flour mixture in three additions.
- With an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, create 24 mounds with the batter, placing them 2 inches apart on baking sheets with 12 mounds per sheet.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through cooking time, until a toothpick inserted into center of a cake comes out with just a few crumbs stuck to it. Transfer cakes to a wire rack to cool.
- With a high-speed mixer or a stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, yogurt, and vanilla extract until smooth. Chill filling for 30 minutes to stiffen it up for spreading.
- Drop a generous spoonful of filling onto flat side of one cake. Gently press flat side of a second cake over filling. Repeat until all cakes have been filled.
Dark Chocolate Earl Grey Mousse
- 1 Earl Grey tea bag
- [q:1/4] cup maple syrup
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- [q:1/2] tsp vanilla extract
- [q:1/4] tsp kosher salt
- 1 lb silken tofu
- Coconut whipped cream for serving (optional)
- Chocolate shavings for serving (optional)
- In a small saucepan, bring [q:3/4] cup of water to a boil.
- Take water off heat and drop tea bag in. Cover saucepan with lid and leave to steep for 6 to 10 minutes. The longer the tea steeps, the more Earl Grey flavor you will have; 8 minutes will produce a subtle yet noticeable flavor. Remove tea bag and bring pot to a simmer again. Once again remove from heat, add maple syrup and chocolate, and stir to melt chocolate.
- Transfer chocolate mixture to a high-speed blender. Add vanilla, salt, and tofu. Purée until completely smooth, stopping to scrape sides of blender with a rubber spatula as needed to fully incorporate.
- Divide mixture evenly among six ramekins and chill for at least 4 hours.
- When serving, top mousse with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if using.
Hot Chocolate with Coconut and Cinnamon
- 1 vanilla bean (pod)
- 7 fl oz (scant 1 cup) whole (full-fat) milk
- 2 oz ([q:1/2] cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 oz 60% dark chocolate
- 7 fl oz (scant 1 cup) coconut milk 4 long cinnamon sticks
- Split vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp paring knife. Pour whole milk into a saucepan, add vanilla bean, and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and leave to steep for 15 minutes.
- Sift cocoa powder into a bowl. Finely chop chocolate and place in a separate bowl. Remove vanilla bean and drizzle milk over cocoa, stirring continuously with a hand whisk.
- Return milk to pan and bring back to a boil. Pour over chocolate and stir until all chocolate has melted.
- Return to pan and add coconut milk. Bring to a simmer. Serve in cups with a cinnamon stick in each one.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate-Dipped Banana Smoothie Bowl
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- 2 ripe bananas, frozen
- [q:1/4] cup creamy peanut butter
- [q:1/2] cup dairy-free milk
- [q:1/2] teaspoon ground cinnamon
- [q:1/2] + [q:1/4] cup Ezekiel 4:9 Crunchy Cereal
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- Honey, for topping
Chocolate Dipped Banana Coins
- 2 bananas, sliced into coins
- [q:1/2] cup dark chocolate
- [q:1/4] cup Ezekiel 4:9 Crunchy Cereal
Chocolate Dipped Banana Coins
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper or a silicone mat.
- Melt [q:1/2] cup dark chocolate using a double boiler method or in the microwave.
- One by one, dip a banana slice, place on the baking sheet, then sprinkle with Ezekiel 4:9 Crunchy Cereal
- Repeat until all slices are coated.
- Freeze for 15 minutes until ready to serve.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- In a blender, combine 2 frozen bananas, [q:1/4] cup peanut butter, [q:1/2] cup dairy-free milk, [q:1/2] tsp ground cinnamon, and [q:1/2] cup of Food For Life Ezekiel 4:9 Crunchy Cereal. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the peanut butter and banana smoothie mixture into a bowl.
To Serve
- Top the smoothie bowl with the Food For Life Ezekiel 4:9 Crunchy Cereal, chia seeds, and chocolate-dipped banana slices. Optional: drizzle honey on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Justin’s Super Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Image courtesy of Justin's
For the longest time, the only conventional candy I’d touch would be those peanut butter cups covered in bright orange wrappers. Not anymore. I think their formula changed a few years back. I now find the peanut butter flavorless, and the chocolate flat tasting and greasy. Not to mention this brand is full of suspect ingredients.
But I didn’t want to forego my peanut butter and chocolate addiction. I mean, is there a better combination out there?!
Enter Justin’s Super Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten Free, and USDA Organic with Rainforest Alliance Cocoa, one bag contains six individually wrapped cups (each cup is .7 oz). A treat without the guilt, one cup has just 5 grams total sugar.
The formulation of these makes a chocolate and peanut butter lover like myself proud. The peanut butter filling was smooth, creamy, and not too sweet with the perfect touch of salt. The 80 percent cacao chocolate shell has an unexpected but welcomed hint of bitterness.
Justin’s was the first organic peanut butter cup out there. They’re avid supporters of the creatures that make our world special. Normally, I avoid products with conventional palm oil. Justin’s uses an organic, orangutan-friendly version. The company also supports friendly pollinators like honeybees. These essential creatures are responsible for one out of every three bites we eat! Justin’s works with local, state, and national organizations to protect and conserve them.
Justin’s Super Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are satisfying, high-quality candies. You can share them with your kids, but I’d save them for yourself!