sweet miscellany

seasonal plant-based recipes

Hazelnut Espresso Truffles

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So technically, these aren’t cookies.  And if we’re being honest, they aren’t typical truffles either.  But, these are amazing.  And healthy!  Oh, and pretty, too!  Have I convinced you?  No?  Well then maybe this equation will help: cocoa + hazelnuts + espresso + dates = flavor explosion in your mouth.

These are perhaps the prettiest treats you can make with the least amount of work involved.  The food processor brings the mixture together for you.  Your hands will get a bit messy rolling them into balls, but isn’t that half the fun?  When all is said and done, you can have a batch of these babies done in less than 30 minutes.

These are perfect for gifting as they keep well and they are suited for a wide variety of dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten free, grain free, etc.)  But, these are also perfect for a little (healthy) indulgence during the holidays with a nice cup of tea or hot cocoa.  Yum.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I’m in the process of getting a new camera (finally), so I apologize if the next couple of posts aren’t quite up to par as I’ll be winging it with my old point and shoot.  
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Jammy Meringue Clouds

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This unseasonably warm Texas weather is making it really hard to enjoy the holiday season.  I want to bundle up with blankets and wool socks while the cold wind howls outside, whipping the bare branches of the trees.  Instead, I’m running my AC, wearing shorts, and trying to remind myself that it is indeed the month of December.  Yes, I’ve lived in Texas all of my life.  And yes, I’m still annoyed by the lack of wintry weather at times.  Oh well.  Time to ignore it and start enjoying the festivities, even if I’m doing it while wearing shorts and sandals.

I mentioned in the last post that December would be designated as a sort of “cookie month” around here.  Every post will be a treat you can make to enjoy or give away during the holidays.  This was a bit of a challenge for me because when I’m testing and making cookies, it’s usually for my shop or the market.  My creative energy on the cookie front tends to be focused away from the blog.  I figured this would be a way to try to push myself a bit and get creative.   Without further ado, here’s the inaugural post…(insert drumroll a la Clark & Ellen Griswsold)…

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