Our eats: Chocolate covered chocolate chip cookies

Weekends are usually filled with trips to the garden, beach and a bit of shopping and over the last two days I did a little of all of the above. On Sunday I dropped off these tasty bits to the San Francisco vegan bake sale along with a box of bunny shaped snickerdoodles {proceeds benefited the house rabbit society} for visitors to get their snack on. After making these chocolate chip cookies it was quite clear that while they were perfectly round and tasted great, their curb appeal was a little lack luster so what did I do? Make a chocolate ganache for dipping, duh. Even the husband got in on the fun with the dipping....thankfully I got this shot in last night, we went to town on the left overs and only have 2 left!

photo by our designed life

Chocolate chip cookies dipped in chocolate ganache

1/2 C. vegan butter

1 C. sugar

2 tbsp. molasses

2 flax eggs {2 tbsp flax mixed with 6 tbsp water}

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

vegan chocolate chips

Chocolate ganache dipping sauce

*Preheat oven to 350.

*In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. 

*Add in the molasses, flax eggs and vanilla and blend well. 

*Once mixed, add in the remaining dry ingredients. 

*Fold in chocolate chips and form in to small balls. 

*Bake for 10 minutes.

Once the cookies are cooled, you can dip or drizzle chocolate over the top for added deliciousness!

Our eats: Chocolate meet berries

With all the birthday's going on we have had an insane amount of sweets, specifically cake just laying around asking to be eaten. I've tried out all kinds of great cake recipes lately and thought I would share my triple chocolate cake. Its not only moist and full of chocolate, it includes a simple berry filling that's oh so tasty.

photo by our designed life

Triple Chocolate Cake

1 Cup milk substitute {I used Rice milk}

1 tsp. Apple cider vinegar

1/2 Cup sugar

1/4 Cup canola oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

1 Cup flour

1/4 C. cocoa

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 Cup vegan chocolate chips

*Preheat oven to 350

*Combine the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside to curdle

*In a small saucepan, heat chocolate chips with a splash of milk till melted. Stir often and set aside to cool

*Combine sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in milk mixture. 

*Add the melted chocolate to the wet mixture and stir well.

*In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. 

*Bake 45-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

{I used two deep 3 inch cake pans and required a longer time to bake}

Chocolate ganache

1/4 Cup rice milk

1/2 Cup vegan chocolate chips

1 Tbsp. agave

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

*Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan over low heat. 

For the fruit filling, combine either frozen fruits {berries work best} or fresh with a few teaspoons of sugar and splash of water in a small saucepan. As it cooks down it will get thicker, just keep stirring and mushing the fruit a bit as you go.

Our eats: banana meet bread

Being a vegetarian almost vegan {on occasion I have a bit of dairy but only cook vegan} I am constantly getting asked what kinds of foods I actually make and how I keep a balanced diet. After a great checkup with the doctor proving great nutritional levels, I've decided to share my growing love for food. Over the last few months I have turned a page as a foodie and have discovered how to enjoy natural flavors and have been eating more then ever while maintaining a healthy lifestyle and even losing weight. Last July I mentioned I was going to try to get healthier and I can finally say mission accomplished thanks to food.
So, I welcome you to my kitchen with meals, snacks and sweets I create with my own two hands. They may be vegan but I promise you they are packed with flavor and are sure made with love. First up is a yummy banana bread I whipped up thanks to a few left over bananas from our mini vacation. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

photo by our designed life

Banana Bread

2 Very ripe + 1 ripe banana

1/2 C. Sugar

2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 Water

1 C. White flour + 1/2 C. Whole wheat flour

1 tsp. Baking powder

1/2 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Chocolate chips {optional}

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*Mash bananas and combine with sugar till creamy

*Add vanilla and water to banana mixture

*In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients and whisk

*Combine dry and wet ingredients and mix. Do not over mix, it will get sticky

*In a greased pan, bake at 350 for 50 minutes. 

{Note: You can either add chocolate chips into the mixture by adding to dry mix or serve on the side for that extra sweetness. I used two small bread tins, timing may vary depending on size and oven.}