Deep Chocolate Truffles

 I'm a huge fan of Chocolate Covered Katie, so as soon as I saw her recipe for fudge babies and friends, I knew I wanted in.  They're easy, healthy, natural, and delicious.  So one day, when I get a super high powered blender and can pulverize some walnuts, I totally plan to make them.  Several varieties of them.  However, until then, I'll be making this recipe and calling on the same CCK concepts and deliciousness in spirit.  This recipe yields a truffle that's pretty tasty in its own right.  Your truffles will also be rich and delicious.  As with the originals, you'll need no added sugar and no blender.  You only need:

• Almond butter (choose a variety according to taste - e.g. salty or not, roasted or not...)
• Mashed dates (if they are difficult to mash to the consistency of applesauce, soak them for a few hours first)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark for rich color)
• Instant coffee powder (optional, for a mocha flavor)

1. Mix the first three ingredients in approximately equal portions with a fork (possibly use less cocoa depending on how bitter you like things, a little goes a long way here) until a chocolatey batter forms.  
2. Taste and adjust the proportions, adding some coffee granules if desired.
3. Role into balls.
4. Enjoy!

60 Second Magical Mocha Mug Cake

 After reading about a 60 second, super easy, flourless microwaveable mug-cake from Foodie Fiasco (click for her recipe!), I knew I was going to have to try making one of these myself.  I was not disappointed!  What a brilliant approach, and yet healthier than the sinfully delicious espresso brownie cups I had made earlier.

I followed Ms. Fiasco's recipe to a T, except I added a bit of instant coffee to the mix before popping it in the microwave to get a mocha flavor in the mix.  The texture is amazing and cakelike - I didn't taste the pumpkin in the mix at all.  The cake is also beautiful and yields a substantial portion.  Be careful to add a lot of sugar or sweetener, though-without it the cake can be a bit bitter.

I will definitely make this again, hopefully veganized.

Enjoy with a 60 calorie vegan mocha!

You will need:

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 egg white
• 2 spoonfuls of canned pumpkin
• 1/2 teaspon/small spoon of baking powder
• 3 spoonfuls of milk of choice
• Instant coffee (optional)
• Sweetener of choice

1. Mix everything together.  You may want to put everything except the egg in so that you can safely taste and be sure you have sufficient sweetener.
2. Pour into microwave safe greased or sprayed ramekin.
3. Nuke it for about 3 minutes, but watch it like a hawk, as every microwave is different.
4. Enjoy!

Do please also check out Kelly's post on this at Foodie Fiasco.  She has a lot of ideas/commentary/etc. for the recipe, and her site is just generally awesome.

If you would like something similar in taste but less healthy and even faster to put together, try these espresso brownie cups!  You may also enjoy our grain free brownies (more work, but more servings and also super yummy).

Absolutely evil instant espresso fudge brownie-cakes

Okay, these are nearly instant.  But why are they absolutely evil?  They are addictive.  Imagine that you can have a fresh baked brownie any time you want?  Instantly?  With no measuring and very little cleanup?  And all-natural ingredients?  This is THE ultimate mug cake.  The friends and family with whom I have shared the recipe resent me for sharing it with them, as these brownies so easy to prepare and so delicious that they just keep making them again and again!

You will need:

• 4-5 rounded spoonfuls of a high quality brownie mix (such as Ghirardelli)
• 1 spoonful of a milk or yogurt of choice (1 used almond milk)
• 1/2 spoonful of instant coffee (or to taste)

1. Stir everything together in a cute little mug.
2. Microwave for 60 minutes, or until mostly baked.
3. Enjoy right away!  It's gooey!

This is AMAZING topped with vanilla ice cream.  If you do this, microwave with the ice cream on top for 5-10 extra seconds for melty bliss.