Homemade Hot Cocoa

I used to drink Swiss Miss hot cocoa all. the. time.  I am so ashamed.  Who knows how much white sugar and dangerous hydrogenated oil I drank from that.  I remember I used to buy the hot cocoa envelopes in the summer, just so I could snack on those dehydrated mini marshmallows.  Are you laughing at me?  Because I'm kind of laughing at myself right now.

So if you are like me, and love hot chocolate (and anything else chocolate, for that matter), you will love this easy homemade hot cocoa!  I really hope that we can all stop buying those unhealthy hot cocoa mixes from the grocery store.  This hot cocoa is just as sweet and creamy as Swiss Miss, requires only 3 ingredients, and takes the same amount of time to make as the stuff in the envelope.  It is absolutely delicious on its own, but even more authentic with some homemade marshmallows  ;)

Homemade Marshmallows

Knowing how utterly obsessed I was with sugar as a child, it's a given that I adored those jet puffed marshmallows from the grocery store.  Seriously, they are pure sugar.  Prooobably the main reason I liked them so much, but I also liked how simple they were.

Every time I walk by a bag of marshmallows, I remember sitting on the couch with my friends at a sleepover, popping those white orbs of fluffiness into my mouth.  While normal people would eat popcorn or chips, I'd be over there with my bag of mallows.  I found it awesome how I could down an entire bag without feeling a tad bit full.  I sure did get the sugar rush (and crash) though... tsk tsk, old Jessica, tsk tsk.

For some reason I have been craving marshmallows lately, so I made a slightly healthier version made without refined white sugar or high fructose corn syrup.  But don't let the word "healthy" turn you off, these marshmallows are soft, fluffy and airy.  And sweet, of course, just like the storebought stuff.

Bittersweet Chocolate Quinoa Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Happy National Bittersweet Chocolate Day!

I've gotta admit, I'm not really a fan of bittersweet chocolate.  I agree with Ina Garten who always says on her show, Barefoot Contessa, that bittersweet chocolate is too bitter and semisweet chocolate is too sweet (except I don't think anything is too sweet!)

As I made these cupcakes I was expecting them to have a super sweet chocolate flavor, like the cupcakes you can buy at a bakery.  But as I sunk my teeth into the first cupcake, I realized that these weren't your typical sugary baked good.  These were bittersweet, sophisticated, and left me wanting more...  to my surprise.

I like sweet cupcakes, you know, the kind that make your teeth twinge and stomach ache.  Why did I like these cupcakes so much?  I think it's because these cupcakes were just sweet enough where you wanted (needed?) to grab another one.  Kind of like eating potato chips, where each chip is just salty enough where you want to grab another few hundred.

These cupcakes are fluffy, springy and packed with chocolate flavor.  It's tough to tell that they are made with healthy ingredients such as quinoa flour, flax and yogurt!

Single-Serving Chocolate Quinoa Flake Microwave Cake

So many chocolate cravings, so little time!!

If you agree with that statement, then this post should be the answer to your prayers.  This recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prep and cook...  and eat, if you are a chocolate monster...  and I certainly hope you are  ;)

Oh yeah, and this recipe is 100% healthy and totally guilt free.

YES.  Gimme gimme.  Like, now.

So get rid of any boxed mixes and make this instead.  You will save your day a chunk of time while saving your body from the white sugar, harmful hydrogenated oils and refined flour in a storebought mix.  It's hard to believe that this individual chocolate cake is filled with fiber and protein and made without butter and eggs!

This moist and fluffy chocolate cake is the perfect breakfast, snack and/or dessert.  I love to eat it as is, because it is quick, hassle-free and 100% chocolate, but you can top this with your favorite nut butter, fruit, yogurt, maple syrup, etc, the choices are endless!

Fudgy Brownie Quinoa Cookies

I'm sure that after reading the word "quinoa," your stomach isn't growling for an entire batch of these.  But trust me, these are deeelicious (c'mon, have some faith in me)

These are like brownies but in cookie form.  Sweet, rich, fudgy and packed with chocolate flavor.  But they are soft and light, rather than dense and heavy like regular brownies.

Oh, and the best part?  They melt in your mouth!

No, wait...  I think the best part is that they are actually good for you, but don't taste like it at all.  These cookies are low fat and have fiber and protein (unlike the cookies you'd find at a bakery!)

Butterscotch Mousse Pudding

My family devoured that Maple Pumpkin Pie Mousse Pudding a few weeks back, and after hearing comments (or hints?) here and there about it, I knew I needed to make it again.  Don't tell my family, but I am secretly reserving my canned pumpkin for when my next pumpkin withdrawal symptom strikes.  Or when I feel like I need some more vitamin A...  ;)

Butterscotch Pudding is a popular dessert that desperately needed some healthifying, so I decided this would be a great flavor to try out after the Pumpkin Pudding.  Once again, my family loved it.  The texture is firm like a mousse, yet smooth like a pudding.  It tastes incredibly rich and satisfying, it's hard to believe that what you are eating actually has some health benefits!