You can elevate any desert recipe to holiday proportions by simply adding peppermint oil to your recipe. That trick is never better when used in a dark chocolately brownie. These brownies are rich thick perfection with just a hint of mint to make them merry. 

1 stick butter at room temp
1 cup flour
1/4 cup dutch processed cocoa
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp peppermint oil
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 cup chocolate chips
8 ounces dark baking chocolate 
2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting

Directions: 
Melt your chocolate and butter together in either a double boiler or microwave. Add sugar when mixture is hot and stir to combie. Add eggs, flour, cocoa, baking powder, chocolate chips, and salt. Mix until just combined. Bake at 350 degrees in a 9 inch greased pan for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Dust with powdered sugar for a snow effect. 

May all of your recipes be spiked with something wintery and wonderful this month. Enjoy!

Today we are making healthy cookies. As a mom, I know there is one thing that my child will never turn down, a cookie. A cookie can make all things right with the world. Unfortunately, most cookies are just processed sugar, bleached flour, and fat. I wanted to come up with a cookie that was not only healthy, but also good for you. Behold: Sneaky Cookies!

Just 6 ingredients, not only are these cookies super easy and affordable to make, but that are also very good for you. And the fact that they are in cookie form means even the most picky pallets will enjoy them! They are also gluten free, vegan, and all of that wonderful stuff. They have chia seeds in them, which are a whole grain food but naturally free of gluten. They are full of protein, fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids and various micronutrients. There is no butter and no sugar in these cookies! The sweetness comes from the tiniest bit of agave nectar, which we all know has the most favorable glycemic profile. So yes, these healthy cookies are winners in many ways. 

Ingredients: 

2 ripe bananans

2 tsp agave nectar

2 tsp chia seeds

2 carrots, shredded

1 cup oats

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions: 

Mash your bannanas, then mix together all of the ingredients. Form into balls and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. (See? Told you it was simple.) 

Sometimes you are in the mood for a little something sweet. And I mean little literally. In order to keep our waistlines in check, we really should watch our portions, especially when it comes to desert. I know for me personally I often crave a sweet morsel after every meal in order to feel satisfied. Well these chocolate covered frozen banana bites are the perfect solution for that. They are much smaller than a huge icecream treat. You are satisfying that sweet tooth craving with fruit, but because its dipped in healthful dark chocolate and frozen, you can almost trick yourself into feeling like you are eating an ice-cream desert. All the good, none of the bad. 

Ingredients: 

3 ripe bananas 

12 ounce bag Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers

chopped nuts (optional)

Directions: 

Chop your bananas into bite sized slices. Melt your wafers in a double boiler. Dip your bananas in the melted chocolate and place on a baking sheet. (Add chopped nuts such as peanuts, almonds, or cashews while still warm.) Freeze on baking sheet. Once the chocolate has hardened you can add them all into a zip lock back and keep in your freezer for a sweet treat whenever the craving hits. 

An easy guilt less treat that couldn't be easier. 
Enjoy!

If there is one thing you don't see a lot on the lavender apple farm, its peanut butter. Peggy is just not a huge fan. But when it came to dedicating a week to the simplest recipes we can think of, our week would not be complete without a no bake cookie recipe. I know when I have a cookie craving, it can often come late and night. I don't really feel like turning on the oven and waiting around while I get my butter to room temperature, chill my dough, and bake several batches of cookies. No Bake Cookies are the perfect solution for that. These are a great "one pot" treat and are ready in minutes. This particular recipe has a great depth of flavor from the dark chocolate pieces, and a nice salty bite from the peanut butter. It's also got a great chewy texture from the oats. You will love it. 

Make sure you set out a large sheet of wax paper because you will want that ready once your ingredients are combined. 

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder
1 cup white sugar
3 pieces dark chocolate melting wafers (or you can use any dark chocolate you have on hand)
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla 
1/4 tsp salt
4-5 cups of oats depending on your chocolate to oat preference 

Melt your stick of butter. I LOVE the taste of brown butter in this recipe, so if you feel ambitious, you can let your butter heat up until brown pieces begin to form and it turns a deep golden color. If you are in a hurry, you can just melt it quickly. Then add your milk slowly so you don't scald it. Mix in your cocoa powder and sugar. Bring all of this goodness to a boil for about 1 minute, make sure you stir it the entire time so nothing burns. Reduce the heat to low. Then add in your dark chocolate pieces, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir until everything is combined. Remove from the heat and add your oats. I would start with 4 cups and keep adding until it looks like everything is coated well and there is no extra chocolate on the bottom of the pan. Then drizzle your wax paper with clumps of the oat mixture. Wait until they cool and you (and the cookies) are all set!