Homemade Vegan Walnut Brownies

Morning loves!! I hope you've all had the most amazing weekend! We are experiencing the most pleasant weather here in Amsterdam so I have spent my days mostly outside. Still it gets chilly in the evening which for me was the perfect time for some baking. I was thinking about some new treats when it hit me.. I have NEVER made vegan brownies! Which is insane, thinking brownies were my favorite for a long long time - before I turned to a vegan diet.

Brownies can be easily made vegan, payaya, black beans, tofu and sweet potato are known for being an excellent base. I went for sweet potatoes because I returned from the farmers market with 2 big bags (I eat them everyday).

Vegan Walnut Brownies
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes
1 very ripe, small banana
1 cup of ground walnuts
1/2 cup of ground almonds
20 dates (soaked overnight)
3/4 cup of almond flour
5 tbsp raw cacao powder (carob powder will do fine too)
4 tbsp agave syrup
pinch of cinnamon

Directions
Start by preheating your oven to 180 degrees celcius. Place your two potatoes into your microwave (3 minutes for every 200 gram on 750 watt) until they are really soft and beginning to fall apart. Peel the skin of your potatoes and add them, together with the banana, dates and the agave syrup, to your food processor. Pulse until you have a smooth and creamy consistency. Add the almond flour and pulse again till its completely absorbed. Add the almonds, walnuts, cacao powder and your cinnamon.

Scoop the mixture into a (lined) baking dish and place into your preheated oven for about 20 minutes until the brownie is dry from the inside (pierce the brownie with a fork). Place the brownie on a baking tray and allow it to cool of for at least 20 minutes.

Enjoy with some homemade almond milk!

Love,
Sanne

Chocolate Muffins

Morning loves! Hope you all have had an amazing weekend! I know I did because I finally had time to do some baking.. expect some lovely recipes this week! I have been meaning to make some muffins for quite some time. Ever since I visisted Antwerp and had some delicious vegan muffins at this little pastry shop. So this weekend I finally bought a muffin tin and made these delicious and healthy chocolate muffins.They are literally bursting with flavor, perfectly sweet and moist, and have wholesome ingredients like flaxseed, banana, cacao and dates.

Chocolate Muffins
What you need
1 cup buckwheat flour (almond and spelt flour will work too)
1 cup potato starch
3 large ripe bananas
1 cup medjool dates
3/4 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 cup plant based milk (I used almond milk)
2 tbsp baking powder

Directions
Preheat your oven to 395 degrees. In your food processor, blend the bananas, dates and your milk until you have a smooth consistency. In a large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix together. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and stir. If the batter is still a bit dry you can add a bit more milk.

Scoop the batter into your muffin tin, top with goodies you like (I went for cacao nibs and puffed quinoa), and place into your preheated oven for about 20 minutes until they have a golden crust and aren't moist on the inside. Let the muffins cool for 10 minutes on a cooling rack before serving.

Enjoy!!!

Love,
Sanne

Carob Chia Pudding

Hi Sweethearts! Today I have got a new and delicious breakfast for you. Tried it out last week and I have been hooked ever since. This is seriously so filling (you won't even think about food for at least 3 hours) and you will nourish your body with nothing but beautiful ingredients!

Health Benefits Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants;
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Chia seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3s in chia seeds can help reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive performance and reduce high cholesterol.
- Fiber. Fiber is associated with reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, with a whopping 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons. That is one-third of the daily recommended intake of fiber per day.
- Antioxidants. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals, aging and cancer. The high antioxidant profile also helps them have a long shelf life. They last almost two years without refrigeration.
- Minerals. Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 18 percent of the DRI for calcium, 35 percent for phosphorus, 24 percent for magnesium and about 50 percent for manganese. These nutrients help you prevent hypertension and maintain a healthy weight, and are important for energy metabolism and a part of DNA synthesis.
- Satiety. Satiety is the feeling of being full and satisfied, which helps lower food cravings between meals. The combination of protein, fiber and the gelling action of chia seeds when mixed with liquids all contribute to their satiating effects.
- Glutenfree. Chia seeds contain no gluten or grains. Therefore, all of the nutritional benefits of chia seeds can be obtained on a gluten-free diet.
- Blood Sugar Regulation. Chia seeds can play an important role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

Carob Chia Pudding
What you need
3 tbsp chia seeds
3 tbsp carob powder/raw cacao powder
1 1/2 cup water

What to do
Combine the chia seeds with your water in a pint jar. Cover the jar with a lid and give it a shake. Open the jar and add the 3 tbsp of carob powder and swirl until the chia seeds are covered. Cover again and place the mixture in your fridge overnight. In the morning scoop out the pudding into a large plate and cover with fruits your love!

ENJOY!

Love,
BeautyBlends

 

Raw Energy Balls with Beauty Fruits

Morning sweethearts! Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the beautiful new year! I have been really busy working on this blog. I started this a few months ago, having absolutely no idea of how to make this somewhat appealing. Luckily my nephew offered me to help, he is a true genius when it comes to all this technical stuff. So all I have to do now is write write and write... Which I love doing so the new year is off to a wonderful start!

In between writing, editing and taking pictures I have been trying out amazing new recipes. One of which is this delicious Raw Breakfast Energy Ball. After only one I felt satisfied and energized! A true life saviour when you are in a hurry in the morning but still want to fill your body with the absolute best nutrients your body deserves and needs!
I ate them with berries and figs. Berries are my go to fruits whenever I feel my skin is a bit blah. They are my number 1 beautyfoods!

Beautyfoods
Strawberries: These gorgeous berries are rich in AHA's, vitamin C, salicylic acit and flavanoids. Each of these fancy words are known for their healing powers, they clear acne and reduce oil. Strawberries also reduce puffiness and circles beneath your eyes. As if this is not enough, they are antiaging as well because of their high antioxidant content!

Raspberries: These delicious, juice little berries have amazing healing benefits for your skin. The antioxidants packed into these beauties neutralize enznymes that destroy connective tissue in the skin and if this is not enough, antioxidants repair protein in your bloodvessel walls preventing inflammation! 
Raspberries contain twice as much antioxidants as a strawberry and three times more than a kiwi. 

Raspberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C – which is great for the absorption of nutrients into your skin.

Raw Energy Balls with Beauty Fruits
What you need
Handful of walnuts
Handful of strawberries
Handful of raspberries
4 tbsp buckwheat
1 tbsp agave syrup
2 tbsp chia
2 tbsp raw cacao
2 tbsp goji berries
5 medjool dates

What to do
In your foodprocessor mix the walnuts until you have a rough flour. Add the dates, chia and buckwheat and pulse until everything sticks together. Add the agave syrup and the raw cacao until your mixture has a beautiful brown color. Take the mixture out of your foodprocessor and gently fold in the goji berries. Place in your fridge for about 10 minutes, garnish with your raspberries & strawberries and.. ENJOY!!!

Love,

BeautyBlends

Fruity cacao bites glazes with agave syrup

Hi sweethearts! First of all... HAPPY newyear! May al your dreams and wishes come true! I hope you have had the most amazing time with family and friends!

Yesterday I posted a picture on instagram of one of my latest addictions raw cacao bites glazed with agave syrup. These were absolutely amazing! I served them multiple times during the holidays and my family could not get enough of them and the best part is.. they are supereasy to make, you only need 5 ingredients (fruits included) AND they contain wonderful ingredients which are actually good for you!

Raw cacao health benefits
- High in antioxidants which protects your cells from toxins and promotes health in many ways.
- Increases serotonin and other neurotransmitters which promotes a positive outlook and makes us feel really good!
- Rich in minerals like magnesium (deficiencies linked to heart desease and diabetes), sulfur (a beauty mineral which helps detoxify your system and promotes healthy skin!!), calcium, iron and copper.

Fruity cacao bites recipe (glutenfree, raw, refined sugar-free).
What you need:
- 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
- 2/3 cup cacao powder
- 2 tbsp agave syrup (coconut nectar/maple syrup/raw honey) + 4 tbsp for glazing
- Handful of pomegranate seeds
- Handful of blueberries

What to do:
Melt the coconut oil over low heat and remove from the heat as soon as it is melted. Add the raw cacao and whisk until both are completely combined. Spread it out over a baking sheet or pour it into your mould of choice. Add the pomegranate seeds and the blueberries. Pop the moulds into your fridge for 10-15 minutes. Take out the cacao and glaze with your agave syrup. Place it into your fridge again until serving.

Enjoy sweethearts!!

Love,
BeautyBlends

Raw and vegan persimmon tarts

Its persimmon season and I have to tell you guys.. I love them! Since I can't just serve guests a persimmon as dessert with christmas I decided to try and make 1 person tarts. They turned out so unbelievably cute. 

Persimmon health benefits
Persimmon is a high nutritive fruit with a high amouunt of vitamin minerals. They contain high amounts of antioxidants and phytonutriens. These two nutrients neutralize free radicals which cause many degenerative diseases. Also persimmons are a best friend to those who want to lose weight. Due to the fact that they are rich in fiber and other nutrients they promote weight loss. 

1 person raw and vegan persimmon tarts

What you need
1 cup of raw (unsalted) nuts (I used walnuts)
1 cup of medjool dates

1 tbsp of carob/cacao powder

2 tbsp of shredded coconut

2 (very ripe) hachiya persimmons

What to do

Crust

In your food processor mix the walnuts until you have a rough flour. Add the dates, carob and shredded coconut and pulse until everything sticks together. Place the mixture into your tart tin, leaving place in the middle for the persimmon mixture. Place the tart tins in your freezer for 15 minutes.

Filling

Peel the persimmons and place them in your food processor. Pulse until you obtain a smooth mixture. Pour the mixture on top of the crust, top with a few pomegranate seeds and.. ENJOY!!

Love,

BeautyBlends

Vegan scones with cacao nibs

I love scones, I mean really love them! I used to eat them with lots of whipped cream and strawberryjam. When I turned vegan, this was one of the things I missed most. So my boyfriend suggested to try to come up with a vegan alternative. After lots of batches that werent that good.. (I'm being nice to myself now! Haha!) I came up with this recipe. Supereasy and again, you only need 5 ingredients. 


















Vegan scones with cacao nibs
What you need
225g (7.9oz) self raising flour
25g (0.9oz) coconut sugar
150ml dairy free milk (rice, soy, almond etc)
80g (2.8oz) non dairy butter
50g (1.7oz) cacao nibs

What to do
Preheat your oven to 220c (430F) and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
In a medium bowl mix the self raising flour and add the non dairy butter until your mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Add the coconut sugar and the cacao nibs to the mixture. Pour the milk over the mixture (I used cashewmilk) and save a little for brushing the scones once finished. Mix well until you have a soft dough. Roll out on a lightly-floured surface (I use coconut flour because it smells so good) and cut into rounds. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and brush with the leftover milk. Place into your oven and bake for 12 minutes until they have a golden brown color.

ENJOY!!

Love,
BeautyBlends

Puffed quinoa energy bites

In my last post I was telling you guys how I am always looking for snacks that can satisfy my sweettooth. So I wanted to post another recipe that I love very much and keeps my cravings at bay!

Puffed Quinoa Energy Bites

What you need

2 cups puffed quinoa

3/4 cup of old fashioned oats

3 tbsp chia seeds

1/4 cup of buckwheat 

1/3 cup of agave syrup/raw honey

1/2 cup of melted coconut oil

Cacao coating

1/2 cup raw cacao 

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

What to do

Mix your quinoa, old fashioned oats, chia, buckwheat, honey and coconut oil until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixed ingredients into a mould of your choice (I used a sillicone one - see picture). Place your mould into the freezer for 15 minutes until the mixture has hardened.

In the meantime mix the raw cacao with the (melted) coconut oil and stir until all the lumps are out and you have a smooth texture (it will likely take you a couple of minutes). 

Take out the quinoa bites and dip them into the cacao so the bottom of the bite is covered. Place all the bites on a plate and place in your fridge for 30 minutes.

ENJOY!

Love,

BeautyBlends

5 ingredient vegan raw cacao truffles

Its almost Christmas which equals delicious food, drinks and of course desserts!

If you´re looking for something really special, delicious and guilt free I have an amazing recipe for you! Vegan and raw cacao truffles! I made little hearts but you can make them in any shape or size you want (christmas tree, stars, balls or squares).

They are really easy to make and you only need 5 ingredients!!

Vegan raw cacao truffles

What you need

10 dates (soaked)

100 gram (4oz) cacao butter

50 gram (2oz) coconut oil

1/2 cup agave syrup (brown rice syrup/raw honey)

3/4 cup raw cacao powder + 4 tbsp for the topping

What to do

Scoop your cacao butter and coconut oil in your food processor and pulse until you have a soft mixture. Add the soaked dates and pulse again until the mixture has formed a thick paste. Blend again and add the raw cacao (don't add the whole cup at once otherwise it wont blend easily).

Pour the mixture into the mould (I used a sillicone mould) of your choice and let it set for half an hour in your refridgerator.

Take out the mixture and dust with your raw cacao powder!

So easy, so yummy

ENJOY!

Love,

BeautyBlends

Delicious vegan raw cacao & quinoa bites

Hi sweets! 

With Christmas just around the corner I was in search for some vegan and or raw treats. I love this holiday but I am not one to just drop my healthy habits so when I tasted these quinoa bites I was in heaven! These are so good, crunchy because of the puffed quinoa yet soft because of the raw cacao. I store them in my fridge now so when I am craving something sweet I always have something to satisfy my sweet tooth.
The first pic is from the bites the second is a pic where I use them as a topping on my banana icecream (Yes! They are also amazing together with other flavors)

Delicious vegan cacao-quinoa bites

What you need

3 tbsp raw cacao/carob

4 tbsp agave syrup

1/4 cup non dairy butter 

2 cups puffed quinoa 

What to do

Melt your butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once totally melted you can add your cacao or carob and the agave syrup. Stir until you have a smooth mixture. Add the puffed quinoa to the cacao sauce and whisk until all the quinoa is covered. Take a spoon, scoop out even amounts and place the mixture on a plate. Store in your fridge for at least 2 hours.

ENJOY!

Love,

BeautyBlends