Just between you and me, I had no intention of sharing the recipe for Pudding this year, or ever really?!  I’m not sure why it never occurred to me that you guys might be interested in it ,I think it’s kind of like cilantro, you either love it or you hate it and, gathering by the response I got when I shared a sneaky snap of this on Instagram last week you guys definitely LOVE IT!

I had so many messages, questions and comments requesting the recipe so I  took a quick poll and 100% of you said a big YES PLEASE to me sharing the recipe so, I decided to snap a couple of pics and well, here we are (originally published back in 2018 so I just re-posted to bump it up so it was front & center, nice and easy for you to find + for my visual learners, I’ve added step-by-step pics of Eve and I making it so you can see how easy it really is! click here for to see the pics / cook along with us  ).

Ah Christmas . . .

A time for family, friends, food and tradition – all of my fave things packed into one, slightly hectic, sometimes stressful but seriously magical day.

One of our favorite, festive family traditions is getting together for “Stir-Up Sunday” – although in the interest of full disclosure this rarely happens on a Sunday or as far in advance as it’s “supposed to” but anyway –  we all get together, Christmas carols blaring, and make the highly anticipated Christmas Pud.

Even though it’s such an easy thing to make, (seriously, it’s really SO easy – stir – soak – steam/or bake – devour!) it’s fun to have the whole family involved.

We all take turns giving it a stir, make a wish for the year ahead, and let it work its magic.

We’ve been doing it for years now and although I always seem to get a little nervous/anxious (← read slightly stressed out) because I just want everything to be perfect – I mean we all know that the main meal is just a formality to get the dessert which is always the star of the show, right?!  – this pudding turns out perfectly every. single. time.

I’d even go as far as to say it’s fail-proof.

You can steam it, you can bake it, you can add any kind of fruit, a splash of brandy/rum, and as much, or as little spice as you like.

It’s hearty, yet light, seriously moist, and perfectly spiced.

Packed with all of those, much loved, heart and belly-warming, traditional, Christmas/holiday flavors – minus the gluten, dairy & refined sugars.

Make it weeks in advance, it’s stores incredible well in the fridge or freezer, or you can do it a day or two before the feast and festivity begin.

Serve it simply as it is, either hot or cold, with a drizzle of cream, custard, ice-cream or both.

It’s not fancy, no bells and whistles, but it’s fun to make, fun to eat and fun to share with the ones you love.

* Gluten Free * Dairy Free * Grain Free * Refined Sugar Free * Paleo Friendly*

For my visual learners, click here for a quick, cook-a-long reel or for slower paced step-by-step pics & FAQ including flour alternatives & how to make a DIY pudding tin/bowl  – click here . Let me know if you have any other questions.

From me and mine to you and yours, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest Holidays –   I hope you love it as much as we do.

Enjoy xo

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Question of the day –

What’s your fave holiday tradition?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make your Christmas pudding (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

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The post Traditional Christmas Pudding {Gluten Free – Paleo} Step by Step pics & video link included! first appeared on Better with Cake.

You guys , these cookies . . . taking my obsession with soft baked cookies to a whole new level!

Since I only just recently discovered my love of soft baked cookies and my first real , enjoyable experience being with those super fudgy, seriously chocolaty almond butter brookies I was telling you about, my mission was clear . . .

A (healthier version) of a traditional style soft baked choc chip cookie recipe must be mastered!

And you guys, I don’t want to toot my own horn or anything but *toot, toot* pretty sure I nailed it.

Although, in the interest of full disclosure, it was not mastered at the first attempt.

I may have tested, tested and re-tested 3, yes 3 (!!!) different versions of this recipe all in one day!

What can I say, I was committed to the cause – where there’s a will , there’s a way and when there’s soft baked cookies at stake, the determination / driving force is strong my friend! #willworkforcookies

The first batch was delicious but a little to flat for my liking. I prefer my soft baked cookies to be thick and fluffy, but, still chewy . . . so back to the drawing board . . .

The second batch was much better, fuller, fluffier but not as chewy as I wanted them to be but the third time around, nailed it!

Thick and fluffy, soft and chewy, so, SO good!

If you do one thing today, please let it be making these cookies!

They are super simple to make, made with no refined flours or sugars using just a handful of ingredients that I bet you have on hand already and come together in 1 bowl with one spoon but, I must remind you, there is a catch . . .

The trick to getting the thick and fluffy, soft and chewy, deliciously buttery, choc chip cookies of your dreams will require a little patience.

But just a little . . .

You see, the trick to getting that thick and fluffy , soft and chewy texture is that you have to chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes (or you can speed it up and pop freeze for 15 instead) !

This is important – do not, I repeat , do not skip this step – unless you’re happy with flatter cookies, then go ahead and skip it but , if you, like me, prefer your cookies nice and full – I’m talking if you were to look up the definition of THICC in the dictionary ,  there would be a picture of these cookies framed, with a gold star attached to go right along side it – then do not skip it!

Will waiting be a little difficult? Possibly for some (some being me – please tell me I’m not the only one!?)

Will it be worth it . . .

YES!

Reminder – you can chill the dough for longer than 30 minutes so if you’re seeing this and it’s nearing bed time here’s what I suggest you do . . . head to the kitchen, mix up your cookie dough, it will take 2 minutes, cover it up then pop it in the fridge. Tuck your fine self into bed, have an amazing sleep dreaming about the incredible cookies you will get to devour within 10-12 minutes of rolling out of bed in the morning

Upon waking, if you have the patience / will power of a saint, have yourself a nice hot shower, or just run to the kitchen and turn on your oven, bake your cookies, 6 – 8 minutes later your current , choc chip cookie eating self will be singing praises to your last nights self for doing the work and mixing up that cookie dough for your morning self to enjoy with a monster size cup of coffee!

And yes, because our deliciously buttery soft baked cookies are secretly healthy and made primarily with eggs and nut butter they totally acceptable for breakfast consumption.

Cookies for breakfast = living your best life (maybe not something we should do everyday but some days, especially on days ending with “y”  you definitely should. All things in moderation, right?! Right!

I mean, how can you resist?!

Those flecks of cinnamon . . . I just cant . . .

All natural, quick and easy, subtly sweet, deliciously buttery, thick and fluffy, soft and chewy, secretly healthy, almond butter cookies that are choc full of choc chips . . .

Gluten Free – Dairy Free – Grain Free – Refined Sugar Free – Low Carb – Keto – Paleo – Vegan Friendly

Life’s short, eat that cookie!

Soft Baked Choc Chip Almond Butter Cookies

Gluten Free – Dairy Free – Grain Free – Refined Sugar Free – Low Carb  – Keto – Paleo – Vegan Friendly

Makes 10-12 secretly healthy, subtly sweet, soft and chewy, super fluffy almond butter cookies that are stuffed full of choc chips!

Ingredients –

1 egg – or flax egg

1/2 cup of almond butter

1 Tablespoon of maple syrup

1 teaspoon of coconut oil, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 cup of almond flour/meal

1/4 cup of monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/4-1/2 teaspoon of  cinnamon

1 pinch of salt

Dark chocolate – chips or chopped – measure with your heart

Optional add ins;

1 scoops of unflavored collagen – for gut health

1 teaspoon of maca – hormone balance

Method –

1 – Place egg, almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla in to a bowl and stir until smooth, creamy and well combined.

2 – Add almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine.

3  –  Fold in your chocolate , if using. Now comes the hard part – place your cookie dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill (or freezer for 10-15) DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP this is what helps your cookies maintain their shape and ensures they get that dreamy  chewy texture!

Note – You can chill for longer then 30 minutes,  you can even mix it up and leave over night if you like.

Once your dough has chilled – and you’re ready to bake –

4 – Preheat your oven to 175’C / 350’F line a baking tray with baking/parchment paper (or a silpat mat) and set aside.

5 – Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out your dough and roll into desired shape and size.

Note – they should not spread much so shape them roughly how you want to eat them.

6 – Bake smaller cookies for 6-8 minutes – larger cookies for 8-10

DO NOT OVER BAKE – they will still be slightly soft, that’s what you want – set them aside for 2-3 minutes to cool – they will now be nice and chewy.

Enjoy xo

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Question of the day –

Do you prefer thick and fluffy or flatter (but still chewy) soft baked cookies??

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make your cookies (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to ox

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The post Soft Baked Choc Chip Almond Butter Cookies first appeared on Better with Cake.

Well, apart from opening gifts on Christmas morning !

Calendars are marked, count downs are set  and on December 1st – the pestering requests begin.

I know, I know this recipe is a little more work than I usually like to do as there is some dough chilling and rolling involved ( no pre-baking though ) which is probably one reason that I only make them once a year but hear me when I say, apart from a little exercise in patience they are super, super easy to make and 100% worth it.

Subtly sweet, deliciously buttery, light, crisp pastry stuffed with a jammy, sweet, perfectly spiced fruit filling that truly is incredible!

I like to make a batch on Christmas Eve, ready to enjoy with our little lady, after dinner, while we read the night before Christmas before tucking her in to bed (and my marathon wrapping session begins) and of course we make sure we have enough to leave out for Santa.

Serve them simply as they are, add a dusting of powdered sugar and a nice cold class of milk, a nice cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or warm beverage of choice.

Add a dollop of cream, custard and/or ice cream – or a combination of all three, after all, it is Christmas.

Super simple, super delicious, healthy, homemade fruit mince pies.

Gluten Free Dairy Free Grain Free Nut Free Refined Sugar Free Paleo Friendly

Such a fun little family tradition and I would love nothing more than to have you join us.

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Question of the day –

What’s your fave holiday tradition?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make your healthy, homemade fruit mince pies (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

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The post Healthy, Homemade Fruit Mince Pies {Gluten Free – Grain Free – Nut Free – Refined Sugar Free – Paleo Friendly} first appeared on Better with Cake.