Honestly, Im not sure I want to drink my coffee any other way from now on?!

Especially at this time of year when I’m needing all of the coffee to try to do all the things (and then some!) please tell me I’m not the only one?!

This right here, is everything I want, all day every day on repeat (by IV) between now and Christmas . . . then on Christmas I’ll be wanting a double-double please and thank you.

Subtly sweet, seriously creamy,  spiked with the perfect hit of espresso and a heart and belly-warming hum of gingerbread spice. It’s SOOOO good!

No one would ever know that this one also happens to be seriously good for you!

Packed with protein, naturally sweetened and loaded with gut healing goodness!

I won’t tell if you don’t!

Healthified or not, I can’t think of a better way to start, end or fill the day than cozied on the couch, binge-watching Christmas movies with a cup of this deliciousness! Which is where you’ll find me, on the couch, tonight at 830 pm . . . cozied up in my comfiest PJ’s watching “The Santa Clause” or “Home Alone” I cant decide which one Im feeling today?! But, you’re welcome to join me!

Serve it hot, serve it iced, however you choose to do it you really can’t go wrong!

Dairy free (if you want),  BANANA FREE, DATE FREE, Sugar-free, Low Carb, Paleo, Keto & 100% Vegan friendly – so much to love I tell you and love it you will!

Seriously, so good! Starbucks who?!

Please note I like mine spicy so feel free to adjust accordingly …
Enjoy

_________________________________________

Question of the day –

What’s your go-to coffee order?

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 secretly healthy, sugar-free gingerbread latte  (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

__________________________________________

The post Healthy {Sugar-Free} Gingerbread Latte first appeared on Better with Cake.

Gingerbread season has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Insert all the exclamation points and fun, festive happy dancing, here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could I be anymore excited?!
Please tell me you read that in the voice of Chandler Bing (hello, Friends for life), if not, go back and read it again . . . I’ll wait . . .

And just in case you weren’t sure, the answer is no, I could not be any more excited – choosing to ignore the fact that gingerbread season means that Christmas is just around the corner and I haven’t even come close finish my Christmas shopping yet . . . am I stressed . . . little bit but . . .

I have a fresh batch of gingerbread muffins so I’m choosing to focus on that.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who is crazy excited for all things gingerbread?!

I don’t know what it is about that combination of spices, it just makes me feel all the fun and festive feels (just in case you didn’t know, Christmas is my absolute favourite) and warms me down to the depths of my soul.

Maybe it’s because gingerbread is not something we have everyday. The acceptable window for gingerbread consumption is just a few short weeks, really just the month of December, so I think that helps to make it extra special.

Speaking of extra special . . .

You guys, these gingerbread muffins . . . where do I begin ?!

Aptly named the best ever/ my absolute fave because they really truly are. By December 4th and I may have made them 3 times already . . . Im sorry it took so long for me to share them with you, life has been cah-razy, I know you get it . . . but, one bite of these light, fluffy, perfectly spiced gingerbread muffins and all will be forgiven . . .

Yes, they really are THAT good!

Soft, tender, subtly sweet, perfectly spiced and just all kinds of wonderful.

Made with just a handful of ingredients that I bet you have on hand already and can be ready to devour in less than 20 minutes!

Serve them simple as they are, drizzle with a traditional powdered sugar glaze or a little melted coconut butter. Extra cinnamon for me please!

Or you totally serve them with this whipped vanilla cream cheese frosting, or this espresso cream cheese frosting or even this dark chocolate espresso ganache – or make a platter with some of each! ← this will be happening!!

However you choose to do it you really can’t go wrong!

Perfect to have on hand to fuel the frenzied, frantic , last minute Christmas shopping or just because IT’S GINGERBREAD SEASON!!!!!!!

And just when you thought you couldn’t love them anymore, this recipes makes just 6-9 delicious little muffins so it’s perfect for those moments when you’re craving a slice of gingerbread (or 2) but don’t want to bother baking, or can’t be trusted with (←we’ve all been there) an entire loaf (or batch of 12-24)

And, these babies are 100% freezer friendly so you can totally get a head of the game, and make them now, pull them out of the freezer on Christmas Eve, Christmas brunch, sorted!

1 bowl + 7 ingredients ( a handful of spices) and 20 minutes and you too could be devouring this deliciousness!

Gluten Free – Dairy free – Grain free – Refined sugar free –  Low Carb – Paleo – Keto  – Vegan friendly !!

All natural, quick and easy, subtly sweet, soft and tender, perfectly spiced gingerbread muffins . . .

From my heart to yours, enjoy xo

Let the festive fun, begin!!!!!!!

• I used Macro Mike limited edition caramel popcorn plant based almond protein powder ! Its gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, boosted with probiotics & truly tastes all kinds of incredible. Its hands down without question the smoothest, most delicious, elite tasting protein power (plant based/dairy free or otherwise!!) I have ever tried. And I have tried A LOT!  Use AMB-EM to get a cheeky discount if you want to try it & believe me, you do!
• You “can” sub 1/2 tsp coconut flour in place of the protein powder but the flavour & nutritional boost the protein pwd adds really make  these muffins extra magical!

__________________________________________

Question of the day –

What’s your fave festive treat??

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 muffins (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

__________________________________________

The post Classic Style Gingerbread Muffins first appeared on Better with Cake.

It’s gingerbread meets carrot cake, my life is now complete!

Wait, eating these while drinking coffee = life complete!

I know this may come as a surprise to you but, if I HAD to choose a favorite flavour baked good/ treat, it would be gingerbread or carrot cake!

Not coffee, not chocolate not even some kind of nut butter . . .

Don’t get me wrong, as much as I LOVE chocolate & coffee & allll of the nut butters (and you know I really, REALLY do) it’s ginger-spice and carrot cake has my heart!

I don’t know what it is about that combination of spices, but something about it soothes me down to the depths of my soul!

The smell, the taste, the texture, the spices  . . . it’s straight-up magic!

And that my friends is EXACTLY what we have here! Subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, light, fluffy, soft, tender, warm, cozy, incredibly comforting soul food!

Don’t even get me started on that optional, but not really, sugar-free, protein-packed “cream cheese” frosting!! I want to slather that creamy, dreamy deliciousness over my entire life!

The muffins themselves are so incredibly flavourful they don’t even really need frosting. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add it, because carrot cake muffins  + creamy, dreamy frosting = next-level deliciousness.

I mean would you just look at that delicious little cloud . . .

But, #youdoyou & however you choose to do it, you really can’t go wrong!

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, INSANELY delicious make ahead breakfast, snack or brunch to fuel your Easter long weekend (or just because , yum) these deliciously simple, secretly healthy, one bowl spiced carrot cake muffins are exactly what you need!

Gluten free – Dairy free – Grain free – Refined sugar free – Low carb – Paleo – Keto and Vegan Friendly

1 bowl, 8 (ish ingredients) and 20 minutes . . .

From my heart to yours, enjoy xo

Notes –

* To make a flax egg mix 1 Tablespoon of flaxmeal (ground flaxseed) + 2 1/2 Tablespoons of water, let it sit for 5 mins to thicken & voila , you have a flax egg.
1 Tbsp flax meal + 2.5 Tbsp water = 1 egg

** I love Macro Mike plant based almond protein powder (have not tested any other in this recipe). Its gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, boosted with probiotics & truly tastes all kinds of incredible. Its hands down without question the smoothest, most delicious, elite tasting protein power (plant based/dairy free or otherwise!!) I have ever tried. And I have tried A LOT!  Use AMB-EM to get a cheeky discount of you want to try it & believe me, you do!

NOTE – You can sub 1/2 teaspoon of coconut flour in place of the protein powder but the taste & nutritional boost the protein pwd adds really takes these muffins to a whole new level!

*** If you’re not using a super thick Greek style yoghurt you can lay some muslin cloth in a colander/fine-mesh sieve and let it sit to drain out some of the excess water. Click here to see how its done

Muffins will keep for 3-5 days stored in an airtight container. Or you can freeze (unfrosted)  for up to 3 months.

Enjoy xo

__________________________________________

Question of the day –

What’s your fave kind of cake??

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 muffins (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

__________________________________________

The post Carrot Cake Muffins {Sugar Free – High Protein} first appeared on Better with Cake.

I got so many messages and requests for a recipe for healthier gingerbread cookies, consider this my Christmas gift to you.

Subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, thick and fluffy, soft baked gingerbread cookies – aka the Christmas cookie of my dreams!

It’s no secret that I love me some gingerbread but it has to be good gingerbread. A lot of the time store bought gingerbread can be a bit dry and tasteless or waayyyyy to spicy, and that’s coming from a spice lover.

So here I am, delivering to you, as requested THE PERFECT soft baked gingerbread cookie.

Thick and fluffy, soft and chewy, subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, simply, divine!

Finished with a generous sprinkling of my fave heart and belly-warming gingerbread spices (think → cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves) then, before baking, I rolled them in a little cinnamon sugar (made with monk fruit and ground cinnamon) which although is totally optional, it’s highly recommended as it adds the most incredible, slightly crispy, gloriously caramelized, not to mention glittery, cinnamon, spiked, crust.

Sooooo good!

Crispy on the edges, soft, tender and deliciously chewy in the middle . . .

I mean would you just look at that texture?!

Serve them simply as they are, honestly, the flavor and texture of these gingerbread cookies are so on point and truly incredible they really don’t need anything else but, for those of you who insisted that you need a frosting, I have delivered not 1, not 2 but 3 options for you to choose from because I could not decide which one I liked better!

1 – A traditional glaze

2 – A white (or dark) chocolate drizzle – which if I’m going to add any kind of frosting might be my personal fave and last but not least,

3 – If you’re feeling a little fancy you could do a white chocolate ganache . . . even though it sounds a little fancy it’s super simple, oh so dreamy and 100% worth it !

However you choose to do it, you really can’t go wrong.

Subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, truly magical, secretly healthy soft and chewy gingerbread cookies! 

A few tips before you go get your soft-baked, secretly healthy, sugar free, paleo gingerbread cookie on:

Em, do I really need to chill the dough?
Answer = Yes! Im sorry, I know its kind of a pain especially if you, like me, have zero patience for baking but DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP (Im sorry for yelling but this is VERY important!) Chilling the dough is what helps your cookies maintain their shape and ensures they get that dreamy chewy texture!

Will waiting be difficult? Possibly for some- some being me, pls tell me I’m not the only one

Will it be worth it?! 100%!Absolutely, Oh so worth it!

Tips on how to chill the cookie dough –Place your cookie dough in the fridge for 30-60 minutes or you can pop it, bowl and all, in the freezer for 10-15 (which is what I usually do – see above to me having zero patience for baking.*Note – You can chill for longer than 30 minutes!  You can even mix it up and leave it to rest and chill in the fridge overnight if you like.

I like to keep mine in the fridge, I find the texure extra fudgy this way but as long as they in a sealed, airtight container, you’re good and they should keep well for at least 5-7 days (if they don’t get eaten before then!!)

Ok, I think that’s it but as always, pleaseif you have any questions feel free to send me an email, DM on Instagram or leave a comment on the blog post anytime. Always.

Now, its time for you to get your bake on!

Gluten Free – Dairy free – Grain free – Refined sugar free –  Low Carb – Paleo – Keto  – Vegan friendly  but most importantly they really do taste all kinds of magical and I hope you love them as much as I do. Which FYI – is a lot – I’m talking, if a cookie could be a spirit animal, this would be mine!

1 bowl + 5 ingredients and a handful of spices  . . .

For my visual learners, click here for step-by-step pics / to cook along with me. Let me know if you have any questions. Anytime.

From my heart to yours, enjoy xo

__________________________________________

Question of the day –

What’s your fave Christmas cookie??

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

__________________________________________

The post My Fave Soft Baked Gingerbread Cookies aka – Gingerdoodles! {Low Carb – Keto – Paleo – Vegan Friendly } first appeared on Better with Cake.

And you know what that means . . .

It’s time for another round of Fit Friday fun, and boy are we going to have some fun today!

Today I’m sharing a short, sharp, total body workout that you can do anywhere, anytime in just 10 minutes – with or without equipment, totally your call which means it’s perfect for this time of year when things are crazy, you may be traveling or just not able to make it to the gym!

Ive said it before and I’ll say it again, with the right combination of exercise you can have yourself an awesome workout and get the results you want in less than 20 minutes!

Quality, not quantity – 10 minute workouts – Everybody got time for that!

So, here’s what we are going to do –

Reverse lunge
Squat
Squat jump – or pulse
Push up
Mountain Climber
Russian Twists

Aim to do 8-10 reps of exercise (count reps per side for lunges, climbers and twists) and repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 3-4 rounds, or as many rounds as pretty in 10 minutes, resting as needed , sound good?!

Nothing overly complicated, basic movements done with good form for a short but effective total body workout that will have you feeling strong , energized and ready to take on the rest of your day!

Although it’s totally not necessary, simply using your body weight alone is challenging enough but,  for our fully functioning or more advanced lifters who might be wanting kick things up a notch feel free to grab yourself a weapon of choice – a set of dumbbells, kettlebells, your EmPack,  resistance bands or a combination would work. Just make sure you choose something appropriate for your strength but, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.

I want you to really push yourself, the final rep of each exercise should be a challenge!

Although, we want quality not quantity, always! Never compromise your form, ever! If your form starts to fail your done, got it?

Take your time, concentrate, focus and breathe through each and every exercise. You are strong, you are amazing, you have big energy! You’ve totally got this!

And , because nothing makes a workout challenge more fun than getting a buddy to join you. Why not grab your BFF or a family member or your fave workmate and have them join you, power in numbers baby!

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how you did once you’re done. Either leave me a message in the comments below, or you can give me a shout on the Facebook page or tag me (@EmSwanston) on Twitter , or Instagram (@emsswanston) . I mean it, I wanna hear how you did!

Ok enough chit chat time to work –

– 10 Minute –

No Equipment

Total Body Workout

As always make sure you are nice an warm before you start your workout – Run on the spot, do jumping jacks, jump rope, dance around your living room, anything to get you warm then it’s time to get serious.

Finish with a nice little cool down and stretch, maybe take a walk or something anything to help bring your heart rate down. Finish with a few of your fave stretches. Please don’t skip the stretch people, its like dessert for the body.

Now for this weeks smoothie recipe . . .

How does a nice tall, creamy, dreamy, secretly healthy, iced gingerbread latte sound?

Like heaven right?! Well it totally tastes like heaven too!

Honestly, I’m so in love with how insanely delicious this secretly healthy, gingerbread latte turned out, Im not sure I want to drink my coffee any other way from now on?!

Especially at this time of year when I’m needing all of the coffee to try to do all the things (and then some!) please tell me I’m not the only one?!

This right here, is everything I want, all day everyday between now and Christmas on repeat. . . then on Christmas I’ll be wanting a double-double please and thank you.

You just can’t beat a combo like coffee and gingerbread! It’s just so good!

Subtly sweet, seriously creamy,  spiked with the perfect hit of espresso and a heart and belly warming hum of gingerbread spice.

So, SO good!

No one would ever know that this one also happens to be seriously good for you!

Packed with protein, naturally sweetened and loaded with gut healing goodness!

I won’t tell if you don’t!

And, not only does our pretty little, secretly healthy, gingerbread latte taste like Christmas in a cup but, it also happens to be Dairy free (if you want),  BANANA FREE, DATE FREE, sugar free, Low Carb, Vegan, Keto and Paleo friendly – so much to love I tell you and love it you will!

It really is simply divine, the perfect way to treat yo’ self on this fabulous, festive Friday – or any day really because, yummmmm.

Iced Gingerbread Latte
{Dairy Free – BANANA FREE – DATE FREE – Refined Sugar Free – Low Carb – Vegan – Keto – Paleo Friendly}
Makes 1 all natural, creamy, dreamy, subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent, secretly healthy super smoothie

Ingredients –

1 cup vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)

1-2 shots of your fave espresso – 1 sachet of Before you speak high performance instant espresso (I love OG or cinnamon) – or 1-2 teaspoons of regular instant espresso

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon of cinnamon – more or less to taste

1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger – more or less to taste

A pinch each of nutmeg, cardamom and cloves – more or less to taste

1 Tablespoon maple syrup or sweeter  of choice more or less to taste

1/4-1/2  cup of ice – more or less to desired consistency if having iced – omit if you want a hot latte

Optional add ins;

1 Tablespoons of melted dark chocolate to swirl your glass  – pure happiness

1 teaspoon of maca – for hormone balance

1-2 scoops of collagen – great for hair, skin, nails & gut healing goodness

1 Tablespoon of vanilla (or caramel) creamer – makes it extra lush

1 scoop protein powder  – for extra protein ( I love using Naked Harvest Supplements – the  cinnamon Christmas cookie plant based protein pwd – its AMAZING – XOEm = 15% off if you want to try it. The vanilla (or choc swirl) is great in here too or unflavored would work best in this recipe)

Method –

1 – Place all smoothie ingredients into your blender and process until smooth, creamy and well combined.

2 – Pour into a chilled glass or mason jar then top with toppings of choice.

Enjoy xo

Don’t forget to give me a shout out when you’re done – hit me up in the comments below via the Facebook page on Twitter or on Instagram

Now go, and remember;

and have yourself a killer day xoxo

_________________________________________

Question of the day –

What’s your go-to coffee order?

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 this smoothie (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

__________________________________________

The post Healthy {Sugar Free – Dairy Free} Gingerbread Latte & 10 Minute – No Equipment – Total Body Workout first appeared on Better with Cake.

So seeings as it’s Christmas I thought we should have ourselves some gingerbread.

But . . .

I didn’t want to make cookies.

Or muffins, or cupcakes or quick breads or donuts or any kind of baked goods at all to be honest.

And I already made gingerbread bliss bites as well as a double chocolate gingerbread chia pudding last year . . .

What I really wanted to make was a deliciously simple, fun and festive jar of gingerbread inspired almond butter because well, almond butter = life!

Ummmm

You guys . . .

Gingerbread almond butter = best idea ever!

Get your gingerbread fix without having to mess with making, rolling, chilling and cutting cookie dough , not to mention saving yourself a week of heartache because you can no longer taste anything you consume because you’ve burnt off all your taste buds because you have no patience at all when it comes to waiting for cookies to cool before you inhale devour sample them . . .  not that I would know anything about that  ,  sign me up! #winning

Seriously!

I know, that you know, how much I love my homemade nut butters but you guys. . .

This gingerbread almond butter is next level!

It tastes exactly like gingerbread!

So much so I considered calling this cookie butter instead of almond butter but I thought that might be a little confusing.  All the recipes I’ve seen for cookie butter are made by grinding up real deal cookies and, although this almond butter was 100% inspired by gingerbread cookies and tastes like it’s made from real deal gingerbread cookies, not a single cookie was involved in it’s creation.

Deliciously golden, nutrient rich almonds are oven roasted then blended with a splash of vanilla, a drizzle of maple syrup, a pinch of salt and a combination of your traditional, gingerbread inspired spices – think ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, cloves and cardamom – and the end result is so insanely delicious that it may just blow your pretty little mind!

Seriously you guys, this almond butter is so good it’s kind of ridiculous!

One taste and you will think all of your Christmases have come at once.

And if you ask me, they kind of have.

There is just something about that combination of gingerbread inspired spices with that deep, rich, caramelized sweetness from the maple syrup that just warms me to the depths of my soul.

Ahhh it’s just so good, I can not wait for you to try it!

As always our healthy, homemade almond butter is made with no refined flours or sugars, using just a handful of real food ingredients that I bet you have on hand already.

Once you’ve roasted those golden delicious, nutrient rich almonds you’re divine little jar or perfectly spiced almond butter comes together in under 10 minutes!

It also happens to be vegan, gluten free and paleo friendly but, most importantly, it’s insanely (and I mean I-N-S-A-N-E-L-Y) delicious and you need it in your life, asap!

I’m talking drop what you’re doing, this needs to happen, now!

Here’s how you do it –

Start off by giving our golden, delicious, nutrient rich almonds a quick little roast in the oven – toasting our nuts before we blend our butter helps to give it a more decadent and rich depth of flavor – please don’t skip this step. Yes it’s an extra 5-10 minutes but, trust me – it’s absolutely, 100% worth it!

Now, once our almonds are nicely toasted, and your house smells like heaven, all you have to do is toss those golden nuggets of delicious into your food processor or blender and you’re pretty much done!

Initially your nuts will get all chunky, then after a minute or two they will break down into a fine looking flour, then the real magic happens, the heat and friction from all that blending will extract the natural oils from our almonds and in a matter of minutes,

You will witness one of the most beautiful transformations of all time as your almonds are whipped into a creamy, dreamy golden, delicious nut butter right before your pretty little eyes . . .

Once that’s done we simply add our vanilla, maple syrup, spices and a cheeky pinch of salt –

give it one final blendy mcblend and voila’ – there you have it;

Healthy, homemade, gingerbread almond butter for the win!

Once you have your little pot of creamy, dreamy, perfectly spiced, gingerbread inspired almond butter ready and waiting in your hot little hand, go ahead and use it as you would, business as usual – dive head first into the jar and eat your way out . . .

or you be a little more refined and get yourself a spoon . . . do what you feel, no judgement here

And I’m not saying that you have to but, I you know I strongly, STRONGLY insist suggest that you do . . . grab yourself a big ol’ block chunk of your fave dark chocolate then add a generous spoonful of your creamy, dreamy, subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, gingerbread almond butter . . .

And lose yourself in the deliciousness that you just created.

All natural, quick and easy, thick and creamy, deliciously dreamy, subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, fun and festive, healthy, homemade, gingerbread almond butter;

Make it. Eat it. Love, love, love it.

  Healthy, Homemade
Gingerbread Almond Butter
{Vegan, Gluten Free & Paleo Friendly}

Makes approx 1 1/2 heaping cups of all natural, quick and easy, thick and creamy, deliciously dreamy, subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, healthy, homemade, gingerbread almond butter.

Ingredients –

2 cup of raw almonds

1 Tablespoon of vanilla bean extract

1 Tablespoon of maple syrup

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon of ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon of all spice

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon of cloves

1/8 teaspoon of cardamom

1/2 teaspoon of salt flakes

Method –

1 – Preheat your oven to 175’C (350’F)

2 – Line a large baking sheet with baking/parchment paper (or a non stick silpat mat) and pour on your almonds, making sure they are spread evenly – aka not crowded.

3 – Roast your almonds for 10 minutes, until lightly toasted and deliciously golden.

4 – Pour your roasted almonds into the bowl of your food processor or blender and process until smooth and creamy (or your desired consistency). Initially the almonds will grind down into a powder, give it a minute or two and the oils will extract and it will become deliciously, thick, rich and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.

5 – Once you have blended to your desired consistency, add your vanilla, maple syrup, spices and salt then process until well combined.

6 – Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly – add a little extra salt or more vanilla, maple syrup or spices if you feel the need and, if you prefer a thinner/more runny consistency feel free to add a drizzle of coconut oil to thin it out.

7 – Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for up to 2 weeks – if it lasts that long! (← seriously, good luck with that )

Enjoy xoxo

_________________________________________

Question of the day –

Are you a fellow nut butter addict? What’s your fave flavor? Or brand? Or recipe? And your fave way to eat it?! Straight up by the spoonful, with fruit, on toast, on chocolate?! Tell me . . . details please

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 almond butter (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

__________________________________________

The post Healthy, Homemade Gingerbread Almond Butter {Vegan, Gluten Free & Paleo Friendly} first appeared on Better with Cake.

You didn’t think I was going to let the big day arrive without us having ourselves some kind of festive coffee did you?

You know I love me a good cup of coffee!

I more than love it!

I need it. Kinda like I need air . . . I just do not function well without it.

Plus I really do just enjoy it.

Everything about it.

The taste.

The smell.

MMmmMM so good!

Sometimes I go to bed early just to coffee time can hurry up and get here already!

Anyways enough about my obsession infatuation love of coffee and on with today’s recipe.

Today we are making ourselves an all natural ice cold, thick, creamy, espresso infused, gingerbread spiced latte.

In the midst of a last minute Christmas shopping frenzy I found myself feeling a little hot and botherd and kinda scroogie. I was frustrated and hungry but still had so much to get done!

I really wanted to just stop, breathe and grab a nice cup of coffee and a gingerbread cookie to re-group. Which I totally should have done.

Instead, I decided to grab myself a gingerbread latte in the hope that it would satisfy my cookie/coffee craving . . . I also hoped caffeine hit and some heart and soul warming holiday flavours might help to lift my spirits and fuel the final leg of my shopping trip . . .

Boy was I wrong!

The coffee was weak and instead of holiday, gingerbread spices all I got was a overly syrupy, sickly sweet, sugar hit that didn’t taste like gingerbread at all. So not cool!

I was hot, bothered and in a serious sugar crash, so not what you want when you’re trying to finish all important Christmas errands. Or anytime for that matter!

But never fear, today’s iced gingerbread latte is everything I hoped for and more!

It will totally satisfy that coffee/cookie craving and won’t leave you feeling hot and bother nursing a post sugar crash.

Promise.

Espresso is brewed as strong as you like then served on ice. Yum!

To get our holiday/gingerbread flavours we simply add in some frozen banana, a splash of vanilla and a drizzle of maple syrup which provide those deep, caramel/molasses undertones. Lastly we throw in our of spices – ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom which really bring home that classic gingerbread flavour combination.

Ice cold, subtly sweet, espresso infused latte blended with the perfect hum of holiday spices.

Yes, yes, just yes!

Not only is our iced gingerbread latte all kinds of festive and delicious, it also happens to be all natural and, because we use unsweetened vanilla almond milk and coconut yoghurt in our base it also makes this baby vegan, dairy free and paleo friendly!

Everybody wins!

It’s the perfect, holiday inspired way to get your coffee on, on Christmas day.

Or the perfect way to take a little quiet time out and get your milk and cookie on if you find yourself feeling a little hot, bothered and, dare I say, a little scroogie in amongst all the fast and furious festivities.

Oh and if you are planning to get a cheeky pre-christmas workout in you could throw in a scoop of vanilla (or even chocolate) protein powder in for a holiday inspired post workout shake.

And seeings as it’s Christmas and all . . .

I’m not saying that you should (except I kinda sorta am) add a little whipped cream (or coconut cream) . . .

some shaved dark chocolate and some festive sprinkles . . . just because you can!

I don’t know about you but this all natural, subtly sweet, gingerbread spiced, espresso infused iced latte has the holiday spirit (and my name) written all over it.

Make it. Drink it. Love, love, love it

Iced Gingerbread Latte {Vegan, Dairy Free & Paleo Friendly}
Makes 1 very large or 2 small ice cold, creamy, dreamy gingerbread spiced, espresso infused super smoothies

Ingredients –

3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)

1/4 cup of coconut yoghurt (or regular/Greek style yoghurt)

1 shot of espresso, cooled (can sub for 1 tsp of instant espresso dissolved in 1-2 Tablespoons of hot water)

1/2 an overripe banana (preferably pre-frozen)

1-2 Tablespoon of maple syrup depending on your desired level of sweetness (FYI – I used 1 Tbsp)

1 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger

A pinch teaspoon of nutmeg

A pinch teaspoon of cardamom

1/2-1 cup of ice depending on how icy you like your smoothies

Optional – 

Festive sprinkles, shaved dark chocolate and whipped cream/coconut cream for serving

Method –

1 – Place all smoothie ingredients into a blender and process until smooth and creamy.

2 – To serve, pour directly into your mouth a chilled glass of mason jar, top with whipped cream/coconut cream, shaved dark chocolate and sprinkles if using watch the world fall into blissful silence.

Enjoy xoxo
_____________________________________________________________

Question of the day –

Coffee or tea? Hot or iced? 

The post Iced Gingerbread Latte {Vegan, Dairy Free & Paleo Friendly} first appeared on Better with Cake.