chocolate Archives - Simply Happenstance

Snowball Cookies

December 13, 2015

Snowball Cookies //

Cookies… they’re definitely one of my top 5 favorite treats. I love how simple they are to make, that they come in the perfect size for indulging, and that there is usually an abundance of dough… so you have plenty to share!

During the holidays, I tend to try out some new cookie recipes along with a few tried-and-true faves. At bakeries, I’m always tempted by the traditional wedding cookies. They’re called varying names depending on the culture (Italian Wedding Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Polvorones, Russian Tea Cakes, and even Snowball Cookies — to name a few), and are baked for celebrations. Typical recipes call for nuts to be added, but in this particular recipe, I opted to substitute mini (semi-sweet) chocolate chips for the nuts to make it more kid-friendly. The outcome was heavenly… the kids couldn’t have been happier!

Growing up, I always looked forward to the Christmas tin of cookies that my Aunt Jean would make for our family. She would include a mixture of sweet treats that she baked up fresh in her kitchen (sugar cookies, fudge, seven layer bars, chocolate chip cookies, and these wedding cookies). It’s a tradition that I LOVE and try to uphold each year.

These Snowball Cookies with Mini Chocolate Chips have a rich buttery taste and melt-in-your-mouth with each bite. They’re delicate and flavorful… a lovely treat to share with family and friends over the holidays, and perfect to include in those cute holiday tins!

These little cookies are great for little hands to help with, too. Preparing the simple dough, adding in the mini chocolate chips, rolling into balls, and covering in powdered sugar are fun tasks in preparing these little bites of joy!

TIPS //

Use only real butter for best cookie results! You won’t be sorry!
Wait for the cookies to cool for a few minutes before rolling in powdered sugar. This will allow them time to cool (so as not to burn your hands) and set properly so that they don’t crumble.
Before serving, you can give an additional roll in powdered sugar to make them look freshly dipped in snow (wink, wink)!
The dough is stiff enough to work with right away, or if you prefer, you can roll them into balls and freeze in an air-tight container. The raw cookies can go straight from the freezer to the oven by adding 2 to 3 minutes to the original cooking time.

I hope that you and your families truly love the “mini” addition in this traditional cookie recipe! Making half the dough with mini chocolate chips and half with nuts (chopped pecans would be my choice!) would be a delicious way to share these treats with those you love! Warmest holiday wishes to you all… and Happy Baking!!!

Print Recipe

Snowball Cookies

Prep Time10

Cook Time7

Total Time17

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: Dessert

Servings: 4 dozen

Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips I used semi-sweet
Additional powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Mix softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl: flour & salt. Slowly, add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar until the dough comes together. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
TIP // If the dough is too soft or sticky, chill it until you can work it easily with your hands (30 minutes or so).
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop small amounts of dough (approx. 1-2 tablespoons worth) and roll into balls using the palms of your hands. Place balls of dough on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes until bottoms are just slightly brown. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes, until you can handle them.
Fill a small bowl with sifted powdered sugar and roll each cookie in the sugar until coated. Place on a rack to cool. (Once cookies are cooled, or just before serving, you can re-roll them in more powdered sugar to look like they're freshly covered in "snow"). Enjoy!

Notes

Original Recipe Inspiration From: Crazy for Crust

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Treats

June 14, 2015

Happiest birthday wishes to my sweet friend and co-author, Nicole! This delicious treat comes at the perfect time to celebrate YOU and all of your grandness! I am so thankful for our friendship and look forward to all that is to come in our much adored space here on Simply! I love you, my friend!!! Thanks for all that you do! xoxo, Sara

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Treats //

Sometimes… you just need a treat. Something that is going to satisfy that CHOCOLATE craving! Am I right? I’ve found it’s far better to give into it, rather than fight the urge for that ‘little something!’ A few bites of dark chocolate always seems to do the trick (plus… it’s a superfood, filled with healthy antioxidants)! That’s why I decided to make a batch of homemade dark chocolate with roasted almonds, coconut + sea salt. It includes some of my favorite flavorful ingredients. It’s texture is smooth and creamy while each bite packs a powerfully intense dark chocolatey taste! Roasted almonds, unsweetened coconut, and a touch of sea salt add a welcomed crunch to the already fabulous chocolate bar! This chocolate dream is simple to make and is a wholesome treat that your whole family will enjoy! Although I started out making this as a ‘mama treat’… my children also have a love of the deep flavors in dark chocolate. They enjoyed helping me make this delightful creation… and begged for “just one more piece!” (I’m positive yours will too!)

INGREDIENTS //

7 ounces of your favorite (good quality) dark chocolate (I used Lindt 70% cocoa), roughly chopped
1/4 cup sliced roasted almonds*
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes or shreds
1 teaspoon sea salt

*I roasted raw almonds. To do this, follow these simple directions here.

METHOD //

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Bring a medium-sized pot of water to boil, then lower the heat to a simmer.
Put the chocolate in a glass or stainless steel bowl and set it over the pot of water.
Stir the chocolate until it is completed melted.
Pour immediately onto the prepared cookie sheet (spreading the chocolate out, if necessary, using a spatula).
Evenly sprinkle the melted chocolate with your toppings: almond slices, unsweetened coconut flakes and sprinkling of sea salt.*
Put the cookie sheet in the freezer to set for approximately 15 minutes.
Break the chocolate into pieces.
Eat immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

*Additional toppings you could incorporate: chopped bits of dried fruit, seeds (chia seeds/pumpkin seeds), spicy red chili flakes, and/or other chopped nuts.

(Original recipe from It’s All Good cookbook written by Gwyneth Paltrow.)

Protein Packed Energy Bites

April 28, 2015

Protein Packed Energy Bites //

There are few things I enjoy more than whipping up something delicious for my four little ones. I love knowing the ingredients that go into the foods that nourish their bodies. I also love the sweet smiles on their cute little faces when they bite into homemade treats!

This recipe is a simple one that the kids can even help with. With only a handful of healthful ingredients — this snack can be made in minutes. Their little hands are perfect for rolling the (no-bake) mixture into bite-sized balls.

I must admit, once you take your first bite, you may feel a little guilty! It’s sort of like eating a ball of cookie dough… only this time, you don’t have to sneak it!

Oatmeal, flaxseed, chia seeds, natural peanut butter, unsweetened coconut, raw honey, and chocolate chips make up the ingredients. The kids will have no idea that you are really filling up their bellies with protein-packed energy food!

These energy bites are great served as part of breakfast, packed in school lunches, eaten as an afternoon snack, prepared for upcoming road trips, for a fun day hiking, or an outing to the beach. (In fact, these little goodies will be accompanying my little girl on her field trip today!)

There are so many ways that you can customize these energy balls to make them your own! Try adding nuts, pretzels pieces, dried fruit, white chocolate, peanut butter chips, and/or endless other ingredients! (Just make sure to add enough nut butter and honey to bind it all together.) Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Protein Packed Energy Bites

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Healthy Snack

Servings: 20 -25

Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

1 cup dry oatmeal
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/3 cup raw honey
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1/2 hour.
Once chilled, roll into balls (I used a 1" cookie scoop to make mine bite-sized for the kids). If the mixture isn't forming/staying in a ball, simply add a bit more honey to bind it all together.
Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe adapted from: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/

Breakfast Power Bowl

March 31, 2015

Gluten-Free // Breakfast Power Bowl

Breakfast… it’s hands-down, my favorite meal of the day. I honestly wake up each morning, excited for my cup of coffee and ready to eat! I typically start my day with a healthy protein shake or smoothie. However, if I have a little more time, or if it’s the weekend, I get a bit more creative. Thank goodness for those days! They’re truly my favorite!

This satisfying dish is one you can whip up the night before. (Sure… that takes a little more planning, but some days just call for a special morning treat!) If you are already having quinoa for dinner… make a little extra! When the kids go off to bed, add some chia seeds and almond milk to it, give it a stir, and place it in the refrigerator until morning. Simple, right?

[Read more…]

Nutella Cheesecake

February 4, 2015

Nutella Cheesecake //

Nicole and I have such exciting news to share with you all today! We will be contributing guest posts over at one of our very favorite blogs, Simple As That, throughout 2015!

If you haven’t perused Rebecca’s site, you absolutely should take a moment to do so! You’ll be hooked on her DIY projects, printables, recipes, and photography posts! She has been such a source of inspiration for us during our two + years of blogging… not-to-mention, a wonderful friend and supporter of Simply Happenstance! For that… we are so grateful, which makes contributing to her fantastic blog, even more meaningful to us!

Last year we created this delicious Sparkling Berry Float for her site {which would be a fun Valentine’s drink for the kids}! Today we are sharing this simple {no-bake} Nutella Cheesecake! It’s heavenly, you guys… perfect for a date night-in to celebrate V-Day! [Read more…]

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

December 9, 2014

:: Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies ::

Well, it’s started! The Christmas Season is officially underway! Just this weekend, my sweet girl sang in our small town light parade with her school choir! Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit quite like a parade filled with exuberant, marching, glowing kids! {Haha!}

Now that it’s truly feeling like Christmas is near, I have started planning what cookies and bars to make for neighbors, family and friends, to celebrate the joyous upcoming holiday. I know one thing for sure! These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies, will most definitely, be on my list!

Earlier this week, while doing a little grocery shopping, I picked up a bag of these little gems {Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses}! You guys! I hadn’t eaten one before! I wouldn’t consider myself a peppermint lover {although I don’t mind a little peppermint creamer added to my coffee this time of year}… well, let’s just say that I had to go out and buy bag *number two* before making these cookies! Ha! They’re really that good — and addicting, I might add! {You try just eating one!} [Read more…]