If you're in a pinch for time, I have something just for you. Here's a quick and easy gluten free cookie recipe that requires no baking. I really like making no bake (think no hassle) cookies during the hectic holidays. This one works equally well for Christmas and Hanukkah parties --and is a wonderfully healthy snack throughout the year.

For those of you who aren't entirely in the mood for Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls and are looking for a chocolate covered peanut butter ball, be sure to see Nut Butter Cups recipe --it's a delicious no bake, healthier candy recipe that is quite the crowd-pleaser. My husband and children devour them.

This little dessert is my peanut-y version of the raw foods classic Fudge Babies, a recipe created by the wonderful Katie over at Chocolate Covered Katie.

If you like these peanut butter balls you will love my recent list of 10 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes!

If you find the ingredients in Halloween candy a little spooky, you may want to try making treats for your children this holiday. The recipes below for healthier Halloween candy are a great way to please palates in search of sweets this season.

Here are a few of my favorite healthier candy recipes:

Our boys are now 11 and 13; they started their Halloween candy careers when they were 7 and 9 years old. BTT (before trick-or-treating) we used to take them to a haunted house at the Waldorf school which seemed to entertain (and distract) them from the unhealthy aspects of Halloween quite effectively.

Our strategy now is to let them trick-or-treat. However, when they get home, we offer them money for their candy --we pay by the piece, and they love it. Even though they are still left with sugar to eat, they probably sell us about 80% of their haul and then keep the special things that they really like.

This works for me because the boys are at an age right now where they are increasingly out of the house and have more freedom of choice to exercise surrounding food. And selling the candy to us allows them to create their own boundaries with foods they know are seductive, yet devoid of nutrition.

If you're trying to maintain a healthy household, how do you deal with the onslaught of processed sugar that arrives at Halloween each year? Do you let your children trick-or-treat? If you do, do you let them keep their candy? What about the Halloween fairy? Does she visit your house? Let's all share our strategies (or lack thereof) for dealing with this difficult season.

These super duper healthy, yet easy to make Fudge Babies have recently been the source of much contention.  You see, it all started when I did the giveaway for a Cuisinart Food Processor a couple of weeks ago.  In that post, I asked readers to let me know of their favorite recipes using a Cuisinart.  There were 2,204 comments on that post.  Guess what? I read each and every one of them.  No joke.

The comments were fascinating.  First, I love hearing from you.  Second, I learned so many things.  One of those things was Fudge Babies.  At least 5 readers mentioned Fudge Babies as their fave recipe.  I then did my own version of Fudge Babies and called them Chocolate Power Bar Balls, of course mentioning that the idea was derived from your comments.

Subsequently, I received several emails and tweets. In my original post I linked back to a site that had not credited the creator of the original Fudge Baby recipe, a woman named Katie.  Thanks for the corrections, everyone, and for introducing me to her website Chocolate Covered Katie.

In any event, all this talk of Fudge Babies prompted me to make my own.  And I knew they were a success because when my husband walked in the door he ate one.  Then another.  And another.  And so on.  You get the idea.  I had to cut him off from the Fudge Babies.  I had to take a picture for you all.

The recipe below is basically Katie's recipe for Fudge Babies, with a couple of slight adaptations on my part.

I hope you all love these Fudge Babies as much as my husband and I do!

For other yummy, raw, vegan recipes go to these bloggers:
-Raw Nut Butter Bars from Nancy of The Sensitive Pantry
-Raw Pecan Pie from Shirley of Gluten Free Easily
-Fudgy Chocolate Tarts from Carrie of Deliciously Organic

This scrumptious, dairy free, gluten free, vegan, super transportable snack is a power bar in the form of balls.  What I love most about it though is the flavor --they taste like raw cookie dough!

This recipe came from a comment on my Cuisinart Giveaway post, left by Karen; it is also similar to another recipe that many people mentioned on that post as their fave recipe, called Fudge Babies. Since these have just a tad sweeter than Fudge Babies, we were joking around, calling them Fudge Children, and Fudge Adolescents.

I don't often discuss nutrition, however, a bunch of readers have pointed out recently that just about all of the recipes on this site are not only gluten free, they are dairy free as well --like these yummy power bar balls.

If you are looking for more delicious gluten free, dairy free snacks and desserts that are quick and easy to make, check out my new book Gluten-Free Cupcakes.  I am obsessed with the ease of the dairy free recipe for Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes as it has only 5 ingredients; topped with my dairy free Vegan Chocolate Frosting and you're off to the races! The book is coming out today, so those of you that pre-ordered will find it at your doorstep.  Happy baking!

Here are more yummy recipes for gluten free bites, bars and balls you might enjoy:
-Raw Chocolate Brownie Bites from Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
-Granola Oatmeal Cookie Bars from Kim at Cook It Allergy Free
-Power Balls by AndreAnna at Life as a Plate

I am digging this yummy Christmas Chocolate Bark.  Studded with rich pistachios, tart dried cranberries, and speckled with coarse chunks of salt, it's a winner.

I believe the ideas for this flavor combo came from the fabulous Alison.  I think this bark would make a wonderful gift for the holidays.  Just don't eat too much of it, as it's very addictive.

Christmas Chocolate BarkNote: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.
2 cups dark chocolate chips
⅓ cup pistachios (mine were unsalted)
⅓ cup dried cranberries
½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (I used almost 1 teaspoon, as I like salt a lot)

1. In a small saucepan over very low heat, melt chocolate
2. Pour chocolate into a parchment paper lined 8x8 inch Pyrex baking dish
3. Sprinkle pistachios and cranberries over chocolate
4. Using a metal spatula, spread the mixture evenly back and forth to around ½ inch thickness
5. Sprinkle salt over bark
6. Allow to sit out until set, 1-2 hours
7. Cut into 16 squares and serve

Here are some other chocolate bark type recipes you may enjoy:
-Twisted Chocolate Bark from Diane of The W.H.O.L.E. Gang
-Easy Peppermint Bark by Alice of Savory Sweet Life
-Holiday Chocolate Bark from Nancy of The Sensitive Pantry

To help you with your chocolate bark recipe adventures I am giving away 10 pounds of Dagoba Organic Chocodrops (that's a retail value of $179.90!). To be entered leave a comment below. This giveaway is open to everyone everywhere and the winner will be chosen at random. This contest will end at 6pm (MST), December 15th, 2010.

Update: this giveaway is now over and the winner was Jen K!

The winner of last weeks giveaway for a copy of Food Heroes by Georgia Pellegrini is Christine! Christine said her food hero was The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell II. I want to thank everyone for sharing their personal food heroes!

I wanted to also mention that Georgia Pellegrini is giving away a copy of The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook as well as providing the recipe for my Olive Rosemary Bread from the book on her website. Her giveaway ends today at 5pm (PST). Thanks Georgia!

Looking for Halloween treats that won't make your little ghosts and goblins frown?  So am I.  Hence, I've composed the lists below of gluten-free goodies.

This year, I've purchased organic (gluten-free) milk chocolate squares to hand out to the trick-or-treaters.  My children and I had a funny conversation about this at Whole Foods the other day while we were grocery shopping.  When they asked what we would be passing out for Halloween this year.  I told them, "organic milk chocolate."

Their response?  "Why can't we be NORMAL like everyone else and hand out non-organic candy?!"

If they only knew how much of a compromise I've already made.  If I had it my way, I'd be handing out tooth brushes and raisins, in that order.  Nevertheless, here's a list of "healthier" Halloween candies (if you can appreciate that oxymoron):

Gluten Free "Healthier" Packaged Candy:
-Bug Bites - Organic Milk Chocolate (my treat of choice this year)
-YummyEarth Organic Lollipops
-College Farm Organic Naturepops
-Kind Bars
-Organic Gummi Bears
-Organic Berry Patch Bunny Fruit Snacks

And here's a list of real food, not packaged, for your Halloween parties and gatherings:

Finally, below is a list of lists; yes, you got that right.  These are links to lists of gluten free candies, in case you decide to buy "real" treats and want to make sure they're gluten free.

Thanks for all of your comments in response to the giveaway for a Chantal teakettle.  Contrary to popular belief, I don't judge the comments (though I do read each and every one, which was a bit of a feat since there were almost 800).  All of the comments were fabulous and I love so many of the tea ideas that came out of this contest.  Thankfully, I selected the winner for the a Chili Red Classic Teakettle at random, using random.org, otherwise it might have taken me a year to make up my mind if I had to choose my favorite comment!

So, the winner is... Melanie Easley! Below is the comment she left in order to be entered to win:

I am a physical educator and health teacher. Over the past 2 years I have lost 40 lbs. because I wanted to "practice what I preach" and be an example. I lost the weight by getting "natural", listening to my body for true hunger signals and eating "real food". Your website has been a great resource, especially introducing me to almond flour and all its benefits and delicious recipes. I have recently been exploring a variety of teas for added health benefits and would love to win the kettle to enhance my daily quest for good health.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Melanie

Thanks Melanie for sharing your inspiring story with us.  Enjoy the kettle.

I'm slightly obsessed with Mounds and Almond Joy this week.  I've been making tons of coconut, chocolate and almond recipes the last few days.

So far, this one for gluten free Almond Joy Chocolate Bark is my family's favorite.  I like the way the toasted coconut adds a tiny crunch to the bigger crunch of the almonds, all of it enrobed in delicious dark chocolate, of course.  Go ahead and try some, see for yourself!

Almond Joy Chocolate BarkNote: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.
1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
½ cup almonds, toasted
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (toasted at 350° for 6-8 minutes)

1. Melt chocolate over very low heat
2. Pour chocolate into a parchment paper lined 8x8 inch Pyrex baking dish
3. Scatter almonds and 3 tablespoons of coconut over chocolate
4. Using a spatula spread the mixture evenly back and forth to ½ inch thickness
5. Sprinkle remaining tablespoon of coconut on top of mixture
6. Place bark in fridge for 2 hours to set
7. Break into square bars
8. Serve

And just a note for all of you agave-phobes --there is no agave in this recipe.  However, they'll be more on that subject in a forthcoming post.  Stay tuned.

Ok, when the idea of Peppermint Patties first crossed my mind I was not enticed.  "Chocolate and mint?" I said, "That sounds like toothpaste, not food."

Well, a few weeks later, the idea lingered, gnawingly and I decided I just had to make those Peppermint Patties.  So I did.  And they are good.  Even to someone who does not care for the idea of chocolate and mint.   Someone who is Jewish and does not celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  Likes them.  And ate too many.

My husband doesn't like mint and chocolate either.  And he ate plenty of my little Peppermint Patties, scarfing them down after work the other day.  What we like about these gluten free candies is that they melt in your mouth.  The children liked them too, eating their share.

I'm excited to announce that The Saturday Evening Post recently selected my Gluten Free Brownie recipe as the winner of their New Year’s Recipe Challenge. Thanks!

Happy Saint Patty's Day to all in every way!

We will be making these yummy gluten free candy bars for Purim which is coming up this week.  Of course, we also plan on making Hamantaschen as well, which is one of the boys' fave treats.

These mounds bars are easy to make and rich with dark chocolate and a coconut filling consisting of shredded coconut, coconut oil and agave.  My older son downed them and thought they were delicious.  My younger son is not a chocolate lover, so these did not strike his fancy.

One of my favorite blogs, Pinch My Salt recently posted Ideas for a Homemade Valentine's Day and included a link back to my favorite Valentine's Day recipes over here at elanaspantry.com.  Thanks!

In book tour news, I will be appearing live on The Zoe Alexander Connection on Blog Talk Radio this Thursday at 11am (MST).  We will have a call in period during the show; if you want to say hello, the call in number is (347) 843-4537. I'll also be appearing on The Jeff Farias Show podcast later that day on March 2nd at 6:30pm (MST).

Valentine's Day is approaching, which means lots of bad candy and useless merchandise will be sold in the next week or so.  Over here, we're having fun making our own (healthier) candy --especially these Chocolate Raspberry Bonbons.

My boys made an entire batch of these sweet confections last night and had a great time.  They love taking over my candy projects, the little rascals! I like making these too.  Using a small paint brush to spread the melted chocolate into the molds somehow reminds me of painting in kindergarten --where there were no mistakes.

These bonbons use the same mold found in my Chocolate Covered Cherries recipe.  If you are looking for a candy recipe that does not use a mold, check out my Nut Butter Balls.

Today is World Nutella Day. The website featured a roundup of everything Nutella, including my own Homemade Nutella Recipe. Have a great weekend and happy Nutella day!