But, now that fall has passed us by, nothing screams Winter Holidays to me like Peppermint or Minty Flavored Desserts. And there’s no better way to enjoy mint than with chocolate. You agree, right?
Growing up I loved my moms’ Creme de Menthe Bars but since I am a gluten & soy-free vegan, and the traditional recipe is very heavy on dairy, eggs, and crumb-cookie crusts, I had some major tweaking to do. But I succeed and present you with:
Averie’s Vegan Creme de Menthe Bars-No Bake/Gluten & Soy-Free
This is a 3 Layered Bar: The Chocolate Base/Crust, the White Minty Buttercream-Inspired Middle Layer, and the Chocolate Mint Top Layer.
It is definitely like Thin Mints meets Buttercream Frosting meets Dipped in a Minty Chocolate Bath. And the whole thing is done in less than 20 minutes.
Base/Crust
1/4 c Earth Balance-Soy Free Buttery Spread (or your preferred butter/margarine). Melt the Butter.
Then add:
1/4 c cocoa powder
1/4 c almond meal
1/4 c ground oats/oat flour (note: you can just use 1/2 c almond meal OR whatever combo & type of flour you prefer, i.e. cashew, oat, rice, almond, wheat, etc.)
1/4 c powdered sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Optional: 2 Tbsp Agave
Stir everything together. Pour into your container & flatten.
You may have some leftover crust mixture, about 1/4 c worth. Or just make a thicker crust. Yummy stuff.
Set in the freezer while you make the middle layer.
Middle Layer
1/4 c of Buttery Spread. Melt it.
Then add:
1.5 c powdered sugar (I said it’s vegan, not low cal)
Scant 1/4 c Creme de Menthe (If you don’t have access to Creme de Menthe, use Peppermint Extract and start with 1 Tbsp, adding slowly and carefully until just slightly minty or to taste)
Optional: Green Food coloring to make it look minty. Or a shot of green juice.
Whip Until Blended, Creamy, & Fluffy. (This is basically Buttercream Frosting. Tip of the Day: Vegan Buttercream frosting is 1 part buttery spread to 3 parts powdered sugar, dash of vanilla extract, blend, devour.)
Pour this mixture over the crust forming the middle layer.
Put in fridge/freezerwhile you make the Top Layer
Side View of Crust + Middle
Top Layer
1/4 c Buttery Spread. Melt it.
Add 1/2 c Chocolate Chips (I used the Chocolate and Mint Holiday Edition chips, not technically vegan. But you could use Baker’s Chocolate, or Cocoa Powder, Agave, Coconut Oil, with an optional Peppermint Extract to keep the top layer truly vegan)
1/4 c powdered sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Add all the ingredients to the melted buttery spread and whisk until combined
Retrieve Crust + Middle Layer from Freezer, and Pour the Chocolate Top Layer over it
Place back into Freezer to Cool & Set Up
Can anyone say Crust + Middle + Top = Vegan Oreo Mint Cookie Adaptation?
After the Creme de Menthe Bars have set up, retrieve them from the freezer and Devour with Wild Abandon.
These are the adult-themed version of Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mints meet Minty Buttercream Frosting meet Chocolate Decadence.
You’ve got a crunchy chocolaty minty base layer, with a fluffy minty frosting-like center, with Chocolate on the Top.
They are soooo good. Sooo rich.
You really only need a tiny piece to feel satisfied…
….Or a big square to feel stuffed.
I included lots of photos for a step-by-step Creme de Menthe making tutorial and it looks like alot, but the whole recipe only takes about 20 minutes of active kitchen time and the rest if just waiting for set-up in the freezer.
Enjoy!
Way to go on the next level up in Yoga:) I am a life long learner too. I would love to go back to school, but with three kids to put through, that is going to have to wait!
Wow! "Diviny" wish you were my yoga teacher;-)
XoXo
No wonder I couldn't sleep last night. Damn full moon!!! hehe
That's great you're going to get the 500 hr certification!! Good for you for sitting on the idea and weighing it out, and finally deciding what works for YOU :)
I need to get me some chia seeds in my life, because between you and the fitnessista, you're making chia pudding look goo-oood!
Hey girl :) Can I just tell you- I love reading your comments. You are so so so sweet! I get my artichokes packed in water and they are low sodium. They're some random random brand! Then I just toss them in a hint of olive oil and spices. Perfection!
I think its fabulous that you're going for the next level of yoga cert! You must do what you love!
LOVE LOVE the green cleaning tips. I use a lot of these. I am trying to get as many of the fake cleaning products out of my house as possible. I use soap and water only in the kitchen, soap, lemon, water on my tile floors and vinegar and water on my wood floors. Makes me happy :) And smells fantastic
i am running low on my chia seeds! where do you order yours? i need to get more ASAP! i cant go a day with them in my oats!! love the idea of peppermint chia pudding, so festive and delicious. you are so right about the peppermint extract! i once used a tiny bit in my water to give it some flavor and the pepperminty taste would NOT leave my bottle for dayssss BUT it tasted so great!
cognrats on the yoga cert! that is so amazing, and so right up your alley, i think this is a great idea to persure the yoga cert, rather then rush into the PT certification..that will always be there and you can always get that in the future!
xo
Haha, girl…..remember the other day when we were making chia pudding at the same time??? I did some today also – with peppermint!!!! It's in my post coming up!! Too funny.
Thanks for the great comment, I will incorporate more of my life coach experiences I think it is important! Thanks!
Always a pleasure love, have a great thursday!
I have almost caught up with your posts! It was a crazy couple of days over in my corner of the world.
Congrats on pursuing the 500 hr yoga certification! That's incredible – heck you are incredible! Being a life long learner, I believe, leads to a life filled with more happiness. The second someone thinks they know it all.. they've lost it all. Life is a journey and why not get as much out of it as possible? Great people are well-rounded :)
p.s. thanks for the stretching tip ;)
how weird is it that I have definatly not been focused, or sleeping, since the full moon.
ugh! so weird!
im thinking chocolate orange chia pudding would be insane in the membrane. I may conjur some up.. just wait, just wait ;)
i need to get back into some more yoga. oh , it would be so delightful to be part of one of your classes!!!
I can't wait to hear all about this new adventure tomorrow! See you at 11!
Your recipes only keep getting better and better, girl! Woo hoo! That peppermint chia pudding sounds YUM! I'm out of chia seeds but I'll be gobbling up some chia pudding as soon as I stock back up! LOL
And the moon stuff you talked about was neat, too. It's craziness, but true! :-D
Congrats on your training endeavors. SO cool!
And thank you for your sweet, encouraging words on my food thoughts post. I appreciate it. You're the bestest!!!
Hugs,
Michele
Yayy I'm so glad you got it, and it survived that nasty trek from Tucson to Phoenix. ;)
Thanks for the shout out as well.
As for chia pudding- I need to make this again and let it marinate in the fridge for longer. The 30 mins I did last time did not do the chia seeds justice!
Averie that is fantastic about pursuing the next level (the highest level!!) of yoga certifications!! I have no doubt you'll pass with flying colors – the profession is lucky to have someone like you. I can't wait to hear more about it!
I didn't get to read your other post about the effects of the full moon so I'm headed that way now…
Your Chia Seed Peppermint pudding looks amazing, as usual! You are so creative in the kitchen. :)
I am so happy you are adding more to your full list of amazing credentials. Moving forward in your yoga practice is wonderful! I am glad all that you have done will also count. It seems you are really getting settled in not only your new home but community.
holiday Peppermint Chia Pudding …MMMMM
I am thinking gingerbread cookies are on the agenda soon….got any raw vegan versions of THAT PUPPY?
hugs to ya my friend!
I need to be better about making my own green cleaning agents- vinegar, baking soda, etc. Must get on that.
I'm so excited for you! And so glad that some of your other "work" will also count. It should!
I, too, am a lifelong learner which is why I'm starting the Sustainable Business program in Jan. Working a full-time job (at my pay) really isn't enough, and I know I can do more. I'm not sure my husband always understands my need for more…when he's had a full day of plenty, enough, or as much as he can handle. That's our lesson to learn right now!
Can't wait to hear more about your training!
'Tis the season of yoga teacher training. I've decided to do the 200 hour training in January.
And yum to the peppermint chia, the perfect simple dessert for such a crazy full moon night ^_^