Hot Mockolate: Dairy-Free Chocolate-Free Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
1 cup water
4 ounces carob chips
1/3 cup white sugar
3 cups rice milk
½ t. vanilla
Preparation:
1. In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the water and carob, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is consistent. Add the sugar, stirring well to dissolve. Turn up the heat to medium, bringing the liquid just below the boiling point, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes. Gradually add the rice milk and vanilla, stirring well until incorporated. Cook until desired temperature and consistency.


Notes: This was EXCELLENT, my kids first taste of Christmas morning hot chocolate. I even liked it in my coffee. I forgot the vanilla but we didn't miss it. We will be having this treat again for sure!

Apple-Flaxseed Donut Holes

I have been crazing donuts and since I can't send my diabetic husband to buy me HIS favorite treat and I can't take my kids and not buy them a donut (too much sugar, made with milk and no redeeming nutritional value) I decided we would try to make our own. The boys and I Modified from this recipe. They were very proud of their efforts of measuring, mixing and making a mess. I sent them out of the kitchen for the frying part.

Ingredients

* 2 eggs, beaten
* 3/4 c. sugar
* 2 tbsp. melted Earth's Balance (or butter/margarine of choice)
* 1 c. soymilk (or milk of choice)
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1.5 cup unbleached AP flour
* 1.5 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* 3 tsp. baking powder
* 1/4 cup flax seed meal
* 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and minced very fine
* oil for frying

Directions

1. Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together wet ingredients and add to dry. Fold in apples.
2. Drop by tbsp. in hot fat and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Notes: Next time I will make a much smaller batch - sort of hard to halve an egg so maybe a half recipe? No one needs this many donuts in their house at one time LOL! They were really good. Crisp on the outside and almost muffin like inside. Delicious! They really need to be just about a heaping tablespoon - any bigger and they were a little raw in the middle. Would be great sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar (I just didn't want to add any more sugar to an already sugary treat). I may try a batch made with Splenda just for DH.