Sweets & Treats

Apple Butter Crumble Bars

Easy apple butter crumble bars made with just 6 whole food ingredients. Perfect for a quick breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert.

Where did August go, friends?!

I just chastised M after I saw that the calendar in his room still read, “April”.

But I feel like that 5-month gap in page turning is a pretty good representation of 2025 so far.

It started out slow, and now here we are somehow barreling into Fall.

This month, we took Flora to the beach for the first time.

We were surprised to find Flora initially terrified of the roar of the tide and the consistency with which it threatened to wet her paws.

It chased her back and forth until finally, on our last day there, she got brave and walked in salty water.

We cheered and praised her and my heart swelled because she looked like such a small animal standing in such a large ocean.

And that’s really all that can be said for any of us, right?

Just drops in an ocean, but, just like Flora, we can do hard things!

Speaking of hard things, this month I also completed another weekend of my 300 hour YTT program.

This weekend we started to learn how to cue a mandala-style vinyasa class, where you turn students on the mat.

The back of the mat becomes the front of the mat and visa versa so you’re shifting directions and perspective while you flow.

It’s this shift in perspective that makes it fun to adopt a beginner’s mindset, or allowing each experience to stand on its own as a fresh start.

And that’s really what Fall feels like for me.

A fresh start, a chance to make new routines, an opportunity to set new rhythms, an invitation to grow, learn, change.

My favorite foods are full of seasonal fall favorites, like these Apple Butter Crumble Bars.

These easy apple butter crumble bars are made with just 6 whole food ingredients.

They’re perfect for a quick breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert.

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Chocolate Chip Snack Cookies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Chocolate Chip Snack Cookies packed with protein thanks to chickpeas and Organic SunButter. Don’t forget lots of dark chocolate chips!

This summer I temporarily became a solo dog mom with M gone for a week at a work conference.

I was *very* apprehensive how Flora would behave with “Dad” being MIA.

You might remember that it was me that initially begged M to get a dog, but now that we have one, she’s very much attached to him.

That’s always the way it happens, right?!

She’s attached to me too, of course, but it’s different because I’m the human that’s always around as opposed to the other human who leaves for work and returns.

While she did look for him every day (sniffing the door, poking her head in his favorite house haunts, watching out the window), we settled into a routine just us girls.

Honestly, it’s been a big confidence boost to know that I can keep her alive on my lonesome.

I don’t know about you, friends, but some days I feel like I struggle to keep myself alive and well, let alone another furry friend.

So we kept it *very* simple and doubled down on routines this week here at F&V.

Luckily, Flora seems to take after her momma in her love of routines, too.

We did the walks, play time, meal time, and all of the cuddle sessions my little velociraptor would allow before she gets mouthy.

(I’m determined to make the working breed also a lap dog, too!)

One thing I did to support my week ahead was do a massive meal prep on Sunday so I felt comforted with good food even while missing my man.

So, getting to today’s recipe, one of those things that I made was…Chocolate Chip Snack Cookies!

Don’t worry, you don’t need your partner to be out of town to enjoy them, but that might help ensure they’re all yours!

These Chocolate Chip Snack Cookies are packed with protein thanks to chickpeas and SunButter.

Don’t forget lots of dark chocolate chips; because, like I tell my yoga students before savasana;

You deserve it.

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SunButter Chocolate Easter Eggs

By Flora & Vino 1 Comment

Easy SunButter Chocolate Easter Eggs with just 5-ingredients! Perfect for an Easter treat or anytime healthy candy substitute.

A few years ago, at a get together at my cousin’s house, my sister made a point of getting M to try some marshmallow peeps.

Growing up in Germany, M had no idea what to expect from Classic Peeps.

(I’ll note that this moment was made arguably even better by the fact that my sister had purchased neon pink peeps instead of the classic yellow.)

So M, ever adventurous, bit into the marshmallow fluff covered in pink sugar, chewed a few times, and said, “This is pretty gross!”

We all burst into laughter, our suspicions confirmed.

M isn’t a sugar lover, and peeps are nothing but pure sugar!

Although peeps were always a part of my Easter basket, they were never my thing, either.

They were too sweet, too airy, too artificial tasting.

Not that the rest of the Easter candy I was consuming was by any means healthful, but at least they had normal coloring.

Which is why I stand by the fact that Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs are by far the superior Easter dessert.

They always had what I’ve heard described as “the perfect ratio of chocolate to peanut butter”, even more so than chocolate peanut butter cups!

That is, until today, because I made you some SunButter Chocolate Easter Eggs that are the real winner.

These easy SunButter Chocolate Easter Eggs are made with just 4-ingredients!

They’re perfect for an Easter treat or anytime healthy candy substitute.

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10 Vegan Cheesecake Recipes

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

10 Vegan Cheesecake Recipes made gluten free and refined sugar free with whole food ingredients. Perfect for any occasion cake is required!

Hello, friends!

We just got back from a beautiful weekend away in Shenandoah, Virginia for my annual birthday weekend trip.

I’m the kind of person who really leans into my birthday and likes to feel celebrated, you know?

M and I have escaped for a blissful weekend away for vineyards + hiking for the past two years, so that made this our third visit.

However, it was the first time bringing along our 10-month old Aussie, Flora, for the ride.

As it turns out, the literal car ride itself was the hardest part for Flora.

She has a *lot* of anxiety in the car, and looked pretty expired by the time we reached our Air B&B in Free Union, Virginia.

Once we were there, though, she surprised us with how well she behaved at the vineyards and at our new home for the weekend.

It was a lovely few days of morning coffee on the patio, late morning hiking, and afternoon vineyard visits followed by a cozy evening at the house.

We loved exploring Sugar Hollow Reservoir and sipping wine at Glass House Vineyard, Moss Vineyard, Stinson Vineyard, and Knight’s Gambit Vineyard!

My personal favorite was Glass House, because the vineyard contains a glass conservatory area filled with tropical plants.

I mean, could anything BE more Flora & Vino?!

We (read: I) bought way too many bottles of wine but justified it by eating leftovers all weekend (beautiful area + wineries but not so many vegan options!).

Anyway, all said and done, it was a great way to turn 37.

So, where does this leave us?

Well, I got home to a still broken oven unit, so while I wanted to give you a new cake recipe to celebrate your girl, I’m currently unable to bake.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t!

Here are 10 Vegan Cheesecake Recipes made gluten free and refined sugar free with whole food ingredients.

They’re perfect for any occasion cake is required; especially this recipe creator’s birthday.

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Red Bean Brownies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Flourless vegan brownies made with aduki beans, nut butter, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and dark chocolate chips.

Hi, friends.

How are you holding up this year so far?

For the second time this year, I was forced to take time off work due to germs.

Being sick is already a small business owner’s worst nightmare, but not being able to eat as a food blogger really takes the cake.

Maybe it was the flu, maybe it was a stomach bug, but whatever it was, *nothing* sounded good to me last week.

Correction: Nothing I normally eat sounded good to me.

Let me introduce you to my sick week menu.

I lived on applesauce, frozen bagels with vegan cream cheese, plain oatmeal, plain rice and curry, copious sweet potato fries, and many scoops of vegan ice cream.

If you had passed me a vegetable to eat last week, I would have thrown it back at you.

We replaced cooking together on Valentine’s Day with raiding the fridge of anything plain Lauren could digest.

But I am excited to report that my stomach is back to itself, craving veggies and creating recipes (but still eating vegan ice cream because, because).

However, I think M and I deserve a re-do on Valentine’s Day, starting with a nutritious and delicious dessert.

These flourless vegan brownies are made with aduki beans, nut butter, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and dark chocolate chips.

They’re packed with protein and fiber and still manage to taste like decadent dessert!

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Vegan Maqui Berry Cheesecake

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Vegan maqui berry cheesecake with a gluten-free almond-oat crust, and an optional strawberry compote topping.

I love it when M eats dessert with me.

Like, sharing dessert might be my love language.

For Christmas, he got me some fancy extra dark truffles that I happily divided it up between us so we could enjoy them in pairs.

It doesn’t happen very often, because he has more of a savory tooth than a sweet one.

It’s just special to share something sweet with someone you’re sweet on, you know?

Which is why I love when his birthday rolls around.

Every year to celebrate M’s birthday I make a variation of vegan cheesecake.

He always says he doesn’t need a birthday cake, but everybody needs a birthday cake, right?!

Cheesecake, while not a cake in the classical sense, is his favorite dessert, and one I’m happy to create and enjoy with him.

This year, I was inspired to create something a little funky and colorful.

This Vegan Maqui Berry Cheesecake is made with a gluten-free almond-oat crust, and an optional strawberry compote topping.

Add a little color to your year and make this for a fun dessert for any occasion!

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SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies made with Organic SunButter and your favorite no-sugar-added jam. The perfect holiday cookie!

I’m just going to come out and say it: the end of this year has felt like a slog for me.

Anyone else?

I’m tired, I’m cranky, and I feel like the only thing that sounds interesting to me at the moment is a one-way ticket to the Bahamas.

Maybe it’s the shorter daylight, maybe it’s surviving the most wonderful time of the year as a new dog mom, or maybe it’s the extreme cold we’ve had this December.

Whatever *it* is that has me staring at blank pages with blinking cursors and cursing the creative slump I’ve fallen into, needs to go.

Regardless of the cause, I’m actively trying to take it easy on myself.

Because baby it’s freakin’ cold outside, because it’s the holidays, because I’m moving into 2025 without those nuisance negative beliefs.

That being said, whether you’re crushing the last few weeks of 2024 or cruising like I am, I think we all deserve a cookie.

These SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies are made with Organic SunButter and your favorite no-sugar-added jam.

They’re the epitome of the perfect holiday cookie made with lots of SunButter, jam, and love.

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies with oat and almond flour and dark chocolate chips. The perfect classic vegan cookie for any occasion!

It’s cookieeeeeee season, friends!

Just this week, I have three batches of cookies on the menu for three respective holiday events.

And pretty much every gathering this time of year requires cookies, am I right?

Today, I’m sharing with you a classic chocolate chip cookie with an un-classic vegan and gluten-free twist.

I first made these cookies for “Cousinsgiving” last weekend when we celebrated with my cousin, her husband, and their (now toddler!) daughter.

They were the perfect chocolate studded dessert after a beautiful spread of Vegan Zoodle Carbonara, cranberry sauce, delicata squash, and green beans.

I love that these cookies are easy to mix up in one bowl, making them a go-to recipe for last minute cookie exchanges.

You know, for the times you find out the night before (or the day of!) that you need cookies for an event.

Have no fear, these Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies are here.

They’re made with the perfect mix of oat and almond flour and lots of dark chocolate chips.

This perfect classic vegan cookie also happens to be packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats.

Not that we need to worry about the perfect nutrition label this time of year (or ever), but now you know!

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1-Bowl Blondies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

1-Bowl Blondies with oat and almond flour sweetened with pure maple syrup. Top with Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips!

Thanksgiving came and went and now the world is hustling and bustling in a holiday craze.

I actually finished my holiday shopping early this year because I was overeager to buy gifts in October and November.

This feels like a major flex now, because I have more time for writing my Christmas cards and…baking.

Friends, ’tis the season for baking.

Baking all things, but mostly sweet things.

I’m excited to share my first December baked good with you.

I had my oven on every day last week working on different variations of blondies.

What I’m sharing with you today is my favorite; sweet, chewy, and chocolate studded goodness.

These 1-Bowl Blondies are made with oat and almond flour sweetened with pure maple syrup.

Top them with Endangered Species 60% Dark Chocolate Baking Chips and don’t forget to measure chocolate chips with your soul.

Make a pan of these vegan and gluten-free blondies for you and yours!

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8 Vegan Holiday Pies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

8 Vegan Holiday Pies that are made with plant-based and gluten-free ingredients. Perfect to make for any winter holiday celebration!

Are you a pie person or a cake person?

When I was growing up, I didn’t understand why I had to have cake and not pie for my birthday.

I was certain that a candle stuck into a fruity pie with a buttery crust would be far better than it’s cake-y rival.

I’ve never actually done the pie for my birthday thing, so I’m very glad that it’s pie season again!

Sure, we can eat pie all year round, but there’s something about Fall that really makes me want to extract my pie pan from the cabinets.

That’s why I’m sharing these 8 Vegan Holiday Pies with you today.

They’re perfect to make for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or whatever wintry holidays you celebrate.

I included pie bars and full pies so you can pick your level of commitment to the pie-making process.

I find pie “bars” a little more accessible and less intimidating, so they’re a fantastic low-effort option.

However, I promise you that all of these recipes are made with simple ingredients and not *too* many steps.

Bookmark this post and come back to it whenever you need a why to make pie.

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Sweets & Treats

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