Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Volcano Surprise Brownie Cupcakes

Volcano Surprise Brownie Cupcakes recipe

Courtesy of Lynn Feder

Yield: 12 cupcakes

 

2 Hu brand chocolate bars (choice of hazelnut, cashew, almond or cashew raspberry)

Strawberry Layer 

3 large fresh strawberries, quartered

1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey

1 Tbsp lemon juice

 

Caramel Layer 

¼ cup smooth cashew or almond butter

¼ cup maple syrup

1 date, pitted

2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted

1 tsp gluten-free vanilla extract

 

Brownie Mixture 

1 cup smooth cashew butter

1 large egg

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup cocoa powder

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp Himalayan salt

½ cup mini chocolate chips, plus extras to sprinkle on top

 

Preheat oven to 350 °F.

Prepare the strawberry layer by combining the strawberries, maple syrup or honey, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from stove and pour off the liquid, retaining the strawberries. Place the strawberries in the refrigerator to cool while preparing the other layers.

To make the caramel layer, first soak the date in boiling water for 2 minutes, then cut it into small pieces and drop them in a blender along with the other ingredients, blending for 40 seconds until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.

Place the brownie mixture ingredients in a bowl, except the chocolate chips, and blend using an electric, hand-held mixer. Once combined into a batter, fold in the chocolate chipsLyLine a 12-cupcake baking tray with unbleached paper liners. Put one heaping tablespoon of the brownie mixture in each cupcake liner to coat the bottom. Break Hu chocolate bars into squares and place one square on top of the brownie mixture. Spread one teaspoon of caramel sauce on top of the chocolate. Add strawberries to the caramel layer. Top with additional brownie mixture until the liner is three quarters full. Sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips.

Bake cupcakes for 20 minutes. Remove and place on a cooling rack. They are delicious at room temperature, cold from the refrigerator or frozen.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.

 Related recipes:

pCourtesy of Lynn Federbrp

Apple Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

With its blend of sweet strawberries, tangy rhubarb, and crisp apples, this dessert offers a wholesome twist on a classic pie, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Read More » 

 

pCourtesy of Lynn Federbrp

Lynn’s Pumpkin Cheese-Less Cake

This no-bake pumpkin cheese-less cake features a raw almond and date crust filled with a creamy blend of cashews, pumpkin puree, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Read More » 

 

 

In-Print, Conscious Eating recipes recipe National Content Gluten Free
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook