Double Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Cookies

Forget September 22, the day after Labor Day marks the start of fall in mine and most people's minds. I was at Whole Foods the other night and pumpkins are already out, the PSL made it's seasonal debut, and I am unapologetically sharing my first pumpkin recipe of the fall!

This recipe doesn't scream pumpkin but it does scream fall. Pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate and the secret ingredient, paprika, makes for a kickin' cookie (I had to). I originally made these a few weeks ago and everyone who tried them deemed that they must be remade once cooler weather crept in. Hello cooler weather, hello double chocolate pumpkin seed cookies!

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Cookies
yields about 32 medium cookies or 18 large cookies, adapted from Bon Appetit

Ingredients:
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. paprika
1½ cups light brown sugar, packed
1⅓ cups granulated sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 cup dark chocolate (you can use chips or buy a bar of dark chocolate and chop it up)
Maldon salt

Directions:
Place your pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and place on the upper rack of the oven. Then heat your oven to 350°. This is the best trick my mom taught me. Nuts and seeds brown perfectly in the same amount it takes for your oven to preheat. (About  8–10 minutes). Toss occasionally until golden. Let cool.

Meanwhile, whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and paprika in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Reduce speed to low; add dry ingredients a little at a time, mixing until well blended after each. Stir in chocolate and pumpkin seeds.

If you want medium cookies use a cookie scoop (about 2 Tbsp.) if you want large cookies use an ice cream scoop (about 1/4 cup). Large cookies will be more bakery style, but for portion control reasons I go medium size. You can see both sizes pictured below. Place large cookies 3" apart and medium cookies 2" apart. Sprinkle with flakey Maldon salt and bake, rotating pans halfway through. 17–20 minutes for large cookies, 9-11 minutes for medium cookies. 

Happy pumpkin baking!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Last week was minor compared to my weekend. After a flight rebook and a few delays, I made it to Miami to commence "Ta Ta Tucker" with Claire. Kathleen couldn't make it due to angel baby Elle only being 5 weeks old, but getting to spend time with oldest sis and her closest friends was more fun than I hoped. I haven't been to the beach in a hot minute. The trip was quick but I absolutely loved stuffing my face at 27 Restaurant & Bar, recovering with a latte the size of my face, napping in the sun piña colada the frozen mojito in hand, then some classic late night Miami clubbing. Miami you exceeded expectations! We are now just under 6 weeks until Claire's big day. The countdown is on as well as a sister act of "Whole 6 weeks" for the final push until the wedding. 

-Worked on perfecting my mint chip smoothie all week. It came down to nut milk, spinach, frozen cauliflower, frozen banana, hemp powder, cacao powder, cacao nibs in and on top, and a drop of peppermint essential oils.
-Working on a "Spaghetti Squash 4 Ways" post...stay tuned. 
-Been embracing my calmer schedule and spending mornings working from home spending way too long staying in my PJs. 
-#tatatucker in South Beach with big sis bride!
-Take me to the beach and all I want is a piña colada! 
-Partied in the city where they heat was on.
-"The Workout" smoothie at Uptown Grocery. I can't get enough!
-Pilates by Dallas aka pilates at Four Graces. My current obsession. Because of my multi-studio membership I have with StudioHop, I've stepped outside my normal workout routine and discovered my love for pilates! My code AnnieHop20 is still available to get $20 off your first month of SH!
-Aunt Annie makes for a great napping spot.

Annie

Bites of My Life

We are having the most amazing, un-typical August weather here in OKC. Tons of rain has brought cooler temps but no one is complaining. Nothing crazy it's still in the 80s, but the mornings and evenings are gorgeous and the afternoons made for perfect impromptu back to back pool days this weekend. Despite September on the horizon, I'm holding on to summer. Lots of watermelon consumed, pool time, bike rides and meals eaten outside. 

-Recipe post for Lemon Turmeric Energy Bites for the perfect pre or post workout treat...
-...or paired with an apple and almond butter for breakfast.
-Meal prepped all the ingredients to have cobb salads for dinner. Hard boiled egg, roasted sweet potato, avocado, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and bacon! Drizzled with red wine vinegar, salt and pepper!
-Crushing on chia pudding recently. Working on perfecting my recipe before posting it. 
-The most random lunch combination consisting of some of my favorite things. Plantain chips and salsa, pickled okra and watermelon.
-Lunch, snack, drink and reading material all picked up at one of my favorite grocery stores.
-Free beer, free food and free hats and we are suddenly the biggest OKC Dodgers fans.
-A piece of D.C. landed in my mailbox this week! TY TY RJ!
-My girl just being her normal cute, now one month old self!
-Homemade watermelon moscow mules. Just added Whole Foods watermelon juice and chunks of watermelon to my standard mule recipe.
-Post pool day cobb salad. I'm having a cobb salad moment.
-Early morning lattes outside in the most amazing August weather. 

Stay tuned for bites next week for a full bachelorette weekend recap. I'm Miami bound for Labor Day for Claire's bach weekend!

Annie

Lemon Turmeric Energy Bites

If there is an event that involves me, then you know there will be treats. I had so much fun hosting a private Beyond 500 class for friends and followers last Sunday. I wanted to bring something sweet to reward everyone for the hard workout, but I didn't want to blow all the work we would be doing in the class. Energy bites (not energy balls, I refuse) were the perfect post-workout treat. 

Lemon Turmeric Energy Bites
yields 20 bites

Ingredients:
1 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
6 oz pitted dates
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. vanilla extract
zest and juice of 1 lemon

Directions:
Put all ingredients into your food processor and process until everything comes together, about 3-5 minutes. Stopping and scraping down the sides every minute or so. You want to make sure the nuts, seeds and dates are finely processed and it comes together like a dough.  

Using a tablespoon size cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll to form balls. Store in the fridge for up to a week. Each bite is only 85 calories. 

With protein from the cashews and chia seeds, natural sugars from the dates, and an energy boost from the lemon and turmeric, they make for the perfect pre-or post-workout snack. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

Last week was active, literally and figuratively. I always feel like my week gets off to a nice slow start then ends up going 100 mph by the end of the week. I have a feeling this week will be no different. A concert, roadtrip to Tulsa, multiple fitness classes, soccer game, lunches, dinners, and getting prepped for the week, I'm exhausted from the weekend and currently enjoying a nice slow Monday from the comfort of my living room. 

-I've been doing my best to stay committed to eating Whole30 during the work week. That means Lunch Boards on repeat. 
-I somehow made my Perfect CCCs even more perfect, did you see the updates in last week's post?
-Elle's favorite nap spot is in Aunt Annie's arms. 
-Lake Street Dive at The Jones had me playing marketing manager by day, roadie by night. Please notice my walkie talkie making me look concert offish. 
-Learn acro yoga got checked off the bucket list this weekend while celebrating StudioHop launching in Tulsa! If you are in the Tulsa area, my code 'AnnieHop20' still works to get $20 off your first month!
-Lemon Turmeric Energy Bites for a healthy sweet treat. Recipe coming tomorrow!
-Post-workout snacks after a sweaty Sunday at Beyond 500. 
-#TeamTakeaBite went beyond. Thanks for having us Beyond Studios!
-Embarrassed at how quickly we demolished this fruit and charcuterie board, even with the large meal we had following. Sunday Supper at mom and dads is the best way to end the week.

Annie