Guest Post: ShannonMarie of RawDorable

PinSave

This post may contain affiliate links.

How are you doing today?  Are you feeling peaceful and mellow or a little stressed now that Christmas is just around the corner?  If you celebrate, hopefully peaceful!  If you missed my post on The Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Religion, check out my post yesterday (that was a trigger happy finger post…yikes but at least it was 95% the way I wanted it when it went out!)

Young girl opening doors on advent calendar

I chatted about the Winter Solstice and how it relates to yoga, and I want to sincerely thank everyone for their honest and open feedback in the comments.  I learned so much about you and I love when that happens, so thank you for sharing your stories with me.

I also posted a few Beach Pics, too!

Woman and young girl posing smiling on beach

 

Young girl playing in sand on beach

So if you missed my Deep-ish Thoughts Post, go enjoy.

Moving onto Today though!
My friend, Shannon Marie of Rawdorable
Shannon Marie of Rawdorable

 

a Mother of Two…Woman with two children laying in snow pile…and a high raw, all vegan, a supremely creative un-baker and cook extraordinaire is kind enough to share some of her amazing raw dessert recipes today!

But just to praise Shannon Marie a little more…Some of you may remember in my Reader Tribute Post that Shannon Marie Made My Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough into a Doll (check out the dough-ey doll skirt!) in honor of My Daughter Skylar.

My Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough turned into a Doll  Shannon Marie is amazingly creative!
Close up of Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough turned into a Doll

Or how about the high Raw Vegan Girl Scout-themed Samoas Cookies I made?

Raw Vegan Girl Scout-themed Samoas Cookies on dehydrator tray

My Samoas were inspired in huge part from Shannon Marie’s original recipe genius!
Finished Raw Vegan Girl Scout-themed Samoas Cookies on trayOhhh those cookies… The cookie bases were crunchy and the tops were moist, gooey, decadent, with the awesome flavor of Sunflower Butter and coconut and vanilla…

Close up of one Raw Vegan Girl Scout-themed Samoas Cookies

So without further ado, here’s what Shannon Marie has for us today.  I’ll follow up at the end!

Cookies for Santa
Plate full of cookies with sign that read Dear Santa Claus
When Averie asked me to guest post, I was honored, of course. But being a busy wife and mom (my second child is only a few months old), I found it difficult to fulfill her request with something fresh and separate from my own.

However, since many of you probably have never visited my site, some blasts from the past might be new to you. So, in the holiday spirit, I decided to share my cookies for Santa from blogging years one and two. Enjoy!

Two Cinnamon Mocha Crinkle Cookies on black and white plate
Cinnamon Mocha Crinkles
1 cup almonds flour (finely ground almonds and/or pulp)
1/2 cup hazelnut flour (finely ground hazelnuts)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 Tbsp. Java Teeccino grounds
1/4 cup date paste
sprinkling of cinnamon
pinch of sea salt
*finely ground coconut for rolling

In a bowl, whisk together the almond flour, hazelnut flour, cocoa powder, Teeccino, cinnamon and sea salt. Add the date paste, and mix to combine. The mixture should be damp enough to mold, yet still crumbly like a cake.

Divide the mixture into 8 equal sections. Shape each section into a ball, roll them in coconut flour and flatten into cookie shapes. Don’t worry if there are imperfection in your cookies; it’s only the crinkle effect.

Three Raw Egg Nog Cream cookies on blue plate
Raw Nog Creams
1 cup cashew flour (ground cashews)
1/2 cup almond flour (ground almonds)
1/4 cup date paste
freshly ground nutmeg, to taste
pinch of sea salt
*raw whipped icing for frosting
*dried cherry pieces and pumpkin seeds for decorating

In a bowl, whisk together the cashew flour, almond flour, nutmeg and sea salt. Add the date paste, and mix to combine. The mixture should be damp enough to mold, yet still crumbly like a cake.

Divide the mixture into 6-8 equal sections. Shape each section into a ball and flatten into cookie shapes. Frost with raw whipped icing and decorate with dried cherry pieces and pumpkin seeds.

*These are similar to many of my raw cupcake recipes. Feel free to make them a little larger and serve them as such.

**If you really want to kick these up a notch, add some rum or rum extract to the icing, but I prefer mine rum-free.

Four Hawaiian Wedding Surprises stacked on one another
Hawaiian Wedding Surprises
3/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup macadamia nuts
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1/4 cup date paste
1 Tbsp. lucuma powder
zest of one lime
dash of sea salt
*finely ground coconut and more zest for rolling
*eight whole raw macadamia nuts for filling

Grind cashews, mac nuts, oats and coconut into flour and add to a bowl. Whisk together the flours, lucuma, lime zest and sea salt. Add the date paste, and mix to combine. The mixture should be damp enough to mold, yet still crumbly like a cake.

Divide the mixture into 8 equal sections. Shape each section into a ball, while enclosing a whole mac nut inside (that’s the surprise). Roll the balls in coconut and lime zest. Enjoy :-)

Glazed Raw Ginger Creams in clear container
Raw Ginger Creams
1 cup pecans
1 cup dried coconut, ground into flour
1/2 cup flaxseed, ground
1 cup dates, soaked briefly
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. ground ginger (I didn’t have any fresh)
dash of sea salt
pumpkin pie spice, to taste (also has ginger in it, but I still added it)
*1/2 Tbsp. blackstrap molasses (optional, but really makes it taste like the real deal)
*raw icing

Put pecans, coconut flour and ground flax in a food processor, and process until combined and pecans are finely ground. Add dates, vanilla, ginger, sea salt, pumpkin pie spice and molasses, and process until a ball of dough forms.

Mold dough into cookie shapes, like little mounds. Dehydrate for a couple hours to firm up the outsides, and then chill in the fridge. Top with raw icing (the one I talked about in this post).

Raw SnickerdoodlesStacked Raw Snickerdoodle cookies
2 cups cashews
1 cup dates, soaked briefly
1-2 Tbsp. agave nectar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash of sea salt
sprinkling of cinnamon
*a little cream of tartar (optional, but in the baked version)
*lucuma powder and more cinnamon for rolling

Grind cashews finely in a food processor. Add dates, agave, vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon and cream of tartar, and process until a smooth dough forms.

Shape dough into balls, roll them in a mixture of lucuma powder and cinnamon (the original recipe uses cinnamon sugar), and flatten them into round cookie shapes.

Dehydrate just long enough to absorb some of the powder on the outside (like when the sugar granules melt in the oven). Eat fresh from the dehydrator (sometimes I can’t wait) or chill them in the refrigerator.

Chocolate with White Chocolate ChunksChocolate with White Chocolate Chunks Cookies on plate
1 cup mixed raw nuts (I had a bag of mixed ones; use whatever you want)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup prunes and dates, soaked briefly (the prunes seem to produce a richer chocolate)
1-2 Tbsp. agave nectar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. pure almond extract
dash of sea salt
cayenne pepper and cinnamon, to taste (sounds weird, but it enhances the chocolate flavor)
chopped raw cocoa butter

Grind nuts finely with cocoa powder in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the cocoa butter, and process until a dough forms.

Shape dough into round cookies and press cocoa butter chunks into the tops. Chill until firm.

Russian Raw CakesFour Russian Raw Cakes on red plate
1 cup cashews
1/4 cup coconut, ground into flour
1/4 cup oats, ground into flour (not raw, but nobody’s perfect)
1 Tbsp. lucuma powder
1 Tbsp. mesquite powder
1/2 cup dates, soaked briefly
agave nectar, to taste (I’m not really sure if I added it or not)
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of sea salt
*chopped walnuts
*a mixture of lucuma powder and coconut flour for rolling

Put cashews, coconut flour, ground oats, lucuma and mesquite in a food processor, and process until combined and cashews are finely ground. Add dates, agave, vanilla and sea salt, and process until dough forms.

Shape dough into balls, while placing a few chopped walnuts on the inside of each ball (the traditional ones always had some walnut chunks). Roll in lucuma/coconut mixture (instead of powdered sugar; next time I’ll use just lucuma and/or mesquite) and chill in the fridge.

All these recipes are made out of what I had in my kitchen at the time. Have fun experimenting with your own ingredients :-)

 

Red Plate full of a variety of Christmas Cookies

———————————————————————————————————–
Thank You So Much Shannon Marie, please go check out some of her amazing raw recipes!!!!!

In keeping with the cute, creative, super-fun and holiday vibe, I’ve got Fun, Holiday Yoga:

Yoga Today is Gingerbread-asana

 

Making  Raw Vegan Ginger Bread Cookies

Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookies stacked in clear container
Underside of Raw Vegan Ginger Bread Cookies

Or Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls

which will only take you 10 minutes!
Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls stacked on one another
Close up of stacked Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls

And thinking about putting the Gingerbread Men into crazy yoga positions, as you pop a few Balls down the hatchet.  Yummmm!!!

Close up of Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls

Tip of the Day:

Are you a traditional holiday baker?  Do you bake at all?  Do you get into making holiday treats and seasonal goodies?  A few names like Janetha who just made 125 cookies, Jessica, Susan, Bekah, and Diana are definitely coming to mind!  Do you un-bake?  Meaning raw or high raw creations?  Have you ever made any raw or almost raw recipes?  What are you waiting for?  It’s sooo easy!  The great thing about raw baking other than you can eat the dough out of the bowl immediately! is that it’s extremely forgiving.   Dough’s a little too wet?  Add more almond flour.  A little too dry?  Add more dates or nut milk or nut butters.  And I mean, who doesn’t love a little more peanut, sunflower seed, or almond butter in their life?  Tell me what kind of baker you are or if you get into the holiday baking thing.

Or, are you planning on cooking or eating a Christmas Day Feast?  Whatcha making?  

Stay Tuned For Guest Posts & Trip Photos.  Did someone say drinks on the beach at sunset?

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

Get the latest recipes via email!

Leave a Comment

Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Comments

  1. I made a version of the slaw ('xept I made it raw using nut mayo from Kristen's raw book)

    I'll post the recipe in a day or so

  2. omg! that's amazing! So awesome- I hope to one day, post college, engage in many yoga events and outdoor classes and whatnot. Very cool environment! And yeaah.. how could you NOT be that happy?!?! I can't even imagine.

    Also- I think my patience is pretty good, I'm still learning as evidence of a lot of my posts regarding growing up and patience and the slow life- but as far as star struck-ness, and getting excited about a personal hero- NO PATIENCE whatsoever. Its almost verging on a panic attack. I get so nervous regarding meeting famous people, even those just famous to me (ie..fellow bloggers! hehe) but in the end its always worth it. And I calm down.

    I miisssss your balls. And slaw dressing. FYI. :(

  3. Thanks for stopping by my blog!! Yours is amazing. The recipes are all so interesting (and delicious) looking. And plus, you're a mom too! I love finding other moms with a passion for health. :)

  4. I meant "or is it a HANDstand" blogger needs an edit comment button…or else I need to start proofreading them before I post. Hehe.

  5. I love your happy face…and I agree that you had every reason to be beaming! :D Although I don't know if I would be grinning if I had to do a 5 minute headstand (or was it a headstand). I wish I could–some day I want to learn how!

    "if we have to work, sacrifice, plan, or have patience or faith for something it throws everyone into an anxiety-ridden tizzy! It seems that many people have a hard time just sitting back, and letting things unfold, letting things come to them, having the faith and patience that things will work out if you just let it."

    I love this. Your bits of wisdom are my favorite parts of your posts (besides the recipes, doh! :)) I have a really hard time waiting, sitting still, and just–as you say–being. I always feel like I have to be constantly entertained or doing something. I do love how when I do yoga we have the relaxation part at the end (I think it's called the "corpse pose" in English. Forgive me if I've garbled it up–I am not a very learned yogini.:)) So I guess I'm getting better.

  6. Each day I ask for more patience with my two kids. It is hard to be on kid time sometimes, especially when we are all tired!

    Do I fidget, you bet. Why do you think I chew so much gum….gotta keep moving! I would love to slow things down. Day to day I strive to be more mindful in everything I do.

    So exciting that you met your yoga guru Dharma Mittra! I bet you were ear to ear smiles, that is a big deal. What an excellent, uplifting opportunity! Yes, the place was swank!! I bet it was awesome to be in that room with people that share the same passions!

  7. Wow I cant believe he is in his 70's!! See thats what yoga does for you!!!! Wow!!

    Awwwwww I hope your little angel feels better , no fun when kids are sick, but she always has a smile on her face!!!

    I have to make that dressing, all I need to buy is the apple cider vinegar!! What a great dressing, and it looks delish!!!

    Oh one thing I am IMPATIENT for is my fiance getting ready!!! How does a man take longer than a woman to get ready, lol!! But other than that I am pretty patient!!!

    Have a great day girl!! xoxo

  8. oh ma gawwwwwwwwd your time with the yoga daddy looks SO amazing! i love that he looks exactly like i would picture a yoga daddy type older guy to look like haha.

    damn the girl and her shaky hands! i would have snatched the camera right outta her hands and passed it off to someone else :)

  9. I LOVE YOU BLOG!
    seriously enthralled by it. i am going to start asap to make some of your recipes. I love the date, cashew nut, chocolate chip dough balls!
    and the darker ones look to my taste :)

    your enthusiasm for yoga is addictive. I stayed in the maldives last year and did a yoga session during the sunrise with a great yogi from India, I was some way close to feeling the way you must have with the Dharma!

  10. I had many problems as well with being patient, I didn't really see, what comes next, how things will turn out. But finally I had to learn on my own mistakes, that I create everything around myself. And life gives me what I would like, and there are no good or bad things or situations in life. Everything is good for something. I know, sometimes it really doesn't seem to be like that, for example when we loose someone or we have an accident etc. But I know from my heart, all happenings teach us for something -beside patience – what we will need in the future. And as soon we accept the actual circumstances the "problem" is going to be solved straight away. Acception, no expectation, love… And of course it's not that easy. That's why we are here! To learn these things, and many other.

  11. hey averie! sounds like you had such a great day(: awww and im sorry that skylar is sick! i hope she feels better soon, shes such a cutie. i cant wait to try those pancakes and the chocolate chip dough balls! carob chips sitting in the cabinet waiting to be used (; have a great day xoxo soph

  12. Sounds like a great class! Your pics always make me want to try more yoga classes…I need some money for that first though!

    I'm the most impatient person ever, which is something I constantly work on. Because I'm so type-A, I expect everything to be done as punctually as I do it, which is a horribly intolerant way to be! I'm getting better, though…my boyfriend is always telling me to take a deep breath and count to ten, and it really does work!

    Hope Skylar feels better soon! I'm glad she's still smiling in spite of the sniffles- so cute!

  13. Jeez, where to begin?! So much in one post. Lovely photos. Those pancakes realllly made my mouth water! They look incredible.