I truly don’t know how she’s done it, but somehow Bigg Sis has managed to have our mutual vacation scheduled to include her birthday for the last few years. It’s genius really if you think about it. Lots of people who love you on hand to accommodate your birthday desires, and an adventurous sister on deck to make a birthday dessert that meets the dietary requirements of the whole crew. And, really, what could be better than being at the beach with your beloved little sister on your birthday? 😉
As you’ve likely guessed our vacation is over, and Bigg Sis and I have returned to our respective parts of the U.S., a little more relaxed, a little more brown (in spite of copious zinc oxide), a little better rested, and with a slew of happy memories to sustain us until we’re able to get together again. Bigg Sis’ birthday fell right smack in the middle of our week, and WOW what a week it was. Our weather was simply stunning. No rainy days, and only one day of slight chill. Every other day warm and sunny but not oppressive. Perfect beach days for toe dipping, castle building, and nature watching.
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The weather and great company was a balm for my soul. Â My beloved furry companion Buster passed away in the early part of our trip (at a ripe old age of 16). Â Spending time with my feet in the sand and looking for shells with my sister proved to be just what the doctor ordered. Â On her birthday, however, I was determined to celebrate her fabulous self. Â We hopped in our cars and headed back up the coast a bit to Jockey’s Ridge State Park and played on the biggest, most other-worldly dunes I’ve ever seen. Â Really amazing, really fun, and perfect fodder for wild pictures.
After a quick smoothie stop, we went back to the house and whilst the others returned to the beach, I lingered behind to whip up a little gluten free, dairy free, chocolate laden (admittedly in part to bolster my own mood) birthday yum. While I hadn’t planned ahead (shocker, I know), a perusal of a Dreena Burton cookbook I’d brought along quickly yielded a totally do-able recipe with the ingredients I had on hand (I admit to being anything but a light packer). I made a couple of substitutions and was off to the races, and now you get to eat some too.
Cocoanutty Good Bars adapted from Leslie’s Bad But Good Bars in Eat, Drink & Be Vegan
1 c nuts (I used salted cashews and sunflower seeds)
1 generous c oats, chopped slightly in food processor or with a knife
1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut
2 T cocoa powder
1/3 c maple syrup
3 T coconut oil (melted)
1 c non-dairy chocolate chips (or regular if you don’t care about that)
2/3 c extra firm tofu
1 t vanilla extract
2 T peanut butter (or whatever nut butter you prefer)
Combine first 6 ingredients (through coconut oil) in large bowl and mix until combined. Â The mixture will be crumbly, but should hold together when pressed. Scrape mixture into pan (I used a nonstick springform pan as that’s what was in the beach house, and I was going for a birthday cake look. Â The original recipe suggests an 8 inch square lined with parchment. Â Press mixture down evenly.
Melt chocolate chips however you like (double boiler, bowl over pot, or microwave). Â Combine chips and remaining ingredients in food processor and process until smooth. Â Scrape out onto base layer and spread evenly. Â Place in fridge for at least two hours to allow chocolate to set. Â Cut as you like (squares if you’re reasonable, slices if it’s a party) and serve. Â We had ours with a variety of ice creams (dairy and non-dairy). Â Super delish and just the thing to celebrate my fabulous Bigg Sis who I love so much, I’ll share my heart with her, or at least a picture of the heart I found in the strawberry I ate in the garden this morning. Â Love ya Sis.
This is the second time you have made me cry with a post. It was a delicious and wonderful cake, and you are completely correct that the best part was spending time with you. What a fabulous week it was, other than sending Buster off to a place where he will have all the tissues to chew he wants while constantly being petted. Love you so much too! And I will include a photo of the hilarious pitcher you brought me for my birthday in my next post.
It was great to get a little ‘slice of life’ and to hear about the birthday celebrations. Your holiday destination looks highly enviable, but at least you shared the yummy chocolate concoction with us!
Hi I am stopping by your blog from the Adorned From Above Wednesday Blog Hop. I would very much love it if you would stop by ours as well. We also have a great giveaway running with a winner to be announced in 8 days. Come on by and join up. We will also have a blog hop Friday.
How wonderful that you are able to spend time vacationing with your sister! My sister and I are hoping to vacation together (with our families) this fall. Fingers crossed that I can get the time off- -I just started a new job.
Thanks for sharing your post on our healthy tuesdays blog hop!
Kerry from Country Living On A Hill
Wow, this cake looks so good. Thanks so much for sharing with this weeks Adorned From Above Blog Hop. We always love seeing what you bring to the party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
I am glad you got to have so much quality time with your sister. These are the days! I appreciate your recipe but I love your story. Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend.
Ah, so sweet! Great pictures, too! I love the strawberry and the one of the kids on the endless sand. Thanks for sharing another yummy recipe at Motivation Monday!
I’ve been trying a lot of healthy desserts lately, and this one is going on my list! It sounds so good, but it’s guilt free, too. Thanks for sharing it with Hump Day Happenings!
Looks like you had a wonderful holiday – Happy Birthday to Big Sis! What a lovely recipe to celebrate. I’ve pinned it to my Healthy Eating Board on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.
This is the second time you have made me cry with a post. It was a delicious and wonderful cake, and you are completely correct that the best part was spending time with you. What a fabulous week it was, other than sending Buster off to a place where he will have all the tissues to chew he wants while constantly being petted. Love you so much too! And I will include a photo of the hilarious pitcher you brought me for my birthday in my next post.
Those look delish! I love coconut and chocolate mixed together. It’s true love. 🙂
Visiting from Mix It Up Monday!
Thanks for stopping by Stacy. Let us know if you give it a try!
::drool:: This looks amazing! Yummy!
Thanks. It WAS really great.
Looks divine! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
Thank YOU for hosting!
Oh, I am sooooo glad to see a recipe that using HEALTHY ingredients! I am so pinning! Thanks a ton. Hope your sister enjoyed it… 🙂
hugs x
Crystelle
Make sure to join our HCG drops giveaway right here
She LOVED it Crystelle. Thanks for the pin and let us know if you give it a try!
I love healthy desserts and this looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
You are SO welcome. It really was delicious!
Oh mamo-scammo that is one tasty cake! Happy belated birthday to Bigg Sis and I’m so glad you had a wonderful week together.
It was superb. We waited until the kids went to bed the next night so we could finish it off without sharing more…
Thanks Annie! Only thing better than the cake was being with her and her family all week.
It was great to get a little ‘slice of life’ and to hear about the birthday celebrations. Your holiday destination looks highly enviable, but at least you shared the yummy chocolate concoction with us!
It really was good. I may have to find a reason to make more.
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Hi I am stopping by your blog from the Adorned From Above Wednesday Blog Hop. I would very much love it if you would stop by ours as well. We also have a great giveaway running with a winner to be announced in 8 days. Come on by and join up. We will also have a blog hop Friday.
Blog: http://www.ashleychapmandesigns.com/blog
Thanks so much!
Ashley
Thanks Ashley! We’ll check it out!
that sounds really good !
and love your beach pictures!!!
It was totally delish and thanks! We had a glorious trip!
How wonderful that you are able to spend time vacationing with your sister! My sister and I are hoping to vacation together (with our families) this fall. Fingers crossed that I can get the time off- -I just started a new job.
Thanks for sharing your post on our healthy tuesdays blog hop!
Kerry from Country Living On A Hill
I really cherish our trip together. So fun to have the whole crew in one spot – hope yours works out. Thanks for hosting!
Wow, this cake looks so good. Thanks so much for sharing with this weeks Adorned From Above Blog Hop. We always love seeing what you bring to the party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
Thanks for stopping by ladies!
Yum yum yum! This looks decadent! Happy Birthday Bigg Sis! 🙂
It was awesomely decadent. Thanks for the birthday wishes Ruth!
Looks like a delicious cake and such a sweet story. Thanks for sharing.
Thank YOU for stopping by!
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I am going to have to try this recipe!I am not a good cook, but I can follow directions 😉
Thanks for sharing it!
Bev @ Give me a paintbrush
Let us know if you give it a try – it’s super simple and SO well worth the time.
I am glad you got to have so much quality time with your sister. These are the days! I appreciate your recipe but I love your story. Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend.
That means a lot. Thanks.
Ah, so sweet! Great pictures, too! I love the strawberry and the one of the kids on the endless sand. Thanks for sharing another yummy recipe at Motivation Monday!
Thanks Barb. It was a great week.
Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a wonderful week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
would love to honor this as the reader the favorite, but there is no link back, let me know if you get one!
Done and done. Thanks for the nudge!
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YUMM! This looks awesome! I’d love that as a birthday treat! Got it pinned and tweeted thanks for linking up at Gluten Free Fridays.
Thanks Cindy. It was awesome.
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Looks and sounds amazing! Congrats on being featured at CarrieOnVegan, btw!
It was really delicious and THANKS!
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Thanks so much for sharing your awesome Birthday Cake with Full Plate Thursday, hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen
I’ve been trying a lot of healthy desserts lately, and this one is going on my list! It sounds so good, but it’s guilt free, too. Thanks for sharing it with Hump Day Happenings!
It’s really really good.
Looks like you had a wonderful holiday – Happy Birthday to Big Sis! What a lovely recipe to celebrate. I’ve pinned it to my Healthy Eating Board on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.