Buff Bake Cookie Protein Almond Spread

My Review: Buff Bake Cookie Protein Almond Spread

Rating: B+
Tasting Notes: Chocolate, semi-sweet
Food Facts: Gluten Free, 2 tbsp: 200cal, Fat 15g, Carbs 10g, Protein 11g, Sugar 3g

I am so sorry it has been a while since I posted about my recent peanut butter adventures the holidays made time fly by, but I plan on posting a review at least once a month.

SO here we are! A new flavor to chat about! If you couldn't tell from my last few reviews I am on a Buff Bake Brand kick! Mainly because their nut butters are delicious and have good quality ingredients, in my opinion. 

This flavor confused me a little bit because I am not sure where the "cookie" piece came into play. It didn't really taste like a cookie nor did it have chunks of cookies in it or anything of that nature. To me, it tasted like chocolate almond butter, which isn't a bad thing! But again, I didn't really taste/understand the cookie component of this almond butter. 

Also, this almond butter was a little bit thicker than the other flavors I have had. Now that could be because I let it sit in my pantry for a little while before I opened it. I mean I had like 3 other jars of peanut butter open! So once I did open it the oils and almond butter separated (Which says so on their container!) so much that I had to blend it to make it smooth again. I think the texture was fine, not too creamy, but not too rich, so the flavor thing could be my fault that I let it sit too long.

However, I did learn throughout this that a good rule of thumb is if you're having a hard time mixing a jar of nut butter throw it in a blender/nutrabullet/Ninja for a few pulses and it will blend it together for you perfectly!

Like I said this tasted a little more chocolaty to me so it wasn't one of those nut butters I put on everything. Here is what I DID put it on:

• A blob in the center of my oatmeal (So good!)
• A topping on my yogurt
• Banana bread
• Rice Cakes
• Straight from the jar when I had a sweet tooth

This cookie almond butter was REALLY GOOD for curbing any sweet tooth I had. Also, occasionally I would mix 1/2 tbsp of this almond butter with 1/2 tbsp of another kind of peanut butter, like creamy Jiff PB, and the nut butter swirl would be DELICIOUS! If you don't mix your nut butter together I would definitely give it a try!

Have you tried this flavor? If you have, let me know how you like it! Happy Nut Butter Eating!

**These are my own personal food reviews and I am not sponsored or endorsed by any nut butter selling company. I just want to share my love of nut butters with the world! 

Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins

When you have extremely ripe bananas what do you do with them? Why you make banana muffins of course!

I am currently in the middle of preparing for a bikini competition so I couldn't eat one of these muffins, but you can bet I had my in-home taste tester (aka my boyfriend) give me feedback on them. From the time they came out of the oven to being slathered in butter they looked and smelled so good! Albert was in the middle of an afternoon long en-devour to hang the curtains in the bedroom so as a treat I brought him one of these muffins.  It was the perfect pick me up he needed to finish the curtains (They look fantastic!).

These muffins whipped up super fast with little prep involved. One thing I loved about these muffins is the base mix is very generic so you can make a lot of different flavor combinations! I decided to add peanut butter, chia seeds, and chocolate chips to this batch. You could easily switch out the ingredients and instead substitute in peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, blueberries, almond butter, etc.

These muffins are perfect for breakfast, a mid afternoon snack, and store perfectly for those on-the-go days. I would even go as far to warm one up and put a scoop of ice cream on top!

Check out the recipe below and get baking!

Ingredients:

- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1.5 cups of white flour
- .5 cups of melted creamy peanut butter
-1/3 cup of unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup of honey (or sugar)
-1 teaspoon of vanilla
-1 teaspoon of baking soda
-2 teaspoons of chia seeds

-1 cup of chocolate chips
-Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray muffins tins with nonstick spray (Do not use muffins liners).
3. Mash bananas in a bowl until its a smooth puree.  Add in melted butter and mix until combined.
4. Add honey, egg, and vanilla to bowl and mix until well combined. 
5. Add in salt, baking soda, and flour and mix just enough until everything is combined. Do not over mix!
6. Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
7. Divide evenly among the muffin tins. Fill each tin about 3/4 full.
8. Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. If you see the edges darkening gently place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top to prevent burning.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.  Enjoy!

Cinnamon Roll Protein Peanut Butter Spread

My Review: Buff Bake Cinnamon Roll Protein Peanut Butter Spread

Review: Loved this flavor!
Rating: A
Tasting Notes: It's a cinnamon roll in a jar, perfect flavor combination, not overly cinnamon

Thanks for joining me as I rate my second peanut butter spread! If you missed my first review of another Buff Bake classic (snickerdoodle), check it out here.

This peanut butter spread caught my attention because of its name, I mean HELLLLOOOO it's called "cinnamon roll!" Who doesn't love a good cinnamon roll? The one thing that did catch me off guard is the little pieces of raisins in it, but it did not hinder the taste is any way. 

If I had a sweet tooth I ate a spoonful of this peanut butter and it did the trick! I also swirled it on a piece of toast with pumpkin cream cheese, OMG! It's so good you need to try it. Don't give me that judgy face---can't knock it until you try it!

Also, I loved the added protein in it and that I could enjoy it without the guilt of all the extra calories a normal cinnamon roll! 


So onto the good part! What should you pair this peanut butter with?!

 1) A dollop on yogurt

 2) Layered with banana on top of pancakes

 3) Toast

 4) Add 1-2 tbsp into a smoothie

 5) Overnight Oats


Lets just say if I got a jar of this for my birthday, I wouldn't be mad. :-) 

Have a funky, delicious peanut/almond/pecan spread you think I should try? Tell me below and I will add it to my list! I am always on the lookout for a new flavor to add to my pantry. 

*Disclaimer: These are my own reviews and I am not endorsed by Buff Bake or anyone else. Just want to share my love of peanut butter with the world!

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

I have 3 words for you: Easy. Delicious. Sweet tooth curer. 

Okay, so maybe that was more than 3 words, but still! I was so excited to throw these ingredients together the other night during meal prep time. I usually make the same kind of energy balls every time so I decided to scroll through Pinterest for inspiration. I combined a few recipes together these bad boys! Also, this is my first time making them with dried fruit and it did not disappoint.

Can we go off on a tangent for a minute and talk about how delicious dried fruit is? Oh.My.Gosh. I have been missing out! We were at Costco last weekend and of course we had to try the sample and it was so delicious and sweet that I realized it would be the perfect, natural healthy treat for me to have when I have an inkling for something sweet. 

Okay, back to the main topic here. These energy balls are perfect for a pre-workout snack, an afternoon snack, mixed with yogurt, dipped in peanut butter, dessert after dinner, etc. They are the perfect 2-bite treat and I don't feel bad about eating one...or two. 

Ingredients:

1 cup of oats (old fashioned or steal cut oats)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup diced Sunsweet Dried Plums

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, melted

1/4 cup of honey

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Directions:

1) Put all ingredients in a bowl

2) Microwave peanut butter for 20-30 seconds or until nearly melted. Pour melted peanut butter over the ingredients

3) Mix everything together with a spatula. If you find the ingredients aren't sticking together, add a little more peanut butter. You want the mixture to be sticking together, but not too sticky that it's a wet mixture.

4) Roll into 1 inch balls and store in an air tight container in the fridge. Good for 1-2 weeks. 

Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe? I would LOVE your feedback! Comment below with how they turned out.