Dark Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops

Have you heard of SunGold kiwifruit? It’s not like your typical kiwi, with its smooth skin and bright yellow flesh. Learn some more about these vitamin C packed fruit and try a delicious Dark Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pop treats.
Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchenI received free samples of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe, I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Zespri Kiwifruit and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
SunGold kiwifruit is popping up throughout grocery stores (June-October), since being one of the new fastest growing fruits globally.

So, I never really knew that kiwifruit was one word until recently… oops. I was typing it a text and it kept autocorrecting it to one word. Don’t worry, you won’t even have to type it anymore now that a fun kiwifruit emoji is coming!
Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
Anytime I am teaching a cooking class or doing a cooking demo I always like to throw out fun facts about the food I’m cooking with. I would sweep a food category in jeopardy.
Five surprising facts about SunGold Kiwifruit:
1. Not all kiwifruit is “fuzzy” on the outside.
Zespri SunGold kiwifruit have a smooth, hairless skin. SunGold is also yellow on the inside, which is a surprise in and of itself because Americans are more familiar with the green kiwifruit variety with the fuzzy skin. Zespri SunGold kiwis have, a juicy, yellow flesh, and a tropical-sweet taste.
2. You don’t peel kiwifruit.
Kiwifruit is the perfect portable snack because it is easy to eat! Just cut in half with a knife and scoop with a spoon. That’s it – just cut, scoop, and enjoy!
3. Kiwifruit is a good meat tenderizer.
Both green and SunGold kiwifruit contain an enzyme called actinidin that helps break down protein. Actinidin occurs only in kiwifruit and improves digestive comfort by increasing the breakdown of proteins and facilitating digestion and emptying of the stomach. The actinidin can serve as a meat tenderizer: just peel and mash a kiwifruit and spread over meat or make a kiwifruit marinade. Actinidin will also break down protein in dairy so recipes with dairy should be consumed right away.
4. You can “measure” the taste of SunGold.
Zespri growers achieve the best-tasting kiwifruit through a measure called the brix. The higher the brix, the sweeter the fruit. The dry matter content (where all water is removed) indicates how high the brix will be once the fruit is ripe. A higher dry matter means the better quality the kiwifruit will be- it stores better and tastes better. Not all kiwifruit brands put so much focus on the brix and that’s why not all kiwifruit is created equal. With Zespri, you can really taste the difference!
Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
Now that you know a little bit more about the Zespri SunGold kiwifruit, how do you pick the prefect one to enjoy? To tell if a SunGold kiwifruit is ripe – hold the kiwifruit in the palm of your hand and squeeze gently.  It should yield to slight pressure when ripe. SunGold’s get softer and sweeter as they ripen.


This little fruit has quite the nutrition credentials to go along with is delicious taste, including

  • an excellent source of vitamin C, containing 2x more vitamin C than oranges
  • provides as much potassium as a banana
  • and a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E

Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
Fruit is one of my favorite desserts in the summer time. I’ve been finding myself grabbing a toothpick and poking into the frozen fruit in my freezer for a little sweet treat after dinner. I’ve never tried frozen kiwi before, so I thought it would be fun to give it a try! Plus, chocolate – how will this not be delicious?!
Verdict – love these! I found that the kiwi tasted even sweeter when it was frozen and they are easily customizable depending what extra little toppings you may want to add.

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Dark Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pop on parchment paper

Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops

  • Author: Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • 46 oz. dark chocolate
  • (optional toppings) coconut flakes, walnuts, sprinkles, etc.

Instructions

  1. Insert popsicle sticks into the kiwi slices far enough to hold the fruit without piercing through the other end. Freeze until firm.
  2. Melt chocolate in a double broiler.
  3. Dip kiwi slices into melted chocolate, and rest over wax paper or cooling rack.
  4. Add desired toppings. After chocolate has hardened, eat and enjoy,
  5. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer

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Need even more SunGold kiwifruit inspiration? Scroll down to check out what other Recipe ReDuxer’s created.
Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen

Healthy Cookie Dough Bites

Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you.
Healthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.A few months ago, on a whim, I made a cookie dough dip. This was actually a simplified version of a “dessert hummus” recipe I created that was published in a cookbook I developed recipes for in a previous job.
Healthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.This past weekend, being snowed in from winter storm Jonas, there was not much else to do (in between all the shoveling) but cook and bake all day! I was going to make the cookie dough dip again, but this cake pop video popped up on my facebook and inspired me to turn the dip into bite-size treats.
Healthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.

Healthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.I followed the same recipe, but in order to have them thick enough to roll in a ball and hold it’s shape I added some flour – oat flour to be exact. I’m sure any flour would work, but I find oat flour is easy to work with and makes it a great addition to add whole grains to a recipe.
Healthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.In true cake pop fashion, I added a chocolate coating. You can make them like a cake pop by simply adding a popsicle or leave them as little bite-size treats. Either way, they are perfectly portioned for a little sweet treat.
Healthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.

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Healthy Cookie Dough Bites coated with chocolate on a white plate

Healthy Cookie Dough Bites

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 25
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons oat flour
  • 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup dark chocolate
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • (optional) sprinkles

Instructions

  1. In a food processor (or high powered blender) combine chickpeas, peanut butter, maple syrup, and oat flour. (if you find the batter is still too “wet” add an additional tablespoon of oat flour)
  2. Remove the mixture from the food processor into a bowl and fold in chocolate chips. Scoop about a tablespoon size of the dough into small balls and place on a plate lined with parchment paper. Leave as is, or add popsicle sticks into the balls. Put in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to harden.
  3. Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, add dark chocolate and coconut oil. Stir until silky smooth.
  4. Dip each cookie dough ball into the dark chocolate and dip until fully coated. Transfer back to the plate lined with parchment paper. Top with sprinkles. Place in the refrigerator until chocolate has completely hardened.

Keywords: dessert, cookie dough, bite size, chickpeas

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Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.comHealthy Cookie Dough Bites - Calling all cookie dough lovers. This recipe is for you. Have your "cookie dough" and eat it too, with a healthy twist using chickpeas as the base.

 

 

{Single Serving} Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie

When you are craving something sweet, but don’t want to make a whole batch, a Single Serving Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie will hit the spot. 
{Single Serving} Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
It’s getting a little nutty with Recipe ReDux group this month. Today (October 22nd) is National Nut day and we were challenged to go nuts and make a recipe using nuts in any form – whole nuts, chopped nuts, ground nuts, nut butter and/or nut flour.

Sometimes I just get that craving for a warm, out of the oven, soft gooey chocolate chip cookie? But then I always run into the problem of not wanting to make a whole batch. I have a big sweet tooth and if too many sweets are hanging around, I tend to indulge on some each day. I’ve noticed a big trend on Pinterest of the single-serving type desserts which is genius! The other night when I was having that craving, this new recipe did the trick!
{Single Serving} Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
I know I’ve mentioned plenty of times here, but I LOVE the peanut butter and chocolate combo. The peanut butter helps keep the cookie soft and chewy and going with large chocolate chunks from my hidden stash of a dark chocolate bar = heaven. Wash it down with a glass of milk … craving fixed!

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie on a blue plate

{Single Serving} Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie

  • Author: Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
  • Yield: 1-2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter powder/flour
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tbsp chocolate chunks (or chips)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl mix together oat flour, peanut butter, brown sugar, baking soda, and egg white. Fold in chocolate chunks.
  3. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

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Things are getting a little nutty with the Recipe ReDuxers this month. Check out some other great recipes!

Caramelized Banana Sundae

Looking for a sweet treat to end the summer? Enjoy a Caramelized Banana Sundae to finish off the summer in a sweet way.

Caramelized Banana Sundae via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds.

There is small ice cream shop in my hometown called Cliff’s ice cream. It’s the home of the skyscraper – aka a giant soft serve ice cream cone. In second grade, on the last day of school, all the students received a free skyscraper coupon. I remember going to redeem my free skyscraper that summer and was so excited for this massive ice cream cone (as a second grader not concerned about portion control). There was always the debate vanilla, chocolate, or swirl soft serve with chocolate or rainbow sprinkles, or no sprinkles at all. My choice to this day is always vanilla/chocolate twist with rainbow sprinkles.
I still can picture my second grade self walking over to the park benches to dive right into my massive skyscraper ice cream cone, not only to trip and knock my ice cream onto the ground. #fail The wonderful employees at Cliff’s saw my mishap and came over with a new for me.
Caramelized Banana Sundae via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchenDon’t worry, I recovered from my second grade mishap and ice cream is still my favorite treat of choice in the summer time. A banana split just screams the ultimate ice cream treat, but today I’m showing you a more creative way to spruce it up.
Caramelized Banana Sundae via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchenThe caramelized bananas tastes just like bananas foster but with letting the bananas themselves bring out their natural sweetness. The warm bananas on top of the cold ice cream is indulgent.
Caramelized Banana Sundae via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchenIn culinary school, one of the areas we were always critiqued on was to vary the textures on the plate. The ice cream is soft, smooth and creamy. The bananas are warm, soft, and gooey. With two soft ingredients, you need that crunch factor. Blue Diamond’s Caramel Sea Salt Almonds match up perfectly with this recipe to top this sundae with.

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caramelized banana sundae

Caramelized Banana Sundae

  • Author: Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
  • Yield: 2

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 scoops of your favorite ice cream
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp Blue Diamond Salted Caramel Almonds, chopped
  • optional toppings: sprinkles, caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the coconut oil.
  2. Add the banana slices and cook until lightly browned. Flip and cook the other side is caramelized and has lightly browned.
  3. Scoop ice cream into a bowl and top with caramelized bananas and Blue Diamond Salted Caramel Almonds (along with additional topping if you choose to).

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S’mores Smoothie

Power up your blender for a twist of a campfire favorite – s’mores!

S'mores Smoothie - Power up your blender for a twist of a campfire favorite - s'mores! via Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #EasyAsBreeze #ad #smoothie #dessert #smores #summer #classic #recipe

This “Easy as Breeze” post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk. Thank you for supporting brands who help make this website possible!

S'mores Smoothie - Power up your blender for a twist of a campfire favorite - s'mores! via Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #EasyAsBreeze #ad #smoothie #dessert #smores #summer #classic #recipe

S’mores – it’s a summer time favorite. Summer is not complete without a perfect s’more over a campfire. S’mores creations have really gotten creative lately. Adding a reese pb cup instead of a chocolate square, adding in a brûlée banana slice, or even using chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers. I’m thinking a little more out of the box today with a drinkable form.

S'mores Smoothie - Power up your blender for a twist of a campfire favorite - s'mores! via Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #EasyAsBreeze #ad #smoothie #dessert #smores #summer #classic #recipe

As crazy as this sounds, my uncle didn’t know what a s’more was. Uhhhh.. what! How do you not know what a s’more is?! And even after my cousins and I explained it to him, he never says it correctly. He pronounces it like s’moré.

S'mores Smoothie - Power up your blender for a twist of a campfire favorite - s'mores! via Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #EasyAsBreeze #ad #smoothie #dessert #smores #summer #classic #recipe

With no opportunity being around a campfire or fire pit yet this summer, I had to improvise to enjoy my s’more craving. Simply toast marshmallows by broiling them. NOTE: keep an eye on them! I burned the first batch, oops!

Learn the history of s’mores.

S'mores Smoothie #EasyAsBreeze via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen

The chocolate almond milk was the perfect addition to make it taste rich and indulgent. It literally tastes like a drinkable s’more. If you have s’mores ingredients at home, it’s time to make a s’more smoothie .. now! You can thank me later.

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s'mores smoothie in a mason jar with a green straw

S’mores Smoothie

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 2-4 1x
  • Category: Smoothie
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate almond milk
  • 2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 6 large marshmallows
  • 4 chocolate squares
  • 2 sheets honey graham crackers

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place marshmallows on baking sheet and place under broiler on low for 2-3 minutes. (note: keep a close eye on the marshmallows as they can burn quickly)
  2. In a blender, combine the chocolate almond milk, vanilla Greek yogurt, toasted marshmallows, chocolate squares, and graham crackers. Blend until smooth.
  3. (optional) Melt additional chocolate and rim the glasses with chocolate and crushed graham crackers. Add additional toasted marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for a garnish.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the marshmallows or they will not blend up all the way in the smoothie.

Keywords: s’mores, smoothie, almond milk, chocolate

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Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com
S'mores Smoothie - Power up your blender for a twist of a campfire favorite - s'mores! via Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #EasyAsBreeze #ad #smoothie #dessert #smores #summer #classic #recipe

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse

I’ve mentioned time and time again here on RDelicious Kitchen about my love for chocolate. Hi my name is Julie, and I’m a chocoholic. I was overly excited for this months Recipe ReDux theme.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse - a dessert you can feel good about eating via @rdkitchen

Favorite Chocolate Matches – Does your chocolate need a friend? This month’s posting will be after Valentine’s Day, so you may have a bit of extra chocolate around. What’s your favorite chocolate match? Be it traditional peanut butter or something more exotic like cayenne + chocolate. Show us your favorite healthy chocolate combo recipe.

You can’t go wrong with pairing chocolate with peanut butter. You can find me in the kitchen at night with a spoonful of peanut butter with chocolate chips on top. (Robin & Kylie do the same! Great minds think alike 🙂 )

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse - a dessert you can feel good about eating via @rdkitchen

Each month for for the recipe redux challenge, I make a list of recipe ideas and narrow it down, closer and closer to the due date. Yesterday, I was still figuring out what I was going to make. [#procrastination at it’s finest] I wanted to try and think outside the box, but it always came back to my favorite: chocolate + peanut butter.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse - a dessert you can feel good about eating via @rdkitchen

I actually made a rendition of this recipe with just chocolate for a valentine’s day event at work, so I know it’s a crowd pleaser. The one thing that shocked people the most is one of the ingredients .. TOFU! It mades the mousse light and airy, plus packs in protein for a dessert recipe!

Eggnog Smoothie

I’ve been a little obsessed with kefir lately. When I saw they had an eggnog flavor, I jumped right on it. I’ve been enjoying kefir as is, but this time wanted to try it in a recipe.
Eggnog Smoothie | Recipe by Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
Kefir naturally has a tangy flavor, so when incorporating it in a smoothie, a banana was the perfect way to sweetened it up.

Eggnog Smoothie | Recipe by Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
Eggnog only comes around once a year, so I don’t mind indulging in a small glass one time a year. Eggnog just screams Christmas to me, and I want to enjoy that seasonal treat more than once without the guilt!
Eggnog Smoothie | Recipe by Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
Enjoy as a breakfast, snack, or dessert to get in the holiday spirit! I know what I’ll be making for breakfast Christmas morning!

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Eggnog Smoothie

Eggnog Smoothie

  • Author: Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
  • Yield: 2

Description

Indulge in the holiday seasonal flavors without packing on the pounds. Feel good about drinking eggnog with this eggnog smoothie recipe!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup Lifeway kefir eggnog
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • (optional) ground nutmeg
  • (optional) ice

Instructions

  1. Simply add ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. For a thinner consistency add more almond milk. For a thicker consistency add ice.
  3. Sprinkle with ground nutmeg.

Notes

For a festive rim: take 2 tbsp of sugar and mix in 1 drop of red food coloring. With a damp paper towel moisten the rim of the glass. Coat the rim of the glass with sugar.

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Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Pie Bars

I have a cooking classes coming up this week at work with the theme of lightened up Thanksgiving desserts. I’ve been playing around with the recipe idea all weekend after posting my Supermarket RD’s Pick of pumpkin puree.
Greek yogurt pumpkin pie bars 1
Pumpkin pie is my ultimate favorite dessert on Thanksgiving and I make sure I always save room for it. Of course, there’s not too much room after a delicious Thanksgiving day meal, so I always found it so annoying when I would try to cut myself a sliver of pie and end up making a mess trying to get that perfect little piece.
Greek yogurt pumpkin pie bars 2
This recipe I decided to skip the pie plate and use a sheet cake pan to easily cut into little squares to get that perfect little slice.
Greek yogurt pumpkin pie bars 3
While this recipe is still a dessert, it is lightened up by cutting back on sugar and adding Greek yogurt in place of other fats.

This was the first time I made a graham cracker crust, but using yogurt instead of butter and I am quite pleased with the results.

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Greek yogurt pumpkin pie bars on a baking sheet

Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Pie Bars

  • Author: Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 55 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins

Description

Move over pumpkin pie. These pumpkin pie bars can satisfy your craving with lightened up ingredients. Plus, it’s easier for portion control by cutting them into small squares versus trying to cut a sliver of pie.


Ingredients

Scale
  • For the crust:
  • 1 cup graham crackers, crushed
  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup Cabot low fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the pumpkin pie filling:
  • 1 (29 oz) can pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup Cabot low fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1/4 cup evaporated skim milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 heaping tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. For the crust: With cooking spray, grease a 9×13 baking dish; set aside. In a food processor, combine the graham crackers and quick oats. and pulse until fine crumbs. Add the cinnamon, light brown sugar, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Press evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
  3. For the pumpkin pie filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, yogurt, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice.
  4. Pour the filling over the crust evenly. Bake in the oven at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes, then turn down to 350 and bake for an additional 45 minutes. Take out of the oven and let cool completely before slicing.

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Let me tell you, I even surprised my hardest critics with this recipe. It tastes exactly like pumpkin pie!
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