Brownie Batter Protein Pancakes

My sweet tooth has been off the charts for the past couple days. I've been trying to keep it in check, but all of the christmas treats are pulling at my heart strings.

If I'm being truthful, this sugar craving has been in overdrive since I saw the PC Candy Cane Fudge Crackle Ice cream hit the shelves. By the time my cheat day came around, it was all sold out. 3 weeks later and my grocers have yet to restock my holiday fave.

With a heavy heart, I've turned to other sweet treats, and while they fail to match my beloved PC CCFC, this morning's breakfast came close.

Had these decadent, chocolatey pancakes not been born under the looming shadow of PC CCFC, my praises would be ringing out with much more enthusiasm because they're everything a chocolate lover could want in a healthy, protein-packed breakfast recipe.

Alas, dark clouds hang over my PC CCFC-less world, and I drown my sorrows in these fudgy pancakes of resentment.

Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 egg
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1.5 tbsp ground flax
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- sweetener to taste (I use 1 tsp honey)

Directions:
1. Mash ingredients together
2. Cook on med-high for about 3 minutes.
3. Flip when small bubbles stay formed and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

I ate mine plain and they were chocolatey and delicious. If you are feeling extra indulgent, add chocolate chips to the batter, or spread some peanut butter or nutella while they're still warm. Either way, chocolate-brownie goodness will calm your soul.

Clean Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites

Anyone else love muffins? Unfortunately they are usually full of gluten, oil, sugar, and whatever else the companies throw in them. But I still miss them.
These little bites are healthy and heartyl great for a quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack!
Give them a try:

Ingredients:
- 2c old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4c chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp ground flax
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2tsp baking soda
- 1/4tsp sea salt
- 1 ripe banana
- 15oz can pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or other milk)
- 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease muffin tin.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl together. Set aside.
3. Mash the banana. Add the egg. Whisk in remaining wet ingredients (vanilla, pumpkin, milk, honey)
4. Mix wet and dry ingredients together.
5. Pour into muffin tins and bake for 25 min at 350.
*makes 12 medium-sized muffins

If you would like a sweeter muffin, add 1/4c brown sugar, or baking stevia, or sprinkle in a few chocolate chips!