Easter is almost here and I really don't want to blow my diet eating sugary cookies or chemical-laden marshmallow peeps. As usual, I turned to my favourite Quest bars for inspiration. I had a blast creating THREE different Quest Bar mini Easter Egg treats.
Here's a preview:
1. #CheatClean QUEST BAR Easter Egg Cookies
These cute little cookies were cut out using a mini Easter egg cookie cutter. They are TOTALLY HEALTHY. Use 85% dark chocolate for the drizzle and add antioxidants, vitamins & minerals!
2. QUEST BAR Easter Egg Sandwich Cookies
- Peanut Butter
- Chocolate Hazelnut
- Toasted Coconut
- Cherry Almond
3. QUEST BAR Chocolate Covered Easter Egg Cookies
Don't be intimidated. I simply dipped the sandwich cookies into dark chocolate. Some have both Quest cookie halves plus filling, and others are just the crunchy Quest cookie bottom with a layer of filling on top. Either way, DELICIOUS!
As always, my recipes are EASY so don't be intimidated. There may be a few extra steps in the chocolate-covered cookie option, but everything is simple - I promise.
The only "must-haves" are Quest Bars and an Easter egg cookie cutter.
Note: If you don't have an egg cookie cutter you can get the same flavors by either using a different shaped cookie cutter, or just slicing your Quest dough into squares with a knife.
Here we go. All of the recipes start with the basic Quest Easter Egg Cookie recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
1 or more Quest bars (I used Chocolate Brownie and Coconut Cashew)
Optional: dark chocolate or chocolate chips for drizzle
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Working with one Quest bar at a time, unwrap the bar and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Microwave on high for 10 seconds until softened.
3. Working quickly, cover the bar with another piece of parchment paper and roll out to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use a rolling pin or press with your hands to flatten.
4. Using a small Easter egg cookie cutter, cut out dough. (When cutting, space cookies close together because you won't be able to reroll the scraps as with regular cookie dough.) Repeat with any additional Quest bars if desired.
5. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place cookie cut-outs on the parchment. Bake for approximately 6-8 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool.
See, that was easy! Enjoy the crispy cookies as is, or drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
Now, if you'd like to try the Quest Bar Sandwich Cookies (highly recommended!), let's keep going...
Quest Bar Easter Egg Sandwich Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
Quest Bar Easter Egg Cookies (recipe above)
Plus the ingredients needed for your choice of filling(s):
Peanut Butter Filling
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 heaping tablespoon protein powder, either peanut butter or vanilla flavour
Chocolate Hazelnut Filling
1 tablespoon Nutella
1 heaping tablespoon protein powder, either chocolate or vanilla flavour
Cherry Almond Filling
2 tablespoons coconut butter, softened
1 tablespoon dried cherries, chopped
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Toasted Coconut Filling
2 tablespoons coconut butter, softened
1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut, toasted
To toast coconut, place on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for approximately five minutes until lightly browned.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Make the filling or fillings of your choice. My favourite is the toasted coconut!
For peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut fillings: Place heaping tablespoon of protein powder in a small bowl. Add tablespoon of either peanut butter or Nutella. Mix together to incorporate all the protein powder. Mixture should not be sticky; it should be the consistency of playdough.
For cherry almond and toasted coconut fillings: If coconut butter is solid, soften for a few seconds in the microwave. It does not need to be liquid, but soft enough to stir in your fillings. For cherry almond filling, add chopped dried cherries and almond extract. For toasted coconut filling, stir in toasted coconut.
2. Prepare fillings for cutting. The fillings must be flat in order to be cut with cookie cutters. Simply place filling on parchment paper and flatten it with a spoon or with your hand to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Place fillings in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
3. Remove fillings from the refrigerator and cut out with the same egg-shaped cookie cutter.
4. Place a Quest cookie on a plate and top with the filling of your choice. Add another Quest cookie on top for a delicious Easter Egg sandwich cookie!
This version had a few steps but it's still incredibly easy. These Quest Bar Sandwich Cookies are definitely a #CheatClean treat!
Decadent Easter Cookie Option: Finally, we have the fun Easter-only-comes-once-a-year-I-deserve-a-treat Chocolate Covered Sandwich Cookie Eggs. It's not a surprise that the chocolate-covered option is my favourite. (My blog title is probably a dead giveaway, lol.) Honestly, the chocolate only adds a few extra calories so your Easter eggs are almost as healthy as the sandwich cookies. Everything in moderation, right??
Quest Bar Chocolate-Covered Easter Egg Sandwich Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
Quest Bar Easter Egg Sandwich Cookies (recipe above)
Chocolate for melting (dark chocolate, chocolate chips or Wilton dark chocolate candy melts)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Melt the chocolate either in a double-boiler or in the microwave. Since this is a holiday treat and I didn't want to fuss, I used Wilton dark chocolate candy melts. You are welcome to use dark chocolate chips or a chocolate candy bar. For the Wilton melts, add a handful of candy pieces to a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. Continue to microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power until candy is melted.
2. Working with one sandwich cookie at a time, place cookie in melted chocolate and flip to coat all sides. Use a fork to remove the cookie from chocolate and place it on a sheet of parchment paper to harden.
Totally optional: I used colourful Wilton chocolate melts to add a little drizzle for decoration. However, the chocolate-covered cookie eggs will be just as delicious plain.
