I have no idea how it happened but, last week one of my nieces turned 13!!!!

13!!!!

I have a 13 year old niece?!

How is that even possible?!

Seriously?!

13?!

Anyways, moving on . . . kinda . . . when I asked the birthday girl what kind of cake she wanted for her big 13th birthday celebration she said “chocolate cake with vanilla frosting” – Classic, love it!

Now, because girlfriend lives on the other side of the world and sadly I couldn’t be there to help her eat her cake share in her special day, I decided to make a little birthday treat for me to enjoy on her behalf in honour of her special day.

So, I made a big ol’ batch of these double chocolate {paleo friendly} cupcakes and for the vanilla frosting I decided to make a creamy, dreamy {secretly healthy} frosting with a decedent little twist.

Say hello to my latest addiction – Vanilla Choc Chip Cashew Cream.

This stuff is so good it’s ridiculous, especially considering how easy it is to make.

Just 3 all natural ingredients, 5 mins in your blender or food processor and you’re done baby.

Simply soak some raw cashews overnight  then, throw those buttery little bites of deliciousness  into a food processor or blender, add a splash of vanilla and whip those cashews into a creamy, dreamy, vanilla infused oblivion. Then, we just stir through some dark and delicious little chunks of antioxidant rich chocolate chips and boomshakalocka you are done.

This vanilla choc chip cashew cream is so light, so fluffy and seriously creamy I can not even tell you. Photos do this little bowl of deliciousness no justice whatsoever. The smell alone is simply divine! 

The butteriness from the cashews combined with the subtle, sweet hint of vanilla and those delicious little chocolate chunks tastes like a dream. It’s kinda like a light, fluffy batch of clean eating vanilla choc chip cookie dough that is all kinds of healthy and doesn’t leave you with a post cookie dough sugar crash and I can not, will not stop eating it . . .  

and knowing the health benefits that cashews contain why would I?

Did you know that  not only do cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts, but the fat they do contain is heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in olive oil.

– Cashews have been identified as containing a high level of antioxidants.

– Studies have also shown that those who consuming nuts at least 4 times a week showed a reduced risk of coronary heart disease compared to those who never or rarely ate nuts.

– Cashews also contain high levels of magnesium and studies have shown that magnesium helps to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, lowers blood pressure, helps prevent heart attacks, regulates sleep, and reduces the severity of asthma.

– Cashews are also high in protein which we all know will help build/repair/grown those gorgeous little muscles of ours. Not only that but protein helps to keep you fuller for longer.

What are you waiting for? Go make yourself a big ol’ batch of this creamy, dreamy vanilla choc chip cashew cream and then go ahead and dive head first into the bowl and eat your way out . . .  or you could be a little more refined and eat it straight up with a spoon but . . .

In honour of my sweet niece’s big 13th birthday celebration I put a big ol’ spoonful on top of some double chocolate cupcakes,

with extra chocolate chips,

and sprinkles of course.

and I suggest you do the same, because surely someone, somewhere is having a birthday and we should totally get on board and celebrate the deliciousness that is this creamy, dreamy vanilla choc chip cashew cream, ahem, I mean them 😉

All natural with no refined flours or sugars added, just 3 ingredients, 5 minutes in your blender or food processor and you too could be indulging in this buttery, sweet, creamy, dreamy, vanilla infused, choc chip studded, seriously healthy little cloud of deliciousness.

Can’t, stop, won’t stop . . . Just yes! What are you waiting for?!

All natural, secretly healthy, raw, dairy free, vegan, gluten free, paleo friendly! 

Make it, eat it, love it

Vanilla Choc Chip Cashew Cream
Makes approx 1 cup of light and fluffy, creamy, dreamy, buttery vanilla spiked cashew cream choc full of choc chips

Ingredients –

1 cup of raw cashews

1 1/2 cups of water (for soaking)

1 Tablespoon of vanilla bean extract (or the seeds scraped from 2-3 vanilla beans)

1-2 Tablespoons of dark chocolate chips, roughly chopped

A pinch of salt flakes

2-4 Tablespoons of water (more or less depending on your desired consistency)

Method –

1 – In a small bowl or jug place cashews and 1 1/2 cups of water and soak for 2-3 hours

2 – Drain and rinse your cashews and place into your food processor/blender

3 – Add vanilla and salt flakes and process until smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of your blender/food processor occasionally.

4 – Add 2 Tablespoons of water and blend/process until well combined. Continue to add water 1 Tablespoon at a time to reach your preferred consistency. I used 3 Tablespoons of water and my cream was deliciously thick and creamy. Taste and add a little extra vanilla if you feel the need.

5 – Add your roughly chopped chocolate chips and stir to combine.

6 – Transfer to an airtight, sealed container and proceed to dive in head first and eat your way out store in your belly fridge.

Enjoy xoxo
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Question of the day –

What’s your all time favourite kind of frosting?