Easter Family Fun

Christmas is without a doubt, my favorite holiday to celebrate. Easter is a close second. The only thing that’s better than celebrating our Savior coming to live among us is celebrating His victory over death when He died and rose again!

In addition to the reason for the season, I love the nostalgia and tradition tied to this holiday. My mom would always let me pick out a fancy new dress to wear to on Easter Sunday. Our church had a “Sunrise Service”  Sunday morning that literally began at sunrise. We had to wake at the crack of dawn to attend, but I never had any trouble getting up on those mornings because I got to wear my new Sunday dress, our church service was held outside at sunrise (cold…but fun), and there was always a BIG potluck breakfast to look forward to when the service ended! And then of course…egg dying and Easter baskets! Lots of fun memories and highly anticipated events.

Many of these traditions have carried on with our family…the egg dying, the pastel baskets filled with trinkets and goodies, the flowery, fancy dresses for my girls, Easter Sunday service (although not quite as early as sunrise)… but we’ve also adopted some new ways of celebrating into our Easter season.

No Bake Easter Egg Cookies

If you know me, you know I’m always on the hunt for enjoying treats in a healthier way. Doesn’t have to be complex… a few tweaks here and there and you’ve got yourself a tasty, friendlier ingredient treat! These fruity easter cookies are delish and require no baking! The recipe is basically a spin off of peanut butter oat protein balls (if you’ve ever made them before), is super simple and easy to get little hands involved in the making.

Cookie Ingredients:

1. 2 C rolled oats separated (I use this brand because they are certified glyphosate free)
2. 1 C creamy nut butter (we usually use peanut butter)
3. ¼ C honey
4. ½ tsp salt
5. ¼ C ground flax seeds (optional for extra fiber)
6. 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Icing Ingredients:

1. ½ C Greek yogurt
2. ¼ C diary free cream cheese (we like this brand)
3. 1.5 tbsp maple syrup
4. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
5. Various fruit diced into small pieces (bananas, strawberries, blueberries, grapes)
6. Optional – raisins and chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Place 1 cup of the rolled oats into a blender and blend until it has a flour like texture.
2. Combine the oat flour with the ground flax seeds.
3. In a large bowl add the nut butter, honey, vanilla and salt and stir together until fully combined.
4. Fold the other cup of whole rolled oats into the nut butter mixture.
5. Gradually stir in the blended oat flour & flax seed mixture into the bowl until you are able to form the mixture into balls without it falling apart.
6. Once you have the desired texture, take about 2 tbsp worth of the mixture, drop onto a tray lined with parchment paper, form into balls and then press down to create your egg shapes.
7. I like to place the cookies in the refrigerator for about 1/2 hr to 1 hr to give them a bit more solid form and sturdier texture.
8. For the icing, use a hand mixer (or just stir together by hand if the cream cheese has softened) mix together the yogurt, cream cheese, maple syrup and vanilla.
9. Spoon the yogurt icing on top of your egg cookies and spread evenly.
10. Top with the diced fruit, raisins and chocolate chips of your choice!