Almond Pecan Bites
These delicious, energizing, and gluten-free Almond Pecan Bites are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up or mid-morning snack. They are so tasty and satisfying and sure to be a hit with family and friends.
A few Fridays ago, while I was at work, I got a call that just about every parent dreads…
It started off with “mommy…” – now I know when my 16-year-old reverts back to calling me “mommy”, I need to brace myself…
She went on to tell me that she had been in an accident by a mall close to home; my first question was if she was ok…and, a steady voice that didn’t quite sound like hers, replied “yes”; when I asked her what happened, she said she had hit a curb!
Hit a curb? Now, I have hit my fair share of curbs, but, they were never classified as “accidents”…I was worried and frustrated, and … I could only imagine how she felt when she went onto say that mall security and a county cop were at the scene.
When I got to her, I saw that she had indeed hit a curb – so incredibly hard! Fortunately, she had missed hitting a pole nearby, but had hit a raised flower bed and her car sat at almost a 30-degree angle, with the front end up on the flower bed. Fortunately, while the car was horribly damaged, she was ok. She had called the insurance company and the motor club we belong to, and, a tow truck was on it’s way.
When I got out of my car, there were a million things I wanted to say …”what were you thinking?” …”haven’t we practiced missing a turn and going straight and turning around later?”… But, as I walked to her, she broke down and kept on saying how sorry she was.
Just prior to this, after she started driving her own little car, I felt we were drifting – our relationship had begun to change. Some friends said she was just growing up, that she needed her independence – so I pulled back. Even though it didn’t feel right…I did my best to accept that this might be yet another stage on this journey to adulthood.
Then the accident happened…and, as we waited for the tow truck to come, we sat and talked… and I realized I wasn’t the only one who had noticed the drifting…she had too. She said she didn’t know how to fix it…how to go back…
I am a strong believer in that everything happens for a reason – no matter the expense, no matter the damage. God has a way of working things out, of bringing us closer to Him and each other.
And, the reasons are not for all to see or know.
But, I want my daughter to know that there is no changing what has happened, no amount of “should’ve”, “could’ve”, or “would’ve”, would undo what’s done – but, the future is a blank canvas – full of possibility; and I want her to look to it without regret, without fear, without bitterness, but with lessons learned.
We have been doing a lot of talking about this – and taking and eating seem to go hand in hand – at least for me!
So I whipped up these Almond & Pecan Bites as a treat. And I must say, these were not only a delicious pre-walk treat, but, I think these were the reason we were still walking and talking while our dogs were tuckered out!
Ingredients
FOR THE BITES
- 1 3/4 cups pecans or 1 cup pecan butter
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup gluten-free flour I used Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
FOR THE GLAZE
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- FOR THE BITES
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Add the pecans to a blender or food processor and process till pecans are pecan butter
- Mix all ingredients (including the pecan butter) together and form them into bite-sized shapes
- Bake for 15 minutes
- Take out and let cool
- FOR THE GLAZE
- Add all the ingredients to a pan over a low flame
- Let almond butter and coconut oil and a honey melt and mingle
- Stir well and then pour over the bites.
- Enjoy!
and now i am totallyyyyyyy craving some cinnamon balls.
Give in – don’t fight that craving….. 🙂
Glad to hear everyone is ok! Everything does happen for a reason. Sometimes we may not understand or particularly like the reasons… but they are there.
Couldn’t agree more, Chris! Thank you.
These look fantastic and its small portions are guilt-free! So yum!
Haha – true, true! Thanks Denise!
Shashi, you’re making me all emotional this morning. . how old is your daughter again? and is your relationship better now? I dread the day when my oldest starts driving and even when she enters adolescence. . hopefully there won’t be drama but what am I saying. She’ll be a hormonal teenager! I love the stories about you and your daughter because I have two . . and the reminder to establish that bond early so it will hopefully stick! anyway, glad everyone was ok. . and love these almond pecan bites!
Alice, my daughter is 16 – we have always had a better relationship than I could have ever dreamed – but, things changed a tad – My daughter doesn’t stir up a lot of drama – but she was on an independent streak, stronger than normal – but we are good again. You are so right – establishing a bond early on is crucial – my daughter has been a mama’s girl since before she could talk – so that has helped us be and stay close – as hopefully, you and your daughter are and always will be!
That is such a great story. I love how God takes our accidents and failures and turns them around for good. All the time….because He is good.
I’m sure you are so grateful for the opportunity to connect with her in a whole new way.
Have a beautiful day!
Melanie – you are so right – He is definitely good – always!
Hope you have a wonderful day too!
Shashi, this is the best post ever. Like I am so incredibly happy right now. Not because lil Shashi got in an accident (glad she’s ok!), but because you guys had the chance to reconnect. It happens with everyone. Parents. Friends. Spouses. But then you realize you miss the connection. I think you should sit down and watch some basketball with lil Shashi. I bet that will be some good bonding time. 🙂
Haha – David – thank you!
I was worried for a tad there – but Lil Shashi and I are good – infact, better than before! But, I think that’s the best part about reconnecting – huh?! 🙂
Oh, she gets me too – and I swear, I have tried – but only way I stay awake is if there’s food in-front of me!
im glad shes doing okay..its not uncommon for things to change a little bit (its just a phase trust me)..but i hope you guys get closer again. hugs.
Aww- thanks so much Dixya! xx
i love how this “snack” was more than a snack, but a conversation together. And they go great with tea or afternoon snacking. Yes to a BOLD future for her!
Thanks so much Lindsay! xx
Well I’m glad to hear your daughter is okay (even though the car isn’t)!! I’m sure this will only serve to bring you two closer together again – silver lining?
You are most definitely right, Joanne – silver lining indeed!
Shashi, this is a lovely post. My favourite part of it was, “the future is a blank canvas – full of possibility; and I want her to look to it without regret, without fear, without bitterness, but with lessons learned.” 🙂
Thanks so much Lorraine 🙂
I’m so relieved that your daughter is OK and I’m so impressed by your attitude in this whole thing. The ability to always look on the bright side of life is not very common and I applaud you for this.
You are a bright, articulate and insightful person, that’s why I love reading your blog.
PS the bites look incredible
Mike – thank you so much, my friend!
Awhile back I remember hearing this quote “Regret makes you old, and bitterness poisons the people around you” (think it was on a tv show or movie or something) – but, simply put, I love that quote – makes life so much more joyful 🙂
Oh my gosh.. I’m glad she’s ok! You’re awesome for looking at it positively and I definitely think you’re right–everything happens for a reason even if we don’t quite understand why. On another note, these balls look deliciousssssss!
Thanks so much Erin!
Oh goodness I am SO relieved that your daughter is doing ok, Shashi- how scared you both must have been! It’s amazing to see that you’ve looked at it from a positive light i.e. it brought you guys closer.
Drooling at these balls – love almond anything :)!
Thanks oodles Khushboo – I am glad she is okay – and, life is too short to be all focused on the negative.
A coworker passed away this past weekend – at 39 – from complications from diabetes – life is just too short – so, best put a smile on – right? 🙂
I’m so glad that your daughter is OK Shashi, that whole situation must have been a really nasty shock.
I so agree with your “being a strong believer in that everything happens for a reason – no matter the expense, no matter the damage.” Things like this event you’ve been through make us stronger. The main thing being nobody was hurt.
These bites do look delicious! I love anything nuts wise, my cupboard has jars of all kinds of nuts, they’re just so easy to scoop a handful when you need a quick healthy snack. 🙂
You are right, Neil – adversity has a way of knocking us down, but, when we can pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off – we definitely do find we are stronger!
Thank you so much! Enjoy your trip!
o my…that’s just dreadful. I am really relieved to know that she is fine, at least physically. She will be okay very soon. Bet from now on you will be the ONE who worries the most when she is on the way.
I always have a weakness for nutty treats. They look delish.
You are so right about the worrying, Angie!
Thank you so much!
Oh dear! That’s so awful. You both must have had such a shock. I’m so glad your daughter is okay – that’s the main thing. I know those phone calls – I’ve had more than my share! Your heart just about jumps out of your chest. It’s interesting how in Oz, you can’t drive until your 17 but you can drink at 18 and in the US, you can drive at 16 but you can’t drink until your 21 xx
Charlie – I wasn’t aware of the exact driving/drinking age in Oz – sometimes I think 17 is a better age for them to start driving – it’s amazing how much maturing happens between 16 and 17!
Thanks so much!
xx