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!
Mother-daughter relationships are so strong, nothing will ever break the bond. I was incredibly close to my mom growing up, and even though she has Alzheimer’s now, I still tell her everything (even if she won’t remember it) because she’s my mama and in my heart she’ll always be my favourite person in the world. I’m glad your daughter is okay! Enjoy all the time you have with her before she has to go off to college! Happy Friday, Shashi 🙂
Oh Genevieve you are such a good daughter – I am sorry to hear about your mom’s Alzheimer’s…my dad had dementia brought on by congestive heart failure and while the two are not the same – I can empathize.
I’m so glad to know that your daughter is okay Shashi, take care!
Thanks Manali!
Oh my goodness I am so glad that she is okay! And I’m also really glad that because of it you were able to talk about everything too – it always amazes me how things happen for a reason.
And of course these little bites sound fantastic! Exactly my kind of snack!
Thanks so much Ashley!
Glad to know your daughter is okay. These bites look amazing!
Thanks Asmita!
I’ve never seen someone do “baked” bites!
And now you have 🙂
I’m so glad your daughter is ok Shashi! These almond bites look so good!
Thanks so much Mira!
I’m glad your daughter’s okay and that the accident had a way of working your relationship back out!
Thank you so much Olivia
OMG I’m so glad she’s okay! It was great that you could reconnect though – and sounds like a delicious way to do it!
Thanks Tara = it sure was a delicious way indeed! 😉
Aw i’m so glad she’s okay! I’m 17 and I’ve only been driving for the better part of a year, and that situation is a nightmare for both the parent and the kid! These treats sound like the way to make everything better 🙂
Thank you so much Medha – you are right about the nightmare part!
Sorry it took an accident to shake things up. At least cars can be mended and your daughter was okay 🙂
Tandy – you are so right!
Oh Sashi, I am so so glad she is Ok. I can totally understand your dilemma. I would be super freaked too, but they do learn from their mistakes and you are great great mom for understanding the situation. You did absolutely the right thing and I’m so glad she is OK Sashi.
Again, sometimes the worst of situations makes us realize a lot of things and things turn out for the better.
Love you and hugs to your daughter. Stay calm and safe.
Awww, Asha thanks so much for your kind words – Lots of love to you too, my sweet friend!
I’m so glad your daughter is okay (my parents wouldn’t let me drive for ages, so I actually didn’t get my license til I was 22.5 ._.), and although it was a bad accident, I like to look for the silver linings, so I’m glad that it at least brought you two closer and giving you both a chance to reconnect again!
+ hooray for those delicious lookin’ treats! <3
Farrah – I am a huge fan of those silver linings 😉
I have to say, I was 22 when I started driving too! For me – I never learned when I lived in the middle east as it was so easy to get around town there – but it’s not the same here – I actually saved up after college and paid for driving lessons myself – I thought I was the only one who started driving in my 20’s..till now!
You’re definitely not! My friend/temporary roommate didn’t get hers til she was 23! At least we can always use that for “Never have I ever” games? :O
My undergrad was superrrr super bike-friendly, so I walked/biked everywhere for my 4 years there. I’d love to live in a place like that again! It’d be so much better for the environment, I’d get built-in exercise, would get to enjoy the outdoors…sigh!!
So glad your daughter is alright! How scary for you. I’m a big believer of looking for the positive in every situation. As awful as my son’s cancer diagnosis was in 2013, it has brought us much closer as a family and taught us to cherish each day we are given.
Totally love these almond pecan bites!
Christin – thank you! You are truly inspiring – I remember reading some of your posts just after – what a source of strength and inspiration you are – to your family and us!
xx
What a sweet story, so happy she wasn’t hurt. You are a great mom and this sweet treat was a great way to end the story!
Aww-thanks so much Chris! Your kind words are much appreciated.
I can’t imagine how you were feeling! My girl is not even 3 yet but I think I’ll go a little crazy the day she starts driving! So glad she’s okay 🙂
Thanks so much Ashley! I am so glad she is okay too! Oh my gawsh – I remeber when my daughter was 3 – funny thing, it feels like it was just yesterday!
I’m so happy to hear your daughter is okay. I definitely believe that everything happens for a reason and hopefully you both get close again. *hugs*
These little bites sound perfect!
Thanks so much Kelly! Sending hugs your way too, sweet friend.