Reece's Peanut Butter Eggs were one of my weaknesses in my past life. But now with understanding on what certain chemicals do to our cells and brain, I have no problem walking by them in the grocery store. Instead, I enjoy every bite of my homemade eggs without any guilt.Ingredients in REECE'S Eggs: Peanuts, sugar, dextrose, vegetable oil (cocoa butter, palm, shea, sunflower and/or safflower oil), chocolate, nonfat milk, contains 2% or less of milk fat, lactose, salt, whey, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, corn syrup, soy lecithin, cornstarch, glycerin, TBHQ & PGPR, vanillin
TBHQ comes from petroleum (think "lighter fluid"). It is applied either to the carton of fast food items or sprayed directly onto them, as well as in various other prepackaged food items. TBHQ is banned in other countries.
TBHQ keeps fats from going rancid, so you see it in a lot of foods that they want to have a long shelf life. It is considered an "anti-oxidant" BUT it can itself be oxidized into harmful molecules, like tert-butylquinone...causing a TIRED TOXIC LIVER (see chapter on the liver in Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism).
But it also promotes production of quinone reductase, which is linked to cancer. TBHQ can cause a full range of reactions from asthma to anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, depression, tiredness, learning difficulties and children's behavior problems. This chemical is also found to effect estrogen levels...are you trying to get pregnant? or dealing with menopausal symptoms? I would avoid this like the plague.
In pre-packaged foods, if you see the words "no trans-fats," look for TBHQ in the ingredient lists. Some manufacturer's, such as Kellogg's, are using this "trickery," and are using TBHQ instead of trans-fats. Is it better than trans-fat? No. BUT what is even scarier... if you don't see it, that does not mean it is not there. Manufacturers are not required to list "secondary" ingredients. If you don't believe me, call the company and ask if their oil now contains TBHQ. Thank you FDA!
Oh, AND always make sure you use NATURAL peanut butter...Jiff has trans-fats!
"Healthified" Peanut Butter Eggs:
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese or coconut cream, softened
1/2 cup organic butter or coconut oil, softened
1 (18 ounce) jar creamy NATURAL peanut butter (or almond butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered erythritol* and 1 tsp stevia glycerite (or 1 cup Swerve)
Using a coffee grinder, grind the sweetener until a fine powder to resemble powdered sugar. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Beat in sweetener. Form rounded tablespoonfuls into egg shapes. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill for 30 minutes.
CHOCOLATE COATING:
4 TBS organic butter or coconut oil2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
10 TBS heavy cream or coconut milk
1/2 cup powdered* erythritol (or Confectioners Swerve)
2 tsp stevia glycerite
NOTE: OR melt a ChocoPerfection Bar for an easy chocolate coating
Place the butter and chopped chocolate in a double boiler (or in a heat safe dish over a pot of boiling water). Stir well until just melted (don't burn the chocolate!), add in the cream, and sweetener. Stir until smooth and thick. Dip eggs until coated; place on waxed paper to harden.
For more decorative eggs, place about 1/4 cup melted chocolate in a small plastic bag. Cut a hole in the corner of the bag; pipe chocolate over tops of eggs. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 30 eggs.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per egg)
1 Reeces PB Egg = 170 calories, 10g fat, 4g protein, 18g carbs, 1g fiber (17g effective carbs
1 "Healthified" Egg = 178 calories, 15.4g fat, 6.1g protein, 3.7g carbs, 1.2g fiber (2.5g effective carbs)
Hi! How many servings does this recipe make, please?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
All fixed!
ReplyDeleteYou are the BEST, thanks Maria!
ReplyDeleteWill 1 bag of the Chocolate Chips you recommend be enough for the recipe?
ReplyDeleteI would get 2 bags.
ReplyDeleteHappy Baking!
Is there an alternative I could use for the chips? I want to make this today - but no stores sell them here. Thanks for the link to order them though - I will stock up!
ReplyDeleteYou could try this...
ReplyDeleteChocolate Glaze
3 TBS Truvia or erythritol, powdered
1/4 tsp stevia glycerite (if using erythritol)
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 TBS unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Place Truvia in a food processor or coffee ginder and blend until a fine powder. Place chopped chocolate, and almond milk in a double boiler or a microwave safe bowl. Heat and stir until smooth. Mix in sweetener and almond extract until smooth.
Thank you!!! I have been following your website and reading your book for a week and I already feel better!
ReplyDeleteThat makes me VERY happy!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great recipe! Thank you so much for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Thank you for the kind words!
ReplyDeleteOk, so I consider myself to be a good baker, but I cannot get this recipe right!!! The eggs came out perfectly, but the chocolate gavel such trouble! Is it really only 1 oz of bakers choc??? Then why in the comments do you refer to 2 whole bags of chips?! The chocolate I ended up with was like soup and barely covered or stayed on the peanut butter. Should I let the chocolate completely cool first? I really want these to turn out, but after 4 attempts, I'm about to give up!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, let me try these this morning and I will get back to you. I usually let the chocolate cool a bit so it isn't too liquid...
ReplyDeleteThanks for any and all help! I'm still wondering where the bag of chips come in that ate mentioned in the comments? Maybe the recipe was edited?
DeleteI would love to give these a try but some of your ingredients are a foreign language to me. I'm completely new to this "Healthier" way of cooking/baking and am not familiar with the names/terms you list. Please help!
ReplyDeleteSTEVIA GLYCERITE = Stevia glycerite is a favorite of many people. It is an herb that has been used as a sweetener in South America for hundreds of years. One tip is to look for “stevia glycerite;” which has no bitter aftertaste as compared to plain “stevia. It is widely used all over the world. In Japan, it claims 58% of the sweetener market, and was used in Japanese Diet Coke until the company replaced it with aspartame to "standardize" worldwide.
ReplyDeleteCALORIES = 0
SWEETNESS/CONVERSION = 300 times sweeter than sugar
CONVERSION = 1 tsp of stevia = 1 cup of sugar
WHY I USE IT = It is great for cooking, because it maintains flavor that many other sweeteners lose when heated, but it also needs an additional sweetener in most cases when making baked goods since it doesn't caramelize or create "bulk."
BENEFITS OF STEVIA
1. WEIGHT LOSS and DIABETICS: It does not affect blood sugar metabolism. This makes it a great tool in weight loss programs, but it also for diabetics. Stevia creates a hypoglycemic effect and increases glucose tolerance. It significantly decreases plasma glucose levels. In multiple human studies, blood sugar is reduced by 35% 6-8 hours after consumption of a hot water extract of the leaf.
2. BLOOD PRESSURE: Stevia extract is a vasodilator agent. Studies show that a mix of hot water and extract from the leaf lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Several studies demonstrated this hypotensive action (as well as a diuretic action).
3. ANTI-BACTERIAL/ANTI-YEAST: has anti-bacterial properties in that it helps to inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria that lead to disease. It helps prevent dental cavities by inhibiting the bacteria Streptococcus mutans that stimulates plaque growth. It also has vasodilatory activity and is effective for various skin issues, such as acne, heat rash, and problems caused by insufficient blood circulation.
4. CANCER: It keeps your body in a ketogenic state so you can starve the cancer of sugar on which cancer feeds upon (read more HERE).
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = It doesn't create a "caramelized" cookie, or "bulk" in baked goods, which is why I add erythritol.
ERYTHRITOL = Erythritol is a naturally-derived sugar substitute that looks and tastes very much like sugar, yet has almost no calories. Erythritol has been used in Japan since 1990 in candies, chocolate, yogurt, fillings, jellies, jams, beverages, and as a sugar substitute. Erythritol, is considered a 'sugar alcohol' and is found naturally in small amounts in grapes, melons, mushrooms, and fermented foods such as wine, beer, cheese, and soy sauce. Erythritol is usually made from plant sugars.
CALORIES = 0 to 0.2 calories/gram (95% fewer calories than sugar)
SWEETNESS = 70% as sweet as table sugar. Use cup for cup like sugar, but you need to add a tsp of stevia glycerite to add sweetness.
WHY I USE IT = Unlike stevia, it has a crystallization property like sugar. This is why it is combined with stevia for baking.
BENEFITS of ERYTHRITOL
1. WEIGHT LOSS and DIABETES: Erythritol does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels.
2. ORAL HEALTH: Erythritol isn’t metabolized by oral bacteria which break down sugars and starches to produce acids, which means that it doesn’t contribute to tooth decay. This is why excess carbohydrates and table sugar lead to tooth enamel loss and cavities formation.
3. CANDIDA: Erythritol is absorbed in the small intestines, which reduces fermentation and decreases the detrimental problems associated with Candida (yeast overgrowth in the body).
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = It doesn't dissolve in foods (like salad dressings/caramel)
Maria, regular Stevia has a maple syrup taste to me. Don't like it. Does stevia erythritol have that same taste?
DeleteThat is why I combine sweeteners (or use Swerve). It gives a better overall taste. :)
DeleteTRUVIA = Coca-Cola and PepsiCo now have sweeteners and beverages sweetened with stevia and erythritol based sweeteners.
ReplyDeleteCONVERSION/SWEETNESS = Same as sugar. 1/2 cup erythritol and 1 tsp stevia = 1/2 cup Truvia
CALORIES = 0.2 calories/gram
BEFEFITS and UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = same as erythritol and stevia (see above). It also is expensive and I don't enjoy opening a million little packets if the store doesn't carry the tubs! This is why I purchase erythritol and stevia glycerite separate and mix my own!
ZSWEET = is another brand of erythritol and stevia mixed together. It comes in convenient large bags (as compared to the small tubs of Truvia). A lot of people prefer the taste of ZSweet over other non-caloric sweeteners.
CALORIES = 0
SWEETNESS = same as sugar (use cup for cup)
CONVERSION/BENEFITS/UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = Same as stevia and erythritol (see above)
ORGANIC ZERO = Is produced from Organic Sugar Cane Juice, which is naturally fermented and crystallized to create Organic Erythritol. Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is found in our bodies, as well as in many fruits, vegetables and even certain fermented foods. CALORIES = 0.2 cals/gram
SWEETNESS/CONVERSION = Zero is 70% as sweet as table sugar. But with zero calories and zero on the glycemic index, consumers can indulge with zero guilt
BENEFITS = same as erythritol and stevia (see above). And baked goods made with Zero have longer “shelf lives” than those made with regular sugar.
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = the molecular structure of Organic Zero prevents it from browning the way other sugars do.
XYLITOL= Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. Manufacturers make it from plants such as birch and other hard wood trees and fibrous vegetation. Some people prefer the taste of xylitol. I only use it when I have to due to since it has a higher calorie content and causes an increase in insulin. Before I found JUST LIKE SUGAR, I used this for my caramel sauce.
ReplyDeleteCALORIES = 2.4 calories/gram; 1 tsp has 9.6 calories and 1 tsp of sugar has 15 calories (40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbs than table sugar)
CONVERSION= Same as table sugar. Use cup for cup.
BENEFITS:
1. Reduces Cavities: It does not break down like sugar and keeps a neutral pH level in the mouth. Xylitol prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth, which protects the teeth from tooth decay. Acid-producing bacteria falls as much as 90%. After eating xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of the teeth which decrease plaque buildup.
2. Reduces Ear Infections: It has be used as medicine in stopping bacterial growth to help prevent ear infections in young children. It also clears out excess earwax and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria in the pharyngotympanic tubes.
3. Helps with Asthma: Since asthma is linked to chronic post-nasal drip, xylitol can also help by breaking the cycle of bronchial inflammation.
4. Help clear up Candida (yeast overgrowth).
5. Increases White Blood Cells: Increasing immune health and protects us from chronic disease and bacterial infections.
6. Protects newborns from streptococcus if the nursing mother consumes this. It is proven to help decrease this oral bacteria by 80%.
7. Decrease Allergies and Sinus Infections: They now have a nasal spray made of xylitol because it decreases the harmful bacteria that gather in the cells of our nose.
8. Reduces Ovarian Cysts, PCOS and Breast Cancer: Consuming sugar creates high insulin levels which increase the production of estrogens, leading to an estrogen-dominant condition, and also interfere with healthy ovarian function. Insulin resistance is a major cause of a growing hormonal problem called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Signs that the body is being exposed to higher levels of the male hormones include acne, loss of head hair, and an increase in body hair. Lowering insulin levels is crucial for not only treating PCOS but also resolving most other hormonal imbalances, including those leading to breast cancer.
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = Xylitol has very few known side effects, although some people report diarrhea when adding xylitol into their diets.
JUST LIKE SUGAR = It is made from chicory root, calcium, vitamin C, and orange peel.
ReplyDeleteSWEETNESS/CONVERSION = Same as table sugar. Use cup for cup.
CALORIES = 0
WHY I USE IT = Just Like Sugar has none of the strong aftertastes of stevia or artificial sweeteners.
BENEFITS = Keeps ice cream soft, makes perfect caramel sauce, makes cookies soft on the inside and chewy on the outside, and it tastes great.
1. CHOLESTEROL: It decrease the levels of serum LDL cholesterol in the blood.
2. INFLAMMATION: It contains vitamin C, one of the most powerful antioxidants.
3. DIABETES: The inulin content is not digestible, so its lack of glucose can help promote optimal blood sugar levels while also increasing stool bulk and consistency.
4. CONSTIPATION: It provides soluble fiber, which improves digestion.
5. GALL BLADDER ISSUES: It builds your body's resistance to gallstones and liver stones. By increasing the flow of bile, it assists the body in digesting foods and liquids. The extra bile also helps break down fats in the body.Chicory root has a mild laxative effect, increases bile from the gallbladder, and decreases swelling.
6. URINARY INFECTIONS, KIDNEY STONES and GOUT: It has diuretic properties that provide protection for the urinary tract system and kidneys. Toxins are removed and the cleansing of the body is stimulated because of an increase in urine flow. It has been used to expel gravel, calcium deposits, and excess uric acid from the body, which helps to prevent gout and kidney stones.
7. WEIGHT LOSS: Chicory root benefits weight loss because of the effect it has on the digestive system. It is an excellent source of fructooligosaccharides which help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. It also increases the rate of the break down of fats. It also helps with weight loss because it helps keep insulin levels low while enjoying sweet foods.
8. NATURAL "Liver" CLEANSER: Chicory root also supports the body's detoxification system through the liver and kidneys, and is believed to help with calcium absorption. Chicory also helps prevent jaundice and an enlarged liver when mixed with water. Because of Chicory Root’s potential for removing contaminants from the digestive system, the liver does not have to work as hard to filter out toxins that may have escaped into the bloodstream. It also acts as a gentle laxative and diuretic for removing excess water and toxins, and this can also reduce strain on the liver.
9. ANXIETY: It is a natural sedative and anti-inflammatory for the nervous system. If you have anxiety issues and still drink coffee, this sweetener can help.
10: INDIGESTION: It acts as an herbal antacid, the root neutralizes acid and correct acid indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, vomiting, upset stomach. Because it stimulates bile production, this helps to speed up the digestive process after eating too much rich food.
11. SKIN: Used externally, the Chicory Root has healing properties for cuts, sunburn, swellings, hemorrhoids, and poison ivy. It reduces the inflammation of rheumatism and the pain of stiff and sore joints.
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = It is expensive, but other than that it is perfect!
Glycemic Index of Sweeteners
Stevia Glycerite = 0
Erythritol = 0
Truvia/ZSWEET = 0
JUST LIKE SUGAR = 0
Xylitol = 7
Maple Syrup = 54
Honey = 62
Table Sugar = 68
High Fructose Corn Syrup = 100
My recipes will call for erythritol and stevia glycerite. I use these separate to help keep my costs down.
ReplyDeleteIn any recipe you can use ZSweet, Truvia, Organic Zero, Xylitol or Just Like Sugar. In order to use
a different product, use the same amount of sweetener for the amount of erythritol in the recipe
and omit the stevia (except for Organic Zero, that is only erythritol and you will still need stevia
for sweetness).
1 cup erythritol and 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup ZSweet
1 cup erythritol and 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup Truvia
1 cup erythritol and 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup Xylitol
1 cup erythritol and 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup Just Like Sugar
1 cup erythritol and 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup Organic Zero and 1 tsp stevia
NOTE: If a recipe calls for a specific sweetener, the final product will not be the same if you
substitute a different sweetener, for example, ice cream will not be soft if you use all erythritol
instead of Just Like Sugar.
Also note, xylitol can be toxic to dogs so be careful not to give them food with it as an ingredient. :)
DeleteI'm wondering how Swerve fits into these equations? Could you use it in this recipe?
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know. I hadn't updated this recipe yet. It is now updated and yes, Swerve will work great in this recipe. :)
DeleteThank you for the breakdown of all of these sweeteners! It is awesome to have it all in one place. I'm gonna print this to have handy, as I use quite a few diffeent ones
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteI wonder if it would hurt to put some protein powder in the mix? I would love to make these and have them be higher protein!
ReplyDeleteThat should work just fine. Let me know how it turns out. :)
DeleteI would like to make these but wondering if you could verify the measurements for the Chocolate Coating part of the recipe. In reading the comments it looks like you originally suggested 2 bags of chips. It now reads 1 oz of bakers chocolate...someone else asked you about this back in February and you replied you would check it out and get back to them, but I don't see where you commented back. Finally, you also give a different glaze recipe in your comments that has 2 oz of bakers chocolate and no heavy cream. I would really like to make some "healthified" Reeses candy for Halloween (the eggs and pumpkins have always been my favorite!), but I'm confused on the coating part and don't want to waste ingredients. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis recipe originally had a sugar free chocolate chip that I no longer recommend. I am always educating myself on what ingredients are not good for our metabolisms and if I learn something knew, I will go back and remove it from an old post as in this case. So just use the updated recipe above and it should be great. :)
DeleteI made these last night...instead of eggs I rolled them into balls and made buckeyes.....it is official. I have died and gone to heaven. I drool in the grocery isles remembering these as a kid. Today i got up, had a serious heavy lifting session w/ my legs and came home to cook breakfast for my family. We had bacon and eggs w/ you toasted sub (rolls) toasted w/ butter. and i had a (GUILT FREE) buckeye for dessert. who says you can't have a sweet before noon!! :) HA! Your amazing once again. :) So glad I found you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather! :)
DeleteOh wow, I know what's going to be in my own Easter basket! Thank you! Making my grocery list now. And drooling.
ReplyDeleteI'm very new to this healthy eathing thing and Reece's are my all-time favorite! Can you find all of these ingredients in the regular grocery store? Like I say, I'm really new :-)
ReplyDeleteYou usually can, but I buy in bulk online. It is much cheaper. If you look at the top right column on my blog above you will see the "Stock you Pantry" links where I get my ingredients. :)
DeleteQuestion: what does PGPR in the list of Reece's ingredients stand for?
ReplyDeleteIt is polyglycerol polyricinoleate. It is used to replace the expensive cocoa butter that is normally found in chocolate. Nasty stuff.
DeleteCan I trouble you for what brand of natural creamy pb you use? I can't find any locally that don't have junk added. :/
ReplyDeleteThe Smuckers Natural has just 2 ingredients. Peanuts and salt. :)
DeleteThanks for putting up all the sweetner information Maria! that took a lot of research and work! I was wondering if you could also make a note on the Xylitol that it can be fatal for pets to consume it??? I know some people will share a bite of treats with their pets and if someone hasn't already heard about how lethal Xylitol is to pets, they would be very sad to find out the hard way. Thanks for all your hard work. You have no idea how much I look forward to your posts and emails with all the valuable information and recipes.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, that is a note I will add to this list. :)
DeleteMaria, for the coating, when you say "coconut milk", would this be canned coconut milk? (compared to the popular brand refrigerated in the milk counter) there would be a huge difference in the consistency of these two products which would both be considered coconut milk. Thank you for clarifying.
ReplyDeleteYes, I always use the can of coconut milk in my recipes. Thanks! :)
DeleteIs the stevia glycerite a powder? I have Trader Joe's powdered Stevia, but it doesn't say stevia glycerite on the label. Would it be okay to use this?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how many of these would it be safe to eat so as not to cause digestive problems from the sugar alcohol?
Thanks!
Yes, as long as it doesn't have any added junk like maltodextrin. Just use whatever conversion ratio they list. I find they are so rich I can't eat more than one. I think you would get sick from eating so many before you would have issues with the erythritol. :)
DeleteThanks Maria. There isn't a conversion ratio on the bottle though. Maybe I should just use a half teaspoon and taste to see if it needs more. Can't wait to make these!
DeleteThat sounds like a good plan. :)
DeleteI made these last night and there were delicious! I ended up getting 30 "eggs" from the recipe... surprised because they were still pretty large. I used 1 oz of chocolate and didn't have enough chocolate to completely coat the entire eggs... but each one got a top coating which worked.
ReplyDeleteI used Swerve and they were yummy.
Do you have the fat and protein content for these?
Thanks for all your amazing recipes! We love them at our house!
Jaymie
Thanks!
DeleteHi Maria,
ReplyDeleteI needed to calculate the fat and protein for this recipe and as I was doing that just went ahead and calculated the other ingredients in as well. I came up with quite a difference from what you posted. Wonder if you might need to check this one out?
My recipe (using your amounts -- including 18 oz peanut butter... I added 2 additional oz because my Smucker's jar only had 16 oz) made 30 pretty good sized eggs. I used 1 oz of unsweetened chocolate. I used butter (not coconut oil) and Swerve and here's what my nutritional information came out to be (per egg = 1/30 of recipe)
Calories: 178
Fat = 15
Protein = 5
Carbs = 4
Fiber = 1.2
Net carbs = 3.6
My daughter and I use your recipes all the time and LOVE them. We are tracking our nutritional information pretty strictly, so this was a pretty big difference. Just thought you might want to check this one again.
Thanks for your amazing work!
Hi, It's been a while since I made an entire batch of these and you are right. It is more like 30 eggs. I updated the nutritional info above (pretty close to what you got). :)
DeleteFor the filling would you use regular swerve or confectioners?
ReplyDeleteYou can use either. I use confectioners most of the time for a smoother texture. :)
DeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteCan I ask you a question?? I'm new to the Trim Healthy Mama eating style. What do you think of Nu Naturals stevia extract? Then..because I got a 1 oz container of it, I bought what I thought was the same thing, only 12 oz and it's Nustevia powder, but I see it has Maltodextrin in it! UGH! I noticed you don't use the Nu stevia in your recipe for these chocolate eggs. Could you comment?? Thank you!
Yes, avoid the powder. The alcohol free liquid is a good option. ;)
Delete