Recipe: Holiday Coconut Cacao Not-Too-Sweet-s
These super delicious, relatively healthy, ridiculously quick and easy-to-make vegan treats are a must to have on hand for Holiday time. An alternative to the usual seasonal processed sugar binge, they are great as a little pick-me-up, or for parties and potlucks. They are not too sweet, but sweet enough that I actually got away with bringing them to a kid’s party as a “dessert” —where they were gobbled up by young and old alike. I’m not recommending anything here, but I *might* even occasionally have one of these as a quick breakfast as I run out the door to teach an early yoga class… just saying… ;-) Anyway, give them a try and let me know what you think!
Coconut Cacao Energy Balls (makes about a dozen tablespoon-sized balls)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Pecans (or sub another nut. If you are nut-free you can even use Sunflower seeds)
12 good sized pitted Dates (if yours are smaller, just add one or two more)
1/3 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut (plus about another 1/4 cup for rolling)
1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil
2 level tablespoons cacao powder
1 pinch of salt (fine ground is best)
1 tablespoon water
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Directions:
Put nuts in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped.
Add remaining ingredients and process until thoroughly mixed.
Scoop out with a tablespoon and form in to individual balls.
Roll balls in shredded coconut to coat.
Refrigerate on a plate or baking sheet for at least 20 minutes before eating.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Let sit at room temp for a few minutes before eating for best texture and flavor. I know they last at least five days if refrigerated, but probably up to two weeks or more — they have just never lasted that long at our house!