Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Would it surprise you to know that having a chocolate treat can actually be good for you?!

Why yes, it is possible!!!

We are talking real-deal chocolate treat hear people; Homemade Chocolate Macaroons.

This recipe is packed with nutrition from raw cacao powder and is sweetened with unrefined sucanat. You could also use coconut sugar, which has a lower glycemic index. In fact I've made these with both and they turned out perfectly the same.

Please do yourself a favour and get yourself some raw chocolate cacao powder. It's out of this world chocolatey and oh-so-good! Cacao is actually an unprocessed form of chocolate. It has a wealth of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals, such as:

• Magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese
• Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, E
• Flavonoids that have antioxidant properties
• Essential heart-healthy fat: oleic acid a monounsaturated fat
• Protein and fiber

How's that for a superfood packed with nutrients? Plus, there are no trans-fats or cholesterol.

The nutrients found in raw cacao have been linked to a number of health benefits. It can support a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, and lowering LDL cholesterol. So now you can have your chocolate and eat it too.

This is quite possibly one of the easiest dessert recipes you'll ever make. Score! 

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert gluten-free grain-free nut-free soy-free cacao powder coconut chocolate cookie

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Ingredients (makes 9-12 cookies)

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar, or sucanat
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Heat oven to 325˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Place chocolate chunks in a small bowl heat-proof bowl, and set over saucepan. Stir until chocolate is melted, and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl or stand mixer with paddle attachment, stir together the coconut, cacao powder, sugar, and sea salt. Beat in the egg whites and vanilla until incorporated. Stir in cooled chocolate and mix until everything is well combined.

Using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, drop about 2.5 Tablespoons of the batter onto prepared baking sheet - space at least 2 inches apart.

Bake for 15 minutes or until just set. They will take on a shiny look. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheets to let the macaroons firm up. Store in a sealed container. These macaroons do very well in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 2 months.

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Raw Cacao Vanilla Energy Bites

Where oh where to start?

Well for starters, how about as promised, I'm back today with a sweet snack to share.

Or should I say a luscious chocolatey snack?

If you've been following along with me for awhile now, you're probably familiar with how much I love to make real easy snacks, especially no-bake energy bites. They're always nutritious and deliciously good. These are no exception! The title says it all. If you have a sweet tooth and are in love with chocolate, these little bites might just fit the bill. They're texture is so smooth, soft, and chocolatey. Very reminiscent of a decadent truffle. Only these won't go straight to your thighs ;)

You may be thinking they look pretty impressive, but they're surprisingly easy to prepare. Just 6 ingredients and some quality time with my favourite kitchen accessory, the food processor.

I recently bought some raw cacao powder at my local healthy food store and boy is it good. I've been doing some experimenting with it in a few recipes and this is one of them. I think I nailed this recipe the first time I made it. After the first bite, I almost died and went to heaven! Maybe I'm biased but I think this is one of my best energy bite recipes yet, and my family agrees with me. They came out so fluffy and soft. They just melt in mouth.

I made sure the chocolate and vanilla flavours were nice and prominent. Pure and simple clean ingredients for clean nutrition.

Raw Cacao Vanilla Energy Bites

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Keywords: food processor no-bake raw dessert snack gluten-free grain-free vegan almond butter dates cacao powder energy bites

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Ingredients (12 energy bites)

• 3/4 cup macadamia nuts
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 1/4 cup smooth almond butter
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Place macadamia nuts in the bowl of food processor and grind until finely chopped. Be careful not to turn them into nut butter.

Next add the dates to the chopped nuts and grind until combined and mixture holds together.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor. Process until a smooth dough forms, stopping and scraping the walls of a food processor as needed. It should take about 2-5 minutes. The dough should be sticky enough that you are able to form it together in your hands.

Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop 2 tablespoons worth of the mixture out (about the size of a golf ball) and roll with hands into a ball. Place some coconut flakes in one bowl and cacao powder in another, roll half of the balls in the coconut flakes and the other half in the cacao powder to coat.

Notes

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 3 months. They can be eaten right out the freezer, no defrosting necessary!

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1 energy bite Calories: 136 Fat: 10g Sodium: 21mg Carbohydrates: 13g Sugar: 7g Fiber: 5g Protein: 2g

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