Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND JOY BITES
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 ounces pitted Medjool or other soft dates (about 1 cup or 10-12 dates)
- 1 cup (5 ounces) unsalted, whole almonds (roasted is fine)
- 1/2 cup (1 1/2 to 2 ounces) shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
- 1/2 cup (about 2 ounces) natural, unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder (I use half of each)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil (no need to melt)
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine all the ingredients together in a food processor and process until the ingredients are finely chopped and the mixture is crumbly (the exact amount of mixing depends on how coarse or fine you want the mixture). The mixture should hold together when a small amount is pressed or rolled. If it’s too crumbly, add a tablespoon of water (or melted coconut oil) and process again until it comes together more easily.
- Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls (I use a #60 cookie scoop for easy portions). Enjoy immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.
NOTES:
I always use unsweetened shredded coconut in these little bites (from Trader Joe’s or this brand online). You could definitely sub sweetened, shredded coconut (obviously they will be a bit sweeter when all is said and done).
Also, you could probably use slivered or sliced almonds in place of the whole almonds – reduce the amount slightly if measuring by volume since they’ll compact in the cup more than whole almonds (weight measure would stay the same no matter the type of almonds used).
