Carob-Coconut Bites

I've been looking for EASY snack recipes lately. There are all sorts of power bar and lara bar recipes out there (there are a bunch of great ones in Kitchen Stewardship's e-book Healthy Snacks to Go), but they require the use of a food processor. I have a food processor, but it's not very good at grinding nuts, and it's really loud. Often I'm making snacks while Caedmon is sleeping, so that's not really an option. That's why my favorite recipe from Katie's e-book is the Peanut Butter Kisses. You just mix together a few ingredients, form into balls, and put in the fridge until firm.

I need more recipes like that.

So I went looking here, thinking there must be something that falls into that category, and this is what I found! They were called "coconut balls" but I'm calling my adaptation Carob Coconut Bites. They are delicious, toddler friendly (no caffeine since it's carob instead of cocoa, no chunky nuts to choke on, and just slightly sweet so I don't feel guilty letting him eat it), and EASY. I mean, seriously easy.

This is how easy they are. I decided to make them in the midst of the busiest week I've had in a long time. I was STARVING due to lots of dancing, so I needed some filling snacks. I thought this would be a good choice since it has lots of healthy fat. But I got interrupted before I could form the mixture into balls, so it sat in the mixing bowl, covered with a cloth napkin, for two days. Periodically, I would dig in with a spoon and take a few bites. The ingredients are perfectly fine sitting out at room temperature, so if you don't get to it right away, it's totally ok! My kind of recipe!! The only downside was that when I did finally form them into balls, there were so few because I had eaten so much of it with a spoon! But it's so easy that I think I'll make them again soon.

If you're wondering what carob is, stay tuned for a "Word of the Day" post soon. I'll tell you all you need to know. :)

Now on to the recipe....

Carob-Coconut Bites

ingredients:

1/2 c. carob powder (or cocoa)

3 c. shredded unsweetened coconut

2 pinches of salt

3/4 c. coconut oil, at room temp

1/2 c. local honey, preferably raw

1 t. vanilla (I bet almond extract would be tasty, too, but start with less)

method:

With stand mixer or a spoon, mix together carob, coconut, and salt. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. (I used a mixer but I'm sure a spoon and a strong arm would work, too.) Form into balls with a spoon or your hands. (I should have used my cookie scoop! Next time!) Refrigerate 3o minutes before eating, and store the fridge to keep firm.

Let me know if you try this, I'd love to hear some feedback. :)

This is part of Feed Me Tweet Me Follow Me Home Friday, Weekend Gourmet, and Monday Mania, and Real Food Wednesday, and Pennywise Platter Thursday. Check them all out for more real food recipes and ideas!

What's your favorite homemade snack recipe?

Pin It