Recipe: Chocolate Almond Coconut Treats

iStock_chocolate truffle SmallChocolate Almond Coconut Treats melt in your mouth.  What could be better than a sugar free, dairy free, gluten free dessert filled with antioxidants and healthy fats that is easy to make and lasts in the refrigerator for several weeks?  Chocolate is rich in magnesium and super antioxidant polyphenols.  The ancients called it the Food of the Gods for good reason!

Almond butter, sesame tahini butter and ground chia seeds add to the creamy texture and shredded coconut gives it some crunch!  You just may decide to double the recipe!

Ingredients

2 heaping teaspoons smooth almond butter

2 heaping teaspoons tahini (sesame seed butter)

4  level teaspoons cocoa powder

pinch of sea salt to taste

4 teaspoons finely ground chia seeds

15-20 drops stevia (unflavored or vanilla)

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut

Preparation

Blend almond butter, tahini, cocoa powder, salt and chia seeds into a smooth paste in a food processor or small blender.

Add stevia and vanilla and any optional flavorings or ingredients (see below)

Add shredded coconut and blend well

Place a piece of parchment paper onto a plate or tray

Roll 1 teaspooon of the mixture into balls.

Refrigerate

Variations

add  1/2 cinnamon and or cardamom powder

add 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

add 1/2 -1 teaspoon dried mint leaves

add 1/2 teaspoon dried Reishi Mushroom powder (Ganoderma) to enhance immunity

carob powder can be substituted for cocoa powder

roll each ball in cinnamon powder or cocoa powder , cocoa nibs or shredded coconut to coat.

you can separate the batch into halves or thirds and make different flavors or varieties

Makes 36