Whew… well that was a busy week. Hoping to get back on track with more frequent posts this week. We hauled out the Christmas tree and decorations today. The house is looking festive and cozy. I’ll share pics soon :)
So, I was thinking… while Santa may be jolly, his “husky” physique tells me he’s not too healthy. It’s time that he trade in the Twinkies and Ho Hos (which may be going extinct anyhow) for some nutritious alternatives. How else will he continue to slide down all those chimneys? I’ve got just the thing…
As I mentioned in my last post, I had some leftover crust mixture from the 5-Ingredient Raw Apple Pie. I added just a few more ingredients to create a healthy treat that Santa is sure to enjoy. Lucky for him, it’s raw, vegan, gluten-free and guilt-free!
Lucky for you, they are a cinch to make and the kids will enjoy helping out with STEP 3.
Yields about 15 snack bites
***
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tsp. raw honey or raw agave nectar*
- 2 Tbsp. cacao powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Optional: extra shredded coconut and/or sesame seeds for coating
Notes
*Since I’ve been detoxing, my tastebuds have changed. Anything remotely sweet tastes SUPER sweet to me. I like these bites because they aren’t too sweet. However, if you prefer a sweeter snack, feel free to add more raw honey or raw agave nectar.
STEP 1:
Using a food processor, pulse sunflower seeds and raisins until coarsely ground.
STEP 2:
Add in remaining ingredients and pulse until mixture begins to stick together.
STEP 3:
Form mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Roll each ball in optional coating of your choice until well coated.
Enjoy as is or place in the freezer for an hour or so to firm up.
Don’t let that sweet face fool ya… this little guy is definitely on the “NAUGHTY” list! But we still love him (and his naughty brother).
These look great! Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of the cacao powder?
Most certainly! According to FDA guidelines, cocoa powder and cacao powder are simply different terms for the same powder, and are nearly interchangeable; however, “cacao powder” specifically refers to raw, unsweetened powder. “Cocoa powder,” on the other hand, may still have a very small amount of cocoa butter present to enhance the flavor subtly.
These sound delicious and look beautiful!!
Can I replace the raisins with dates? These look awesome, but I hate raisins.
Absolutely!
I am not a big fan of raisins either, but with dates these are SO DELICIOUS! When I feel like something sweet I make half a batch of these, they are ready in no time (and it takes all of my will-power not to eat them all at once). They look AND taste amazing. I made them for Christmas and everybody loved them, including the non-vegans. Big thanks for the recipe, Livvy
Hi Zuza! Glad to hear they were a hit :)
Can I use honey from a jar you’d buy at a supermarket? Or is there something particular about using raw honey?
Hi Athina. Regular honey should work. Raw honey tends to be thicker and stickier, so it helps to bind the ingredients.
Hi Livvy,
I made these but I can’t get them to stick together? I’ve put in extra honey but they just don’t seem to want to stick, what could I use to make them stick better? Thanks! (They’re delicious by the way!)
Hi Kirby. Are you using raw honey or processed honey? Raw honey is much thicker and tackier (and better for you if you’re not allergic to bees!). Also, when forming the balls, try wetting your palms slightly with warm water. Be sure to store them in the freezer.