Cleaner Sweets – In light of harder-to-control winter cravings, I’m continuing on with CLEANER sweets recipes! If you missed it, check out the recipe for Homemade Peanut Butter Cups, perfect for those who often get candy cravings—they can be frozen and thawed as needed when a craving hits. This week’s recipe is delicious candy bites (healthy chocolate coconut balls! These candy bites are delicious anytime or the filling can be mixed with natural food coloring for a holiday-specific treat (also great for theme parties).
I was very lucky to grow up with a Mom who was a great cook. If she hadn’t taught me so much about food, I’d probably have to have given up so many of my favorite foods when converting to clean eating. Luckily, I can just make healthier versions…
Why Mashed Potatoes?!
These bites were one of my favorite dessert recipes from my Mom. They actually were called “Mashed Potato Balls,” but I figured that name may turn people off. Don’t be frightened by the mashed potatoes in the recipe as they are relatively tasteless and used for texture/as a binding agent. The final product has a taste very similar to a well-known candy bar.
Perfect for Parties
These coconut bites /healthy chocolate coconut balls are gluten free and great for snacking, a small dessert, or a quick treat. Once of the things I love about them is their versatility as a party food. If you mix in about 10-20 drops of natural food coloring, you can easily obtain a festive treat (red for Valentine’s Day, green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, anything bright for summer parties, etc). Additionally, for visual appeal, any number of things can be sprinkled on top.
I hope you enjoy these cleaner desserts! Here’s to regaining our sparkle together,
✧❈✯✦Jenn✦✯❈✧
Chocolate-Covered Coconut Bites
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes 1-2 lbs, peeled, cut into quarters
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon + ½ teaspoon coconut oil can also use butter if desired, divided
- 4 tablespoons coconut or other milk divided
- 2 cups organic powdered sugar
- 2½ cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10-20 drops natural food coloring optional
- 10-12 oz allergen-free chocolate chips chunks, or shavings (I use Enjoy Life
or I break up Trader Joe’s Organic Dark Chocolate Truffle Bars (be careful as these aren’t allergen-free, but I’ve not personally had any issues so far). - Optional toppings: chopped dry or freeze-dried fruit pieces chopped nuts, sugar, chocolate shavings, extra coconut flakes, sea salt, etc.
or I break up Trader Joe’s Organic Dark Chocolate Truffle Bars (be careful as these aren’t allergen-free, but I’ve not personally had any issues so far).Instructions
- Add potatoes to a medium saucepan and enough water to cover them. Add salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover loosely and heat until potatoes are tender enough to break (about 15 minutes). Drain.
- Mash with a potato masher or fork. Add 1 tablespoon coconut oil and 2 tablespoons milk gradually while mashing until potatoes are smooth. Cool in the fridge.
- Combine 1/3 cup of the mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, coconut flakes, vanilla, and coloring. Mix in 2 remaining tablespoons milk until all ingredients are easily combined you may need slightly less milk depending on consistency). Refrigerate overnight (this hydrates the coconut flakes).
- Roll into balls. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes to re-harden.
- Melt chocolate and ½ teaspoon coconut oil together. Roll balls into chocolate. Garnish if desired. Refrigerate until hardened.
- Enjoy right away, store in the fridge, or freeze for later use.
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