Chocolate and Valentine’s Day traditionally go hand-in-hand, and I couldn’t think of a better way to say “I love you,” dear readers, than by sharing one of my go-to treat recipes: Raw Chocolate-Coconut Macaroons.
(RELATED: Redefining Decadence With Gluten-Free Desserts)
These little chocolate bombs are a cinch to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and zero time in the oven.
They’re also arguably a more nutritious option than many store-bought V-Day candies and desserts, which are often processed and preservative-laden. These are surprisingly not terrible for you — yay! — thanks to the well documented health benefits of the two main ingredients: coconut and cocoa.
Best of all, they’re delicious! Which is really the whole point of a treat, whether it’s a holiday or not.
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Raw Chocolate-Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut (shredded or flakes)
- 5 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbs. coconut oil, melted
- Honey, to taste (1-2 tbs. should do it)
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor until well mixed. You’ll end up up with a thick, somewhat oily, “dough.” Using a small spoon (or your fingers), scoop out the mixture and roll into small balls. Place the balls on baking sheet lined in wax paper and refrigerate until they set.
Why No Numbers?
Readers sometimes ask us why we don’t publish nutrition information with our recipes. We believe that (barring specific medical advice to the contrary) if you’re eating primarily whole, healthy foods — an array of sustainably raised vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, meats, fish, eggs, whole-kernel grains, and healthy fats and oils — you probably don’t need to stress about the numbers. We prefer to focus on food quality and trust our bodies to tell us what we need. — The Editors
