In case you haven't noticed, I like making sweet treats!! I was recently told I should open a gluten free bakery...and the idea keeps crossing my mind!! I love the creative side of making treats and have always enjoyed baking, even as a kid. Once you have to eliminate gluten in your diet, traditional baked goods are not an option. That's a good thing in the sense that it makes you eliminate processed junk and goodies with added sugar, but it's a bad thing when you have a sweet tooth!
I am a person of balance and if I want something sweet, I will eat something sweet. It's when we tell ourselves we can't have something that that something becomes our battle constantly and something we tend to over eat. I allow myself a Double Chocolate Gooey Brownie, a Grain Free Cinnamon Roll or a Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Ball when I feel like it and will have no regret! So I will continue to create sweet treats that are far better for you than just about anything you can buy off a store shelf. I try to always include a healthy fat or protein source in my sweet recipes to make any sugar/insulin response that much less. Many times I also suggest safe alternative sweeteners to decrease the sugar content in a recipe. You can read more about those on my Ingredients Page or shop for them in the Amazon store link.
With that said, here is a yummy treat if you are a coconut fan!! This raw coconut cookie recipe is sweetened with fruit only, packed with healthy fats and gives an option to add extra protein to them.
Recipe: Raw Coconut Cookie Bites
Ingredients
- 3 cups Medjool Dates* (de-pitted)
- 1 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut, medium shreds or chips (may need to add about 1/4 cup more if not using protein powder)
- 4 tbsp coconut creme/butter*, softened
- 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil, softened*
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
- 1/3 cup vanilla egg white protein (optional but adds some vanilla flavoring to the cookies)
Instructions
- Once the dates have soaked for a couple hours, add them to a food processor along with the coconut creme/butter and coconut oil (add protein at this time)
- Process until mixture is well combined and creme and oil are fully melted
- Add in the coconut and blend until consistency is doughy and moldable
- Add the almonds at this time and blend until almonds are well incorporated
- Pack the dough into balls, you may need to press firmly
- I prefer to store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The coconut creme and oil will harden when cooled and allow for a harder ball
Quick notes*You can find Medjool Dates in the produce section of most grocery stores or the bulk section of Whole Foods. Don't forget to de-pit them!!
*You can find Coconut Butter at most Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage or Coconut Creme online at Tropical Traditions
*Make sure to use Virgin Coconut Oil, not Refined or Expeller Pressed, you want the coconut flavor!
