Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate is a beautiful thing. Better yet, chocolate mixed with peanut butter is even more beautiful! As you may have figured out in previous posts, I have a deep love for chocolate. It's a hard balance to love chocolate while trying to eat healthier. Dark chocolate is always the best way to go for a treat of this nature. Hence my continued search for ways to still enjoy one of my favourite treats, yet not fill my body with all the refined sugars, empty calories, artificial colours and flavours, preservatives and other processed junk that fills the pre-made treats on shelves today.

Thus I was delighted with today's recipe discovery. Not only are these sweet treats rich and decadent and delightfully satisfying, they are made with natural ingredients which are less cause of guilt with the indulgence. These too, would also make a lovely treat for any Oscar party commencing!

I found this recipe on Detoxinista and you can see this recipe here if you so choose.

Enjoy this healthified version of the beautiful and complimentary blend of chocolate and peanut butter.

CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
(refined sugar-free, gluten-free, can be dairy-free)

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Filling

- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter (crunchy or smooth. Whichever you prefer)
- 1/4 cup raw honey*
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- Pinch of sea salt

Chocolate Coating:

- 4 oz. dark chocolate, melted (use dairy-free chocolate for a dairy-free treat)
- 1 tsp coconut oil

*For a sugar-free option, use liquid stevia to taste and reduce the coconut flour.

Directions:

- In a medium bowl, mix together the peanut butter, honey, and a pinch of sea salt. Add the coconut flour gradually, starting first with a 1/4 cup, then adding it in a tablespoon at a time, until a "dough" forms. This will depend on the texture of your peanut butter.

- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Pick up chunks of "dough" and roll them in your hands to form smooth balls. If you want to make it quick, just use a small cookie scoop. (I recommend making the balls small, as these are extremely rich treats and a large ball may be too much for some people.)

- Place the peanut butter balls in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.

- After 30 minutes, melt the chocolate together with the coconut oil. (You can use the microwave or a double boiler. Any method should work just fine)

- Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer and dip each one into the melted chocolate mixture, coating them thoroughly. 

- Return the chocolate coated balls to the parchment paper to set.

- There will inevitable be some areas that won't get covered from where your fingers touch, so just spoon some extra chocolate over the the exposed areas.

- Return the balls to the freezer to set for another 30 minutes, then serve. They are delicious served cold or at room temperature! I found them more rich at room temperature.

- Store them in the fridge or freezer for a longer 'shelf-life', however you probably won't have to store them at all :) They are THAT good!

Happy Eating!