Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Brownie Bites // Raw, Gluten Free, Paleo, and Vegan // Clean Living DIY

Hello Loves! I am always (overly) excited when I come up with a recipe myself. And this dessert is life changing. They are a cross between a brownie bite and a coconut macaroon. The best part is that they are healthy. They are gluten free, paleo, and vegan. And raw. Why eat raw? When foods are heated above 104°F they loose many of their nutrients. Raw foods remain nutrient dense, making these actually good for you!

Ingredients;

2 cups raw walnuts

2 ½ cups Medjool Dates (pitted)

1 ½ cups raw cacao powder

2 tsp vanilla extract (recipe for homemade here!)

2 tbsp coconut oil

½ cup roughly chopped raw almonds

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (recipe for homemade here!)

Sprinkle of Sea Salt

(Try to purchase all organic ingredients)

Tips;

-For extra sweetness add a tablespoon of maple syrup (vegan)

or a tablespoon of raw honey (not vegan)

-I hand chopped my almonds, but you can chop them on low in a food processor.

Recipe;

Place walnuts in food processor until finely ground.

Add the dates one at a time until fully incorporated.

Add in the cacao powder. This will sort of look like cake crumbs.

Add in the coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt until fully incorporated.

On the lowest setting or in a large bowl by hand incorporate in the shredded coconut and almonds.
Hand roll the dough into balls and refrigerate until firm.

Because of the raw nature of this recipe, each individual ingredient is important. Try to purchase what you can as organic. The base of the recipe is the walnuts, walnuts are full of essential Omega-3 fatty acids. The dates are for sweetness, it is important that the dates are Medjool dates because of their complex flavor, a perfect substitute for simple processed sugars. Be sure to use Raw Cacao Powder rather than Cocoa Powder (read about the differences and benefits of raw cacao here!), Raw Cacao powder has not been processed or heated above 104 degrees and has all of the nutrients intact. It can be hard to find, but is available at many health food stores (I found mine at Whole Foods). Use Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil, it also has not been heated and it's nutrients remain intact. Coconut Oil, yes, is fat, but it is MCT's rather than LCT's, making it easier to digest and metabolize. One of the healthiest fats. As far as almonds go, they are full of so many vitamins and minerals. I have also recently posted recipes to make your own shredded coconut and vanilla extract, so be sure to check those out!

xo