Almond Joy Bliss Bites

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Binnie's Coconut Butter. We were provided with free samples to try, however, all opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

 

Recently we got our hands on a few jars of Binnie's Coconut Butter and we were so excited to try it out! A new product for us, coconut butter can be described as a mix between coconut oil and shredded coconut, which makes for a flavorful, decadent spread for toast, fruit, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and pretty much anything your heart desires! One taste in and our tastebuds knew right where we were headed this week in the kitchen: Almond Joy Bliss Bites.

 

 

For me (Elise), nothing beats the combo of coconut and chocolate. As a kid, I was the one digging through my Halloween loot looking for M&Ms and Milky Ways to trade for everyone else's Almond Joy and Mounds bars. As an adult, these Almond Joy Bliss Bites are the perfect, upgraded nod to this childhood favorite. The classic chocolate + coconutty flavor paired with nutrient dense nuts and seeds for a perfect snack, pre/post workout, or dessert. Let's get cooking. 

To start, place all ingredients into a food processor. Although these are "almond" bites, we like to use walnuts as part of our nut base for both omega 3 goodness and a nice chewy texture.

 

 

Next, we add in our almonds.

 

 

 

Now we add in our chewy/sticky base. We opted for dates but you can sub prunes in their place as well with equally wonderful results.

 

 

For added omega 3s, fiber, and protein, we toss in some hempseeds.

 

 

Now for the good good. The Binnie's Coconut Butter. As mentioned, this is like a thickened up coconut oil, kind of fluffy, spreadable, and absolutely delicious. This adds strong coconut flavor, texture, and the right amount of moisture needed to help bind our bites. 

 

 

It's time to mix! We like to blend until mixture is fine and somewhat crumbly. If it looks like this, keep going a little longer!

 

 

Perfect!

 

 

Next, we add our cocoa powder and water and blend again.

 

 

We taste for chocolate/coconut/almond balance and then roll the mixture into their shape!

 

 

Ingredients

1 cup raw walnuts

1 cup raw almonds

2 tbsp coconut butter (can sub with 1 tbsp coconut oil and add additional 2 tbsp shredded coconut)

½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

1 heaping tbsp hempseeds (can sub with ground flax, chia seeds, or omit altogether)

1 cup pitted dates

2-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (for a more "candy bar" flavor sub cocoa powder with ¼ cup chocolate chips)

⅛ tsp salt

½ tsp vanilla extract

3-4 drops almond extract (a little goes a long way!)

1-2 tbsp water, as needed, to help mixture "stick"

 

Directions

Place all ingredients except for cocoa powder and water into a food processor. Process until mixture is combined and pieces are small and even in texture. Taste mixture for salty/sweet balance and adjust as preferred. Add cocoa powder and pulse until well mixed. Add water, ½ tsp at a time and continue pulsing until mixture is slightly sticky, and able to be formed. Note: be careful not to oversaturate or you will end up with mush! Form mixture into small, 1 ½"-2" rounds. Enjoy as is or roll in coconut flakes for extra crunch and flavor. Store in the fridge or freezer until enjoyed.