Carob powder coconut balls

I experimented in the kitchen again! The outcome was a yummy treat that even the boys loved. My first attempt wasn't so pretty as I was short on time and had them done in about 25 minutes. Prep and clean up was really only about 20 mins but I suggest chilling the balls about an hour before coating with the "peppermint chocolate". Total time from start to finish is about 1.25 hours.

This recipe can be made AIP compliant or paleo.

1 cup unsweetened fine coconut flakes
3 Tbsp coconut oil
4 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Mix contents in blender until well mixed. Chill mix 10 mins in freezer and then use a spoon and hands to form into balls. Place balls on cookie sheet (I lined mine with tin foil). Place in freezer to chill for about an hour. You want them frozen and very cold for next step.

Just before removing the coconut balls from freezer, in a sauce pan add the following ingredients and warm over low heat constantly stirring until melted:

1/4 cup coconut oil
1 Tbsp carob powder OR 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
5 drops peppermint essential oil
1 pinch sea salt

Remove from heat. Create a shallow ice bath and place sauce pan in to begin cooling. Pull coconut balls from freezer. Stir the saucepan mix to cool but do not let it completely thicken. Slowly pour spoonfuls of mix over coconut balls so that it freezes over and coats them. If the mix thickens, reheat, freeze coconut balls and use ice bath. Don't worry if they don't look pretty, the taste will make up for the looks! These tasty treats are worth the effort!