Holiday Candy

What is not to love about the holidays?!  To make them even sweeter, here are some fun and delicious recipes that make great gifts, and that came from your loving hands.  If you have children, including them in making these homemade goodies makes it even better.

Healthier Buckeyes (peanut butter balls)

Ingredients:
For Filling =

4 tsp. melted coconut oil (unrefined)

1 cup natural/organic creamy sunbutter (or nut/seed butter of choice)

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup walnut meal (or nut/seed meal of choice)

1/4 cup raw shelled hemp seeds (or 2 Tbsp. hemp seeds, 2 Tbsp. coconut pulp)

1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground allspice

4 tsp. maca powder.

For Coating = 

1 bag Enjoy Life semisweet chocolate chips

1 tsp. unrefined coconut oil

Directions:
1. Prepare cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
2. Mix all ingredients for filling in food processor until sticky dough forms, should be pretty smooth.
3. Using a small scoop or Tablespoon measure, scoop out mix, roll into a ball, place on prepared sheet, continue until all dough is used (should make approx. 2 dz.).
4. Place in freezer to firm while you prepare chocolate coating (should be in freezer at least 30 minutes).
5. In a small sauce pan or double broiler, mix chocolate and oil, warm over low heat, stirring continuously to avoid burning. Once melted, turn off heat, but leave on burner.
6. Remove sheet from freezer, using spoons, and working fairly quickly, dip prepared dough into chocolate mix, coat well, place back on sheet, continue until all dough is covered.
7. Place back in fridge or freezer to set. (I place mine in the freezer, once firm, I place them in airtight storage container in the fridge). 

*These should stay cold as they will get soft quickly (but they'll still taste good even if doughy :) ). 

Perfect treat to keep your energy levels balanced thanks to all these healthy ingredients (albeit the semisweet chocolate chips ;) ). Feel free to make a raw chocolate coating to really up the healthy version! I hope you enjoy.

Chocolate covered pretzels
1-2 C dairy free choc chips
GF bag of pretzels

Melt chocolate over medium heat, whisking continuously.  Remove from stove.  Tip pan, roll pretzels 1/2 - 3/4 down all the way around.  Place on parchment paper, sprinkle with decorations.  Allow chocolate to set.