Brain-boosting Choco Bites

• ½ cup coconut oil, unrefined

• ½ cup cacao powder, unprocessed (not Dutch)

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp real vanilla extract

• 1 ¾ cup finely shredded coconut, unsweetened

*If you’re allergic or just don’t like coconut, you can substitute it with a combination of flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and/or coarsely chopped almonds - but do a combo and not the full amount of any one of those substitutes. Note: flax and chia will both draw moisture and will make the bites more dry.

Heat coconut oil and cacao powder in a small saucepan over low heat.

Stir until smooth and coconut oil has melted, then remove from heat.

Whisk in maple syrup and vanilla extract until well blended. 

Add shredded coconut (or other nut/seed combo), and stir vigorously until well combined. It will look soupy!

Cover mixture and place in fridge until firm enough to easily form small bites (~ 20 mins).

Line a flat storage container with parchment, and shape the chilled chocolate “dough” into 1-inch balls.

Place on prepared surface, and loosely cover with plastic wrap and place in freezer until firm (~ 30 mins).

Enjoy straight from the freezer or store bites in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 10 days. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe airtight container for 2-3 months. But they’ll never last that long!