Raw Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

Peanut butter and chocolate...... according to my Dad, one of the best dessert combinations in existence (and I'm not disagreeing!!) These dark chocolate peanut butter bites are "Dessert #1" for this year's Christmas Eve party.

These bites are made of dry roasted peanuts combined with sweet dates and a little peanut butter, no baking required! Coat them in my melted coconut oil dark chocolate and they become the perfect sweet dessert, almost like a Reese's Cup! 

Makes 20-22 Bites

You will need:

• 2 Cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts
• 1 Cup of Soaked Pitted Medjool Dates
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/8 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (optional)
• 1/4 Cup Ground Flax
• 3 Tbsp Peanut Butter
• 1/4 Cup Water (add more if too thick)

• coconut oil chocolate (recipe found here)
• use 1/3 cup coconut oil, 2 tbsp agave, and 2.5 tbsp cocoa powder

Directions:

Place the peanuts in your food processor and mix until it becomes a slightly chunky peanut flour (it'll give the bites more texture).

Add ground flax and coconut (if using) and pulse until combined.

Add vanilla extract, peanut butter, dates and water. Blend this until you get a cookie dough-like mixture. It may be very thick and stick to the sides, so try adding a bit more water and wipe down the sides with a spatula a few times. The batter will start to mix more easily.

Scoop the dough into a bowl. Wet your hands so the batter doesn't stick and start to roll it into one-inch balls. Place each ball on a wax-paper-lined tray, and stick a toothpick through the center of each. Place in the freezer to chill and harden.

Now prepare your chocolate coating. Place the coconut oil in a double boiler and let it melt completely. Add the agave nectar and cocoa powder and stir until combined. Once the peanut butter balls are chilled, take them out of the freezer. Holding the toothpick, dip the bites in the chocolate until coated. Repeat until all are covered with chocolate. I had some left over chocolate, so I took a spoon and poured a little more over the top of each bite to coat them completely.

Place back in the freezer to harden the chocolate. Store in an airtight container, preferably in the freezer. Thaw for about 10-20 minutes in the fridge or on the counter before serving.

Enjoy!