These chocolate almond butter cherry bombs are SUPER easy and YUMMY treats that I adapted from the food blog Oh She Glows. They are vegan and gluten free and absolutely dee-lish! They are a fast and fun treat that is a great project for kids and mostly refined sugar-free, except for the little bit of chocolate chips depending on the brand. Their are several ways to get creative with the flavors and change them up a bit (see notes at the bottom). Make ’em, they take 15 minutes and are sure to please!
Chocolate Almond Butter Bombs (Vegan & Gluten Free)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
2 Tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips (you can also use regular)
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cacao powder (you can use cocoa powder as well but cacao has more nutrients)
2 cups Crisp Brown Rice cereal (be sure that it is gluten free)
3/4 dried cherries, chopped
pinch of salt
Makes about 16 small balls
Directions:
Place a medium sauce pot with about 3 inches of water on the stove and bring to a simmer. In a medium glass or metal bowl, stir together the almond butter, maple syrup or honey, coconut oil, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Set the bowl over the pot of water and allow it to sit and melt completely; stirring a few times. Add in the cocoa powder and stir until well incorporated. Immediately stir in the rice cereal and the cherries until all the crispies are coated.
Place a little bit of coconut oil in bowl next to the mixture and lightly coat the palms of your hands to keep the mixture from sticking. Shape the mixture into one inch balls and roll together firmly so that they will hold. Re-oil your hands periodically so the mixture will not stick to your hands. Lay the balls onto a plate and place in refrigerator briefly to harden. You can eat at room temp once they have firmed up in the fridge. You can also store the balls in the freezer in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Let them sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before eating.
Add~
* Chopped nuts such as pistachios, peanut, almonds or walnuts
* Toasted flaked coconut, cinnamon
* Maca powder or a touch of spriulina or wheatgrass powder
Substitute~
* Almond butter for smooth peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter or soy nut butter
* Almond extract for the vanilla
* Cherries for dried cranberries, goji berries, chopped apricots etc.
