Merry Christmas Plus a Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipe!

Merry Christmas eve!  Hope you are all enjoying the holidays and staying warm!  We are STILL dealing with this crazy icy weather and have spent lots of time lounging around the house. 

The dogs have been going a little stir crazy without their usual walks, so the last couple nights we have taken them out to look at Christmas lights.  They could probably care less, but the car rides at least give them some excitement.  And Jay and I have really enjoyed some beautiful displays!  I love bundling up with some hot chocolate and driving around to see what we can find.  

The last couple days I have felt more and more like my usual self.  This morning I finally spent some time back in the kitchen making some delicious (and healthy-ish) chocolate peanut butter balls.  I followed this recipe from Oh She Glows with just a few modifications. 

I know it's a little late in the game to be sharing holiday recipes, but these were just too good not to post.  And it's not like you couldn't make them at other times throughout the year. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:
1 cup natural peanut butter
3.5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons flax meal

2 tablespoons whole wheat flour (this is what I had on hand - Oh She Glows used coconut flour)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup crushed rice cereal (like Rice Chex)
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and maple syrup vigorously, for 30-60 seconds, until it thickens up.
2. Stir in the flax meal and flour.  You want to end up with a dough-like texture.  You can always sprinkle in more flour as needed.  

3. Add salt to taste and stir in the cereal.  (At this point, I just had to knead everything together with my hands.)
4. Shape into small balls. (I made between 25 and 30.)

5. In a small pot, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat over low heat, stirring frequently. Once half the chips have melted, remove from heat and stir until completely smooth.
6. With a fork, dip the balls into the melted chocolate. Tap off excess chocolate on the side of the pot and place the ball on a plate or cutting board lined with parchment. Repeat for the rest. Save any leftover melted chocolate to drizzle on top at the end.
7. Freeze the balls for 10-15 minutes, until the chocolate is completely set.

 

Note: Once you dip the balls in the chocolate, make sure they do not touch each other!  Some of mine rolled together, and when I pulled them apart the chocolate ripped off.  They aren't the prettiest, but they still taste great!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!