Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites

What a wild past few weeks! Adjusting to the low FODMAP life has been... tough. There were times when I really stuck to it and actually did feel quite great! And then there were days like halloween where the temptation of the candy and some restaurant chicken was just too much. Well, let me tell you, I will not be making that mistake again. I am still paying for the lack of sleep from stomach problems now!

It got me thinking, I love sweets. My cravings for sweets is what got me into this mess in the first place, so I should probably come up with a sweet treat that wouldn't absolutely destroy my digestive system. I was attempting to make coconut balls dipped in chocolate - but it all mashed together. Now they're dark chocolate coconut bites, and boy are they good! I usually don't enjoy dark chocolate, but this has just the right hint of sweetness and coconut to balance it out. I went with the dark chocolate since it had no diary in it, unlike the less bitter milk chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites
Servings: 9 - 12 bites    Prep Time: 5 minutes    Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cupunsweetened coconut flakes (the sweetened often have polyols!)
• 1 tbs pure maple syrup (no high fructose corn syrup!)
• 1 tbs coconut oil
• 1/3 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large squares of dark chocolate

1. Begin by melting the dark chocolate. I first break apart the chocolate into smaller pieces and then melt it in 30 second intervals in the microwave. If you want to be extra safe. fill on bowl with a bit of water, then place the bowl with the chocolate into that one. That way, you'll have less chance of burning your chocolate. I've done it and it stinks!
2. When the chocolate is melted, add in the coconut oil, maple syrup and the vanilla extract and mix together. Then add the coconut flakes and mix it together. I like to use my hands for this part - gives me the excuse to lick it off of my fingers afterward. 
3. Lastly, on a sheet of aluminum foil, make 9 to 12 balls of the mixture and put in the freezer to cool and harden.

Now you've got the awesome sweet treats! They are really delicious, but do tend to melt in the warmth so be sure to eat them not too long after you take them out of the freezer. If you want to make some that don't melt as quickly, I recommend cutting back on the coconut oil and adding more dark chocolate. 

That's all for today! Talk to you again next time!