Confession….I have a HUGE sweet tooth.  I know that sugar is bad for me.  I know that is zaps my energy, and decreases my immune system…but I love candy.  Recently Ryan and I decided that we were not going to eat candy anymore unless it is made with real food ingredients.  In other words, it needs to be homemade.  I  decided that that I wanted to try this recipe for homemade mounds from Coconut Mama.  I liked the recipe, but I needed to adapt it a bit for our tastes and the kitchen equipment we have.  So here is my adaptation of this healthy and delicious recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 c unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 c coconut oil
• 6 dates, soaked and pitted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 c chocolate chips (good quality like these, or see the original recipe for a homemade version)

Directions

1. Place dates in a small bowl and cover halfway with filtered water.  Set aside to soak.
2. Line an 8 x 12″ pan with parchment paper and set aside.
3. In a small sauce pan, slowly heat coconut oil and shredded coconut until coconut begins to turn brown (continue stirring so you don’t burn it). Remove from heat.
4. Put dates and water into a blender (I use my Vitamix) along with the vanilla and sea salt.  Blend well.
5. Add coconut mixture to blender and pulse until well combined.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press down evenly.  Place pan in the freezer to harden. (About 30 min.)
7. In a double boiler, heat the chocolate chips until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
8. Remove pan of coconut mixture from the freezer and transfer parchment paper to a cutting board.  Cut into 1″ pieces and dip into melted chocolate. If making almond joys, place an almond that has been soaked and dehydrated on top after dipping then drizzle chocolate over the top of the almond.

**for a quicker version, keep the mixture in the pan and pour melted chocolate on top and return to freezer to harden.  Then cut into 1″  pieces.

You may want to double this recipe if you have a sweet tooth like me.  These are delicious!

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Kayla North

Kayla North is co-founder of One Big Happy Home and is considered an expert on childhood trauma. Along with her husband, she has developed training materials and programs for parents, churches, and schools educating them on trauma and its impacts. Kayla is also an affiliate trainer with Trauma Free World, an ETC Parent Trainer, TBRI practitioner, and the Executive Directory of Tapestry. She speaks at churches, schools, conferences, and retreats nationwide.