Healthy Treats for Kids: Fudgy No-Bake Brownie Bites (Kids Cook Monday)
| December 3, 2012 | Posted by Stacy under Healthy snacks, Healthy treats, Recipes |
At this time of year, I find it helps to keep some healthy treats around to satisfy those sweet cravings. Even though they’re technically more like Larabars, these fudgy no-bake brownie bites–made with raw almonds, dates, cacao powder and just one tablespoon of honey, then dusted with confectioner’s sugar–taste surprisingly like real brownies. My 4-year-old twins are crazy for them–as am I!
If your child’s school allows nuts, they would be terrific for a classroom party. Because they’re dairy, egg and gluten free, they’re safe for kids with related food allergies and intolerances.
When making a batch the other day, my 7-year-old had fun helping. He dumped the ingredients into the food processor, turned it on and off, and helped shape the little balls. While he doesn’t swoon over the brownie bites as much as his younger brother and sister, he happily popped a couple at the end. And because they’re so nutritious, I didn’t have to think twice.
I haven’t tried getting creative with the recipe yet, but I may experiment with adding unsweetened coconut or using a different type of nut next time. To mix it up, you also could roll them in cacao powder instead of confectioner’s sugar (or use a little bit of both). While they don’t look as decadent without the confectioner’s, I enjoy them just as much plain.
Credit for this recipe goes to Snack Girl, a popular blog filled with healthy food ideas and “light” recipe makeovers. I made one small change to the original, substituting raw almonds for roasted.
No-Bake Brownie Bites
Adapted from Snack Girl
Yields: 30 small balls
INGREDIENTS
1 cup raw almonds
15 whole pitted dates
2/3 cup cacao powder (I use Dagoba)
1 tablespoon honey
2 to 3 tablespoons water
Confectioner’s sugar
DIRECTIONS
Place almonds in food processor and pulse until ground. Add dates, cacao powder, honey, and water. Process until ingredients form a sticky mass (you may have to add extra water to get the right consistency). Use your hands to form small balls. Put a couple tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar on a plate, then roll balls in sugar. (Alternatively, you could place balls on a plate and use a sifter to dust just the tops of the balls with sugar.). Place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Does your family have a favorite healthy treat? We’d love to hear it! Scroll down and “Leave a Reply” at the bottom.
I created this blog to raise awareness and start a dialogue about the various issues involved in school food. By writing about it, I hope to provide parents and educators with ideas and inspiration for making healthy changes in their own schools. Since healthy eating habits start at home, I also address common feeding challenges faced by parents.
Yum. Making these!
Yay, I hope you like them! Please report back!
Love that you are thinking along these lines. As a registered dietitian, my heart sings when parents don’t accept what isn’t working regarding food there children are being exposed to — one tweak I would make in your recipe — why not dust with unsweetened coconut since powdered sugar is genetically modified unless organic or made with beet sugar and not cane sugar?
Great idea on the unsweetened coconut. My kids aren’t big fans of coconut but I will try it and see what happens. Thanks for the idea!
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