Healthier Buckeyes

The holidays are coming up so you know what that means! Sweets everywhere! I'm on a mission to make some of my favorite treats a little more healthy. I'm a strong believer in striving for a balanced life. I think that totally depriving one self of treats not only sets you up to fail at "dieting" but it also robs you of one of the greatest pleasures in life. FOOD! That being said, I also think it's important to eat the highest quality food, even if it is technically a junk food. There are ways to make things that would otherwise be horrible for you, less horrible. In my option, many times tasting just as good, if not better!

My healthy buckeyes have organic (no salt or sugar added) peanut butter, very little powdered sugar, are gluten free, and use high quality chocolate (use vegan chips to make these completely vegan)! I also add a little crunchy twist with some puffed rice cereal! Serve these at your holiday party and your guest won't know they shouldn't feel guilty indulging until you tell them!

Ingredients (Makes 12)

1/2 cup smooth organic no sugar/salt added peanut butter (softened-I put my jar in the sun for a couple hours before making.)

3 TBSP organic powdered sugar

2 1/2 TBSP real, grade A, maple syrup

Dash of Vanilla

Pinch of sea salt

2-3 TBSP puffed rice cereal (optional)

1/2 cup organic chocolate chips

1 TBSP coconut oil

Directions

Combine everything in a bowl except puffed rice, chocolate, and coconut oil, and mix until combined.

Taste and add a little more maple if you want them a little sweeter keeping in mind the chocolate will be sweet.

Stir in puffed rice.

Roll into balls slightly larger than a large cherry. (The puffed rice makes it a little harder to roll but they will form if you work with them.)

Place rolled balls into the fridge to cool while you melt the chocolate

Place a heat safe glass bowl on top of a pot of slow boiling water.

Add chocolate and coconut oil to the bowl and stir until melted.

With a toothpick, dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate, leaving the top exposed.

Let balls chill in the refrigerator until completely cooled.

Gently close hole from the toothpick with your fingers and smooth the top by tapping/rubbing the rough spots.

Serve or eat them all yourself once chilled!

Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

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