These moreish little goodies are the ultimate sweet treats if you have a sweet tooth but want to avoid processed sugar.

Chocolate is one of the most loved foods in the world and in recent years we’ve started to learn that in its raw form, it is extremely beneficial to our health. (Yippee!)

Theobroma Cacao is a small evergreen tree that thrives in tropical climates; its fruit provides Cacao, or Cocoa which forms the basis of our much-loved chocolate. Unlike chocolate, which in its processed form can be high in fat and sugar, we can call cacao a superfood thanks to its high nutrient content.

The Cacao bean is incredibly rich in antioxidant flavonoids, fat (healthy fat!), carbohydrates, protein, polyphenols (resveratrol), minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, zinc and potassium, oleic acid which is a heart-healthy essential monounsaturated fat, fiber and vitamins E, B2, B1, B5, B3 and B9.

Cacao Powder has some wonderful health benefits including:

• Brain function and nervous system – can contribute to the normal psychological function of the brain and provide support to the nervous system.
• Supports normal muscle function and provides maintenance of bones and teeth
• Can reduce tiredness and fatigue and support energy and metabolism
• Contains Resveratrol which activates longevity genes

I made these with almond butter and raisins, raisins because they contain higher concentrations of phytonutrients, but you can make them using any type of dried fruit or nuts. I recently showcased some healthy food for a local charity event and someone told me these power-bites were just like truffles, so they might even make a nice healthy and thoughtful gift for someone instead of giving a standard box of chocolates!

To make these I used:

• 1 1/2 tbsp Rainforest Foods Organic Cacao Powder 250g
• Half a jar of Meridian Natural Crunchy Almond Butter 170 g (Pack of 3) – (Way better value to get three if you like Almond Butter as just one from Sainsburys or Tesco is around £4.50 but three from Amazon is only £8.37!)
• Handful of Raisins or other dried fruit (organic ideally)
• 1/2 Cinammon
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
• 2 tbsp of Coconut Milk; like Koko or Alpro, not the kind you get from a can. You want the consistency to be doughy not soggy so go gently with the milk. Start with one tablespoon and add more if the mixture doesn’t bind.
• Desiccated Coconut

Mix ingredients together then form into small pieces with your hands. Roll in the desiccated coconut and chill for up to two hours before devouring. This will make about ten small bites, depending on the size you want them.

Enjoy your guilt-free sweet delights!