Earth Balls...

2009-08-12T11:06:00.004-05:00

I have had so many people ask for this recipe so I figured it would be easier to write it here.

I better give credit to whom credit is due. I believe I ran across this recipe from the Whole Foods Market cookbook. This is such an easy snack to make. My kids LOVE making and eating these earth balls and I'm sure yours will to! I liken these treats to a not-so-fancy version of a truffle.

1 cup organic peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
2 tsp. carob powder
1/2 cup organic raisins
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded organic coconut, divided
1/2 cup carob chips (or chocolate chips)
1/4 cup organic sesame seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped raw nuts (walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, etc)

Before measuring the peanut butter, stir it up well.
Mix the peanut butter, honey and carob powder until well combined. Stir in the raisins and only 1/8 cup of the coconut. Stir in the carob/chocolate chips. Refrigerate 1-2 hours.

Place remaining coconut, sesame seeds and nuts into 3 separate bowls. Using a spoon, scoop small rounded teaspoons of the peanut mixture from the bowl; roll into balls. Rolling is easier if you form a rough ball, roll in the coconut, and then continue rolling into a more perfect shape. Roll each finished ball in more coconut, sesame seeds and chopped nuts. Arrange the balls on a plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Now, that is the original recipe. I'd like to think that my version is a little easier and does not require near the amount of time-maybe 15 min. max. (see below)

1 c. organic peanut butter*
1/3 c. honey
2 tsp- 2 Tbsp. carob powder (using any measurement within this limit will not affect the consistency of the dough)
1/2 c. raisins
1 c. unsweetened, shredded, dried coconut, divided*
1/2 cup carob chips or chocolate chips
OMIT sesame seeds (They really do not add much flavor, but are a pain to work with while forming the dough and when my kids are eating the treats. They fall everywhere and make a mess!)
1/4 c. finely chopped raw nuts (see variety in above recipe)

* Fresh ground (but does NOT have to be organic) peanut butter is a must in this recipe! The texture and consistency of commercial peanut butter is completely different. I use the 365 brand (Whole Foods Market store brand. $1.79), but if you do not have a health food store, you can use the Smucker's natural peanut butter. (The kind where the oil sits on the top and you have to stir it up. Just check ingredients to be sure it is just peanuts and salt.) Walmart carries Smucker's, but it is pricey.
Stir peanut butter well before using in this recipe.

* The dried coconut can also be found at Whole Foods Market for just under $2 for an 8.8 oz bag.

Mix all ingredients, remembering to divide coconut. Shape into balls then roll in remaining coconut. Place on a wax paper lined 8x8 or 9x9 pan (or tupperware container, ziplock bag, etc). Cover and keep refrigerated.*

*I do not refrigerate the dough before shaping into balls as I find it unnecessary, but I do keep the earth balls refrigerated. I think they taste better.

So, there you go. You can choose which one you would like to follow. I'm sure the flavor will be consistent in the two recipes. I just think mine saves a lot more time and will keep you from forgetting about the dough you have sitting in the fridge... which probably dried up because you got busy doing something else. Been there. Done that.

Serendipity...

Earth Balls...