52 Cookies - Chapter 28

This is a fun one to do with your kids.  They can use their hands and you don't have to turn your oven on so there's no worry about the very young burning their fingers on hot cookie sheets!  And (psst!) don't tell them this part, but, they are kind of, a little bit, just a smidge, good for you!  Well, let's just say, they aren't as bad for you as some of the other cookies I have showcased on here.  And, I'll admit, they are a bit more like candy than a cookie, but I'm getting ready for vacation and need a few shortcuts this week!

I acquired this recipe from an e-newsletter I receive from Whole Foods.  It came to me back around Earth Day and thus, the name of these little treats are called Chocolate Earth Balls.  I like the sound of that - the earth being made of chocolate.  I guess if the moon can be made of cheese, then why not?!

Chocolate Earth Balls
Here's What You'll Need:
1 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (any will do)

Here's What You Do:
Mix the peanut butter, honey and cocoa powder until well combined.  Stir in the raisins and 2 Tablespoons of coconut.  Stir in the chocolate chips, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Place the remaining coconut, sesame seeds and nuts in 3 separate bowls.  Using a small scooper or teaspoon, scoop small heaps of the mixture from the bowl.  Roll the mixture into 1 1/4 inch balls.  Roll it into the coconut, then roll into the sesame seeds, and then chopped nuts.  I personally found it hard to get anything to stick to the balls after I had rolled them in the coconut.  If I were to make these again, I might go ahead and just add the sesame seeds into the peanut butter mixture and then roll in coconut or chopped nuts.  I also think you could use dried cranberries in place of raisins and they would be just as yummy.  

Place the balls on a plate and cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for another 30 minutes or more.  We liked these.  Of course, who doesn't like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate and for as little cocoa powder that is used in these, they packed a nice chocolately punch.  You could also experiment with different types of honey to bring out different flavors.  I used buckwheat honey to make these.