No-Bake Chocolate Candy Bites

I've been trying to cut back on my fructose intake lately. That means limiting my fruit consumption and cutting back on sweeteners including honey and maple syrup. I have a terrible sweet tooth as you have heard, and I am trying hard to rein it in!! My momma makes these delicious paleo chocolates, so I thought I'd put a few spins on them to make them sweetener free/fructose free. I will list the honey-sweetened version as well for those of you with room to splurge!

Printable Recipe

Base Ingredients:
1/2 cup freshly ground almond butter (I'm assuming other nut butters would work well, so feel free to give it a try! Remember peanuts are a legume and have inflammatory properties.)
1/4 cup coconut oil (make sure to use a coconut tasting oil, unrefined or virgin; I use Tropical Traditions Brand)
1/4 cup cacao powder (cocoa powder works as well, but I suggest transitioning to cacao powder)

Choose your sweetener:
None (best option for fat loss and gut health)
1/2-1 tsp Stevia (promotes good gut health, but there is limited research on long term effects)
1/8-1/4 cup of Honey (high in fructose, promotes Candida overgrowth in the gut, should be used sparingly and only as a treat!)
1/8-1/4 cup Maple Syrup (same as honey, but vegan)

Add-ins:
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp mint extract
Whole almonds or other nuts like pecans

Combine your base ingredients in a bowl. Stir until well mixed. Choose your sweetener and add it in. (This recipe fills a 12 count mini muffin tray, so I made 3 different versions, one row of each.)  Add any extras you want except the whole almonds. Using spoon, transfer the mix to a mini muffin tray, ice cub tray, or a silicone candy mold(this is the best option). If using whole almonds, press them into the center of each candy piece. Place in the freezer for at least 1 hour. The candies should be solid, you can remove them from the pan and store them in a baggie in the freezer, or you can cover them. These melt quickly!

Health Notes: The raw cacao powder and coconut oil in these babies do great things for your health! I can't even begin to list all the health benefits of coconut oil. A good serving size is 1-2 Bites. Remember that consuming large amounts of almonds(nuts in general) or almond products can lead to weight gain.When using Stevia, only use pure Stevia. Most groceries only sell the processed kind which have added ingredients...yikes! I buy mine from an herb lady in town. It is ground Stevia leaf, so the only ingredients are leaves! Whole Foods has decent brands and offers a liquid version. Always, always, always check the label!