Chocolate Coconut Bites are a healthy nutty coconut crust, topped with a soft (almost custardy) coconut layer, and all capped by a chocolate ganache layer. Yummy!
… Wait, did I just sneak that word, “healthy” in there? Yes, yes I did!
I love those healthy sweet treats! You know, you’ve seen them on Pinterest. I’ve made a few of them Double Layer Carob Fudge Bites (which could be cocoa instead of carob), Chocolate Covered Coconut Bites, Coconut Bars, Coconut Carob Brownie Bars (again, could be cocoa), and Chocolate “Mousse” Cups.
It’s pretty awesome that you can have a nice little sweet bite, and not feel bad for having indulged. Filled with healthy ingredients like dried plums, coconut, and hazelnuts, these Chocolate Coconut Bites are awesome. Rich and delightful without being too sweet or too heavy.
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly, healthy fats from whole foods like nuts and coconut. Super tasty.
Just really a win all around. And, not too difficult to make; just a little food processor work, and some time working on the stove. Just be careful not to process the nuts too much to where they become nut butter. Let the coconut layer cool before you top it with the ganache, but it doesn’t take too long to cool in the fridge. And, as for the slicing, It was really easy to cut them into 16 pieces. After that, you may want to cut each piece into fourths as well to get a nice little dessert bite. I did that when we had some guests over for Halloween dinner, and they loved just the little rich dessert nibble at the end.
Chocolate Coconut Bites
Ingredients
For Crust
- 1 cup 6 ouces dried plums
- 1 cup raw hazelnuts
- 2/3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Coconut Layer
- 1 can 13.5 ounce full fat coconut milk
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup water
- 3 ½ tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
Ganache Topping
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- Pinch of fine grain sea salt
Instructions
Make Crust
- Place all ingredients in a food processor, and pulse until until very finely ground, and mixture starts sticking together. Press the crust mixture firmly into a 9x9-inch pan. Store in the refrigerator.
Make Coconut Layer
- Place coconut milk, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat until mixture starts to get tiny bubbles around the edges. Add cornstarch mixture to coconut mixture, and stir vigorously as mixture thickens. Remove from heat, continue to stir, and pour over prepared crust. Place in refrigerator, and allow to cool.
Make Ganache topping
- Once the coconut layer has cooled in the fridge, prepare the ganache layer.
- In the food processor, blend the maple syrup and coconut oil together until well combined. Add in cocoa powder and a pinch of salt, and pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Pour the ganache over coconut layer. Set the pan in the fridge at least one hour to set. Once the Chocolate Coconut Slice is set, cut into bite sized squares.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Janette@culinaryginger says
You had me at healthy and because of that I would probably eat too many because they look really good.
manilaspoon says
Love a guilt-free dessert especially one as scrumptious as this!!! Three slices, please! 🙂
justine @ Full Belly SIsters says
These are so gorgeous and i love that they’re made with such healthful, nutritious ingredients!
Florian @Contentednesscooking says
Those Look amazing! So thick and creamy! I could eat the whole batch! 🙂 Love that those are vegan and gluten free are! Everyone can enjoy those.
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
These bars look luscious. They are definitely “drool worthy”. I love the use of the prunes,uh, dried plums! 😉
mealplanmaven says
OMG Debi…you know this is so my kind of treat! I could eat the whole batch by myself and will certainly be trying them soon! Pinning!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
This is a fantastic recipe, we just love coconut and now I’m going to have to make this for grumpy and me. He’ll love it and never realize that it’s a “good for you” sweet treat.
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
Sorry I have to correct my post, I should have written “Grampy” but my computer “auto-corrected” and I didn’t realize it until it posted.
Nicole Neverman says
These bars sound absolutely amazing! I would love to make these and have a deliciously healthy snack 🙂 Loving that coconut milk layer!
fearlessdining says
Super yum…these look so good. I am now craving chocolate.
Elizabeth says
Gosh these look and sound absolutely amazing, and I have all the ingredients in my kitchen!
Culinary Flavors says
We all love cocnut around here and as far as chocolate we are notorious lovers. These bars are right up our alley!
The Food Hunter says
love the flavor combo!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
omigosh-healthy ganache???? These bites are amazinggg!
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says
I think I’d probably eat more that my share of these chocolate coconut bites! Love them! Thank you for sharing
Heidy L McCallum says
Chocolate and coconut go hand in hand! What a delicious treat. My son would love this recipe.
Ashley Bee says
These look absolutely perfect! Coconut and chocolate is the best combo.
klg1982 says
yum. I have been obsessed with coconut desserts lately. This looks good!!!
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
Deb, these look great. I love the look and tastes one gets with layered bars.
Angela says
Debi, these sound incredible!! What great flavors. Looking forward to making these layered bites of goodness!
Vicky & Ruth- May I Have That Recipe says
Oh my!! This looks delicious!! I love anything with coconut and everything taste better with little chocolate 🙂
April J Harris (@apriljharris) says
Love all the healthy ingredients in these delicious bites, Debi! It’s so nice when something this delicious is good for you too! Stumbled, yummed and shared. Thank you for bringing this delicious recipe to the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
These look great! Pinned it + yummed it. Saw your post over at Try A Bite Tuesday Link Party. We’d love for you to stop by this Friday {7 p.m. EST} at Savoring Saturdays gluten free linky party and share this, or any of your other posts. Have a great week!
pattyanderson54 says
Dried plums in the crust is just genius. These sound so good. Loving the coconut center layer too. The chocolate is a given!
Del's cooking twist says
This looks absolutely fantastic and healthy at the same time. I need to try your recipe!
lydiaf1963 says
I’m not sure if I’d suck the coconut layer out first or lick the ganache layer off the top. Decisions, decisions…
Marlys (This and That) says
The only problme with these is that because they are healthy I would eat the whole pan in one sitting.
dcclark13 says
How yummy do these look?!!! Pinned & shared your delicious recipe on Facebook to pass the word – thanks for sharing with us at #TryaBiteTuesday – please stop by this week!