
Valentine’s day is a romantic occasion upon which we gift our loved ones with dairy and sugar-laden delicacies as an expression of our adoration. Perhaps the bloating, fatigue, and weight gain that follow the consumption of these treats isn’t what we mean to give our honeys. So, how else can you surprise your loved one with succulent sweets? Try these special treats!
These Fudge Cherry Bursts are an explosion of juicy flavor housed in a moist and rich fudge brownie, coated in a thin layer of hard chocolate icing, and topped off with a dusting of finely ground coconut. These mouthwatering delicacies are the perfect way to show someone you love them on Valentine’s day or any special occasion.
So, if you still have a hankering for Valentine’s sweets, or you just want to show the special person in your life how much you love them, head to the kitchen and whip up some raw chocolate goodness!
Fudge Cherry Bursts
Recipe from Sweets for the Holidays online video class and recipe guide, available at Dr. Ritamarie’s Online Video Class Site . Additional gluten free dessert recipes without added oil or sweeteners are in Dessert: Making It Rich Without Oil by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo and Chef Karen Osborne .
Makes 2 Dozen
Ingredients – Dough
- 10 oz. bag frozen organic sweet cherries
- 3 cups soaked dehydrated walnuts
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups pitted medjool dates (not soaked)
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder and 1/4 cup raw carob powder or 3/4 cup of carob powder
- 1 teaspoon ground vanilla bean or vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions – Dough
1. Thaw and drain cherries and place on mesh screen in dehydrator at 105 for 30 minutes.
2. Process walnuts and salt in food processor with the S blade until finely ground.
3. Add the dates and process until the mixture begins to stick together.
4. Add the vanilla and cacao and/or carob powder and process until the powder is mixed in.
5. Add the water and pulse a few times.
6. Roll a tablespoon of the dough into a ball. Press your finger into the center to make a hole. Place a cherry in the hole and close the hole forming a ball. Repeat until all of the dough is used.
Ingredients – Colored Coconut
- 1 cup raw finely shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon Just Raspberries ground to a fine powder in a coffee grinder or 1/8 teaspoon beet juice
Directions – Colored Coconut
1. Place coconut in a jar with Just Raspberries powder or beet juice.
2. Close the jar with the lid and shake to mix the coconut and the color.
Ingredients – Chocolate or Carob Coating
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil softened in dehydrator for a couple of minutes
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar powdered in a coffee grinder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Raw cacao or carob powder
Directions -
1. Whisk the coconut oil and the coconut sugar in a bowl until they are blended.
2. Add the cacao powder and whisk until it is incorporated.
3. Dip a ball in the coating and quickly drop it into the jar of colored coconut.
4. Roll it around until it is coated, and put it on a clean plate.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all of the balls are coated. You may have to whisk the
coating occasionally. If the coating starts to become solid, just put the bowl of the
coating mixture in the dehydrator for a minute or in a larger bowl of hot water and
whisk again.
6. Chill the finished treats in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
7. Enjoy!