Make Your Own Healthy Candy
Lise
Above is a peek at a few LisaLise Pure Natural Edibles. Even though this is a skin and hair care blog, the holidays are fast approaching – a traditional time of (making and) giving gifts!
These are not only easier to make than you might think, they're downright good for you.
What you see above is healthy, vegan-friendly raw food candy with no added sugar or sweeteners. The best part: they pass the 'I hate healthy food' test every time.
Even though 'healthy' and 'candy' doesn't usually go together, these tasty treats are rich, decadent and sinfully delicious. I dare you to make them and not agree with me!
There are 4 variations pictured above – each covered/dipped in organic 72% dark chocolate. Also pictured above: a peek at the packaging I made one Christmas when I was doing large-ish batches so there was enough to give as holiday gifts.
Shall we make healthy candy? Excellent!
You need only 3 base ingredients:
Raw Cocoa Powder
Pure Coconut (flour, grated or shredded)
Medjool dates (do not substitute for other dates -- there is a world of difference!)
and one optional ingredient
Dark Chocolate (if youw want to dip or cover your candies with chocolate)
The secret to success: don't skimp on the quality of the ingredients and you will have a sure-fire hit every time.
Healthy Raw Candy Instructions
Pit and chop medjool dates
Add raw cocoa powder and/or coconut and knead (in wax paper) until the mixture can be handled
Split into however many portions you want to make flavours, then add any extras you may fancy to each portion.
Knead each mixture until it is even
Roll into balls
Roll balls in cocoa or coconut
Dip in chocolate
Decorate
Chill
Enjoy
In the versions you see above, I soaked goji berries in rum for one of the flavor variations, added chopped almonds for another, made a roasted sesame seed with orange combo, and the fourth flavor shown above is a straight-up coconut/date combo.
I've made these many times and almost always experiment with the flavors. Try adding exciting and unexpected things such as licorice powder (this was quite a hit with my family).
If you want to go all out, photograph each flavor and make a little booklet with the ingredients and a fun description for each flavor. The recipient will not only appreciate the thought, but anyone with special dietary needs will be fully informed as to what they're tasting.
A Little Film of the Making Process
When I was a member of Vine (a social media app) many years ago, I made a series of short films to show how I make these. I do apologize for the quality of this film, but we are talking about a very old iphone, no special lighting, an amateur photographer and editor (me) and a handful of old vine shorts. Despite all the flaws, I though it still might be useful to see the making process, so I have done my best to make it as palatable to look at as I am able.
Packaging tip: if you can't find suitable boxes, package in cellophane bags and tie shut with a pretty bow.
Have fun!
After enjoying your fabulous candies, you might want to make your own tooth powders to brush your pearly whites. The book below shows you how.
