If I haven’t bored you with my obsessive love for carob, then maybe this post will take you over the top.
Back when I made my husband his Andes’ Mint Pie for Valentine’s Day, my daughter Jade came into the kitchen and asked, ‘mommy, does that have nuts in it?’.
It broke my heart to tell her that it did, because that meant she couldn’t have any due to allergies.
While I have a few treats on the blog that she can eat, most of them are layered or baked and take some time. This was all the encouragement I needed to come up with something for her sweet tooth. I wanted something quick, easy, with a decent dose of nutrition that I would feel good about giving her.
I opt to use carob a lot with my girls because of the caffeine content in chocolate. Chocolate often sends them into a hyperactive tizzy, so since they both enjoy carob, I make the swap whenever possible.
These are so delicious and loved by both my girls who kept asking for more! 🙂
- 3 T. carob powder (I like using raw carob for these, but either will work), plus extra for rolling
- ¾ c. oats
- ½ avocado
- 2 T. (well-packed) coconut butter
- 1 T. raw honey or maple syrup (if vegan)
- 1½ t. vanilla
- ⅛ t. sea salt
- 1-4 t. water, as needed
- Process the oats until fine like flour.
- Add in the remaining ingredients, adding water only as needed to bring everything to together (it should start to clump together in the processor).
- Roll the mixture into balls and in carob powder, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Adapted from this recipe
Aside from my daughters, these make a great treat for me when trying to avoid dates, as I have to rotate my foods often to avoid becoming allergic.
What’s even BETTER about these, especially if you’re giving these to children, is how low the sugar content is: 3.2 grams per truffle!
They’re also low in both calories (61 apiece) and carbs (8.7 grams).
Carob has a natural sweetness that doesn’t require a lot of extra sugar to become really delicious. It also pairs very well with stevia, so if you wanted to make these completely sugar/sweetener-free, you could use about 12-15 drops with an additional tablespoon of water in place of the honey or maple syrup.
However you make these, I hope that you enjoy them as much as we do!
What healthy sweet treats do you like to give yourself or your children?
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Donna
well another question to this recipe I have just found…..oats. instead of oats. I know they are the basis of this dessert, but those of us who are ‘grain free’…..another flour? coconut or a nut flour I guess?
Lauren
You could try any one of the ingredients you mentioned. 🙂
Katka
Hi Lauren, I love your website!!! I like to bake & cook healthy and your recipes seem to be just perfect! Keep on pleaaase :))
btw laura, I’ve read you can make your own coconut butter by mixing coconut (you can add a lil bit coconut oil but you do not have to), let’s check some homemade coconut butter 🙂
laura
hey can you sub the coconut butter for anything ?
Lauren
A nut butter like raw almond or cashew might work, but I haven’t tried it myself.
Allison @ Clean Wellness
I’ve never actually tried carob. Does it taste like chocolate? I love the idea of the oats to add some texture! Yum!
Lauren
It doesn’t taste like chocolate, but the color and consistency are very similar. It’s much sweeter and requires less sugar to make a dessert, which I personally like. It seems people really like it or really don’t!
emma @ be mom strong
Hi Lauren!
I just found your blog this weekend and let me tell you- you are ALL over my Pinterest board as far as recipes go! My husband is so excited I found your blog.. I’m a pretty boring cook! I do make these for my daughter but have never added the carob chips or avocado. Will have to try!
Thanks again!
Lauren
Haha, thanks Emma! I hope you enjoy the truffles if you try them! 🙂
amber
Hi Lauren,
You know I am a huge fan of carob! This recipe looks incredible. I can’t wait to make this for my kiddos. I am always looking for new ways to use carob. Love it!!
Hugs.
Lauren
Thanks girl! 🙂 Hope all is well with you!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
I love carob and these look fantastic – I have made oat truffle balls and avocado desserts but never truffle balls with avocado!
Tammy
Ooohh I’m making these this weekend! Love the mixture of avocado and chocolate/carob. I was quite hooked on your chocolate milkshake for awhile lol
Lauren
I hope you enjoy them Tammy! They are a big hit around here. 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
truffle and carob queen! It’s ok- I looooove carob too 😉