Raw Coconut Cookies

This was the recipe I posted on LOVE STITCHED a few months ago, but I thought I'd share it here as well.  Plus, I just went to the health food store with a friend and we bought some coconut and pecans so that we could make these :)

Raw Coconut Cookies

One of my neighbors taught our neighborhood preschool class all about coconuts.

For a treat after, she made these Raw Coconut cookies that are now one of my favorites!

Coconuts have a lot of health benefits, so I love seeing my kids eat coconut.  Coconuts are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and coconut oil is known for it's healing properties.  Some cultures call the coconut the "tree of life." (source)  Dr. Oz even talks about coconut and it's "super-powers!" (source).

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped pecans
2 cups raw, unsweetened, flaked coconut (bought in bulk at the health food store)
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 Tbsp. Agave Nectar
3 Tbsp. Raw Honey
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1 cup mini dark chocolate chips

First, I pulsed the pecans in the food processor and then measured out 2 cups.

I chopped them finely because it's harder to roll the cookies at the end if there are huge chunks.

Next you just mix everything together.

Mix it really well to make sure that everything is evenly coated in honey, agave, and coconut oil.

Once it's all mixed, put it in the freezer for about a half hour to chill.

Coconut oil liquifies when it gets warm, and it makes the cookies hard to roll.

The freezer will firm up the coconut oil.

Once you take them out, roll them into 1 inch balls and eat them raw.

You may have to squeeze them together as you roll them to get them to stay in a ball.

Store left-overs (if there are any) in the fridge.

My kids eat these as fast as I can make them, and I feel good about letting them.

I even tested them out on my cousin who's a picky eater and he thought they tasted like Almond Joy candy bars :)

Don't let the fact that they're good for you scare you off.

Give them a try...you'll LOVE them!