[Regular raw cookie dough balls mixed with a few Irish-inclined ones (green courtesy of spirulina)].
No, it’s not your imagination; there has not been a single St. Patrick’s Day-themed recipe previously posted on this blog. It’s not that I’m opposed to them–after all, at least 50% of what I cook is green–it’s just that, since I haven’t actually celebrated St. Patty’s in over a decade myself, it often slips by without my noticing. Then, once I start seeing all the themed blog posts popping up everywhere, I suddenly realize I missed it. . . again. Well, not so this year. THIS year, I’m posting a St. Patrick’s Day recipe at the latest possible moment on the evening before St. Patrick’s Day! Ha ha!! Faith and begorrah!
Q. What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?
A. A rash of good luck.
Another thing you don’t see much of here is any mention of the virtual panoply of other health issues that precede and sometimes supercede the ACD in my life. Without getting into too much detail, I’ve recently experienced a flareup of a different long-standing problem, and now my naturopath has decided it’s time to start an elimination diet (to rule out any offending foods that might be prompting more symptoms). Which means it’s time to revert, more or less, back to the early stages of the ACD.
To begin with, we’re cutting out grains and will cut out more foods as we go along. To prevent my renaming the blog to just, “Dogs,” I’ve been cooking and baking up a storm so that I have a stash of already-prepared recipes to blog about while I’m eating little more than celery, lemon and brown rice.
[A lighter shade of pale green. . . courtesy of matcha tea.]
What’s funny about this return to asceticism is that it feels remarkably similar to when I first started the ACD in 2009. Back then, I continued to crave sugar for much longer than the standard time period cited by most holistic healthcare practitioners (Regular People: sugar cravings eradicated in 7-10 days. Ricki: sugar cravings eradicated toned down on a short holiday still make the occasional appearance.)
Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don’t want to press your luck.
In order to satisfy my raging sweet tooth (I like to think of it as my “sweet tusk”), I would often whip up a batch of Carob Coconut Sweeties and consume the entire thing (sans guilt, since it was a single-serve batch to begin with). Keeping with the “it’s-okay-to-eat-it-all” approach, I wanted to create a recipe for a sweet snack I (or anyone) could enjoy freely on a grain-free diet. Something that is quick, indulgent, and which I don’t feel guilty consuming in its entirety, if I’m so inclined (which, let’s face it, is pretty much every time I make it).
Therefore, consider this a “mini-recipe” for grain-free raw cookie dough balls. Brittany’s recipe provided the inspiration, and I fiddled with it a bit to suit my own tastes. And because I finally got hold of some Bob’s Red Mill almond flour, I used that as a base (though I’ve been told it’s inferior to Honeyville. What do you think, if you use it?). I would love to try this with a different almond flour if I could, though I must admit it’s hard to imagine improving on this recipe. Even without the grains, these taste like veritable raw cookie dough!
Q. What’s Irish and left out on the lawn all summer?
A. Paddy O’Furniture.
If you’re going for the whimsical St. Patrick’s Day touch, either of the green variations (matcha powder or spirulina) works beautifully. I preferred the color of the matcha, which also contributed a hint of flavor as well; on the other hand, spirulina wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing but didn’t change the flavor at all. So it’s your choice.
And even though this is a twelfth-hour contribution, these can be whipped up so quickly that you’ll still be able to get them on your party table in no time at all. In other words, after you’ve imbibed one too many green beers and you realize you need something solid to mitigate all that alcohol in your system, mix these up and be ready to eat in under two minutes. Consider it a St. Patrick’s Day miracle!
Knock Knock.
Who’s There?
Irish.
Irish Who?
Irish You a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
If you’re looking for other ways to satisfy a sweet tooth without succumbing to sugar, I hope you’ll join Andrea Nakayama and me for our upcoming online sugar detox, Sweet Victory! With strategies, the latest research about brain chemistry and cravings, plus a full menu plan, recipes and discussion forum, you’ll leave the course armed with the knowledge and skills to tame those sugar cravings once and for all. Check out the course details here. Then head over to one (or all!) of the three blogs currently giving away a free spot in the course ($227 value!). Hope to see you there! 😀
Grain Free and (Optionally) Green Raw Cookie Dough Bites
Suitable for ACD Stage 2 and Beyond
These are a great snack when you’re craving something sweet and indulgent tasting–yet they won’t spike your blood sugar or crush your resolve to stay grain free and low glycemic.
1 heaping Tbsp (20 ml) Butterscotch Walco-Nut Butter (or natural smooth cashew butter, or natural smooth almond butter)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Beverage
1 tsp (5 ml) vegetable glycerin, agave nectar or coconut nectar
1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
10-20 drops plain or vanilla stevia liquid, to your taste
1/4 cup (60 ml) almond flour or meal
1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut flour
pinch fine sea salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) cinnamon, optional
1 Tbsp (15 ml) unsweetened carob chips or cacao nibs
In a small bowl, whisk together the nut butter, milk, glycerin, vanilla and stevia until smooth and creamy. Add the almond flour, coconut flour, salt and cinnamon and mix well to form a soft “dough.” Stir in the chips.
Scoop the mixture using a melon baller or teaspoon, then roll into balls. Refrigerate until firm, or eat as is. Makes 4-5 balls. Will keep, covered in the refrigerator, up to one week.
St. Patrick’s Day Variation: Along with the dry ingredients, stir in either 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) matcha tea powder or 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) spirulina powder.
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I’m sharing this recipe at Amy’s Slightly Indulgent Tuesday and Allergy Free Wednesdays.
Last Year at this Time: Happy Hemp Two-Bite Brownies (gluten free; ACD Stage 3 and beyond)
Two Years Ago: French Green Soup with Spinach, Lettuce and Peas (gluten-free; ACD all stages)
Three Years Ago: Maple Flax Cookies (gluten-free; ACD maintenance only)
Four Years Ago: Maple Walnut Cookies (not gluten free; ACD maintenance only)
©Ricki Heller, RickiHeller.com
[Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you buy using these links, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission from the sale.]
These are adorable; nice n’ bite sized for my lil’ mouth. Love ’em! Hope all is well with you. I just found out you’ll be at the Dole Conference, too and I’m so excited to meet you!
Have a great weekend.
Not 100% certain yet, but hoping to be there, yes!! 😀 Thanks so much!
Yum! I was just thinking I needed to make some raw cookie dough bites. I’m enjoying our ridiculously warm March weather by doing a little high raw cleanse time. But, you know me – need my treats! These are on my list to make later today. 🙂
I agree–warm weather leads to more raw!! Hope you like these. 🙂
Love this post, Ricki, especially with the St. Patrick’s Day jokes woven in. I don’t really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like most folks … just a quiet acknowledgment sort of thing usually. I got in a Shamrock Shake recipe this year, but most of the time. St. Paddy’s Day goes by unobserved on gfe. These cookie dough bites are genius … if you have to return to something similar to beginning ACD, these are definitely the way to go! 🙂 I think I will be making this recipe and relying on these bites when I need a sweet treat. 😉 I vote for matcha tea for the green coloring, unless I decide to throw in some baby spinach. You never know with me … I just might. 😉
Shirley
I think the baby spinach (raw) would work really well, Shirley! But do tell me if you give it a try (and take photos). 😉
wow these look great and I can see why they don’t last long – laughed at all your jokes and read them out to E who had one of his own (mine are all too un-pc to share)
Knock knock
who’s there?
irish stew
irish stew who?
irish stew in the name of the law
Good luck with your new diet and hope you have/had a great st pat’s day
Ha, ha!! I’d love to hear yours anyway, Johanna (email me!!) 😉 And reading E’s out loud, I realize one needs an Irish-Australian accent for the joke to be obvious!
What cute little cookie bitess. I really like the matcha colored ones. Hope your health gets back on track quickly.
Thanks so much, Kalinda. We’re working on it! And I love the color of th matcha ones (of course, I also love the taste of matcha, too). 🙂
Since I have spirulina on hand, I vote for it 🙂 Although I really must try matcha! Ah, it’s such a dilemma. I’ve seen coconut nectar at my health food store, does it taste similar to the crystal form?
Yes, coconut nectar tastes like liquid coconut sugar. 😉 If you try the spirulina, let me know. But you must try matcha–it’s totally addicting (maybe not so great considering the price!).
And Happy St. Patty’s Day Ricki!
Thanks, Maggie–you, too!
Oh my goodness – I can hear my FIL making these jokes as I read them!
Is your FIL Irish? 🙂
Oh Ricki, I am so sorry to hear about the health issues 🙁 I hope they clear up soon and that you can eat more than brown rice and celery soon, lol!
Courtney
Thanks, Courtney. 🙂 These are long-standing problems, so I am not counting on them disappearing. . . but a little less prominent would be nice!
I am sorry! I hope that you can figure something out soon!
I guess I know why ‘dessert’ is in your name now…at least these are ALL treats I can enjoy with minimal guilt!! Thanks Ricki, I am learning so much from you!
Aw, Tessa, thanks so much! 😀 Hope you enjoy these. 🙂
What awesome looking little bites. I just love small batches and single servings. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Karen! I love that I can eat the entire thing and not feel awful. 🙂
Ricki, dear, sending you healing warm fuzzies. You’re a particularly strong lady and can make it through to the other side, spatula in hand!
Big hugs
Thank you, Cheryl! And I already think the same of you (but you knew that). 🙂 xo
I have been wondering how to make cookie dough balls without dates or dried fruit, this is perfect, thanks! I need to get some of those carob chips. mmm. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I actually put greenpowder in my ACD friendly chocolate last night. Couldn’t even taste it, but added nutrition!
Bitt, the chips I use have carob powder and palm oil–that’s it. But cacao nibs would work beautifully, too, I think. And great idea re: the greens in chocolate–I’m doing that next time! 🙂
Ricki, if anyone can whip up a tasty recipe from celery, lemon and brown rice, it would be you! I look forward to your new recipes from your phase out diet, too! I always look forward to practical savoury foods for dinner… because that’s what I actually cook and eat myself. 🙂
(not that these dough don’t look super enticing… they really do!)
Thanks, Janet! No desserts for you? 😉 I’ve got quite a few savory recipes saved up as well. . . more to come! 🙂
Desserts are fairly rare for me.. except when I go out to a resto. Or I make them for a crowd. Although I have a few desserts that I plan to share on my blog in the next few weeks. 😉
I enjoyed the jokes — very funny! The cookie balls look great, and I love that they are sugar-free and easy to make with ingredients I already have.
Glad you got a chuckle, Andrea. 🙂 I love recipes where I have all the ingredients on hand!
I’m so sorry to hear about the flare-up, Ricki, but thank you so much for envisioning these incredible treats! I made my vegan cookie dough truffles quite regularly but love, love, love the idea of a grain free version that uses my beloved coconut flour and almonds. I’m yet to see almond flour in Australia but am sure almond meal would work, perhaps just creating a slightly grainier ball? Yay!
Hannah, the first time I made them, I used homemade almond meal (and I find that Bob’s Red Mill brand actually *is* almond meal). But if you have a Magic Bullet or coffee grinder, you can make a finer flour by grinding raw natural almonds yourself–that is what I did.
And thanks for the good wishes–we’re trying all kinds of new things and I’m keeping my fingers crossed (and in the meantime, eating better than I have in ages!). 🙂
Sorry to hear about your health flare-up. Hope your elimination diet goes smoothly and quickly.
Thank you! So far, so good (though all I’ve cut out so far are most grains and sweeteners. . . easy peasy!) 😉
Yum! These look great. Pinning the recipe for later 🙂
I have made these tasty bites & loved them so much!
Real flavours in here! 🙂 Happy eating! 🙂
Yay! So glad you liked them! I’ve been having them quite a bit lately (ahem). Next time, try them with chocolate hazelnut butter instead of the walco-nut–equally delicious! 🙂
How have I not made raw cookie dough balls yet?? These look so good!
Ha, ha!! They’re just like raw cookie dough, except rolled in balls–and surely you’ve eaten raw cookie dough?! 🙂
What I really like about your recipes is you always introduce unusual ingredients that are worth exploring. I’m sure it’s going to be a great experience tasting them.