Years ago, my bro-in-law went on the Paleo diet. Years ago, a lot of people thought this sounded kooky. “Paleo, as in Paleolithic? What, do you hunt for your food and cook it over a fire?” It sounded like a good, healthy way to eat, but imagining a world without cheese or bread made me sad. And then I went the vegetarian route. Cavemen didn’t eat tofu, apparently.
Now it seems like everyone is jumping on the Paleo wagon. Rachel just threw an engagement party for her little brother and his fiancee. When I asked if there was anything I could make, she said that most of her relatives were eating like cavemen! Always up for a challenge, I said I’d make a Paleo-friendly dessert and set off googling. The first hit (maybe due to my location?) was from the Austin Post for things called Fudge Babies by Chocolate-Covered Katie. After reading a bunch (okay, that’s being generous) of other possible recipes, Fudge Babies it was.
Have you ever had a Lärabar? These should really be called Lärababies because that’s just how they taste. In particular, they’re like the (retired) Cocoa Mōlé ones because I spiced them up with cinnamon and chipotle powder. I also used almonds instead of walnuts, but had forgotten how almonds are less oily, which was not helpful when it came to shaping the balls. That’s when I decided to add some almond butter to hold things together, et voila! Spheres of raw, natural yumminess.
While maybe not the most attractive of treats, these were a huge hit; not a single one was left at the end of the party and everyone kept asking about how to make them! Katie has some other variations on her blog along with recipes for homemade Lärabars. Note: some have peanuts, which aren’t Paleo-friendly.
Spicy Fudge Babies
adapted from Chocolate-Covered Katie
1 cup (120 grams) almonds
1 1/3 cups (230 grams) pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
4 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
4 1/2 tablespoons natural almond butter
Dump everything into a food processor and blend well. It will make a coarse meal. Form into balls…that’s it!
I was able to make 20 with this recipe.
These things have always reminded me of brunsli with dates replacing the sugar. So they must be good.
They were yummy! I’m still mad and you for showing up my pie pops! Haha! Just kidding! You’re an awesome friend to take such good care of my crazy paleo family! I was just going to leave them to starve! Maybe that’s why your my moms favorite daughter.
I’ve never seen these before and they do look delicious. In reading Rachel’s comment I’m very curious now to see her pie pops…something else I’ve never seen. Glad your spicy almond fudge babies were a bit hit.
goodness! am making these as soon as I can get some dates!
They’ve got everything I love. I’m going to make them when I’ll be celebrating my first salary.
How creative! I know people who are on the paleo diet…I should mention this to them. Larabars are pretty tasty too…I bet with some chocolate thrown in there, they made a sweet and natural treat.
Victoria – Ah, yeah, I could see that! Although I’m partial to the cookies…NOM.
Rachel – Glad I could help! Your pie pops totally out-cuted anything I could have made. I wish I had taken a photo to include!
Paula – Rachel’s pie pops were so adorable! I think her husband took a photo, so I’ll have to pass it along to you if I see it! She found the idea on Pinterest.
Ginny – I need to get me some dates. *rimshot*
Sylwia – Yay! And your first salary? I don’t think I know about this, congrats!
Mary – They’re cropping up everywhere!
They look really good. Dates and almonds, I’m sold.
It is both good and bad that you’re in Austin now, for the same reason; I don’t get to eat all the things you make.
These look delicious. I love grinding up all kinds of healthy goods. Yum!!
I love things with dates in them and these look tasty tasty
Greg – Winning combo!
Jill – Maybe I’ll make some variation of these for a concert or something and appease all the diets.
Ashlea – Food processors are so great!
Stephanie – I hadn’t actually tried dates until last year, and they’re great!
How strange and interesting. I’ve never heard of the Paleo diet before, thankfully the Wiki page has enough info to keep me reading all morning. I have had a Lärabar once before, so I can take a guess at what these are like. Sounds like they were a mondo hit:)
You know I like that prep photo !
Jessica! I saw this link to a paleo cookbook by an Austinite and thought of you right away:
http://republicofaustin.com/well-fed-melissa-joulwan-foodie-paleo-cookbook/