Dark Chocolate Haystacks - Say Yes to Cookies!

I love dessert, so I'm always trying to find a way to have my (healthy) cake, and eat it too! One of my long time favourite treats are Chocolate Haystacks, so I decided to "healthify" them. I took a look at a few haystack recipes, and swapped out the less desired ingredients like sugar, butter, milk and refined peanut butter, for more healthful alternatives to come up with my own recipe. They are easy to whip up, no baking required and full of healthful ingredients, many of which you may already have in your kitchen. They are chocolate-y, slightly sweet with a bit of salty as well - sure to quell that sweet-craving, without the guilt! ​

Dark Chocolate Haystacks
by Tracey Ratelle-Westdorp
gluten-free, dairy-free, can be nut-free

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup of honey (unpasteurized is best)
• 1/2 cup of virgin coconut oil 
• 1 tablespoon coconut or almond milk
• 3 tablespoons of cocoa 
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt or Himalayan salt
• 1/3 cup of almond or sunflower butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 2 1/2 cups oats
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Method

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
2. Place a medium-sized pot on the stove over lowest heat setting and gently melt honey, oil, milk, and cocoa, stirring often.
3. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in salt, almond butter and vanilla until incorporated. 
4. Add coconut, oats and chia seeds and stir to combine. Let rest for about 5 minutes for mixture to cool.
5. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto parchment, gently pushing into small piles. 
6. Place the cookie sheet in the fridge for about 1-2 hours to allow cookies to harden. Store in the fridge. Makes about 24 cookies. 

*If you're not into trying coconut oil, you can substitute unsalted butter for this recipe. 
​
The low-down on the ingredients:
Honey - unpasteurized honey has anti-viral, anti-biotic and anti-oxidant properties. It also does not raise blood sugar as drastically as white sugar, it actually helps to keep blood sugar at healthy levels. 

​Virgin coconut oil - this amazing oil also has anti-viral, anti-biotic, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties. It is a great source of quick energy being mostly medium-chain fats which are sent right to the liver for energy. It also provides good fats for cell-building. 

Cocoa - bursting with anti-oxidants, a great source of magnesium and other trace minerals. Also has a lovely soothing effect on the mind and mood. 

Almond butter - source of healthful fats, of the same type as olive oil, which have been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, plus several minerals like copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and molybdenum which help support proper muscle function and energy regulation. . 

Oats - we've all heard about how the soluble fibre in oats is very good for lowering cholesterol. This is due to the fact that it soaks up excess matter in the digestion system and helps clear it out of the body. Good bowel motility is also crucial to overall health.  

Coconut - also a source of fibre, and good fats, along with folate and trace minerals. 

​Chia seeds - this wonder seed packs protein, fibre and fat all together into it's little casing. It's a great source of Omega-3 and 6 fats, protein and potassium. Also has a "gelling" effect by absorbing water which promotes intestinal motility. 


Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5817209/

https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3106/2

​http://whfoods.com

​*This post contains affiliate links. I only link to items which I have used, or would recommend to my nutrition clients. I receive a very small commission when items are purchased. No one can pay me to sway my opinion, I will not recommend products that I don't feel​ are health-supporting and reputable. You are not obligated to buy the linked items to use my recipes. Enjoy!

---