Yesterday, I spent 5 hours in my pajamas, on the couch, researching groupon deals to warm, sunshine filled faraway lands as I looked out onto my half snow covered/half sopping wet backyard on a disgusting grey, cold, foggy day. I contemplated Atlantis, Vegas, Cancun, Jamaica and Dominican Republic for hours before finally honing in on DR as the best deal. Then I read every single sentence on the groupon page because I’ve never actually purchased a groupon before, have no idea how the whole thing really works and was convinced I was going to click “buy” and instantly become part of some internet scam people would laugh at me for falling for. Since I still wasn’t positive about the whole thing I started googling “groupon + scam” “groupon + vacation” and any other term I could think of to ease the paranoia. 45 minutes of that and then I was on to researching flights. A vacation deal is great, but what if the airfare is like $2000? Almost an hour later on Jetblue’s site, I had a page worth of flight dates and prices written down. Back to the groupon site, re-read the entire FAQ section, double check the resort on tripadvisor, triple check the resort on it’s own website and then head back to groupon. There I am hovering over the “buy” button for about 30 minutes switching back and forth from twitter to groupon, facebook to groupon, google reader to groupon when…
I get up off the couch and make these instead.
Too.much.pressure.
Coconut and almond butter dipped in cocoa powder and coconut oil…way less of a commitment than a vacation, almost as good a fix for a dark, dreary, cold day.
- ¼ cup coconut butter
- 2 tablespoons almond butter (creamy is best)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- pinch of salt (*optional, I didn’t add this because my almond butter was salted)
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tablespoon coconut oil
- Combine coconut & almond butter in a small bowl and microwave until melted.
- Stir with a spoon until smooth.
- Add almond extract and salt if using and stir again.
- Freeze for about 10 minutes or until mostly hardened.
- Remove from freezer and roll into balls (this is slightly messy)
- Return to freezer for about 5 minutes.
- If dipping in chocolate, melt coconut oil in a small bowl and then stir in cocoa powder until fully incorporated. Dip each ball in chocolate mixture and set down until chocolate sets. Re-dip for a thicker coating if desired and let set again.
- Keep refrigerated.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
All that and you didn’t book? But you were so close! Eh well it wasn’t meant to be I suppose. And hey, I’m not all that upset about it either because these look amazing! Are you planning on going back to planning a vacation? I’ve had loads of friends use groupon for their vacations with no issues if that’s any consolation
Your funny! I like groupon but I use Travelzoo for great travel deals! They even have local deals for where you live. I normally scope the local deals for where I am visiting like Vegas and see what kind of dinner deals I can get. I usually pay like $50.00 for a $200.00 dinner that includes drinks, ect… Plus they have a airfare, hotel and package site. But like you yesterday I had Williams and Sonoma on my screen all day, debating if I want the sale of the day, baking sets. I ended up saying to myself, my stuff is still usable. So I passed! But one thing I would not pass on is your Coconut Almond Butter Dessert Bites!! Great combination, they look good!!
OMGOSH WOW.
off to share.
Hahaaha that sounds like me when booking travel. I’d be afraid to book from groupon too. I’ve always wanted to visit the Dominican – I’ve heard such great things about it… the food is just ok, but the beaches & people are awesome.
You crack me up. I have never bought a vacation deal from groupon or livingsocial either. I always buy the deals for my favorite local sushi place, but that’s about it. Or the things for printing phtos on canvas or making photobooks. But the vacays? I feel like I’m getting into something huge and shouldn’t haha. I think you made a wise choice in making these instead, because now we get to read about how easy it is to make and make them for ourselves. Well played
But seriously, you should have a warm getaway! I’ve heard the groupon and livingsocial deals for vacations aren’t too bad!
Gorgeous! Such a simple treat to whip up!
These look tasty! Re: the travel…for what it’s worth, we booked a trip to Ireland through Living Social (like Groupon) and it couldn’t have been better. Price was great, and we got to go, which we wouldn’t have paying full price. All the people connected with Living Social and our trip were very helpful, great to work with. A good experience all around.
Don’t put me anywhere near almond butter. Just…it’s not a pretty scene. I inhale it. And i’d probably do the same to these cute little nuggets!
I would do just about anything to go to a nice island-y destination right about now, although these guys are a close second
I stared at a Groupon for two days not that long ago. Literally I had it up every time I stared at the computer screen. My finace finally told me that I HAD to purchase it and move on. Haha. So I did. I’ve had great experiences with Groupon and have always been tempted by their travel deals! Do it!
PS I totally have to make these!
Humm…come to think of it, when I was contemplating that Groupon, I walked away and started baking, and fiance came up to me, asked if I bought it yet, and I told him no because I had some stuff to bake first. Ha.
haha, glad I’m not the only one!
the best travel deals I’ve purchased have been from Gilt and RueLaLa. Less fine print, fewer regulations.
You did make some nutty balls, huh?
OMG I want to pop like 10 of those in my mouth, but then that could be a problem… LOL! Those look insanely addictive!
How many did you eat in a row before you told yourself, NO MORE! LOL
haha. magically I’ve only eaten 1 at a time so far!
love little desserts like this, i have made pecan truffles and coconut with pumpkin, and anything with chocolate is perfect
Did you book it?!?!?! we looooooooove DR
I made a version of these at Christmas for hubby’ s office (‘ cause I used to make “buckeyes” before I realised the evil ways of everything non- paleo..) I made mine with almond butter, almond extract and just enough honey to sweeten slightly. Rolled in balls and froze 15 min then dipped in 70% dark chocolate. Before they hardened I sprinkled smoked sea salt on them. HUGE SUCCESS, they never missed all the powdered sugar cra_ that the old version had. anyway, wanted to share my treats with you. Have a great tropical vacation where ever you end up!
yours sound delicious! with the price of coconut butter, I may just try the all almond butter route next
So simple and sounds so good! I’ll need to make/buy more coconut butter and almond butter, but I will definitely give this combo a go sometime in the near future!
Thanks!
Ooooohhhh these look like the perfect little dessert for a mid-day brain overload!
Ohhh yes! I absolutely love these little truffles. They sound so good. I have never had the combo of almond butter and coconut but I can already imagine its glorious!
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