Create a chocolate free alternative to chocolate

Do you know someone who has a chocolate allergy? There are not many people who are, but my wife is one of them. 

So, how about a delicious carob-based alternative? Carob is often used as a substitute for chocolate and has its own unique flavour profile. Here's a recipe for a carob-based treat:

Carob-Coconut Energy Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup almond butter (or any nut or seed butter of your choice)

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

1/4 cup shredded coconut (plus extra for rolling)

2 tablespoons carob powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond butter, honey or maple syrup, shredded coconut, carob powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Stir the ingredients together until well combined. If the mixture seems a little too arid, add a little more almond butter or honey/maple syrup to address this.

Once the mixture is well combined, use your hands to roll it into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.

Spread some extra shredded coconut on a plate or shallow dish. Roll each energy bite in the shredded coconut until coated.

Place the coated energy bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Once firm, the energy bites are ready to enjoy! If there are any left over, you can keep them in an airtight container in a fridge for about seven days.

These carob-coconut energy bites are a delicious and chocolate-free alternative that's perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings while providing a boost of energy. Plus, they're customisable, so feel free to add in extras like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or seeds for added texture and flavour.