Think of these bad boys as all the festive fabulousness of a perfectly minty mocha rolled into a healthy ball of holiday cheer.
Ever since I laid eyes on Trader Joe’s peppermint extract, I’ve been thinking of a billion and three yummies I want to make with it. I dream of peppermint chocolate chip pancakes on the treadmill. I can practically smell the peppermint brownies when I drive to work. I pretend my snickerdoodle smoothie is a peppermint mocha smoothie. The torture!!
Now that I’ve got my hands on a bottle, I plan to make all these dreams a reality. So stay tuned.
These may just be the best snack ever. And they’re just so seasonal!! I think I may even like them better than my Mexican hot chocolate bites. They’re both wannabe versions of my favorite drinks, AKA heaven. Peppermint hot chocolate in all its scrumptious glory isn’t exactly light in the sugar department. These gems, however, are sweetened primarily with naturally sweet dates and a bit of pure maple syrup for good measure. Peppermint extract is pretty darn strong, so I only used 1/8 teaspoon. I don’t want all of my reader friends sweating peppermint, so add more at your own risk. Even if you don’t have peppermint extract, you’ll still be obsessed with these. Then they’ll just be plain old hot chocolate bites, which are anything but plain and old.
Mmmmmm with marshmallows!! And whipped cream!! But not really.
I added three drops (literally, three drops) of natural peppermint flavor from Whole Foods (which is apparently worlds apart from peppermint extract) to my hot chocolate the other day and I promptly transformed into a minty fire-breathing dragon. Every time I inhaled, my whole body got cold from the peppermint influx. No bueno. Apparently peppermint flavor and extract are quite different, so use with caution.
Eat up, friends! Ho ho ho[t chocolate].
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bites
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 7 1x
- Category: Snack/Dessert
Description
The festive fabulousness of peppermint hot chocolate in the form of a healthy snack.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (plus more for rolling)
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup pitted dates, packed
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp almond milk
- 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- Add walnuts and almonds to the bowl of a food processor. Blend until they reach a fine crumb. Add the cocoa powder, flaxseed and salt and blend for another few seconds.
- Add the dates, maple syrup, almond milk and peppermint extract. Blend until thoroughly combined, or until a sticky ball of “dough” forms.
- Wet hands and roll into 7 small balls. Roll balls in cocoa powder (optional). Alternatively, you could form the dough into a square and cut into bars. Store in the fridge.
Notes
Inspired by my Mexican Hot Chocolate Bites
I had no idea there was a difference between peppermint extract and flavoring but that’s good to know. I don’t want to turn into a minty fire-breathing dragon. Although I’m sure most people wouldn’t mind that.
These look so fudgy and delicious!
They’re like little bites of fudgy minty heaven. I need to make another batch!!
Ohhh yeah, you know these are right up my alley! I’ve been making holiday versions of every meal & snack lately so I’m pumped to try these 😀 Tonight!
I’m so glad you liked them!! I loved your candy cane addition–so festive!
Ohhh yeah, you know these are right up my alley! I’ve been making holiday versions of every meal & snack lately so I’m pumped to try these 😀 Tonight!
I’m so glad you liked them!! I loved your candy cane addition–so festive!
I don’t like mint, but I am thinking these would be just as good with another flavor of extract too!
They would be just as good without the peppermint!
I don’t like mint, but I am thinking these would be just as good with another flavor of extract too!
They would be just as good without the peppermint!
My vegetarian son just went full vegan and this site has been a godsend! Thanks for posting such great recipes and photos – every recipe we’ve tried has been wonderful! Can’t wait to try these bad boys 🙂
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Lynn! It made my night. I’m so glad your son is liking the recipes!
Ok, made these and omg!! Making a second batch today. I have twin teenage sons – one is a total carnivore, the other a vegan. Carnivore is baking the holiday faves while vegan was….feeling left out. 🙁 Now he’s making and scarfing chocolate bites down. Right now I’m making a second batch of the hearty lentil, kale and potato soup because it was DELICIOUS – even better the second day. Keep these marvelous recipes coming because you are a great cook. Thank you for posting them.
One again, your comment made my day! Thank you SO much for the fabulous compliment! I’m thrilled that the recipes are going over so well with both sons 🙂 I think the vegan son would totally love the sticky orange tempeh recipe that I just posted. It’s so yummy!! Happy holidays and thanks for reading 🙂
My vegetarian son just went full vegan and this site has been a godsend! Thanks for posting such great recipes and photos – every recipe we’ve tried has been wonderful! Can’t wait to try these bad boys 🙂
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Lynn! It made my night. I’m so glad your son is liking the recipes!
Ok, made these and omg!! Making a second batch today. I have twin teenage sons – one is a total carnivore, the other a vegan. Carnivore is baking the holiday faves while vegan was….feeling left out. 🙁 Now he’s making and scarfing chocolate bites down. Right now I’m making a second batch of the hearty lentil, kale and potato soup because it was DELICIOUS – even better the second day. Keep these marvelous recipes coming because you are a great cook. Thank you for posting them.
One again, your comment made my day! Thank you SO much for the fabulous compliment! I’m thrilled that the recipes are going over so well with both sons 🙂 I think the vegan son would totally love the sticky orange tempeh recipe that I just posted. It’s so yummy!! Happy holidays and thanks for reading 🙂
I love adding peppermint extract to recipes! Such a refreshing and delicious flavour.
Amen, sista!
I love adding peppermint extract to recipes! Such a refreshing and delicious flavour.
Amen, sista!
Before I make these (which I will!) I am going to use up the rest of my mexican HoCho in your mexican HoCho bites!!! Unreal. Also can you tell I like saying HoCho?!??!
OMG too perf! HoCho for life.
Before I make these (which I will!) I am going to use up the rest of my mexican HoCho in your mexican HoCho bites!!! Unreal. Also can you tell I like saying HoCho?!??!
OMG too perf! HoCho for life.
These look soooo good! I Also love bite size foods so this is perfect!
These look soooo good! I Also love bite size foods so this is perfect!
A perfect snack to bring with me to work during the week! They look SO delicious and I love the addition of peppermint…a favorite holiday flavor of mine!
These are SO perfect for the week–totally portable and yummy! Win and win.
A perfect snack to bring with me to work during the week! They look SO delicious and I love the addition of peppermint…a favorite holiday flavor of mine!
These are SO perfect for the week–totally portable and yummy! Win and win.