Here are a few of my favorite sweet treats for Halloween parties and events where I need to whip up a healthy, tasty sweet treat!  These are very kid friendly and quick to make as well!

Date Coconut Balls

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 generous cup soft pitted dates (it’s okay if it’s a bit more)
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 cup finely shredded zucchini squash (use the fine side of a box grater and don’t tell the kids!)
• 1 cup shredded flaked unsweetened coconut, divided

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.
Place the almonds in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process into fine crumbs. Add dates, a few at a time, processing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon and sea salt. At first the mixture will just look like bread crumbs, then it will come together in a ball. If it doesn’t come together, add a few extra dates.
Remove the cookie dough from the food processor and mix in the shredded zucchini and a half a cup of the flaked coconut with your hands until well combined. Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the remaining half cup of coconut on a plate and roll each ball in the coconut to coat. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and freeze several hours until the balls are firm. Remove them from the freezer and serve thawed.
Note: You can store these cookies in the freezer or refrigerator. They taste best when served cold, but not frozen.
Makes 15 cookie balls.

Aimee’s Almond Oat Energy Bites**

• 2 1/2 cups Rolled Gluten-free Oats
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/2 cup Organic Raisins (very important – grapes are a highly sprayed crop)
• 1/2 cup Organic Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 oz. Vanilla flavored Nutriiveda Achieve, or vanilla Whey or Rice protein
• 1/2 cup Almond Butter
• 1/3 cup Agave Nectar (honey can be substituted)

1. Grind 1/2 cup oats and 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds in food processor until powdery.
2. Combine remaining 2 cups oats, remaining 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, raisins, chocolate chips, and cinnamon in large bowl. Add oat/seed and protein powder and mix well.
3. Stir in almond butter and agave nectar in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer to dry bowl and mix until soft dough forms.
4. Moisten hands, and roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place in freezer 20 minutes to set, then serve or store in the fridge.

** This recipe is great for kids who are very sensitive to sweets; the added protein helps keep blood sugar stabilized. This recipe also has an ideal carbohydrate/protein ratio that makes it beneficial for endurance sportsand wilderness hiking!

Quick and Easy Chocolate Truffles (now with Kitty option!)

Makes 24 “truffles”

• 2/3 cup walnuts
• 1 cup packed, pitted dates (about 24)
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
• 2 Tbsp cacao nibs or finely chopped dark chocolate

1. Toast the walnuts in a preheated 325F oven for 15 min., or until browned and fragrant. Stir the nuts half way through baking.
2. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts until they are pebble sized pieces. Set aside in a medium bowl.
3. Place the dates in the processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Process until they’re smooth and form a ball around the blade. (At first, you will get lots of sticky pieces.) Add the cocoa and process until smooth.
4. In a bowl, knead the date mixture with the walnuts and cacao nibs until they stick together. If the mixture is too sticky, add more nuts or cacao nibs. If too dry, add a couple teaspoons of water.
5. On a cutting board lined with plastic wrap, shape the mixture into a long 1″-wide rectangle. Slice pieces with a sharp knife. Or, roll into 1″ balls. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Ingredients for the ears, noses, and whiskers:
(thank you to Wing-it Vegan for this idea!)

• 48 whole almonds
• 24 almond slices
• several raisins or a few dates (frozen)

1. Carefully cut about 1/4 inch off the tips of each whole almond. Just the “pointy” ends, these will be your kitty ears as seen in the photo. Use a sharp non-serrated knife and a cutting board for best results. You won’t need the other ends of the almonds, so use them in another recipe above!
2. Cut about 1/4 inch off the tips of each almond slice to make the little triangular-ish noses.
3. Cut the raisins into slices, and then into strips. They are easier to cut if they are frozen and less sticky. These will be your little whiskers, you will need 48 whiskers for 12 kitties. This recipe makes enough for 2 dozen cats.