Chocolate Coconut Truffles
Hey guys! How are ya? Hope you’ve had a lovely day.
Thank you for all of the tips and advice (and horror stories haha) about flying a pet as cargo. I forgot to mention a couple of critical details when I told ya’ll the situation- sorry about that! Viesa is taking a one-way trip to Tucson. That’s why she’s coming with me, otherwise I’d just kennel her or ask my auntie to watch her. I haven’t written about it much on the blog, but the dog situation has been a little rough in Orlando. You guys know that Viesa attacked Bella a year ago and injured her. Well, since then we’ve been casually looking for another family to adopt Vies. We love her like crazy, and it sucks, and I’m getting teary writing this, but she needs to be with a family where she’s the only pet. She attacked my aunt’s dog a few weeks ago –I jumped in and he got scratched up, but not seriously hurt- and since then she’s been staying in the kitchen, away from the other dogs. When I take the dogs out, I take Vies, and then the little dogs. It’s been a lot of work, and very stressful to keep everyone separated.
A great family friend and her fiance have been wanting a Shiba Inu for a while, and we know they’ll be a perfect home for her. We wanted her to go to someone we know, so we’d still get to see her. So that’s why she’s coming with me to Tucson…
I’m going to look into buying her a seat on the plane next to me– if they let me do it, I know she’ll curl up and sleep the whole time. She’s a good girl.
Anyways……..
Let’s talk about chocolate.
Better yet, chocolate coconut balls 🙂
As you guys know, I ate a lot of legendary desserts in San Francisco this past weekend.
Out of the sweets euphoria, one of the most notable was the almond joy truffle I enjoyed at Cafe Gratitude.
I was so excited to create a version at home. This one is sans almonds, so it’s more like a Mounds truffle 🙂
Chocolate Coconut Truffles
1. In a bowl, add one bag of unsweetened coconut (2 1/2 C), 1/2 C pure maple syrup (or 1/3 C agave), a hefty sprinkle of cinnamon, 1/3-1/2 C coconut oil, 1/8 t sea salt
2. Mix well.
3. Using a melon ball scooper (or a tablespoon) and your hands, roll mixture into several balls of uniform size.
4. Wash your hands. Or just one, so you can photograph the other 😉
5. Let the balls chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, pack up your dinner to take to work:
A salmon salad, with arugula, spinach, tomatoes, goat cheese, garlic gold, grilled salmon, lemon and olive oil
+ steamed brussels sprouts with organic butter and sea salt
Take the dogs for a little walk 🙂
6. Next, make the ganache. In a double boiler (or a pot that’s cooking the millet you’re going to eat for lunch, topped with a glass bowl), add a bar of superdark chocolate + 1/4 C almond milk
In order for the recipe to come out accurately, a piece of chocolate is recommended;)
Stir frequently, and dip each ball into the warmed chocolate to coat.
At first, I started to coat these so they were smooth and pretty, but kind of liked them messy better. Fun garnish choices are cacao nibs (which I used), extra coconut or ground almond.
Quality control 😉
I hope you like the recipe! Let me know if ya try it.
I’m back to work but I hope you have a great night! <3
See ya tomorrow with the final week of Bridal Bootcamp. How have the workouts been going??
xoxo,
Gina
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Gina I’m sorry… for commenting earlier with Bella’s name instead of Viesa, and for Viesa leaving… 🙁 having a great family for her to go to will help… I know, I had to do the exact same thing with a beloved animal.
XXO <3
I’m so sorry to hear this 🙁 I know how much you love Viesa and it’s always so hard to let go of a pet, but I’m really glad you found her a home where you’ll be able to see her. Big hugs!
On a happier note…those truffles. Drool. I didn’t try any at Cafe Gratitude, but knowing your culinary expertise I’m sure these are every bit as good!!
OMG those truffles look out of this world!
And I’m sorry about Viesa. 🙁
This past Halloween I became addicted to Almond Joys! Now I HAVE to try these truffles! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Aw, I’m so sorry about the Viesa situation! On the bright side, it’s so great to know that she’ll be in a good home with friends whom you can keep in contact with. 🙂
I am most definitely going to try those truffles! They look sooo delish! Thanks for the recipe!
awwh gina, i kinda welled as i read about viesa. on the bright side at least you’re comfortable with her soon to be new home. go viesa, may you have a wonderful time in tucson.
on another note, your nail polish still looks freshly done. i always wimp out and go clear because i don’t like the site of chipped polish. any secrets you care to share? 😉
thank you <3
i actually got a manicure when i was with kath one day this past weekend. i NEVER get manicures but may have to do it more often- my nails still look and feel wonderful
I’m sorry about Viesa. My brother and his wife just had to give up their Alaskan Malamute of one year because he had such bad separation anxiety and they were threatened with fines from animal control if one more complaint was made against the dog. Thankfully one of my SIL’s friends took him in so my brother and his wife can still see him. 🙂 That’s the best way to do it in my opinion! It’s like you’re just giving your friends the dog to “dog sit”. 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear about Viesa! That must be so hard for you.
This recipe looks scrumptious. What could I use instead of coconut oil, and how long do you think I could freeze these for? I’m thinking I could make a version with almonds for our marathon after party!
hmm you’d need an oil that would harden at rest- maybe 1/4 c butter??
I’m so sorry about Viesa – My husband and I had a corgi/basenji mix that we adopted when he was a puppy and ended up having to give him up for adoption when he was 3. He had taken a major turn behavioraly and had way too many issues (major anxiety, nervousness, etc) than we could handle with both of us working more than full time – we tried everything we/the vet could think of an in the end he just needed more time/etc than we had. It was heartbreaking, but we both felt better knowing he’d be going somewhere that he could have a chance at being happy 🙁 I’ll be thinking about you and the Pilot bc I know just how heartbreaking that decision is.
As a totally unrelated sidenote, I love your nail polish – what color/brand is it?
thank you <3
chanel 505
Sorry to hear about Viesa! I know how hard this must be for you guys =( But it sounds like your making the right decision for everyone, especially for Vie!
The truffles look amazing by the way!
I really hope you get the flights figured out — how sad to not always have her around. I’m glad you know a nice family to take her in though.
I’m not a coconut fan (the horror!!!) but these look really good — maybe it is the chocolate on top 🙂
What a great (and easy!) recipe…no mixer, vitamix, dehydrator, or anything complicated required…I love it! And of course, they look decadent and awesome! 🙂 Anything rolled in dark chocolate is always A+ for me!
Anyway onto the doggie situation….I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It must be super hard…but you’re doing the right thing. Imagine once there’s a baby involved one day in your household…you are doing the right thing, no matter how hard it feels right now, I’m sure. I have been thru a parallel experience and in the long run, it was the right thing but in the moment…it’s beyond hard.
((HUGS))
🙂
I could really go for one of those coconut balls!
I would love to try the recipe. Can you think of
any substitution for the coconut oil? It does not
exist in my neck of the woods.
oh, Gina, I’m so sorry! I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. Sending hugs, friend.
Thank you, thank you for these!! I’m not sure I’ve ever had a truffle, but these sound incredible and so easy to make.
So sorry about Vies. You’re doing the right thing since you’ve tried everything. I’ll take that salmon with a dark chocolate truffle for dessert!
i’m coming to valdizzy on thursday!!! can i see you? 🙂
These look annnnnnd sound fantastic!
that salmon salad looks amazing!!!
I am so sorry to hear about Viesa… You and the pilot are so sweet to love her enough to send her to a place where she can be the only pet. <3 Also, I wanted to share with you that I went to lululemon for the first time this weekend (we just got one in Nashville!) and I got the most amazing yoga mat. I've been using a cheap Target one for a while – nothing wrong with Target, this mat just kinda sucked – and my lulu mat is so comfy and squishy and ahhh fantastic… I love!
that’s awesome! i upgraded from my target mat as well and it’s made a huge difference 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about Viesa… You and the pilot are so sweet to love her enough to send her to a place where she can be the only pet. <3 Also, I wanted to share with you that I went to lululemon for the first time this weekend (we just got one in Nashville!) and I got the most amazing yoga mat. I've been using a cheap Target one for a while – nothing wrong with Target, this mat just kinda sucked – and my lulu mat is so comfy and squishy and ahhh fantastic… I love!
Oh I’m so sorry about the Viesa thing! So cool that you found her a good place to go, and especially a place where you can see her again! Being a doggie owner can be so tough sometimes! 🙁
However, THOSE TRUFFLES. Man. To die for!
Oh hunny that stinks about viessa. It’s good of you to find her a new home if she can’t live peacefully at your place. Believe it or not i went through the same thing last January. I still feel bad that I couldn’t keep her but know she’s better off. Big hugs 🙂
I’m so sorry about the situation with Viesa. I’m sure it’s heart breaking but it sounds like you are doing the right thing. At least you get to visit her!! 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about Viesa, but it sounds like she is going to a great family and it will be a good situation for all parties.
Awwww so sorry to hear about Viesa! I totally teared up reading about it so I can’t even imagine how hard it must be on you and the pilot 🙁 On the bright side though you’ll still be able to see her!
Those coconut balls look amaazing! I love coconut! And chocolate 🙂
I’m so sorry about Viesa, but I’m glad she’ll be with people you know. It seems like you know what’s best for the situation.
Those truffles look ORGASMIC.
Oh, yum! I’ve made truffles similar to this, but with oreos or red velvet cake in the center! I’ll have to try these out!
Definitely gold starred in my Google Reader! 🙂
I’m sorry about Viesa! I’m sure everyone will turn out happy.
Awww I am so sorry about Viesa! I would have adopted her if it weren’t for the fact we already have two dogs with big, furry egos.
In other news, nice balls! Those look soooo good.
I also wish I could pull off greige nail polish. It just makes me look even paler!
Have a lovely evening, friend! xo
So sorry about Viesa Gina…it’s so tough doing what you’re doing :(.
The balls looks wonderful! I made something extremely similar yesterday but with carob- so freaking good!!
that’s such a tough decision to make, but it sounds like you are doing the best thing for viesa. i had to find a new home for a pet before. it was hard, but i really felt like it was the right thing to do. i wasn’t able to give her the home she deserved anymore, and i was lucky enough to find someone who could. good luck on figuring out the best way to get her there.
Sorry to hear about your pup… that has to be such a hard thing to do, but it sounds like you are doing the right thing!
Those truffles look delicious…I’ll have to add them to my to-do list. FYI – I’m trying to subscribe to your posts but I get a bunch of html script when I click on the button on the upper right side of your page.
ahhhh! that was supposed to be fixed :/ sorry about that
It worked now, thank you! 🙂 And looking forward to following your blog!
That color on your nails is amazing.
super tough decision to make im sure, but the best decision to have her with people you know and that you can still see her little mug! stay strong, she’ll only be a hop and a skip away
Awwww, I’m sorry G 🙁 I hope the transition is easy for all of you <3
I’m so sorry to hear about Viesa – but good for you for realizing what’s best for her and for you. It’s so great that you were able to find someone that you know to take her. You are the best kind of pet owner – responsible and loving.
These truffles look amazing…I might have to take myself on a date to Cafe Gratitude down the street to try the originals as well!!
How could we not like a recipe that involves chocolate? Im glad Viesa is going to another loving home!
I am so glad to hear that you were able to find a nice family for Viesa and admire your ability to make such a decision since I can only imagine that it wasn’t an easy one. I’m sure she will lurve the year round AZ sunshine too 🙂
P.S. As mentioned by 29494930 others, once again, your nail polish is HAWT!
haha she does love the az sunshine 🙂
thank you!
YUM! I’m so sorry about Viesa. If I didn’t have so much on my plate already, we’d offer to take her. Lulu is obsessed with dogs.
I’ve been talking about you to everyone who will listen all week. I’ve gotten a few emails asking me for the low down on everyone I met, and I was so overjoyed to tell them how sweet and wonderful you are in person. Glad to call you my friend!!!
are you sure? because i promise that she would eat pea kitty. hahah
thank you friend <3 it was seriously so amazing to finally meet you! just wish we could hang out more! come to orlando, mmm k?
Those truffles look amazing! Sorry about Viesa! 🙁
Amazing! They look amazing!
Awww I’m so sad to hear that Viesa will be leaving The Fitnessista household! But I’m happy to hear she’ll have a new home with no other doggies around.
Aww Gina I’m so sorry about having to give up Viesa. It must be so hard to have to give up a pet. 🙁 At least on the bright side you’ll still be able to see her!
gina, i’m so sorry to hear about viesa! 🙁 she is so beautiful and I know you’ll miss her like crazy! but it really does sound like it’s for the best for you and viesa as well! I hope she is going to a great home.
these truffles look so amazing!! thanks for a wonderful recipe.
take care!
I truly feel for you . . . but the silver lining is she will be going to someone who will care for and love her as much as you. I had to part ways with my 3 year old Great Pyranees because she tried to bite one of my husband’s pals (I don’t care for him much so I would have tried to bite him too!). There were other issues too, but I cried all the way home – 2 hours. I could barely see where I was on the road and I looked like hell when I got home. Chin up, you’re doing a very self-less and loving thing by finding your baby a new home. Take care.
thank you mo <3
so sad about vies but at least youll get to see her and know she is with a family who will love her just as much as you. also, i WILL be making those mounds balls omggggggggg
I’m so sorry to hear about Viesa! But you are doing the right thing by everyone, it seems. 🙂
And thanks for those amazing looking truffles!!!
Are coconut butter and coconut oil the same thing? Can they be used interchangeably?
no they’re different- coconut butter contains the meat of the coconut, as well as the oil. often they can be used interchangeably if you don’t have one or the other though 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about viesa. At least you’ll still get to see her and she’s going to a good home (silver lining?).
Your truffles look amazing!
Ohmygoodness! I’m totally tearing up with you over Vieserton. I know how hard it would be for me to let go of a pet (even for a good reason, such as this), so I know how hard it is for you to even think about it… Hang in there, friend.
I was curious, though… Can you substitute vegetable oil for the coconut oil in the truffle recipe? I don’t buy coconut oil because it’s expensive around here, but I often have veg oil or olive oil on hand in my house. Any advice would be appreciated. 🙂