Paleo Vegan Chocolate Coconut Truffles (V, Paleo, GF, DF): an easy, 4-ingredient recipe for deliciously textured coconut truffles dipped in chocolate. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free.
A few months back, I finally got around to making my mom her long-requested homemade almond joy bars. I put off making them for a few reasons… The thing is, she’s loved, loved, loved (did I mention, LOVED??) chocolate and coconut since she was a wee one. And ever since she discovered Almond Joy decades ago, she’s held a soft, sweet spot for it.
But since we received the, quite frankly, crappy news of her health issues and resulting diet restrictions, she hasn’t been able to enjoy her candy bars… that is, until I got around to cracking the super yummy code (er… recipe) for my Paleo Almond Joy. I took so long to make them because I was afraid of letting her down. But as it turns out, I was worried about nothing. Months later, she’s still raving about those guys. Consider me quite the Beaming Candymaker. 😉
So I got to thinking, why not create a new version of this for Christmas? Why not make paleo vegan chocolate coconut truffles? My mom would love and accept any and all forms of chocolate coconut delight. In fact, I should really get to whipping up a chocolate coconut frappe or something for her soon… Anyway, back to what I was saying, why not make a truffle version of these coconut treats for my mom, right in time for the holidays?
The holiday gift-giving season is ALL about the candy, the truffles, the cookies and the much-less popular fruit cake. Poor fruit cake. All it wants to do is bring Christmas cheer. In a very dense and interestingly heavy fruit-packed way…
But we’re not talking about fruit cake are we? Wait, are we? Nope, it’s all about coconut and chocolate today. *Clears throat* Anyway, I thought she’d get such a kick out of this recipe–especially since she has a long and storied history with coconuts.
Did I tell you? My mom, Erik and I have this bit where, whenever we walk by a fruit-packed tree, we all joke about grabbing a couple. Because: they’re free. But not. My mom will semi-jokingly suggest to Erik that he grab a few, make a run for it, and she and I will walk by and whistle like nothing happened. Somehow, we’re all supposed to meet around the corner and discuss our spoils. Then, my mom will proudly and cherishingly place those ill-gotten fruits in a bowl and chuckle to herself every time she ate one.
Of course, this is all in jest.
Well, one year, my sister Jenny and her family took my mom to Hawaii. Over many days, my mom would see a positively-packed, ripe-for-the-picking coconut tree. She would point out what an incredible waste it was for no one to be picking those soon-to-drop-to-the-ground coconuts. Jenny would joke and say, “Yeah, Mommy, it IS a waste! Maybe you should put on your gym shoes and try to climb up the tree. Free coconuts taste better than regular coconuts right??”
They would both laugh and say yeah, one day we’ll climb that tree. Maybe not this trip, but the next. Or, maybe Jenny’s 2-year-old, Dylan, who’s been climbing everything, will do it. For momma. And for Grams. How sweet…
On one of the final days of the vacation, Jenny and my mom see yet another coconut-packed tree. My mom raises her eyebrows at Jenny; Jenny shakes her head laughingly, indicating a big no. They start talking plans for the day: swimming, some shopping, maybe picking up some tiny sunglasses for the kiddo.
Suddenly, Jenny gasps.
J: “What the???”
Mom: “So I think we should eat two dinners. Last night I was so hungry, my stomach was growling loud enough to wake up people in Alaska!”
J: “Mommy. Mommy, woah!!!!”
M: “But we need to eat snacks, too. You know I’m like a bird. I have to eat lots of nuts and fruits.”
J: “Mommy, look!!!”
M: “And since fruit is SO cheap here, we should probably eat as much as we can. Do you think we can bring some back in our suitcase? We should probably buy another suitcase so we can. I think—”
J: “Mommy, LOOK!!!”
M: “—it would be a good idea to buy two suitcases. And—oh my heavens!!!!!!!!”
J: “You’re so oblivious!!”
M: “Someone is climbing the tree!!!!”
J: “That’s what I was trying to tell you!!”
M: “That’s so crazy! But, oh my, they’re grabbing all of MY coconuts!! My free coconuts!! Jenny, my dear, sweet, favorite daughter ever, why don’t you climb the tree??”
J: “What the??? No!”
M: “I always knew you were the best daughter. So willing to sacrifice. Always willing to do whatever it takes to make Mommy happy. And—what??? NO?!?!? What do you mean no??? It’s a waste!!!”
J: “Mommy, I will just BUY you some coconuts!!”
M: “But look at that guy, he can climb the tree. You know I’m too old. But YOU can do it!! Don’t you love your own mother??”
J: “Yes, that is why I will buy you coconuts.”
M: “Oh fine… man, I wish my favorite daughter Demeter was here. She would climb the tree for me.” (No, I wouldn’t. Okay, maybe I would. Okay, I wouldn’t. But Erik on the other hand…)
After the excitement, they end up going to lunch, where my mom is still talking about the would-be free coconuts. They walk around a shopping mall and end the day swimming at the hotel pool. Jenny tells my mom to take a nap before they go for their second dinner. She’s gonna go pick up some sunscreen for Dylan at the store.
A little while later, my mom wakes up from her nap, and slowly blinks open her eyes. She looks around the room to see Jenny typing on her laptop. She continues looking around the room and starts sitting upright. But she feels some kind of weight near her legs.
She looks towards the source of the weight and sees two fuzzy, brown spheres. One’s a little stout, the other a bit hairy. Slowly, a big smile stretches across her face. She looks up at Jenny, who’s busily typing away.
M: “I KNEW you were my favorite daughter!!!”
J: Lolololololol.
And so I dedicate these paleo vegan chocolate coconut truffles to Jenny–the sister, the daughter, the mother, the friend, the everything you could hope for, who will never let you down. Who will never let “free” stuff go to waste. Who will always be a BOSS.
And to Mommy, even though I’m clearly not your favorite daughter. Hahaha. All of us kiddos will always do whatever we can to make you happy. So, in fact, we should all be your favorite. Just sayin’. 😉
This Christmas, I’m making a quadruple batch of these paleo vegan chocolate coconut truffles to hand out. Oh, and I’m SO excited about packaging them up all cute! What will you make this holiday season? Are you a big fan of gift wrap, or more of a “slap a tag on it and call it a day” kind of person?
While I eagerly await to hear all about your holiday prep, allow me to tell you about these simply amazing paleo vegan chocolate coconut truffles. They are:
- made with just 4 simple ingredients
- one of my favorite homemade candy recipes to date
- paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy-free
- deliciously textured, with wonderful bits of coconut
- perfectly sweet and rich
- plant-based and allergy-friendly
- scrumptiously balanced with chocolate notes
- so easy to make
- perfect for the holidays
- dedicated to my sister and my mom, for their lovable quirks ❤️
Try your hand at making homemade candy. It’s unbelievably fun and satisfying. Who knew making something so impressive-looking could be this easy? 😉 Okay, fine, my seriously talented friend Sharon knew! Just… you have to try the Paleo Chocolate Truffles from her amazing site, What the Fork Food Blog. Remember to follow her directions on how to make them dairy-free!
Before I forget, I’ve got to tell you how happy I am to spend the holidays with you. It means so much to me to be able to share recipes from my family to yours. 🙂 Tell me…
Will you be making any treats to gift or bring to a party this holiday season? Or, what’s your favorite edible treat to receive?
I can’t wait to hear what you think. Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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☀︎ Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I would love to see it! ☀︎
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut, shreds or flakes
- ¼ cup coconut oil, solid or melted
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon coconut oil
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside for later.
- Make the coconut balls: Add coconut, coconut oil and maple syrup to a blender or food processor. Blend until you get a wet and sticky mixture, with smaller, but still noticeable coconut pieces.
- Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop firmly-packed balls of coconut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. If needed, gently press and shape loose bits of mixture into a firm ball. Repeat until no mixture remains.
- Freeze for 15-20 minutes. About 5 minutes before the balls are done freezing, it’s time to prepare the chocolate dip layer.
- Make the Chocolate Dip Layer: Use the double boiler method, or the following. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add the Chocolate Dip Layer ingredients: add ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons chocolate chips and ½ teaspoon coconut oil. Heat in 20-second increments until just slightly softened and melted. Stir in between heating, until smooth.
- Remove coconut balls from the freezer. Dip the bottom of one ball into the bowl of melted chocolate, using the side of the bowl to scrape off excess. Lay back onto the baking sheet. Repeat until all coconut balls have been coated.
- Make the chocolate drizzle: add Chocolate Drizzle ingredients to the bowl of leftover melted chocolate. Heat in the microwave in 20-second increments until just softened. Stir until smooth.
- Using a rubber spatula, scrape melted chocolate into a zip bag, then trim a tiny corner off. Holding the bag over a coconut ball, pipe the chocolate in a zigzag pattern. Repeat for all balls.
- Place baking sheet into the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Thaw for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
- If freezing, store in an airtight, freezer-friendly container for up to 1 month. Allow to thaw for 15 minutes before enjoying.
- More Paleo Vegan treats recipes: paleo almond joy, almond butter cups, no bake chocolate pecan bars, no bake pecan pie bites.
- Nutrition Info is an estimation based on 15 total truffles made for this recipe.
- More coconut recipes (all V, GF, DF): coffee coconut frappuccino, no bake peanut butter coconut bites, toasted coconut almond rice crispy treats.
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☀︎ More Delicious & Healthy Paleo Vegan Dessert Recipes ☀︎
Paleo Almond Joy | Ultimate Fudgy Paleo Vegan Brownies | Paleo Apple Pecan Coconut Crisp | No Bake Chocolate Pecan Bars | Coconut Chocolate Chip Vegan Ice Cream | Paleo Almond Butter Cups | 2 Ingredient Pineapple Coconut Sorbet | Homemade Almond Joy Cups | 4 Ingredient Paleo Coconut Chocolate Cups | Coffee Coconut Frappuccino | All Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free)
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I bet your mom is in love with these paleo truffles, Demeter! They’re just GORGEOUS! And what a wonderful holiday treat, too. I can only imagine receiving a tin of these for Christmas…wowsers! And that’s so funny about the coconut trees, or should I say palm trees? 🙂 Our neighbor has an apple tree and my husband and I always talk about picking a few, which we might, next year. Seeing as we just moved in not too long ago, we don’t want to make ourselves known as the bad guys haha. Pinning these beauties, of course! Hope you have a wonderful week!
I’m totally making them for her this Christmas! 🙂 Thank you so much, my friend. 🙂 As for that apple tree–Lololol. Maybe if you ask, you can have a few? 😉 Goodness knows they can’t eat them all! Thank you for the kind words and fun convo! Have a great week too! xo
So good! Like a coconut macaroon which I LOVEEE!
Yep! Speaking of which, I’ve GOT to start working on a macaroon recipe! Hehe. My mom would just love that! Thanks Rebecca!
I’m crazy about coconut!!! Like super CRAZY! And these coconut truffles… I mean just look at them… white fragrant bliss balls dipped in chocolate heaven. And these are super healthy! YES they are! Don’t you just love treats like this?! 🙂
Haha. ME TOO! And so is my mom and Erik! We should really start a group for coconut lovers or something… 😉 I certainly do! Thanks so much, Natalie! 🙂
😀 :*
Haha, Demeter free coconuts are always better than regular coconuts! Your mom is such a hoot! My mom used to do that with flowers – and I mean do – not try to, or talk us into doing it. We’d be walking by a patch of daisies or roses and before you knew it – one or 5 would be in my mom’s hands!
Back to these paleo truffles, I bet your mom will crown you her fav daughter when you present her with these! These sound wonderful! I love healthier options for holiday noshing and these I so gotta make and NOT share! 😉
You know, I never realized the rep fruit cake had till I came here to the US as my folks used to make a Sri Lankan fruit cake that was laced with brandy and was so darn tasty! Oh and I thought I’d share this with you seeing we are on the subject of fruitcake and all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kmim63E5ac
xo
Yes! They are! Hahaha. I LOVE that your mom does this with flowers! Okay, now I know that our families are crazy similar! 😉 Yep, it’s totally been one of my biggest goals to create healthier holiday treats like this–most especially if my mom can enjoy them. <3 Fruitcake: Oh my on that video!! Lolol. Thank you for sharing, my dear. Big hugs to ya! 😉
These look so yummy and would be great for the holiday. I love coconut and chocolate and these look really easy to make. Thanks for sharing and hope you have a great Thanksgiving 🙂
Yay! Yep, I’m hoping people who can’t enjoy all of the usual treats can indulge a bit in these truffles during the holidays. 🙂 Thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving, Stephanie! 🙂
Hi Demeter,
Your sister Jenny sounds like such a great daughter. That was so sweet of her to collect those coconuts for your mom! Your mom must have been so happy!
These truffles look incredible! What a fantastic idea for holiday treats. And wow, are those people lucky who will receive some of your quadruple batches of these chocolate coconut bombs of deliciousness! How do I sign myself up for treats from Beaming Baker? 🙂
Hi Lucy! She truly is. 🙂 I am very, very lucky to have such an incredible person in my life. <3 My mom was over the moon! 😉 Or... over the coconut? 😉 Haha, yep quadruple batches! Come on over, I've got a big batch ready for ya! 😉
Oh how I love it when you go all dialogue and detailed story-telling on us???? Hehe this is such a cute one. If only you could scale palm trees with your bare hands, then you would for sure be favorite daughter. But I don’t know, dedicating a whole delicious post to your dear mama gives Jenny some tough competition I’d say. I’ve seen those coconut climbing people, it’s crazy cool how easy they make it look! “Beaming Candymaker”–I think you should just switch URLs for the month of December because you have some mad candy-making chocolate-coating skills…plus it just has a lovely ring to it and wouldn’t be at all difficult/confusing to do ha! These look totally scrumdiliumptious, it has been much too long since my last batch of homemade truffles. So I’m going to go take a nap now, and when I wake up I expected to be covered in Chocolate Coconut Truffles, kay?????
Your mom sounds like a real hoot. I bet she and I would be great friends 🙂 I love the coconut story, too. My sisters and I once cheerleader-lifted my sister Kim’s boyfriend so he could grab a “free” coconut while we were in Florida. It almost hit us all on the head, so I suppose that was karma’s best attempt at telling us those “free” coconuts are not to be messed with.
P.S. these truffles look so delicious and I love how simple they are to make! What could be better?!
She definitely add much-appreciated humor to our family. 🙂 You two would totally get along! Woah… that must’ve been quite the sight! Haha. I’m glad you guys didn’t get hit! Oh, karma… Lol. Thanks so much, Jessica! 🙂
You just can’t beat the flavour combination of chocolate and coconut, they just go so well together! These truffles sound and look absolutely mouthwatering, I just wanna whip up a batch right now! 🙂
You really can’t! If I could, I’d dedicate an entire blog to this flavor combo… Haha. I hope you do! Thanks so much, Marsha! 🙂
Two things. 1: I have never made homemade candy before, but I am totally willing, as long as it doesn’t involve using a candy thermometer and 2: your story about “free” coconuts in Hawaii is hilarious. I was hearing on NPR the other day about communities where people basically make this concept official–basically all of the public space is a garden and anyone can come take produce if they want to. How cool is that?! Then your mom could have her coconut and not have to feel worried about the ethical implications. 😉
1: Haha. Yep, candy making can be a pain if there are too many tools involved. 😉 2: Aw, thanks so much, Joyce! 🙂 Oh gosh, my mom would love those communities! Do you think they’re taking any new citizens? Haha. Thanks for sharing that!
Ohmagoodness, your mom is such a hoot! And I think Jenny better move on over ’cause these truffles are definitely putting you at the top of the kid food chain <– Ok, well you know what I mean! You know how I love chocolate and coconut and these would make such a gorgeous addition to a cookie/candy tray. Loving it!! I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving, D! XO
She’ll be so happy to hear that, Steph! 😉 Lolol. Kid food chain?? Hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving too, Steph! XOXO
I like the look of these truffles. It´s amazing that it has only 4 ingredients.
So yummy, It’ll be a perfect dessert for my tea break in the afternoon. Thanks so much for this recipe!
I’m addicted to these just looking at them! And they’re paleo! So they will be happening. Also, your family is hilarious. 🙂
Haha. That’s how you know it’s good! 😉 Thanks so much, Morgan! I hope you just love these. 🙂
Just wondering if you’ve tried to bake these just for a little bit to give the coconut a toasted flavor??
I actually haven’t! If you mean toasting the coconut before making the truffles, that’s an interesting and totally tasty idea. If you mean toasting the truffles before dipping them, I’m not sure that would work out. I’m afraid the amount of coconut oil in the truffles would cause them to melt. Either way, Sarah, I’d be excited to hear how yours turn out! 🙂
I made these today, total hit! Soooo yam, Thanks for sharing the recipe.
PS. Even my picky boyfriend liked them!
That’s awesome, Eva! I’m so happy that you and your picky bf liked this! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
OMG!!! My nieces and I just made these. ????????????????????
Oh yeah!! 🙂 🙂 What a fun activity to do together! Terry, I’m so happy that you enjoyed them.???? ????
Is there a different sugar to use to make it sugar free? Xylitol? Erythritol? Stevia?
Hi June, I’m not sure… Since it’s just 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, perhaps you can try using your favorite sugar free syrup? If not, I did a quick calculation and the 2 tablespoons account for 2 grams of sugar in each truffle (if you make 15 total truffles). Hope this helps! 🙂
My sister and I really want to make these. We are both on strict diet due to health issues and need to know the nutritional information on these truffles please. Thank you.
Penny
Hi Penny! I just calculated the nutritional info for these truffles.:) You can find it at the bottom of the recipe. I hope you and your sister get to enjoy these. Can’t wait to hear what you both think! xo
Amazing. Thank you so much for a quick response. I’m planing on making them this weekend. Have a blessed day.
My pleasure! Have a blessed day. 🙂 P.S. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
They were an absolute hit at my annual tea. Everyone loved them!
Fantastic! I’m so pleased that everyone loved them! 🙂
I love the Mounds candy bar, so I had to try making these! I thought the taste was good, but I had to make adjustments after the first batch turned flat as a pancake. I think the amount of solid coconut oil was too much. On the second batch, I used 2 Tbs. instead, added a little more almond flour, and baked @325 degrees and they looked a lot better. Still not as much of a mound as your picture shows. They were easy to make and not much of a mess was left to clean up. That was a plus!
Hi Judy! Could your comment be for my paleo coconut macaroons? If so, did you use large flaked coconut or small flaked coconut (about the size of a grain of rice)? Using large flakes will result in flat cookies. Glad you enjoyed them!
These are falling apart – I used 1/4 c oil, then when they wouldnt stay in firm balls, went up another 1/4 c. Still won’t stick together.
Hi Jillian, just wanted to confirm—you increased the coconut oil? Also, how long did you chill before noticing they wouldn’t firm up?