No-Bake Vegan Red Velvet Snowball Cookies (Raw!)
Sometimes you come across a recipe that just screams, “You need to make a healthy version of me because I am so cool!” That is exactly what happened when I laid my eyes on a picture of red-velvet snowball cookies, from Donna Hay magazine. I was struck by how beautiful and festive they are. But the originals were made with traditional cake ingredients which included white flour and a lot of sugar.
This lovely raw recipe version is made from almonds, coconut, raw cacao butter (for the white chocolate covering) and beets! Wait…beets? Yes, beets. You are going to have to trust me on this one. You do not taste beets in the final cookie. I put them through taste testing with beet haters (my daughter being one) and they all loved them. The crazy thing is that the texture of the cookies is similar to a cake ball.
A traditional red velvet cake has cocoa in it. I substituted cacao powder which inspired me to add mint. So now you have a chocolatey minty snowball covered in white chocolate and coconut. It worked.
This recipe requires a little set up time so plan accordingly. It takes a bit of time to melt the cacao butter in the dehydrator if you want to keep these as raw as possible. I think they are worth the time spent. After all, it is the holidays and holiday baking can be a fun project for the family.
Recipe Notes
- There are quite a few steps to this one so read the recipe carefully before starting.
- Make sure you set aside time to melt the cacao butter. This can take more than an hour.
- You will be making the shell first, then the cookies, and while they are cooling (to make the cacao butter thicken faster) you will be cooling down the cacao butter mixture. It is important that it thickens up a bit before you dip. If you over chill it, just re-soften it in the dehydrator.
- If you aren’t worried about the raw status, you can melt the cacao butter and coconut butter in a double boiler on the stove top.
- Chop the cacao butter into fine pieces to speed up the melting.
- These are over the top sweet. If you want them sweeter, just add coconut sugar.
No-Bake Vegan Red Velvet Snowballs
MAKES 40 Cookies
White Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup melted raw cacao butter
- 1/2 cup coconut butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup, room temperature
- 10 drops food grade peppermint essential oil OR 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Melt the cacao butter and coconut butter in the dehydrator at 118 degrees. This can take an hour so plan accordingly.
- Stir in maple syrup, peppermint essential oil OR peppermint extract.
- Set aside while you are making the cookie balls.
Cookie
- 1 medium beet, peeled and quartered
- 2 cups almonds
- 2 cups dried, unsweetened coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 15 drops food grade peppermint essential oil or 1 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Place almonds in food processor and process until finely ground. You should have a very fine almond meal. Be careful not to go too far or you will start to make almond butter! Place in bowl and set aside.
- Place dried coconut in high-speed blender or food processor. Blend or process until a fine powder is achieved. Add to almond flour in bowl and stir to combine.
- Add chia seeds and cacao powder. Stir to combine.
- Place beets in food processor and pulse until very finely chopped.
- Add beets, maple syrup and peppermint to the dry mixture. Stir to combine.
- Form into 1- inch balls. Roll well to compact the dough.
- Place balls in freezer for about 15 minutes to chill.
- While the balls are in the freezer, you can put the cacao butter mixture in the refrigerator for 1-10 minutes to start to thicken it up. Make sure you keep a close eye on it and whisk often. If it gets too cold, soften it in the dehydrator.
To Make Cookies
- 1 1/2 cup dried, unsweetened coconut flakes
- cacao butter mixture
- cookie balls
- Insert a toothpick into the cookie ball. Dip in cacao butter mixture 2-3 times to get the thickness of coating that you want.
- Sprinkle with coconut.
- Remove to cookie sheet to set. You can use the tine of the fork to cover over the little hole.
These should be refrigerated because of the beets. But can easily served at room temperature. They will hold their shape.
Erin wrote on December 7, 2015
Wow! Bravo!! You created such a wonderful/beautiful recipe!! So very festive for the holiday season!
Susan wrote on December 7, 2015
Thank you so much, Erin!
Francine wrote on December 7, 2015
I am SO excited to see these! I am sick and tired of giving neighbors holiday treats full of JUNK!!
I plan to make these ASAP! You are SO kind to share your beautiful and healthy work with us!
Susan wrote on December 7, 2015
I am so glad you like them, Francine! It is nice to have a healthier alternative. Cheers!
Cel wrote on December 6, 2015
can i make this ahead of time? how long can it keep? thanks!
Susan wrote on December 6, 2015
Hi, Cel, Yes, you can make them ahead of time. But they will only hold for about a week and make sure they are in the refrigerator as they have fresh beets in them. 🙂
Debra wrote on December 6, 2015
Hi,
My family can’t have peppermint. If I leave it out will they be chocolatey, or just bland? Or do you have another flavor extract that might be a good sub?
Thanks so much for the recipe. They look amazing!
Danielle wrote on December 13, 2015
Food grade rose oil will work a treat. May be a bit sophisticated for kids, but delicate and amazing for a more adult palette
Susan wrote on December 6, 2015
Hi, Debra, You can leave out the peppermint but the chocolate is not super chocolaty. You could always add more cacao powder. You may need to add a little liquid to off-set the dry ingredient. Cheers!
Barb wrote on December 6, 2015
Hi! Thank you for that gorgeous recipe. I’ve been unsubscribing many others but heaven forbid I unsubscribe yours. You are awesome! Love to hear from you and always looking forward!!! ?
Susan wrote on December 6, 2015
Thank you so much, Barb! It is so wonderful to hear that. I know people are busy and emails get overwhelming. I am so glad that we made the cut!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado wrote on December 6, 2015
I do the same thing as you by trying to create healthier versions of recipes I see on pinterest of food gawker! Like 70% of my recipes are made that way!! These raw cookies look amazing!! I love the idea of using beets for natural food coloring!! Ive done that before, and I can attest that the beets do not change the flavor! 🙂
Susan wrote on December 6, 2015
Hi, Bethany, It’s fun making recipes healthy! Most of the time I am inspired by the ingredients or things I find at the farmer’s market. But once in a while, I see something that I just have to translate into a healthy treat. Cheers!
tabia wrote on December 6, 2015
Dearest Susan – you have done it again! Have wanted a red velvet recipe that did not use buckwheat flour and now here it is. Thank you soooo much
Susan wrote on December 6, 2015
You are so welcome, Tabia! 🙂
bel wrote on December 6, 2015
Anyone have other flavour suggestions? not a fan of peppermint and ive got an ‘ideas block’…..
The colour looks exceptional, these will be a sure winner for anyone who makes them.
Susan wrote on December 6, 2015
Hi, Bell, You can just leave it out. Cheers!
Lois wrote on December 5, 2015
Thanks Susan such detail even to mention they will hold their shape at room temperature which is something I have my fingers crossed often on things I’ve tried. Im excited!