About the Recipe
If you've ever had the pleasure of dining in an IKEA cafeteria, you may have come across these chocolate delights. They're so simple and yet incredibly decadent and buttery. These no bake treats are perfect for when you're short on time but long on sweet cravings.
Chokladbollar, literally "chocolate balls", are a popular sweet treat in Sweden and other Nordic countries, and are often enjoyed during fika (a Swedish coffee break). The dessert is believed to have originated during World War II, when there was a shortage of ingredients and people had to get creative with what they had on hand. The original version of chokladballer was made with oats, margarine, sugar, and cocoa powder, and was rolled in sugar or sprinkles instead of coconut. Over time, the recipe evolved to include shredded coconut, which became a staple ingredient in many Swedish desserts.
Here we are rolling them in cocoa powder, but you can use pearl sugar, sprinkles, or dip them in chocolate, they'll be wonderful either way. The vegan butter and espresso are necessary to create the rich flavor and texture. We will be using Morena sugar, my favorite non-GMO, unrefined, bone-char free sugar for baking. It's got a deep caramel flavor and is simply exquisite. You could also use coconut sugar or regular sugar if desired. Maple syrup or agave could also work, but might interfere with the texture.
The oats will provide fiber and the dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, so these are (moderately) healthy. One bite and you'll be hooked!
Ingredients
1/2 cup or 1 stick vegan butter
1/2 cup Morena sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons espresso or strong coffee
2 cups oat flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 pearl sugar, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, powdered sugar, or sprinkles (for rolling)
Preparation
In a large mixing bowl, cream vegan butter, sugar, and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix cocoa powder and espresso until well combined, forming a thick paste. Allow mixture to come to room temperature, then add to butter mixture.
Stir in oat flour and salt until a dough forms. Transfer dough to refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill.
Once chilled, shape the dough into roughly 24 bite-sized balls.
Roll balls in preferred topping and voila, enjoy!
