Raw Sweet Cacao Nibs & Recipes

Recently I received a package of goodies from Navitas and in it was a package of Sweet Cacao Nibs.

Having had regular cacao nibs I was on the fence wondering what was the difference? I honestly have tried to find a love for the regular ones but they are to me….bitter. Well the sweet ones? Completely different! Just enough sweetener added that the bitter aftertaste is gone. A pleasant and chewy chocolate liquor flavor, they go nearly anywhere you might consider using semi-sweet chocolate chips. Eventually I know I will come to love the regular ones but for now I have a happy medium to eat and work with!

Navitas sells on their website their entire line, they can also be found on Amazon, which is sold with Prime shipping on most products (and you know how much I love Prime!).

And for recipes? First I was inspired to try NomEatNom’s newest baked oatmeal recipe, doubling it for Kirk and I – delicious! She comes up with very tasty creations – that I love to adapt!

Baked Cacao Chip Cookie Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old-fashioned eats
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar, packed
• 1 Tbsp sweet cacao nibs
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 whole eggs, preferably organic and local
• 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°, lightly oil or spray two individual ramekins, place on a small baking sheet.

Mix the oats, sugar, cacao nibs and salt together in a mixing bowl. Whisk the applesauce, eggs and vanilla together, add to the dry and mix. Divide between the two ramekins and bake for 20 minutes.

Serve warm or chill for later serving, reheat for 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds.

Serves 2.

In the package I found this:

I didn’t know they had a lip balm! Yum….lets just say you actually want to put it on! It smells and tastes great. All organic and nothing questionable. It is residing in my hip belt pocket on my daypoack now for hiking!

As for the next recipe? These little balls are sticky and sweet. They do best out of the refrigerator, not a good carrying treat, rather an ideal snack on a hot day where you are feet from the fridge!

Cacao Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup raw cashews
• 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 3 Tbsp raw honey, local preferred
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sweet cacao nibs

Directions:

Add the cashews, oats and salt to a food processor bowl, grind until finely chopped. Add the honey and vanilla, process until mixed, scraping as needed. Turn out into a small bowl, work the cacao nibs in. Make Tablespoon balls, a 1 Tablespoon Disher works well, place on a plate and chill. Store covered, preferably on parchment paper due to being sticky.

Makes about 9 balls.

Notes:

Yes, you can make these vegan with raw agave nectar. I made a decision awhile back to use locally sourced raw honey – supporting our local bee population and our hardworking farmers and not buy agave in large jugs from sources I can’t meet in person. And honestly? I think raw honey has so much more flavor!

~Sarah

FTC Disclaimer: We received product samples for potential review.