A true test of how much I love one of the many cookbooks in my collection, is how messy and “used” the book appears. If there are oil stains, melted chocolate fingerprints, bookmarked pages, etc – you know it’s one of my favorites. I haven’t had Kelly from The Spunky Coconut’s new cookbook in my collection for even a month yet and it already has quite a few of those things. If you pulled it off my shelf right now, you’d swear I have had it over a year. It looks that used, already.
The Paleo Chocolate Lover’s Cookbook features 80 gluten-free treats for breakfast and dessert and it will have you drooling just a few pages in. I know you guys know this already, but I don’t go crazy over all sweets and baked goods. I am just not wired that way. But, if you were to set something in front of me that has been dipped in some melted high-quality dark chocolate, it almost doesn’t matter what it is. I will eat every last bit of it. I don’t need heavy rich desserts, I rarely crave sugary, sweetness, but when I do – just a little something chocolatey usually does the trick for me. Sometimes just a small square of cold dark chocolate is all I need. Satisfying and comforting.
Making healthy, gluten-free chocolate treats that aren’t loaded with refined sugars and grains is just so gratifying and you can still enjoy the rich goodness without the guilt. I am so excited to now have a healthy chocolate “bible” of sorts, to refer to for the perfect chocolate treats whenever I want. An entire book filled with recipes, every single one safe for me and my way of eating. There are breakfast options, cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream, candy and so much more. There is even a section of savory recipes including stews, salads and other dinner-time meals. Besides all of the recipe goodness, Kelly explains some basic tips on getting started with a Paleo lifestyle, going in depth about specific ingredients and techniques. Plus she shares the science, history and ethics of chocolate and some of her favorite brands of store-bought chocolate. It is an incredibly comprehensive book about one of the most yummy topics you can think of!
Much like Kelly’s amazing blog, which I have been a fan of for some time, her newest cookbook, is beautifully photographed and it is filled from cover to cover with incredible recipes! Even if you don’t follow a paleo diet, which I myself do not exclusively follow, it is incredible for us that eat gluten-free, refined sugar-free and dairy-free. Plus, there are even a few vegan recipes, with plenty more that could be adapted by subbing out honey for maple syrup or another sweetener of your choice.
In case you didn’t know this, Kelly and her lovely family recently also made the move to California, they came by way of Colorado. They are living about an hour away from us and I couldn’t be happier to have another California gluten-free blogger friend. I feel like I moved to a magical land of gluten-free where new friends just keep joining me. It’s a dream come true! Kelly, Andy and their three lovely girls, Zoe, Ashley and Ginger are all headed our way this weekend for the Patchwork Show: Edible Edition where I will be hosting a cooking demo and Kelly will be signing and selling her new book all weekend (head to that link for all the information about both). They are all staying with us at our place for the weekend and I am pretty sure it is going to be the best slumber party of my life! I have a feeling there is going to be some chocolate involved. How can there not be?
Since Mark and I worked an event in Venice Beach over this past weekend, I wanted to make a healthy sweet treat for us to munch on throughout the day, so I adapted Kelly’s Chocolate-Dipped Cranberry-Orange Nut Bars. I opted to make smaller “nut bites”, of sorts. Partially so they would be easier to travel with and eat on the go, and also partly mostly just so I could dip one entire side of the bar into chocolate. I also added a little sea salt on top. Dark chocolate and sea salt is my major weakness! There is nothing like it.
I have actually been wanting for some time to create something similar to the KIND Dark Chocolate, Nuts and Sea Salt bar combined with these delicious dark chocolate salted nut bites I tried from Trader Joes. So when I saw this amazing nut bar recipe in Kelly’s book I knew that it would be the perfect base recipe to adapt slightly to make my own. What I really love about this recipe is that it is highly adaptable, you can really play around and make it your own with your favorite nuts, seeds, spices, dried fruits, etc. I opted for a couple changes with seeds and nuts from Kelly’s original recipe, I skipped the orange flavor and of course, I topped my bites with some course pink Himalayan sea salt. These bites are so delicious, they have an incredible toasted crunch and the chocolate dipped top makes it feel as if you are eating candy. The honey tastes almost gives these a gooey caramel type texture. It is amazing.
Besides sharing this lovely recipe with you, I am also excited that one lucky Tasty Yummies reader will be winning their very own copy of The Paleo Chocolate Lover’s Cookbook and a limited edition tote (modeled so beautifully by Kelly and designed by her hubby, Andy)!! Use the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post to enter yourself to win. Tons of great ways to enter! Of course, if you can’t wait for the giveaway to be over, or if you don’t live in the US, the book is available now for purchase, so get your copy here.
[print_this]Salted Dark Chocolate Nut Bites {Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free)
makes about 36 bites
Nut Bites Ingredients
- 1 cup whole almonds
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces
- 1/2 cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- coconut oil to grease the pan
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon course pink Himalayan sea salt, for topping
Dip
- 6 ounces dark chocolate, melted (Kelly shares a great recipe for a homemade dark chocolate bar in the book)
Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
In a mixing bowl, combine the whole and sliced almonds, walnuts, pepitas and whole cranberries. Set the mixture aside.
Line a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with a piece of unbleached parchment paper, make sure it is large enough to cover the bottom and go up the sides. Pinch the corners to keep it in place. Grease the paper with coconut oil, and sprinkle it with the shredded coconut. Set the dish aside.
In a small saucepan over a medium-low heat, add the honey, vanilla and the fine sea salt. As soon as the honey begins to simmer, remove it from the heat.
Pour the honey mixture over the nuts mixture and stir to coat the dry ingredients evenly.
Using a flexible spatula (or your hands) transfer the nut mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Bake for about 20 minutes. The longer it bakes, the crunchier it will be. Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Slice into approximately 36 squares (or into 12 bars as Kelly’s original recipe calls for). If the bottoms are still a bit sticky, you can place the cut bars on a parchment paper lined tray into the fridge to finish cooling.
Over a double boiler, melt the chocolate. Dip the bottom of each nut bite into the melted chocolate. Place onto a parchment paper lined tray, chocolate side up, sprinkle a little of the course sea salt on top and return them to the refrigerator to set before serving. I store them in the fridge at all times, since I love cool hardened chocolate. [/print_this]
105 Responses
I don’t know if it’s just on my end or what but it looks like the Facebook link may be wrong. It goes to a post about the Against All Grain cookbook giveaway. Just thought you might want to know 🙂
Ha oops thanks so much Kiersten. You are a life saver 😉
Time to change my life!
I have been gluten-free for about a year now and am constantly craving delicious, chocolaty treats. I am always looking for a great cookbook! If I had this cookbook, I feel that my “gluten binges” (those moments when I cave for a pain au chocolate or chocolate chip cookie) will come to a halt.
Thank you for considering me for this giveaway!
Best,
Lauren
That’s an awesome post, I’m going to look at that book. Chocolate is one of my favourite food, like for a lot of people! 🙂
anything with chocolate and nuts and no huge amounts of refined sugar is a treat!!!!!!!! Thanks for the chance to win the book!
It’s called the chocolate lovers cookbook. I love chocolate. Enough said.
I have tried to win this book at a few other giveaways. So many of my friends are paleo or have food allergies would love to be able to make recipes for them!
No diet is complete without some healthy treats! I LOVE chocolate, its good for your soul! This book is living proof and I so wish to win!
I would like to win to get some good paleo chocolate recipes.
As the owner of the other cookbooks by Spunky Coconut – we eagerly await this one! Yeah!
So excited…really want to win this book!!
Thanks for the opportunity to win ….the bites look delish!
Can’t wait to make this recipe! I love those Kind bars… ate them nonstop in the first month of pregnancy!
I wish I could have chocolate at every meal. I definitely have that sweet tooth trouble. I could devour that cover art! and those bars sound amazing.
I would love a copy of the Paleo Chocolate Lover’s cookbook because I am gluten allergic, I love to cook and I like to eat healthy…and who doesn’t love chocolate? ! 🙂
This book looks fabulous! It is now on my wish list!!
OMG I am in love with chocolate AND I love Paleo : )
With all of the turmoil in the world, eating chocolate seems to smooth the edges. I’d like to win Kelly’s book to create some optimism in my own little corner of the world!
I’m a chocolate lover and paleo lifestyler! Looks like an incredible book!
In love with chocolate, would love to try healthy recipes, this book is a good opportunity to satisfy my sweet tooth in a more healthy way!
I would love to win a copy of this cookbook because chocolate is AWESOME and because I’d love to be able to eat it more often and have it be healthy.
I want to win this book because I love chocolate and stick to a paleo diet to control my autoimmune disease symptoms.
I recently started cutting grains from my diet and feel incredible. I am a true chocolate lover, and would absolutely enjoy this book to the most!
Ana
I have been gluten free for close to three years now and have been trying to be grain free, dairy free, and refined sugar free as well. I do ok for a little while, but then I cave and start eating sweets again. Would love to be able to have some healthy sweet treat options.
Brand new to your site! I’m looking forward to trying some great recipes! And thanks for the chance to win Kelly’s book. I have one other of her cookbooks, and love her recipes.
I would SO love a copy of this book! I am going to be doing my first series of holidays since going gluten-free and refined sugar and flour-free. Chocolate anything would be so wonderful, but to have 80 recipes at my fingertips?! My family and friends won’t be so scared to try my recipes then, and might even convert!
I love chocolate and I’m a celiac, so I need this cookbook!
Hi, I would love this cookbook! Not only for myself but mostly for my daughter
Who has multiple food allergies and is a teenager! It’s super hard to be both!
She is allergic to corn and soy so everything pretty much has to be homemade!we have 2 of Kelly’s other books and love them! Thanks
I would love to win this book because chocolate is everything! 😉 And I love that the recipes are healthy too!
Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I’m so excited for this cookbook. I would be SO excited to receive the cookbook – I’ve been gluten-free for years and paleo for about nine months. I absolutely adore making healthy treats and sharing them with friends. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
This cookbook would be a wonderful way for me to enjoy my chocolate but also know I’m still eating healthy recipes.
OMG I need this because I can’t live without chocolate but I refuse to buy the regular ol’ sugar laden chocolate bars in the store.
I keep up against this cookbook….so….I put it in the shopping cart for our library. Share the knowledge! Maybe others will buy it. These recipes look great!
To make delicious new treats
These recipes just look so amazing! Plus, I’m dairy-free, so I’m excited for a book with all dairy-free recipes!
My doctor does not want me eating refined sugar (except in summer), so finding some sweet treats that I can make without refined sugar feels like striking gold!~!~!
Finally a treat I can actually eat:) These look awesome…simply beautifully done. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this lovely book and for all you share so generously and beautifully. Bravo!
beautiful pics, amazing recipes … and chocolate is the focus!! enough said!! thanks for the giveaway!
I love chocolate and we are embarking on a gluten free mostly paleo diet 🙂 The recipes look delicious!!
I would love to win a copy of your cookbook because I love chocolate and any desserts with chocolate, and I would love to have some “healthier” chocolate recipes.
I would love to win this cookbook, I’m a huge chocolate fan and the recipes are allergy free!
Just say CHOCOLATE and I am yours LOL
Umm, chocolate is the reason. There is never a better reason! 😉
I’m addicted to chocolate and would love to try out the recipes!
This book looks amazing and so does your recipe. What could you use instead of honey? I eat low carb / sugar free.
I would love, love to win a copy so I could make that cake on the front cover and just put my entire face in it and inhale!!!!!
Love chocolate 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
I would LOVE to have this book. I have many family members that are taking the road to health and starting down the Paleo/Primal lifestyle. This would be a fantastic addition to share with my friends and family.
Honestly I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want this book! And the recipes use such natural ingredients, we could feel good eating dessert every night!
Love chocolate. Miss it.
I am new to your site and I love it. I was taken down a rabbit trail today from another site. Your oatmeal chai chocolate chip cookie balls brought me here. I can’t wait to try them. I hope I win this book. We love chocolate!
I’d enjoy a copy of it because I enjoy eating chocolate “healthily”! =)
This book looks great.
I’ve been a fan of Kelly’s for a long time- and I love chocolate! This book and I are the perfect match, haha. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am new to Paleo and would the chance to learn some sweet recipes to share with my family and others.
Thanks,
Sahrene
I want this book because so I can eat dessert!!! I feel so much better eating a gluten free diet.
I’m a chocolate addict, I mean, lover. I would love to get my hands on this book for some recipes to fit into our family’s new paleo-ish lifestyle.
I’ve been eating gluten-free for about six months now and would love a great cookbook like this one to add a little spice… er, chocolate, to my life!
I try to eat Paleo and I love chocolate, so I would love to win!
I would LOVE to win this giveaway, but regardless, I am buying this book! So if I win, I’ll gift this to someone who would love it as much as I know I’m going to! (which would be anyone!). Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’ve been gluten and dairy free for over a year and just made the jump to paleo since I am finding that grains are bothering me too. Am trying to build up my recipe book collection and this would be a great addition!
You can’t go wrong with Chocolate! My hubby is low carb! A win for us both!
I love chocolate, living Paleo and baking — so I can’t wait to get my hands on this cookbook!
I would love this!!
Chocolate, Paleo, of course! Can’t wait to get a copy!
I LOVE these types of desserts! Gluten free whole foods are my only choice for desserts. My birthday is tomorrow and I would love it if someone made me one of these! Alas, I’m the only one around here who knows about the deliciousness of desserts that don’t have processed foods in them. SO I desperately need to educate them with with your delectable cookbook!
I love healthy recipe book such as this! Thank you so much for doing this giveaway!
Would love to win the cookbook for healthier contributions when having an office party but even more want to win that GREAT tote bag!
I love chocolate… and I love finding new and delicious gluten free/paleo recipes!
Chocolate anything makes me happy!
Love Spunky Coconut!
Love YOU!
Want this book.
Gorg cake + photo girl.
XO SHERRIE
I love chocolate, and I’m trying to eat more grain free. Looks like an awesome book!
Such a huge fan of Kelly’s recipes. Can’t wait to check this cookbook out. Would love to win it!
I am excited for this book because I love allergy-friendly blogs. I have been following Kelly for a very long time and live in her old hometown of Longmont. Though I am not Paleo, Paleo cuisine works very well for those of us who suffer from many food-related issues like Celiac and food allergies.
This book sounds so amazing! Can’t wait to douse myself in chocolate!
oh yummy, sounds really great!
Wow I love chocolate and paleo so this is the perfect book for me. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win.
My husband, 6 kids and I are all serious chocolate lovers and a grain free, paleo family and this book would help take the holidays from ordinary to extraordinary! Thanks for this chance! 🙂
This book looks amazing!!! I hope I win!
I would be so excited to win this book! Im a chocolate lover & recently diagnosed with Celiacs in May!!
I love your blog, and figure that, if you like this book, it’s sure to be a winner. Thanks for the chance to have it!
Um…the Chocolate Swirl Cheese Danish Cake and Cherry Cordial FUDGE sound incredible!!! I would love to make them all.
I love to bake, but I haven’t been able to since I cut wheat out of my diet. And I LOVE chocolate!! This cookbook sounds like it was written just for me!
I want to win because I am addicted to chocolate!
I would love to win this book because I LOVE anything chocolate, and I would love to be able to eat chocolate and not feel bad about it .
My name is Memrie and I’m a chocoholic!
I stumbled across your website and it was love at first site…I couldn’t keep my eyes away. The love pouring out of your recipes, well…I couldn’t keep my hungry eyes.
I’ve just started selling my own cakes “Mon’s Moody Cakes” and I love gaining inspiration from your love-filled recipes!!! I melt each time I read a new recipes…definitely love at first site.
I’d love to be considered for your book!!
I love dessert (and chocolate). I’d like to learn to make wheat-free desserts
I want to win because — hey — Paleo and desserts? What more could you ask for?
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I absolutely love Chocolate and I could have it any time of day. Over the years my ways of cooking have improved along side my learning of what is healthy. I so hope my other half buys me this book for xmas! I love eating healthily and feeling good about myself and if I could cook a few of the recipes I’ve seen from this then that would be brill! I could even make these beautiful recipes for my beautiful family and friends. I love cooking fresh and paleo and I have so enjoyed discovering these new blogs!
I’m a major chocaholic so I really want this book!!!!
I love all things chocolate and all things healthy 🙂 This sounds like the perfect combination of both! Thank you for an opportunity get my hands on this book!
My sister is paleo . . . I’d love to pass this along to her.
I need this book because I need the homemade dark chocolate recipe that Kelly shares in the book! I need it!
I would love to gift this to my sister…she follows a gluten-free diet and she’s a true chocolate fiend!
What a wonderful recipe and cookbook! I hope to win this.
Chocolate! ‘Nuff said! – Chocolate, dairy-free, grain-free and refined sugar-free? Brilliant.
Can’t wait to see this. Would love to win the book.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Not sure where or how to verify that I went to amazon.com to read about the book?
http://www.amazon.com/The-Paleo-Chocolate-Lovers-Cookbook/product-reviews/193660812X/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_next_2?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addFiveStar&pageNumber=2&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
All this chocolate makes my mouth water 🙂
free paleo diet recipes
[…] Tasty Yummies – Salted Dark Chocolate Nut Bites […]
[…] Tasty Yummies – Salted Dark Chocolate Nut Bites […]
Nothing personal, Beth, as I know it’s not your cookbook but I can’t stand the “Paleo” fad esp when it involves a food that was not even discovered during the Paleolithic era. This doesn’t take away from the deliciousness of the recipe but the idea of a “Paleo” chocolate cookbook is eye-roll worthy.
Jenn, we are all entitled to our opinions. We are all also very different, with different bodies and different needs. What works for one person, will not work for another. The best thing we can do, is worry about what is best for ourselves and respect everyone else’s choices – it is really not for us to decide what is right and what is wrong, for anyone but ourselves! Have a wonderful day!
My son is g/f since he was 2 1/2, now 6. He was most likely celiac when I took him off gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs due to constant ear infections and antibiotics fed to him by paediatricians. Never had he gotten another ear infection. Turns out, he is genetically predisposed to celiac, his dad and grandmother on his father side too, so now we know for sure there is no looking back. He LOVES chocolate. This book has the massive potential of making him happy, as it seems well through out, lovingly put together. Thank you.