Coconut chocolate drops (and a Keurig giveaway)

Today is an exciting day in Ninjaland: to celebrate the first day of spring and, hopefully, the beginning of the end of all this winter snow and cold weather, I'm part of a group of awesome New England bloggers introducing you to a new seasonal coffee flavor from Keurig Green Mountain ... AND giving away a Keurig brewer!

The new coffee flavor, Island Coconut, truly lives up to its name. It's a light-roast coffee (which I prefer) with a great coconutty aroma -- it will definitely have you thinking about tropical islands and warm weather.

It also had me thinking about pairing it with chocolate, which I have done with this recipe for Coconut Chocolate Drops, a ridiculously easy, no-bake dessert. Made with very little sugar, ground oats, unsweetened coconut and cofee, these bite-sized chocolate drops are only slightly sweet and  guilt-free.

Using the Island Coconut coffee gives these chocolate drops just a little more coconut flavor, making them a tropical treat -- especially welcome in these final days of winter. (Come on, spring -- you can do it!) Pop one in your mouth for a sweet little pick-me-up.

For a chance to win a Keurig brewer and some of the new, seasonal Island Coconut coffee, be sure to enter the giveaway via the widget below (following the recipe). The giveaway is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age and older and ends on March 27, 2014 at 12:00 am.

Note: While Keurig Green Mountain (KGM) is hosting this giveaway and has provided me with samples of the Island Coconut coffee, KGM has in no way compensated me for my recipe or my participation in this giveaway. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Coconut Chocolate Drops

(inspired by a traditional Swedish recipe)
The dough needs to be popped into the freezer for half an hour to firm up so you can roll it into balls. Store the chocolate drops in the fridge until ready to serve. Recipe makes about 3 dozen drops.


Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, well softened
2 tablespoons dark chocolate cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon coffee extract
1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature (I used Keurig Green Mountain Island Coconut)
unsweetened coconut for rolling

Directions:
Place the oats in a food process and process until ground into the consistency of flour. Add the oats and all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the coconut to the bowl of a stand mixer and blend until well combined. Place the bowl into the freezer for about half an hour to allow the dough to get firm.

Roll the dough into bite-sized balls and then roll them in them in unsweetened coconut to coat (a shallow bowl or pie plate works well for this step). Place on a tray and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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www.yankeekitchenninja.com
-- print recipe --

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to also check out the other bloggers who are participating in this giveaway:

All Day I Dream About Food
Bakeaholic Mama
Healthy Delicious
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Kelly Bakes
Nutmeg Nanny
Running to the Kitchen
Spiced
Sugarfree Mom