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Do It Yourself Skinny Candy: Fun To Make & Eat

May 23, 2012   11 Comments

Let me introduce you to "Chocolate Crackle". This stuff is seriously yummy and fun.

Low Calorie Candy Recipe

My inspiration was the new Skinny Cow candy that I saw in the drugstore. Skinny candy? Is that possible? My research, which included looking at the box for about three minutes, concluded that this was not Skinny candy - but really a good portion size for regular candy.

At 120 calories (4 Points+), these guys are still junk food but I will say that they are a better choice than a Snickers for 280 calories. Of course, it isn't as large a Snicker's bar - so watch out if you want to eat two!

My "Chocolate Crack" -ooops- I mean "Chocolate Crackle" is only 87 calories per candy. I didn't include caramel or peanuts, but you could easily add nuts if you wanted to the recipe. The dried cherries will have to take the place of caramel here.

These are fun to make and incorporate no sugar added cereal to give "bulk" to the chocolate. The idea here is you get a satisfying CRUNCH with your dessert.

I used coconut oil because it imparts sweetness to the overall recipe and I was looking to keep the added sugar to a minimum. The New York Times featured an article on coconut oil entitled Once a Villain, Coconut Oil Charms the Health Food World. The conclusion is that the saturated fat in coconut oil is actually different than the saturated fat in butter - and coconut oil is good for you!

You can spread it on your skin if you decide these crackles are not for you.

I found coconut oil in the natural foods section of my Stop & Shop for $7 for 14 ounces. It is solid at room temperature and looks like Crisco but smells really good (unlike Crisco).

After you make the chocolate mixture, you should taste it to be sure it isn't too bitter for you. My daughter loved these but my son thought they were "yucky". If you are having a treat more sugar here isn't going to kill you. These are geared more toward an adult palate so change it up for your group of eaters.

These can be gluten free if you use gluten free cereal and are vegan if you use agave syrup. They are also nut free! Unless you count the person who made them :)

Have you tried making lighter candy?

Chocolate Crackle Recipe

1.6 from 24 reviews

(makes 12)

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Ingredients

4 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar or 1 1/2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
1/2 cup dried cherries, unsweetened
1 1/2 cups Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or another dry cereal with no sugar added

Instructions

Melt the coconut oil in a bowl. When melted add the cocoa powder and sugar or honey. If you are using sugar, you may have to heat it again for 20 seconds to get the sugar to melt into the mixture. In a large bowl, mix the cereal and dried cherries. Pour in the chocolate and mix. Spoon into 12 muffin cups, refrigerate for 20 minutes, and serve!

These crackles will not do well in heat. Keep them cold until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts

For one crackle = 87 calories, 5.3 g fat, 11.6 g carbohydrates, 5.9 g sugar, 1.2 g protein, 5.9 g fiber, 28 mg sodium, 2 Points+

Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes

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11 Comments:

This sounds great. I would like to know more about coconut oil. I always thought it wasn't good for us.

Is there an alternative oil than coconut... Something I can easily have around the house?

Yummy! Thanks for indulging our sweet tooth's Snack Girl! I would like to know more about coconut oil as well. I have read that it is beneficial to your health and on the flip side one of the worst fats for you. I DO use it on my skin though. No added gross chemicals, and it makes it so soft and smelling like I have been on a Hawaiian beach!

This is worth a try since I LOVE chocolate (and have alot of Cheerios around since I also have a toddler in the house).

As a side note, I follow another blog called 'Chocolate Covered Katie'. (yes, the only 2 blogs I follow are about snacks and dessert) She is a vegan but her entire blog is about chocolate vegan desserts. She uses alot of coconut products in her recipes including coconut oil, coconut butter and coconut milk. Her recipes aren't necessarily good for you, but they sure look delicious. It's amazing what can be made with coconut products.

Can you recommend a good brand of coconut oil, Snack Girl?

Great idea! That recipe is has the basic idea that's a lot like the recipe for homemade 'Choco Delight' - a popular recipe in the low-carb world. It's a no-carb no-sugar chocolate 'candy' that is pretty awesome. Check it out!

Can you use coconut butter instead of oil? I normally have plenty on hand, but I have used it up. However, I do have quite a bit of the "butter." It's the raw kind that is both coconut meat and oil.

i made "scotcharoos" (aka special k bars) a few weeks ago using Fiber One twigs and Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Oats instead of rice krispies or special k flakes. i think those cereals would taste really good in this too!

This looks way too easy!

I have a question regarding the use of agave syrup...I have read that the body responds to agave just as it would to refined table sugar...causing your blood sugar to spike. I have read that the only sugar substitue that does not cause your blood sugar to rise dramatically is stevia. I was just wondering your thoughts or if anyone else has any insight. I have never used agave so what is the bebefit of using it over sugar if the body reacts the same? I'm not picking on you for using it in this recipe or any others...I am just curious.

@Christian - Yes, agave is just like refined sugar. I believe all artificial sweeteners would not cause a blood sugar spike - since they aren't sugar. I used agave in this recipe because I needed a liquid form of sugar. Thanks for your question!

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