Cacao Energy Bites with Chaga and Maca
Depending on who you are reading this entry, you might look at the title and say, “Chaga? Maca? Huh??”
I totally understand. Welcome to the world of medicinal mushrooms!
Just as a side note, Maca is NOT a mushroom, it is a plant, a cruciferous vegetable. The mushroom here is Chaga, and it has a world of benefits I never knew about until I saw it come up in some of the posts of health influencers I follow on Instagram. I become interested because I really like the idea of incorporating natural healing ingredients into recipes where I can. The great thing about the chaga in this recipe is a little goes a long way, and you can’t taste it. Honestly, medicinal mushrooms are best incorporated into things because on their own, they are very bitter and…not delicious.
Anyhow, about Chaga. It is grown mainly in the eastern United States, Europe and Asia. It is said to have cancer fighting properties because it contains betulinic acid, which is said to help eliminate cancer cells. Chaga is a natural source of melanin, which is the pigment that darkens your skin and provides some sun protection. It also has antioxidant properties and is said to support healthy digestion because it helps to eliminate inflammation.
Maca is a Peruvian herb that is known for its ability to boost libido and increase energy and sports performance. Mostly there are studies that SUGGEST these benefits, but scientific evidence is limited. If you are interested in science based research studies on maca, click here.
These energy bites are delicious and make a great snack or dessert. They are low in added sugar and the use of REAL raw cacao powder and raw cacao nibs means they have added fiber and magnesium.
Here are all the dry ingredients. As you can see, there is not a ton of maca or chaga, but you can always add more if you don’t mind the taste.
Once we add the wet ingredients, it should look something like this.
Then we put parchment paper out to put the finished product on.
After the product has sat in the freezer for an hour, we take it out and put it in the refrigerator. They should look something like this!
Cacao Energy Bites With Chaga and Maca
Enjoy a rich chocolatey snack that will get you going with stamina inducing maca root powder and antioxidant rich chaga. This sweet treat will keep you satisfied with the healthy fats from raw cacao and cacao butter.
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup Navitas Naturals cacao powder
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup Navitas Naturals cacao nibs
- 1 tbsp. chaga mushroom powder (optional (I used Sun Potion))
- 1 tbsp. maca powder (optional)
- a sprinkling of salt
- 1/3 cup melted cacao butter (I used Navitas Naturals)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Melt the cacao butter. I just put mine in the microwave, but you can use your stove.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Combine all wet ingredients starting with the vanilla and maple syrup and ending with the cacao butter.
- Mix together well, then take an ice cream scooper or spoon and scoop onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Put in the freezer to set for 1 hour.
Remove from freezer and store in in the fridge. They will last for up to 5 days, but I guarantee you will eat them all before then!
