These Chocolate Pinecone Treats Are as Beautiful as They Are Tasty

This year, we’re celebrating the holidays with 12 days of Christmas cookies, and kicking things off with a creative recipe for fudge pinecones. These beautiful treats are quick and fun to make with kids, and also a truly healthy way to indulge your sweet tooth.

Chocolate Pinecones

Yield: 12 cookies
Total Time: 20 minutes

2 cups unsweetened nut butter (i.e. almond, cashew, peanut)
1/4 cup raw honey
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon sea salt
Sliced almonds

Place nut butter, honey, cacao powder, vanilla, and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor.

Process until mixture is well combined and comes together like fudge.

Divide into 12 pieces and form into egg-like ovals, elongated at one end. Starting at the smaller end, insert sliced almonds into fudge, gradually adding more and overlapping rows to create a pinecone-like structure. Store covered for up to one week.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont