Easy Vegan Tootsie Rolls

There are two things about this recipe that makes it so much better than it’s original counterpart: The first being dark cocoa powder. If you can find this at your local supermarket, buy it. You will immediately taste the difference. It makes for a more smooth, deeper-in-flavor experience that is worth every penny (not like it is that more expensive than the regular stuff but it’s still worth every penny).

Easy Vegan Tootsie Rolls

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ c. almond butter
• ¼ c. Medjool dates, pitted and soaked in hot water for 5 minutes
• 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. dark cocoa powder (or regular cocoa powder)
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted (refined for no coconut flavor)
• ¼ c. powdered sugar
• ¼ c. tapioca starch/powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Line a baking sheet with a piece of wax paper.
2. In a high-speed blender, combine the almond butter, dates, and maple syrup together until completely smooth.
3. Place in a medium bowl and add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar and tapioca starch. Mix until well-combined and can form into a ball.
4. Dust a piece of wax paper with the powdered sugar and tapioca starch. Place the ball on top.
5. Divide the ball in half. Repeat until you half 8 small balls.
6. Roll in the powdered sugar/tapioca mix and between your hands for each ball until no longer sticky. You can add more sugar/tapioca if needed. You will want to absorb all the starch/sugar mix for all the combined tootsie roll balls.
7. Roll each ball with one hand on the baking sheet coated with wax paper until a narrow string is formed. Repeat for each ball.
8. Freeze for 20 minutes.
9. Cut each string into 4-5 pieces. Cover in candy-grade wax paper.
10. Keep chilled either in the freezer or fridge.

http://www.forkandbeans.com/2014/09/03/easy-vegan-tootsie-rolls/