When you want to emphasize the dessert half of a mufcake, chunky coconut frosting’s where it’s at.

This recipe just makes enough for about six large mufcakes, which is convenient if you don’t want to have a lot leftover to eat straight from the bowl. But if that’s appealing, or if you’re feeding a crowd, by all means- double/quadruple the recipe!

Chunky Coconut Frosting

Recipe by Hilary

Mix all ingredients together. Taste. If you want it sweeter, add more powdered sugar. If you want it chunkier and/or more coconut-ey, add more shaved coconut. If you want more to eat straight out of the bowl, repeat recipe from beginning.

There are two kinds of people: those with a sweet tooth and those without.

I was blessed (or cursed, depending on your perspective) with an active and attention-seeking sweet tooth. While I enjoy many savory foods, a day rarely seems complete without at least one dessert or sugary snack. Still, being nutrition-conscious, I’m not about to reach for a donut or piece of cake every day.

Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food is sold at grocery stores and come in several mouthwatering flavors. I can vouch for the deliciousness of the oatmeal chocolate chip and lemon vanilla, and I’ve got my eye on the banana split, gingerbread, and cashew chocolate chip, which sound fabulous. The best compliment I can pay is to say that they don’t taste healthy- they really don’t.

I love how the website and packaging are forthright with the ingredients and the nutrition information. Are they as healthy as an apple? No. But are they a better bet than desserts with hydrogenated fats like a Blizzard or a slice from the Cheesecake Factory? Yes.

There are two types of people: those who prefer baking and those who prefer cooking.

Despite my sweet tooth I am very much in the cooking camp. I am not very precise with measurements and I am liberal with substitutions. Therefore when I make dessert I usually make pudding, macaroons, fruit tarts and other things that can handle my lack of attention to detail.

These chocolate oat balls fit the bill. They’re no-bake, easy, and pretty.

Chocolate Oat Balls

Adapted from Anne’s Food, a wonderful blog

250 ml rolled oats
50 ml sugar
50 ml cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup hot, strong coffee
50 g unsalted butter, very soft

Put all ingredients together. Roll into balls. Anne suggested rolling them in coconut or pearl sugar, but I tried coconut and couldn’t get it to stick. Perhaps because it was unsweetened and therefore not sticky?

Eat soon. Store in refrigerator, but, better yet, don’t store at all. The next day they will begin to dry out considerably.