Nut Butter Confections

Nut butters are a wonderful base for making confections of different types. They are already a sticky mass that can hold other ingredients together, and they add their own nutrition to the sweet.

The possibilities for nut butter confections literally are endless.

Here are the basic components needed:

• nut butter -- choose a brand that is sugar-free and prefereable made with organically-grown nuts. Many supermarket brands contain sugar. Natural food store brands usually don't. In addition, most natural food stores have a nut butter grinder right in the store, so you can get fresh nut butters. Be adventurous with this. Peanut butter is a familiar favorite. Almond butter is more bland. Try cashew butter and hazelnut butter too. Adding softened dairy butter adds a nice creaminess, but is not mandatory.
• filler -- nut butter alone is a bit too soft, so it needs a "filler" to absorb some of the oil and make it "stiffen up". If you are using powdered evaporated cane juice as the sweetener, it will also act as the filler. Cocoa powder acts as the filler. If you are not using either of these ingredients, ground nut powder is perfect and adds even more nut flavor. You can purchase some ground nuts, such as almond meal, or grind nuts in a blender or coffee grinder. If you make nut butter confections often, a small inexpensive coffee grinder is a good tool to have on hand.
• sweetener -- you can use just about any sweetener you want. I can't think of a sweetener that wouldn't work
• additions -- here's where you can really be creative. Add more toasted chopped nuts, bit of dried fruits, coconut, flavorings...
• coating -- because these confections are sticky, you'll need something on the outside to make them easy to handle. This could be powdered unrefined cane sugar, chopped or ground nuts, toasted coconut, cocoa powder, chocolate bits, or a dip in melted chocolate.

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mash the nut butter and filler together with a fork, then mix until well blended. Use about equal parts but butter and filler, then mix in the sweetener and additions to taste.
2. Chill for about ten minutes.
3. Shape the mixture into balls or place in a bowl or dish (as in making fudge).
4. Let stand about 20 minutes to dry.
5. Coat balls, or cut squares and dip in coating.
6. Chill to harden before serving.

    Variations: • Peanut Butter Balls • Larry's Almond Bonbons