I love raw food. Only I usually eat it like it is. You know, an apple, a carrot, some nuts. I prefer baking my desserts-- making the batter, watching it rise in the oven, lovely smells filling my kitchen... but I decided it was time to try something different. I went for the simplest and quickest version of a raw dessert. If you have kids, they might have some fun with this, too.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry dates, pitted
• 1 cup dried figs
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions:

1. Start by soaking your dates, figs, and nuts for a few hours, or even overnight. If you don't have that much time, you can soak them in hot water for about thirty minutes.
2. Rinse and drain, place in a food processor and grind the ingredients (except for the coconut) to a paste, not entirely smooth.
3. Depending on the consistency of your mix add the coconut. One tablespoon at a time, mix well after each addition. Test it to see if you can form a small bite-sized ball.
4. Roll in leftover coconut.

This is just a basic recipe that you can turn into so many variations. For example:

1. Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder and roll in toasted nuts (no, toasted nuts are not raw, but I love the flavor they give), or put a whole nut in the middle and roll them in raw cocoa powder.
2. Use almonds, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, cinnamon, dried apples, dried apricots, raisins, cranberries, vanilla... I could go on forever. 

These are the healthiest snack I know of. No added sugar, no cooking, no gluten.

You can keep these in the fridge for about three to four days (if they last that long!). Serve them at room temperature. You can also make the bites ahead of time for a party or other event, and just pop them in the freezer on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a bag and thaw in the refrigerator the night before.