Homemade Tootsie Rolls - Ninja Energy Bites

The saying, "Everything taste better when it's homemade" has never been more true.

Chocolate Cocoa Tootsie Rolls
(aka: * Ninja Energy Bites)

If you take all the good things about the old-time candy, Tootsie Rolls (chocolate, cute, chewy, fun), but (like a stealth ninja) make it your own and better (real chocolate, chewy without being tough or pulling your teeth out, NO HFCS or trans fats, fun for kids to help, easy and even cuter because you pick the wrapping paper) then you have these Ninja Energy Bites.

The simple ingredients, the speedy process, the healthy use of Agave instead of corn syrup, the fun way of punching and kneading in a bag, and the fast, accurate but friendly knife skills of chop-chop-chop make this worthy of "Food Ninja" status. Don't you agree?

RECIPE: Cocoa Tootsie Rolls (Ninja Energy Bites)
(*measurements given for dry ingredients by weight*)
2 0z. real dark cocoa
2 oz. Unsalted Butter

Put these two ingredients into a double boiler (or bowl over a saucepan of simmer water) and heat, stirring until the butter melts and you have a thick paste.

4 oz. Agave syrup
2 tsp. Vanilla

Add these two ingredients to the cocoa paste, heat and stir until fully incorporated. You'll have a thick syrup. Remove from heat.

4 1/2 oz. Confectioner Sugar
2 oz. Dry Milk

Add these two ingredients, stirring to incorporate. You'll have a very thick batter.

In a large ziplock bag, pour in 7 1/2 more oz. confectioner sugar, then pour in the thick cocoa batter. Close up and knead ingredients together in the bag (you may have to let air out of the bag now and then for better movement). Kids and friends will love to help with this and there's no messy cleanup, so let'em at it.
Knead all together until you achieve a ball of dough that holds together (about 3 minutes).
Place the cocoa dough on a work space that is sprinkled with about 4 more oz. of confectionary sugar. Knead dough again, working the sugar into the dough until it is stiff, but moldable.


Cut the dough into about 6 even pieces. Roll those pieces out into ropes and cut into pieces about 2 inches long. Place those on a sheet pan and let dry or place in refrigerator to help harden just a bit. Wrap in parchment paper, or a printed paper of choice. These would be great in Halloween theme or...wait for it...NINJA print paper!