I love making these quick and easy nutty raw chocolate & date truffles. With no added sugar, they’re not as sweet as the shop-bought kind and are packed full with antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals.
The raw cacao contains flavanols, a compound that has been proven to lower blood pressure, enhance circulation and, according to some studies, improve cognitive function and memory. Raw cacao also contains theombromine that has been proven to help stimulate the central nervous system, relax muscles and increase energy levels.
What’s more, these delicious raw chocolate nut truffles are gluten and dairy-free, making them the perfect treat for when you are craving something sweet. You can use a variety of different nuts according to personal preference – my favourites are pecan nut or almonds.
You can make them with nuts – I would add Pumpkin Seeds instead as this means they are nourishing and omega 3 and Magnesium rich.
Ingredients
- 200g Nuts: walnuts, hazelnuts, Cashews, pecans, or Brazil nuts – Pumpkin Seeds or sunflower are also an alternative to use
- 130g pitted Fresh dates
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder- your choice)
- raw cacao for dusting
- Orange juice from 1 small orange – add the Zest from orange by using a zest aid – this gives the truffles a ‘zing’
Method
Place the desires nuts or seeds into a food processor and blitz to a paste. Pit the dates and add to the food processor – give them a quick blitz. Stir in the coconut oil (you may need to gently melt first to make this easier to work with but its not essential – it melts when added or blended in ), Add the cacao /powder
Whizz together – Add the orange Juice and Zest. With wet hands, roll into small balls before rolling in cocoa nibs to coat each truffle.
This gives the truffles a nicely textured crunch.
Alternatively, dust with a sprinkling of cacao or cocoa powder.
Put onto a tray in the fridge for a few hours – this helps them set ‘ hard’ (or freeze for half an hour to speed up the process if you’re in a hurry!).
These truffles will keep well if stored in a fridge for abut 2 weeks. They wont last that long though! so keep a supply stored up ready to reach for a healthy treat that will satisfy even the sweetest tooth.
This recipe is suitable for any age or talent and even better to make with loved ones.
Let me know how they turn out – would love to hear any variations you decide to make.