Sinless Christmas Chocolate Truffles

They may look quite sophisticated but I can assure you they are very easy to make, full of goodness and am sure the whole family will enjoy !

MAKES: 18 truffles
EQUIPMENT: small food processor, rubber spatula, small mixing bowl

INGREDIENTS:

Truffles
½ cup nuts
½ cup dates, pitted & roughly chopped
¼ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
Vanilla powder, cinnamon and sea salt, to taste
Orange zest, to taste (optional)
Water, as needed for binding
Pistachio nuts, finely chopped (garnish)

Dark Chocolate Sauce
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons cacao powder, unsweetened
1 ½ tablespoon maple syrup (or date syrup, coconut nectar…)
½ tablespoon water (or more if the sauce is too thick)
Pinch of Himalayan crystal salt or sea salt

DIRECTIONS:

Truffles

1. Put the nuts in a small food processor fitted with an S-blade. Mix until finely ground.
2. Add the dates and shredded coconut together with some vanilla powder, cinnamon, sea salt and orange zest to taste. My dates were quite dry, so I added a little water. You’ll know your dough is ready when it forms into a ball.
3. Roll the dough into small truffles. I like to use a small cookie scoop or a measuring spoon for this so they look more or less the same.
4. Put the truffles in the freezer while you make the chocolate sauce so they can harden a bit.

Dark Chocolate Sauce

1. Melt your coconut oil on low heat. Mix the oil with the maple syrup, water and sea salt in a small bowl until they’re well combined.
2. Gradually add the cacao powder and stir well.
3. Take your truffles out of the freezer. Using a fork, dip the truffles in the chocolate sauce.
4. Add a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachio nuts for garnish, or other toppings such as orange zest or cacao nibs.
5. Pop the truffles in the freezer for 10 minutes so the chocolate can harden.

  
TIPS & TRICKS:

• I used a combination of almonds, walnuts and cashews for these chocolate truffles, but you could use any nuts or seeds you have on hand.
• Don’t like the flavor of dates? You can replace them with other dried fruit such as raisins, apricots, apple slices, figs…
• These Christmas chocolate truffles will stay fresh for at least 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Recipe Compliments: http://www.julieslifestyle.com