Monday, November 28, 2011

Raw chocolate truffles

Morning! Man, it's hard to get going after a great long holiday weekend. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Now Christmas is really just around the corner. I heard so many Christmas songs and saw many trees tied to the roofs of cars on my drive home yesterday. People were outside stringing lights and decorating in 70 degree weather. It's amazing how fast we switch from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Last year we screenprinted these tea towels for friends and family for Christmas gifts. So we've been trying to come up with some new ideas this year. I'm thinking about making edible gifts. If so, these truffles might just make the list.
These treats only contain four ingredients, but yet they seem decadent. They're raw, because they aren't baked or cooked. The nuts are soaked overnight and the dates are soaked before blending together. I also tried a batch without soaking the dates, but I prefer the texture of the soaked dates. You could add other flavors like dried cherries, cinnamon, orange zest or mint extract.

Raw chocolate truffles
Makes about 20-24 bite-size balls
1 c walnuts, soaked
1 c dates
4 T cocoa power
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
~1/4 c unsweetened, shredded coconut

Soak walnuts for about 8 hours, drain. Soak dates for 15 minutes, drain. Put walnuts and dates into a food processor along with the cocoa, vanilla and salt. Blend until smooth. Roll into bite-size balls (0.75 inch round) with your hands. Then roll through the coconut, covering completely. Freeze for at least an house before serving. I keep them in the freezer and let thaw about five minutes before eating. But they didn't see to ever freeze all the way.

11 comments:

jacqui said...

Yum! These sound so good! I'm so making them and give some away too, if we don't eat them all!

Unknown said...

Jacqui, watch out they're addictive :)

Maria said...

They look delicious!

Heidi Perez said...

Could you make these with another kind of nut, like pecan? I'm not a fan of walnuts, but maybe the bitter walnut flavor doesn't come through??

Unknown said...

Heidi, you could definitely use pecans (almonds or cashews) instead of walnuts. I like walnuts, so the taste doesnt bother me, but the sweetness of the dates and richness of the cocoa overpower the walnuts anyway.

BloomsBloomsBlooms said...

If you freeze them, do you just keep them in the freezer right before you give them as gifts?

Amanda (Wit & Whistle) said...

I made these today, and they are so good! Thanks for the recipe. These will definitely become "regulars" in my dessert rotation.

Unknown said...

Glad you liked them, Amanda! They're so easy and tasty. A great whole food treat :)

SDielle said...

These look delectably irresistible! I've been searching for a dessert that was easy and didn't contain processed sugars so this is perfect :) I was wondering if I could substitute carob powder for the Cocoa?

Kris @ Munchin with Munchkin said...

Adrienne, these truffles are gorgeous. I love your photography style, the light is so inviting. Makes me feel like I'm there preparing food with you. Thanks for sharing these! I can't wait to try them

Mike said...

It is pretty amazing how quickly we change decorations. I think that we are all very excited for Christmas and because of this we can't wait to put on decorations up.