Raw Chocolate Almond Truffles
Raw Chocolate Almond Truffles...photo by Sally Eisenberg
Chocolate is one of the foods i can't live without. Can you relate?? Because i don't believe in deprivation, I have found ways to incorporate chocolate in healthful ways and these raw truffles are my latest discovery, thanks to
. They are super easy to prepare and the ingredients aren't difficult to find. They are also raw, vegan and gluten-free.
A plateful is now sitting in my refrigerator and I can't wait to share them!!
CHOCOLATE ALMOND TRUFFLES
// Makes 18 -20
Raw, Vegan and Gluten Free
20 Medjool dates, seeded and halved
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup creamy organic almond butter
1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. natural cocoa powder ( I like the raw cocoa powder from Navitas. - it is available at Whole Foods or through vitacost.com)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup toasted almonds, well chopped (I place whole almonds on cookie sheet in a 250-degree oven for 15 minutes then pulse in the food processor).
Put the dates and vanilla in a food processor and run until a chunky paste forms. Add the almond butter and pulse a few more times. Add the coconut, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon and pulse a few more times. If the mixture feels too dry, add some water or almond butter. If it is too wet, add more coconut.
Roll approx. a Tbsp. of the mixture between your palms to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Pour the chopped almonds on a plate and roll each truffle in the almonds (apply a bit of pressure to get them to adhere). Place the plate in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. Truffles will keep covered in the fridge for a couple weeks.