Chocolate Truffle Bliss Balls

When it comes to truffles or ‘bliss balls’ the method is pretty simple. All you need is a wet ingredient and a dry ingredient and away you go! From here you have the freedom to add anything you like to create your favourite flavour combinations or boost these little power balls nutritionally!

Examples:

Wet: These are the binders holding the balls together. You may choose to use just one of these or any combination you like. Examples include; nut butters (almond, peanut, tahini, mixes), coconut oil, natural sweeteners (eg. honey, agave, rice malt, maple syrup), fruit purees (eg. apple or pear) or juicy dried fruits (eg. majool dates or raisins).

Dry: This acts as the bulk of the balls and again you may use one or any combination. Examples include; nuts (eg. macadamias, cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts), seeds (eg. pepitas, sunflowers, sesame seeds), dessicated coconut or rolled oats.

Spice it up: This is where you can go wild adding any flavour combinations your heart desires. Examples include; cacao or coco powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger (fresh or ground), allspice, nutmeg, cayenne pepper or chilli, fruit peel/zest, sea salt or anything else you can think of!

Boost it: Add a nutritional punch! Examples include; Chia seeds, LSA, flax seed meal, macha powder, protein powder, spirulina and barley grass.

My fave combo!

* See below for additional nutritional information.

Makes ~15 medium balls

• ½ cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup mixed nuts or seeds (I love cashews and macadamias as they are creamy and rich)
  
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1 orange, zest only
• 1 Tbls chia seeds
  
• 1 Tbls flaxseed meal
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• A pinch of sea sat
• 1 cup majool dates – pitted and roughly chopped
• 1 Tbls coconut oil
• 15 whole almonds – this is used as a treat in the centre of the balls. If you prefer you can use any other nut or dried fruit you like. Another favourite is crystallized ginger!
• Optional for dusting: dessicated coconut, almond meal, chia seeds, LSA or cacao (can be bitter).

Preparation

1. Place all the ingredients (expect the dates, coconut oil and whole almonds) into a food processor and process until the mixture is finely chopped.
2. Add the dates and coconut oil and blitz to combine. The mixture should come together in a large clump, this can take 30 seconds to a minute. If it doesn’t pinch together in your fingers or it seems to dry, simply add a little more coconut oil, water or chopped dates until it comes together.
3. Roll the mixture into 20cm size balls (or there abouts). Push the almond into the centre and reform the ball.
4. If you want to go the whole hog – roll your bliss ball in dessicated coconut, almond meal, chia seeds, LSA or cacao powder (can be a little bitter).

Nutritional info:

• Oats have an anxiolytic action, meaning they reduce stress and anxiety.
• Nuts have been proven to lower cholesterol and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
• The high antioxidant activity in cacao helps prevent chronic disease (cancer / heart disease) and keeps us looking and feeling young.
• Chia seeds are full of omega 3’s for brain health as well as healthy hair, skin and nails.
  
• Flaxseed meal is also rich in omega 3’s and the high fibre content lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Cinnamon may seem like a humble spice but it has a health benefit to suit almost everyone! In particular it may be helpful for those with diabetes type 2 as it helps to lower blood glucose.
  
• The capsaicin content in chilli adds a boost to your metabolism and improves circulatory problems.
• Coconut oil may reduce sugar cravings and boost metabolism.