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Raw Superfood Chocolate Truffles share

superfood chocolate truffles with dates, nuts and raw cacao!

During the holidays most of us are overwhelmed with holiday treats of all kinds. It seems like there are always cupcakes at office parties, fancy drinks at cocktail parties, and edible gifts all around. There are a million other ways that junk food infiltrates our life at this time of year, and just like holiday songs that get stuck in your head, these sugar-laden treats linger in your body for days and weeks, making us feel less than vibrant.

If you want to avoid those junky sweets altogether, you can keep your sweet tooth happy by choosing healthier sweet treats to share at events and keep around the house. These Superfood Chocolate Truffles are the perfect answer. These easy treats feature a mix of nuts, superfoods (maca and coconut) and covered in homemade, raw superfood cacao. Super yums for the holiday season or anytime of year!

Superfood Chocolate Truffles

½ cup almonds
½ cup walnuts
Pinch salt
¾ cup Medjool dates, pitted
2 Tablespoons maca powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
Homemade Raw Chocolate Topping
½ cup finely chopped raw cacao butter (I like Navitas Naturals organic cacao butter)
½ cup raw cacao powder
2 Tablespoons honey or agave (optional)
Pinch salt (optional)

Add almonds, walnuts and salt into the food processor. Blend until very fine- much like the texture of sand.
Add dates, maca, cinnamon and coconut oil. Blend again, until mixture begins to thicken and stick together inside the processor. Turn out into a mixing bowl.
Measure out 1 Tablespoon mixture and roll into a ball in you hands. Layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll out all balls, then freeze for 15 minutes (see photo below).
Meanwhile, make the Homemade Raw Chocolate Topping: Add a few inches of water to a small saucepan, and place a slightly larger glass bowl on top. Add cacao butter to the glass bowl. Heat water until boiling, then reduce heat. Cacao butter will melt and turn into a liquid. When it's fully melted, stir in cacao powder and stir until totally smooth. Add in honey/agave and salt if desired. Remove bowl carefully (steam will be trapped, so use caution!) and place onto a kitchen towel (for some images of this process, see this homemade chocolate post here).
Remove truffles from freezer and dip into chocolate using a spoon. Dip once and let cool to solid, then dip again for a richer coating. Return to freezer to set chocolate for at least 15 minutes. Move to refrigerator to keep for weeks.
Note: as you can see in the photos, these can also be made in a candy mold. Add some chocolate to the mold, then add small balls of nut mixture, then cover with more chocolate. Enjoy! Makes approximately 15 treats

superfood balls, before chocolate coating!

gorgeous chocolate truffles

Posted: | Categories: chocolate, Food+Drink, homemade, Living, recipes

Nov

3 Simple, Healthy Holiday Snacks share

Though the holidays are a great joy for those of us that love to cook, it can be a decidedly unpleasant time for those that get stressed out in the kitchen. Whether you are planning a party or headed to a potluck, these simple, healthy holiday desserts will find a happy home at a Thanksgiving dinner, a Hanukkah celebration or a Christmas meal.

All of these recipes feature natural, plant-based ingredients, which means that you are also making an effort towards celebrating a healthy lifestyle, too. More and more studies show that eating a plant-based diet is the most healthful for our bodies and for the planet. This is especially important during the holiday season, when people are tempted to indulge all their cravings! But don't worry– these healthy holiday desserts are nutritious and delicious!

Chocolate Spice Pudding

This is a super decadent dessert hiding healthy secret ingredients– avocado, dates and coconut! The creaminess in this pudding comes not from dairy or tofu, but from the natural, healthy fats in avocado and coconut butter. You can use more or less dates for a less sweet pudding, and add any holiday spices you might like: ginger, cardamom, clove or even chili powder! Shown in photo above.

1 avocado
¼ cup dates, pitted
1 Tablespoon vanilla or almond extract
½ cup coconut butter
½ cup raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
Honey or agave, as needed

Blend all ingredients together until totally smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more dates or spices as you like. If it is not sweet enough, add some honey or agave as needed. Enjoy at room temperature or cold. Makes 2 cups pudding.

Homemade Vegan Caramel Corn

Who doesn't love caramel corn? It's salty, sweet and totally snackable! These recipe uses a homemade caramel sauce that can be used on other desserts too: use as a sauce for ice cream, brownies or on apples.

1 Tablespoon coconut oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
½ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup Earth Balance vegan margarine
¼ cup plant-based milk
½ teaspoon salt (optional)

To make popcorn: Heat 1 Tablespoon coconut oil in a large stockpot. When oil is warm, add popcorn kernels. Cover, shake cook on medium-low until most popcorn has popped. Shake pan gently to ensure even popping- but don’t open the lid or your popcorn will escape! Remove from heat after popping noise slows down- be careful not to burn the popcorn.
To make the caramel: Add brown sugar, Earth Balance and milk to a small saucepan. Simmer on very low heat for five minutes, stirring once or twice. Mixture will be very bubbly. Remove from heat after five minutes and stir in salt if using. Hot sugar is very dangerous- please be careful!
Add popped popcorn into a large cookie sheet and drizzle with caramel. Toss to coat, and let set for five minute to set and dry. Makes about 8 cups caramel corn.

Carob Spiced Nuts & Seeds

These sweet and spicy nuts and seeds make great toppings for puddings or pie, but they are also a great snack in between meals. Choose whichever nuts are your favorite: pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are the best options. If you are not familiar with carob powder, this is the perfect place to enjoy its earthy, malty flavor. Find carob powder (raw or toasted, both will work here) in the baking aisle or bulk section of your natural grocery store.

3 cups nuts or seeds
¼ cup coconut sugar (can substitute brown sugar)
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 Tablespoons carob powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Pinch salt

In a large skillet, dry toast the nuts/seeds over medium heat until fragrant.
Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, coconut oil, carob powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.
When nuts are finished toasting, add coconut oil mixture and toss to coat. Let cool completely before serving. Makes 3 cups.