Once you chew by the delicate chocolate shell coating and into the candy and chewy middle, you received’t consider these darkish chocolate date & almond truffles are comprised of entire, pure components like dates, nuts, and seeds. The combination comes collectively rapidly and simply in a meals processor.
I initially printed this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photographs and extra useful success ideas.
These wholesome darkish chocolate date & almond truffles defy all legal guidelines of chocolate. Wholesome chocolate desserts normally style like, nicely, like well being meals. However these truffles? They really style like a really decadent deal with. I do know a ball comprised of dates and nuts working round calling itself a chocolate truffle takes rather a lot of guts. However… THIS IS REAL. And IT IS GOOD.
The key is the Medjool dates. They’re usually referred to as nature’s sweet, and for good purpose: with their caramel-like candy taste and delicate, chewy texture, they’re harking back to delicate caramel candies. They usually’re a miracle ingredient for making more healthy treats and sweetening them naturally.
For those who’re searching for a more healthy various to chocolate truffles and Oreo balls, these darkish chocolate almond truffles match the invoice.
One reader, Thyme, commented:“I’ve made this so many occasions! Completely different variations that each one turned out nice. I’ve made them dipped and plain, I’ve used pecans as a substitute of almonds or sunflower seeds. It’s a extremely versatile recipe. ★★★★★“
One other reader, Tiana, commented:“These have been unbelievable! I truthfully felt like I used to be consuming dessert! ★★★★★“
And one other reader, Cat, commented:“Felt very decadent with out feeling like I used to be lacking out on something. ★★★★★“
Why You’ll Love Them, Too
A more healthy deal with that also satisfies the candy tooth
Fast & simple no-bake recipe
A naturally gluten-free dessert recipe
Dairy free and vegan if utilizing nondairy chocolate
Excellent stability of salty and candy, and oh-so-chocolatey!
Elements You Want for Chocolate Date & Almond Truffles
Dates: Medjool dates are the primary—virtually magical!—ingredient. They’re bigger, softer, and sweeter than different forms of dates, they usually’re truly contemporary, not dried. For that purpose, you possibly can usually discover them within the produce part of the grocery retailer, whereas dried types of dates (corresponding to Deglet Noor) are usually discovered within the dried fruit aisle close to the raisins. You too can buy them on-line; I actually like this model.
Vanilla Extract: Even chocolate treats profit from pure vanilla taste!
Cocoa Powder: You need to use both unsweetened pure or Dutch course of cocoa powder.
Almonds: Use roasted, salted almonds for the perfect taste. You need to use uncooked almonds if you want, however you’ll lose a number of taste.
Sunflower Seeds: As with the almonds, you should utilize both uncooked or roasted and/or salted sunflower seeds. You might additionally substitute pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) as a substitute, or change with extra almonds.
Chocolate: Use chocolate baking bars, corresponding to Baker’s or Ghirardelli manufacturers, for the perfect style and texture. I usually use semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, however how darkish you want your chocolate is as much as you!
You’ll additionally want salt, however provided that utilizing unsalted almonds and seeds. (And just a little flaky sea salt on high of the dipped chocolate truffles provides taste, texture, and a reasonably sparkle, too!)
The way to Make Wholesome Date & Almond Truffles
The trick to processing dates is to soak them in heat water earlier than beginning. Soaking them in heat water makes them further delicate and sticky—simply the feel you want to ensure that the truffle components to come back collectively. It’s a step I take when making Greek yogurt fruit tart, too.
You want a meals processor for these. I at the moment have two that I take advantage of for recipes like this: my bigger meals processor, and my smaller (however nonetheless mighty!) Ninja. All of the components go in, then merely press the button to course of and let the equipment do the onerous work.
As soon as the combination has come collectively right into a type of “dough,” you possibly can scoop spoonfuls of it and roll into balls.
In contrast to with common truffles or peanut butter balls, there’s no ready for the filling to sit back. You possibly can dip these chocolate almond truffles into melted chocolate instantly.
Suggestions for Dipping Fairly Truffles
You possibly can soften the chopped chocolate in a double boiler if in case you have one, however I normally simply use the microwave. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 20-second increments, stirring after every increment till utterly melted and clean. I truly like to make use of a 2-cup glass liquid measuring cup for this; I discover the depth works particularly nicely for dipping.
*I don’t suggest tempering chocolate for these date almond truffles as a result of they’re finest refrigerated; and tempered chocolate can’t be saved within the fridge.*
One other tip, and it’s utterly optionally available: Soften the chocolate with just a little little bit of oil. Simply 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil or coconut oil does the trick; it makes the chocolate coating completely clean, and it units just a little softer on the truffles.
Right here’s my secret to creating the prettiest truffles: use sweet dipping instruments! I found them after I was writing Sally’s Sweet Dependancy. For those who don’t have a spiral sweet dipping device, don’t fear—you possibly can merely use a fork as a substitute.
Drop truffle in melted chocolate.
Scoop out with the spiral sweet dipping device.
Faucet device towards bowl and permit further chocolate to drip off.
Flip truffle over onto lined baking sheet.
Rapidly raise device off truffle.
Refrigerate the dipped darkish chocolate almond truffles to set the chocolate; it takes nearly 20–half-hour.
Are These Chocolate Almond Truffles Actually Wholesome?
I say this rather a lot with the lightened-up recipes I publish, however “wholesome” is a relative time period. In my eyes, these are a reasonably wholesome chocolate deal with when loved carefully. They’re made with entire, pure components, and each almonds and sunflower seeds are an excellent supply of protein, wholesome fat, and vitamin E. Moreover, Medjool dates are excessive in fiber and antioxidants.
We’ve all heard that darkish chocolate accommodates wholesome antioxidants, however to reap these advantages, you would want to make use of actually darkish chocolate, not less than 70% cacao or increased. Utilizing semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate right here is within the vary of 56–60% cacao, and each comprise some added sugar for sweetness.
Be at liberty to make use of darker chocolate or skip the chocolate dip completely, for a good more healthy deal with with no refined sugars.
And in case you love these more healthy chocolate almond truffles, I do know you’ll additionally love these no-bake chocolate fudge oat bars and darkish chocolate sea salt almonds.
For extra inspiration, listed below are some more healthy dessert recipe concepts.
Print
Wholesome Chocolate-Lined Date & Almond Truffles
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 evaluations
Creator: Sally
Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook dinner Time:0 minutes
Complete Time:1 hour
Yield:20-22 truffles
Class:Sweet
Technique:No Bake
Delicacies:American
Description
Once you chew by the delicate chocolate shell coating and into the candy and chewy middle, you received’t consider these darkish chocolate date & almond truffles are comprised of entire, pure components like dates, nuts, and seeds. The combination comes collectively rapidly and simply in a meals processor.
Directions
Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Put aside.
Make the truffle combination: Place pitted and soaked dates, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, almonds, and sunflower seeds into your meals processor. Mix/pulse till a moist dough kinds, as pictured above. This may take a minute or two of processing. If the dough is just too dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of heat water.
As soon as dough is shaped, roll into 1-Tablespoon-size balls and place onto ready baking sheet. Put aside.
Soften the chocolate: You possibly can soften it in a double boiler or use the microwave. If utilizing the microwave: place the chocolate and oil (if utilizing) in a medium heat-proof bowl. I like to recommend utilizing a glass 2-cup liquid measuring cup as a result of its depth makes dipping very easy. Microwave for 20-second increments, stirring after every, till chocolate is totally melted and clean.
Coat in chocolate: Working with one ball at a time, submerge into the melted chocolate and swirl to coat; fastidiously raise out utilizing a fork or dipping device. Faucet the fork/device gently on the facet of the bowl/measuring cup to let extra chocolate drip off. Use a toothpick to assist slide the truffle off of the fork and onto a lined plate or baking sheet; or, if utilizing the sweet dipping device, flip the wrong way up to launch. If desired, sprinkle every with flaky sea salt whereas the chocolate remains to be moist.
Refrigerate coated truffles for not less than half-hour to set the chocolate. As soon as chocolate is about, you possibly can retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge, layered with parchment or wax paper, for as much as 10 days.
Notes
Make Forward&Freezing Directions: You can begin this recipe 1 day forward of time. The formed balls may be chilled within the fridge for as much as 3 days previous to coating with chocolate. You possibly can freeze the completed truffles for as much as 2–3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge.
Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Baking Sheet | Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper | Meals Processor or Small Blender | Double Boiler, Glass Mixing Bowls, or Liquid Measuring Cup | Sweet Dipping Instruments
Almonds: I *strongly suggest* roasted, salted almonds. Utilizing uncooked, unsalted almonds means you’ll lose a number of taste. Style testers didn’t benefit from the truffles made with uncooked, unsalted almonds. For those who select to make use of uncooked, unsalted almonds, you’ll want to add 1/8 teaspoon salt to the meals processor.
Sunflower Seeds: I like to recommend uncooked sunflower seeds. You need to use roasted, salted sunflower seeds however take into account your combination will probably be just a little saltier. Completely nice in case you get pleasure from salty/candy treats. As a substitute of utilizing sunflower seeds, you should utilize pepitas (pumpkin seeds), or use 1/2 cup of entire almonds for a complete of 1 cup (140g) entire almonds within the recipe.
Chocolate: For the best-looking and -tasting truffles, use 4-ounce “baking chocolate” bars discovered within the baking aisle. I want Baker’s or Ghirardelli manufacturers. You want two 4-ounce bars for this recipe, 8 ounces (226g) whole. You need to use semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. Don’t use chocolate chips as a result of they comprise stabilizers stopping them from melting into the right consistency for coating.
Oil With Chocolate: Simply 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil or coconut oil makes the chocolate coating completely clean, and it units just a little softer on the truffles. It’s optionally available, and you may skip it if desired.
