If you chunk via the tender chocolate shell coating and into the candy and chewy heart, you gained’t imagine these darkish chocolate date & almond truffles are created from complete, pure elements 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 pictures and extra useful success suggestions.
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 very decadent deal with. I do know a ball created from dates and nuts operating 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 typically known as nature’s sweet, and for good purpose: with their caramel-like candy taste and tender, chewy texture, they’re harking back to tender 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 instances! Totally different variations that every 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 very versatile recipe. ★★★★★“
One other reader, Tiana, commented: “These had been unbelievable! I actually 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
- Good stability of salty and candy, and oh-so-chocolatey!
Substances You Want for Chocolate Date & Almond Truffles
- Dates: Medjool dates are the principle—virtually magical!—ingredient. They’re bigger, softer, and sweeter than different sorts 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 kinds of dates (comparable 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 very best taste. You need to use uncooked almonds if you want, however you’ll lose loads of taste.
- Sunflower Seeds: As with the almonds, you should use both uncooked or roasted and/or salted sunflower seeds. You would additionally substitute pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) as a substitute, or exchange with extra almonds.
- Chocolate: Use chocolate baking bars, comparable to Baker’s or Ghirardelli manufacturers, for the very best 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 a bit flaky sea salt on prime of the dipped chocolate truffles provides taste, texture, and a fairly sparkle, too!)
Easy methods 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 additional tender and sticky—simply the feel you want to ensure that the truffle elements to return 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 elements 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 form 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 immediately.
Suggestions for Dipping Fairly Truffles
You possibly can soften the chopped chocolate in a double boiler you probably 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 advocate 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 a bit 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 a bit softer on the truffles.
Right here’s my secret to creating the prettiest truffles: use sweet dipping instruments! I found them once I was writing Sally’s Sweet Habit. 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 additional chocolate to drip off.
- Flip truffle over onto lined baking sheet.
- Shortly carry 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 fairly wholesome chocolate deal with when loved sparsely. They’re made with complete, pure elements, and each almonds and sunflower seeds are 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 wish 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 include some added sugar for sweetness.
Be happy to make use of darker chocolate or skip the chocolate dip fully, for a fair more healthy deal with with no refined sugars.
And if you happen to 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 here are some more healthy dessert recipe concepts.
Wholesome Chocolate-Coated Date & Almond Truffles
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Prepare dinner Time: 0 minutes
Complete Time: 1 hour
Yield: 20-22 truffles
Class: Sweet
Methodology: No Bake
Delicacies: American
Description
If you chunk via the tender chocolate shell coating and into the candy and chewy heart, you gained’t imagine these darkish chocolate date & almond truffles are created from complete, pure elements 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 can take a minute or two of processing. If the dough is simply 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; rigorously carry 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 advocate* roasted, salted almonds. Utilizing uncooked, unsalted almonds means you’ll lose loads 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 should definitely 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 accout your combination will probably be a bit saltier. Completely advantageous if you happen to get pleasure from salty/candy treats. As an alternative of utilizing sunflower seeds, you should use pepitas (pumpkin seeds), or use 1/2 cup of complete almonds for a complete of 1 cup (140g) complete almonds within the recipe.
- Chocolate: For the best-looking and -tasting truffles, use 4-ounce “baking chocolate” bars discovered within the baking aisle. I desire Baker’s or Ghirardelli manufacturers. You want two 4-ounce bars for this recipe, 8 ounces (226g) complete. You need to use semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. Don’t use chocolate chips as a result of they include 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 a bit softer on the truffles. It’s optionally available, and you may skip it if desired.
