Guilt-free decadence in a mouthful... What could be more satisfying than chocolate with absolutely no nasties, and that you have made yourself? Coconut in Sanskrit is known as kalpa vriksha, meaning ‘the tree that supplies all that is needed to live’. Coconuts are the most health enhancing in their young stage of growth. Their flesh and oil are high in the saturated fat lauric acid that has the ability to rejuvenate oxidative tissue damage, improve the functioning of the nervous system and much more. This fat is thermogenic (raises our metabolic rate) and improves energy levels.
Raw cacao (Theobroma cacao), ‘food of the gods’, is undoubtedly a super food, abundant in potent antioxidants and loaded with health promoting minerals. Creamed coconut comes in a glass jar and is available at well-stocked health stores. It is 100% pure coconut flesh in a concentrated form, where the moisture has been removed before it is whipped into a creamy paste. It is solid at room temperature. Place jar in a pot of boiled water for about 15-20 minutes, or until it has a gooey consistency and you can easily mix it. Cacao nibs are essentially the raw cacao bean, chopped up - as close as can be to the natural form.
Ingredients (makes ~20-25 balls)
- 1 cup raw almonds or hazelnuts
- Flesh of one young coconut (80-100g), scooped out and tough bits removed
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
- 4 tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 4 tablespoons melted creamed coconut
- ¼ cup raw cacao nibs
- Desiccated coconut for rolling
Method
- Place the nuts in a food processor and process to a fine meal. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Place the coconut flesh and dates in the food processor and process until smooth. Add the nut meal meal and cacao powder and process to combine.
- Add the melted creamed coconut and process to combine.
- Add the cacao nibs and process to combine.
- Prepare one small plate with desiccated coconut and one large empty plate.
- Scoop out about one tablespoon of the mix (~30g). Roll to make a ball and then roll in desiccated coconut. Place on free plate, and continue to do this for the remainder of the mix. Refrigerate for about one hour to set. Transfer to an airtight glass jar.
- Balls will keep for a week.
Variations
For nut-free truffles you could use activated buckwheat instead of the nuts.