Chocolate-Coated Date & Almond Truffles
If you chew by the gentle chocolate shell coating and into the candy and chewy heart, 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 shortly and simply in a meals processor.
I initially printed this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photographs 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 comprised of dates and nuts operating round calling itself a chocolate truffle takes loads 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 cause: with their caramel-like candy taste and gentle, chewy texture, they’re harking back to gentle caramel candies. They usually’re a miracle ingredient for making more healthy treats and sweetening them naturally.
When you’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! Totally different variations that each one turned out nice. I’ve made them dipped and plain, I’ve used pecans as an alternative of almonds or sunflower seeds. It’s a very versatile recipe. ★★★★★“
One other reader, Tiana, commented: “These have been improbable! 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 kinds of dates, they usually’re really recent, not dried. For that cause, you possibly can sometimes discover them within the produce part of the grocery retailer, whereas dried types of dates (comparable to Deglet Noor) are sometimes discovered within the dried fruit aisle close to the raisins. You can too buy them on-line; I really like this brand.
- 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 one of the best taste. You need to use uncooked almonds if you want, however you’ll lose plenty of taste.
- Sunflower Seeds: As with the almonds, you need to use both uncooked or roasted and/or salted sunflower seeds. You may additionally substitute pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) as an alternative, or change with extra almonds.
- Chocolate: Use chocolate baking bars, comparable to Baker’s or Ghirardelli manufacturers, for one of the best style and texture. I sometimes 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 of flaky sea salt on prime of the dipped chocolate truffles provides taste, texture, and a fairly sparkle, too!)
The best 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 additional gentle and sticky—simply the feel you want to ensure that the truffle components 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 exploit for recipes like this: my bigger food 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 exhausting work.
As soon as the combination has come collectively right into a sort 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’ll be able to dip these chocolate almond truffles into melted chocolate immediately.
Suggestions for Dipping Fairly Truffles
You’ll be able to 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 easy. I really 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 non-obligatory: Soften the chocolate with a bit of little bit of oil. Simply 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil or coconut oil does the trick; it makes the chocolate coating completely easy, and it units a bit of softer on the truffles.
Right here’s my secret to creating the prettiest truffles: use candy dipping tools! I found them after I was writing Sally’s Sweet Dependancy. When you don’t have a spiral sweet dipping device, don’t fear—you possibly can merely use a fork as an alternative.
- 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.
- 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 loads 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 moderately. 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, no 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 happy to make use of darker chocolate or skip the chocolate dip completely, for an excellent more healthy deal with with no refined sugars.
And when 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 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
Technique: No Bake
Delicacies: American
Description
If you chew by the gentle chocolate shell coating and into the candy and chewy heart, 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 shortly 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 types, as pictured above. It will 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’ll be able to 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 easy.
- Coat in chocolate: Working with one ball at a time, submerge into the melted chocolate and swirl to coat; rigorously raise out utilizing a fork or dipping tool. Faucet the fork/device gently on the aspect 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 other way up to launch. If desired, sprinkle every with flaky sea salt whereas the chocolate continues to be moist.
- Refrigerate coated truffles for no 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’ll be able to 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 | Food Processor or Small Blender | Double Boiler, Glass Mixing Bowls, or Liquid Measuring Cup | Candy Dipping Tools
- Almonds: I *strongly advocate* roasted, salted almonds. Utilizing uncooked, unsalted almonds means you’ll lose plenty of taste. Style testers didn’t benefit from the truffles made with uncooked, unsalted almonds. When you 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 have in mind your combination shall be a bit of saltier. Completely positive when you get pleasure from salty/candy treats. As a substitute of utilizing sunflower seeds, you need to use 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 favor 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 comprise stabilizers stopping them from melting into the proper consistency for coating.
- Oil With Chocolate: Simply 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil or coconut oil makes the chocolate coating completely easy, and it units a bit of softer on the truffles. It’s non-obligatory, and you may skip it if desired.
