Pure and Simple Truffles
Fortunately my recent chocolate cravings coincide with learning that raw cacao is one of the most important antioxidants and beneficial super foods!
A confessed pastry lover, yes! But I’ve never been a chocoholic until recently with the onset of peri menopause. Cacao has officially crept onto my radar. Now, when it's chocolate I want, nothing else will do! Fortunately my recent chocolate cravings coincide with learning that raw cacao is one of the most important antioxidants and beneficial super foods! I’ve also learned to listen to what my body tells me it needs, and these truffles are so healthful we all need to eat them!
Along with Cacao's antioxidant powers, this super food is loaded with PEA (the feel good, love neurotransmitter), resveratrol, vitamin A, B1-B6, C, E, Omega 6 fatty acid, tryptophan, serotonin and a host of trace minerals and enzymes. This recipe can also be spiked with tonic herbs too; a dropper of schizandra and goji berry to cleanse your liver or ho shu wu extracts to increase your stamina and up the healing ante.
There are many versions of raw cacao truffles but most include loads of cashew butter, cacao butter and agave which are calories and fat laden, albeit good fats. However, these super creamy dreamy chocolaty truffles are from my “pure and simple” pastry line which contain just fruit, nuts and spices, a small amount of healthy fat and no sugar.
Raw food lends itself exceptionally well to sweets. For taste alone, I’ll choose a raw desert over a traditional baked version hands down. Try a raw cookie, ice cream, cinnamon roll, pie, cheese cake, brownie or truffle but be ready it’s the gateway drug to raw food!
Hazelnut Cacao Truffle Base
1 C dates
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½ C. hazelnut meal
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. hazelnut extract (or vanilla extract)
¼ C. cacao powder
Topping
½ C. hazelnuts,
1 tsp. cinnamon
coconut sugar.
Process
Topping: Process topping ingredients into a fine powder. Set aside.
Truffles: Process dates until they form a ball. Remove ball from food processor and set aside. In processor, pulse hazelnuts, cinnamon and flavored extract of choice until finely mixed. Add date ball until combined. Add ½ of the cacao until well incorporated. Add second half and process until smooth. Roll into a big ball, cover and refrigerate over night. Roll truffles into small balls and roll through agave and then toss in powder topping. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Garam Masala Truffle Base
1 C. dates
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4 C. cashew meal
½ tsp. garam masala
½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. coconut sugar or one dropper of liquid stevia
¼ C. cacao powder
Topping
¼ C. garam masala
2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
Process with above instructions.
Berry Truffle Base
1 C. dates
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½ C. macadamia nuts
¼ tsp. ground ginger
¼ freeze dried berry of your choice
½ tsp. vanilla extra
Topping
1 pkg. freeze dried berries
½ tsp. vanilla powder or extract.
Process with above instructions.
