I didn't think these could satisfy my sweet tooth (because that's quite difficult to do, honestly). But, after making these multiple times, I even reduced the amount of chocolate chips, they're so sweet.
Another great thing about this is how many ingredients there are - six! And two of those are cinnamon and vanilla, so really only four ingredients that you may potentially have to shop for. The dates in these provide a nice, chewy texture while the almonds give them a subtle crunch. Best of both worlds here.
You can whip these up in about 15 minutes and the best part: there's no baking, no chilling, no nothing! They're ready to eat as soon as you get the ingredients combined.
So, if you're looking for a lower-calorie, NO sodium sweet treat, MAKE THESE. They are easy, very filling and rich in the chocolate satisfaction you're looking for after a meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 0 minutes. Total time: 15 minutes.
Yields: about 15 balls
Ingredients:
2/3 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
8 oz. pitted dates (about 28 dates, I used Nature's Harvest Whole Pitted Dates)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
8 oz. pitted dates (about 28 dates, I used Nature's Harvest Whole Pitted Dates)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until you have formed one big mass, with minimal loose almond or chocolate crumbs. You may have to stop and scrape the sides a few times. If you do this step, skip to step #4.
OR, if you don't have a food processor, use a puree blender to puree the almonds until they are fine, soft crumbs. Set aside in a bowl. Next, puree the dark chocolate chips until they are fine and place with almonds. Finally, use a regular blender (not a puree blender) and chop up to 4 dates at a time until they are very small chunks (like the photo shows). The finer you can get them, the better.
2. Once the almonds, chocolate chips and dates are chopped, combine them in a small bowl. Add vanilla, cinnamon and honey.
OR, if you don't have a food processor, use a puree blender to puree the almonds until they are fine, soft crumbs. Set aside in a bowl. Next, puree the dark chocolate chips until they are fine and place with almonds. Finally, use a regular blender (not a puree blender) and chop up to 4 dates at a time until they are very small chunks (like the photo shows). The finer you can get them, the better.
2. Once the almonds, chocolate chips and dates are chopped, combine them in a small bowl. Add vanilla, cinnamon and honey.
3. Stir everything together, with your hands if necessary. Mix until the ingredients stick together, and there aren't any loose almond or chocolate crumbs.
4. Using your hands, form the mixture into balls, making sure they are firm and won't fall apart.
4. Using your hands, form the mixture into balls, making sure they are firm and won't fall apart.
5. Place in the fridge to help them firm up or eat them immediately at room temperature. Store in an air tight container either way!
*Note: Nutrition facts may vary due to brand of products.
Recipe adapted from
No comments:
Post a Comment