June 16, 2023
Healthy Chocolate Truffles | Chocolate Dates
Gluten-free | Refined sugar-free | Dairy-free | Nut-free Optional
Makes 16-18
Why it's delicious
A sweet treat without all the guilt attached is a wonderful thing! In this recipe, we take good quality, sugar-free all-natural dark chocolate, melt it gently and then use it to encase fresh, naturally sweet dates. The combination is wonderful and so much better than pre-bought processed chocolate truffles.
Helpful hints + tips
Chocolate: The goodness in this little treat lies within your ability to source and purchase good quality pure dark chocolate. Normal store-bought chocolate and cooking chocolate is full of sugar, so avoid them at all cost. You may have to go to the health food store or stay within the health food section of your supermarket, but it’s worth the effort.
Dates: Only fresh dates work here as well, dried dates just won't cut it! If you are struggling to find fresh dates, small fresh figs sliced in half also work.
Ingredients
- 300 g (10.5 oz) sugar-free dark chocolate
- ½ - 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 16-18 fresh Medjool dates, carefully pitted
A couple of tablespoons of each of your favourite toppings
- Dried rose petals
- Organic cocoa nibs
- Coconut flakes
- Chopped nuts
Method
- Heat a medium-sized pot with about 5cm (2 inches) of water to a gentle simmer. Add the chocolate to a metal bowl that just sits over the pot without touching the water and allow the chocolate to gently melt, stirring occasionally with a small spatula until the chocolate is liquid.
- Stirring with a small spoon, add ½ to 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil until it is perfectly smooth.
- Sit a wire rack over a tray to catch any chocolate drips, and then working with one pitted date at a time, poke the end of the date with a bamboo skewer and, using a tablespoon to assist you, dip the date through the chocolate to evenly coat it.
- Lay the date onto the wire rack to set and sprinkle with your preferred topping. Continue dipping the date until they are all coated and topped, and set the tray in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour.
- When ready to serve, using a small thin spatula or knife set in a cup of hot water, carefully slide the spatula or knife under the truffle to dislodge it.
- Place in an airtight container in the fridge until you a ready for a little indulgence.