Characteristics
This fun and decadent treat makes a great snack or dessert that you can feel good about eating. It is based solely on wholesome ingredients, including a variety of powerful superfoods. The truffles are rich in protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are naturally low in sodium, have no refined sugars and all of their calories are nutrient dense. They are super easy and quick to make and require no cooking, meaning that you benefit from the highest level of nutritional integrity.
TYPE: Dessert, Snack
PREPARATION: < 15 mins
SERVING: Makes about 40 truffles
- Raw
- 100% Plant-based (Vegan)
- Grain-free
- Wheat-free
- Gluten-free
- Peanut-free
- Soy-free
- Corn-free
- Refined sugar-free
Goodies Needed*
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- ½ cup hemp seeds
- 10 Medjool dates (pits removed)
- ½ cup raw cacao powder + extra for coating
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp pure peppermint extract
TOOLS:
- Food processor
- Measuring cup
- Utensils
- Dish for truffles
Preparation Steps
- Place all of the ingredients into your food processor and mix until ingredients form a uniform mixture that clumps together, nearly as one piece. Mixture will be like play-dough.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of the cacao powder onto a plate.
- Using your hands, remove some of the mixture and form into truffle-sized balls. 4. Roll each ball around in the cacao powder, coating it evenly.
- Chill for a few hours in the fridge before serving, or enjoy as is, at room temperature.
Notes:
- These balls can be made ahead of time and kept frozen until ready for use. Store balls in the fridge or freezer at all times when not serving.
- Choose organic ingredients, whenever possible.
Meal Nutritional Benefits
Almonds / Almond Butter
- provide healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
- provide phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provide vitamins, especially vitamin A, E, and most B vitamins, including folate
- provide minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, and manganese
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, osteoporosis, and other diseases
- Tips: Choose organic and raw almonds and almond butter, as conventional almonds and roasted almonds have pesticide, toxin, and other health concerns.
Hemp Seeds
- excellent source of healthy fats (35%) and protein (25%)
- provide healthy carbohydrates and fiber
- excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, including an optimal omega-3 to omega-6 ratio (1:3)
- provide phytonutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provide vitamins, especially vitamin A and E, and some B vitamins
- provide minerals, especially phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protect against heart disease, cancers, diabetes type 2, and other chronic diseases
Medjool Dates
- provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
- provide phytonutrients and antioxidants
- have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties
- provide vitamins, especially the B vitamins
- provide minerals, especially potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and iron
- support optimal health, energy, weight, healing, and prevention
- support digestive, immune, and cardiovascular health
Cacao (Powder, Nibs, Beans)
- provides healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
- provides lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provides vitamins, especially most B vitamins
- provides minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium
- supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- contains euphoric properties (anandamide), aphrodisiac properties (arginine), anti-depressant properties (tryptophan), anti-aging properties, and helps to stimulate and balance brain activity
- helps maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar
- protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases
- Tips: This information applies specifically to pure cacao products and not any chocolate with added dairy, sugar, or other additives. Choose organic and raw pure cacao products for maximum nutrition and health benefits.
Maple Syrup
- provides mostly simple carbohydrates (sugars) and about 20% fewer calories than honey
- provides antioxidants and phytonutrients
- provides trace amounts of B vitamins
- provides minerals, especially manganese, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, copper, and magnesium
- serves as a good, natural sweetener option, which provides some nutrition and health benefits
Lemons
- provide alkalizing, cleansing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial benefits
- provide lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
- provide some vitamins and minerals, most specifically vitamin C
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and liver function
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, infections, and other diseases
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