Chocolate Bliss Balls

In keeping with the chocolate-decadent-yet-healthy theme that appears to be developing this week on my blog, I bring you… chocolate bliss balls.

If you’ve never had a bliss ball, well, then you truly haven’t lived. They’re kind of a cross between a truffle and an energy bar, but so delicious! And they are really, really healthy–don’t let the chocolate fool you.

I’ve been experimenting with and enjoying a new product lately called RA Energy. It’s a blend of seeds, including sprouted buckwheat, hemp, chia and flax, that comes in a shaker. I’m sure you are all familiar with Holy Crap, that local success story from the Sunshine Coast. I have Holy Crap in my house, and yes, I eat it for breakfast sometimes. What makes this stuff different, is that you can put it on anything–it’s not just for breakfast. There is a plain, a sweetened, and a garlic version. One of my fave snacks lately has been to spread some nut butter on a rice cake, and sprinkle some of the sweet RA Energy on top. I’m also adding it to my morning smoothie. It’s a great way to help get more Omegas in your diet.

So–on to the bliss balls. This is a very loose recipe. Take the base of the dates, nut butter and chocolate, and add what kinds of nuts and seeds you like to make it the right consistency. Roll them in coconut. Roll them in cacao. Roll them in raw cacao nibs. They won’t last long, though–but you don’t need to feel guilty about indulging.

Also, it’s that time of the year… and these remind me of my all-time favourite SNL Christmas sketch. No one can resist my Schweddy Balls.

Chocolate Bliss Balls

(vegan, gluten-free)

Ingredients: 

• 6 pitted medjool dates
• 1/4 c almonds
• 1/4 c hazlenuts
• 2 tbsp ground flax
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tbsp nut butter (I used sunflower seed butter)
• 3 tbsp RA Energy (sweet or plain)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
• 1-2 tbsps maple syrup (optional, if you like them sweeter)

Method: 

• Soak the dates in water for about 4 hours, until they are really soft.
• In the bowl of your food processor, add the nuts, and process until they are quite fine. Add the dates next, then the rest of the ingredients. Process until everything is smooth and integrated.
• Scoop up the date mixture by the spoonful and roll into balls with your hands. Roll the balls in coconut, cacao powder, or cacao nibs.
• Refrigerate for an hour or so to let them set up, and then enjoy.