Luscious Raspberry Chocolate Truffles
GLUTEN FREE, GRAIN FREE, DAIRY FREE, SOY FREE, EGG FREE, PALEO
I really don’t need to say much about these. Raspberries and chocolate combined to make exquisitely fudgy, totally luscious, truffles. Combine with a cup of tea and enter into bliss.
Recipe (makes 24)
120g raw cashews
160g fresh, pitted dates (this worked out to be 10 dates)
3 ½ tbsp raw cacao powder (feel free to use cocoa powder if that’s what’s in your pantry)
½ tsp pure vanilla essence
1 tbsp coconut butter or coconut oil (my preference is for coconut butter)
1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup if you want to make these vegan)
20g freeze dried raspberries, crushed**
Pinch of salt
OPTIONAL COATINGS
Freeze dried raspberries, crushed
Melted dark chocolate (the 70-100% dark, dairy and soy free kind)
Raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
**NOTE: Freeze dried fruit is very different to ordinary dried fruit and different again to frozen fruit. The consistency of freeze dried fruit is reminiscent of polystyrene, it crumbles to a fine powder when pressed and has an intense flavour. You can source freeze dried fruit at health food stores and specialty supermarkets.
Method
Place the cashews, dates, cacao powder and salt in a high speed blender, or food processor, and blitz until very well processed and sticking together.
Next add all remaining ingredients to your blender and blitz until well combined.
Roll your mixture into balls (mine were about ½-1 tbsp each in size) and place in the fridge to firm up for about 2 hours.
At this point you may wish to eat them as they are (perfectly delicious and ridiculously fudgey), or you may wish to up the decadent level and roll them in some luscious coatings.
I roughly divided my truffles into thirds and rolled some in extra cacao, some in some extra freeze-dried raspberries (crushed) and some in melted dark chocolate. If you want to get super-duper delicious my absolute favourite version is first rolled in crushed freeze dried raspberries, and then rolled in melted chocolate. Place in the fridge until firm.
Pop on the kettle and brew yourself a cup of your favourite tea (rose and hibiscus tea anyone?). Then put your feet up and drift into bliss.
