Christmas is notoriously a time of excesses and these fabulous bliss balls are no exception…providing an excess of goodness! These snowy balls are packed with nutrients, combining plenty of protein and fibre for lasting fullness with the natural sweetness of dates for that energising kick to keep you going. For that chocolate fix, the raw cacao turns them into a truly indulgent snack; a perfect swap when you’re looking for a healthier treat over the festive period.
They will keep in the fridge for a week or so (if they last that long!) as well as the freezer, making them a perfect snack to grab at the beginning of the day for later.
To make these Bliss Balls, you’ll need….
- 50g Almonds, whole or ground
- 50g Cashews, whole
- 100g pitted dried Dates (can use mixture of dates and dried figs)
- 30g raw Cacao
- 30g Chia seeds
- 60g Oats
- 85g Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Desiccated coconut – toasted for coating (optional)
Here’s how…
If using whole almonds and cashews, start by blending them in a food processor to a course texture. Then add the dates along with all the other ingredients and pulse until well combined and finely blended. Start with 3 tbsp coconut oil and if the mixture is still crumbly and difficult to form into a ball after combining, use a little more. I usually have to scrape down the sides of the blender a couple of times to ensure a good consistency.
They are now ready to roll into small balls. Put the toasted coconut onto a small plate and roll each ball around until fully coated.
Refrigerate for a firmer texture for an hour before serving.
NB: These quantities can be adjusted according to taste.
Variations:
- Use dried Apricots instead of Dates for a more tangy, less sweet ball
- For a more smooth texture, you can leave out the oats
- Replace the oats with shredded coconut
- Add ground Cinnamon or ground Ginger for a spicy alternative
Nutritional Nugget
So what is Raw Cacao? It is the raw unprocessed chocolate (cacao) bean that has not been roasted. It is high in Magnesium, which makes it a great energiser, as magnesium is crucial in the energy production process.
By May Simpkin, MSc Personalised Nutrition
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About The Author
May Simpkin
Qualified nutritionist May is passionate about the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Her no-nonsense approach focuses on realistic, practical and achievable advice to improve health and wellbeing.