Welcome to Cacti Kitchen! I am so excited and anxious to share with you the many recipes I have tested and created in my kitchen!
I am absolutely crazy about dark chocolate and after seeing many redentions of these truffles also known as, "bliss balls, rough balls..." I decided to create my own recipe, focusing on my favorite ingredient: raw cacao powder. Cacao powder has many nutritional benefits that many people are not yet familiar with. Cacao powder is exceptionally high in antioxidants, more so than acai berries, green tea and red wine! It is also a good source of fiber, potassium, iron and calcium. I have also read that cacao powder is a natural aphrodisiac because it contains anandamide and phenylethylamine, natural mood enhancers :) To ensure you are receiving the maximum benefits of cacao powder be sure to only purchase high quality, raw and organic cacao powder. I purchased mine from a local natural foods store, the brand's website is MyOjio.com.
So get in your kitchen and make these delicious and happiness-inducing bliss balls! Recipe makes about 20 :)
1 cup shredded coconut, another 1/2 cup for sprinkling
1/4 cup cacao powder/ cocoa powder
1/2 cup medjool dates or regular dates soaked in water for at least an hour, drained
1/2 cup nuts (I used cashews)
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp honey (or 3 if you want them sweeter)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Add only the coconut to a food processor and process for about 3-4 minutes. Remove 1/2 cup coconut for sprinking.
2. Add the nuts to the remaining coconut and process for about 4 minutes.
3. Add all other ingredients and process until smooth, scraping sides of the bowl when needed. The mixture may form a ball.
4. Roll mixture into balls by the tablespoon, (mixture will be sticky)
5. Roll in coconut until completely covered, if you want to experiment a little you could roll the balls in almond meal, cacao powder or chopped nuts if you like!
6. Place bliss balls in an air tight container and keep in the refridgerate for at least an hour before serving, depending on how much self control you have!
Enjoy!
