This recipe is all about chocolate and sugar. Two things I’ve been craving lately after dinner the past week. Can ya blame a girl? After treating myself to a raw vegan tiramisu my friend brought me last weekend, I’ve been on the hunt to whip up my own magical chocolate and nutty creation! Bring on the dessert and bring it on quick.
Yesterday as I was brunching with my new blogger friend Emma, she brought up how much of a sweet tooth she has. Instead of indulging in sour patch kids and Godiva chocolate bars, we tend to reach for the more whole food options. I told her of my recent go-to dessert which involves a bowl of fair-trade dark chocolate, dates, peanut butter and fruit. That is the way to cure the sweet tooth, ladies and gentlemen. Try it and thank me later!
After I brought up the idea of dates and chocolate to Emma, I headed home and thought of creating a snack that could cure anyone’s sugar fix. A few hours later, these chocolate hemp truffles appeared in my freezer and they are nothing short of wonderful and sweet.
With a little help from my friends at Nutiva, I was fortunate enough to snag a box filled with some of their plant-based goodies! In my recipe, I used their coconut manna, shelled hemp seeds and chocolate hemp protein. Because of the combination of ingredients these truffles use, they are dressed head-to-toe in healthy fats, raw protein and vegan beauty.
The protein powder is small but mighty, delivering 10g of protein in 1 serving (3 tablespoons). Although the addition of sugar might set one back compared to other protein powders on store shelves, Nutiva’s is sweetened with organic coconut sugar (low-glycemix sweetener) and because it is sweetened naturally, it is a great swap for cocoa powder in any recipe. You can think of it as a sweetened cocoa powder with extra protein! Woo-hoo!
Not only are Nutiva‘s products loaded with nutrients but their Real World Manifesto states 10 simple ideals every American should strive to live by and I could not agree more. Among these 10 ideals includes working with local and organic producers, eating unprocessed foods and inspiring their consumers to eat less corn and soy. High five Nutiva!
After trying some of the products Nutiva sells, I have to admit this is a product I firmly stand by and would recommend to all of you. Not to mention, without these products I would not have been able to create these delightful truffles that I can’t get my hands off of!
(Fair warning: after one bite you will be shoving these into your mouth like popcorn)
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 2 tbsp Nutiva Chocolate Hemp Protein
- 1 tbsp Nutiva Shelled Hempseeds
- 2 tbsp Nutiva Coconut Manna
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Process dates in food processor until they start to shred/are blended well.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients aside from the cocoa powder. Process until well incorporated.
- Roll dough into tablespoon sized balls onto parchment paper or into a tupperware container (whichever fits best in your freezer). You should be able to make a dozen truffle balls. Coat 6 in the cocoa powder, leave the other 6 (or other half) uncoated.
- Place in freezer for minimum 3 hours, but best results overnight!
- Snack away 🙂
After this recipe I realized a few essential things that I love:
1. Dates. Even though they’re high in sugar, they’re the sweetest natural candy you can find. I’ve been a huge fan of Larabars for years now due to their minimal ingredients and on-the-go stature. However, now that I own a food processor – homemade versions are where it’s at.
2. Making my own desserts. I know the ingredients and they cost much less to make. Besides, who doesn’t love whipping up a fun recipe in the kitchen that you can share with friends?
3. Coconut. Anything with coconut rolled into it/apart of it/involved in it. Yup.
And what I love the most?
4. Nutiva’s wide selection of coconut-based products.
Because you can never have too many jars of coconut butter, flour, flakes, macaroons and oil on your shelves! And thanks to Nutiva, my collection just got a whole lot bigger. #foodieproblems
P.S. These would taste delicious on top of a bowl of oatmeal or smoothie. You’re welcome 🙂
-Addie
Thank you to Nutiva for supplying me with their products. You can buy their merchandise in your local Whole Foods Market or on their online store.
Check out Nutiva’s The Kitchen Table for more recipes!
*** All opinions are my own. ***
