Name: 15 Minute Healthy Dark Chocolate Truffles
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 15 dates (dried, pits removed); 3/4 cups sliced or slivered almonds; 1/2 cup pecans; 1/4 cup cocoa powder (plus 2 tablespoons if needed); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon agave syrup ((or honey)); 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup hot water; Optional truffle coating: coconut flakes, sprinkles, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These healthy dark chocolate truffles are ready in 15 minutes - no cooking or baking involved. The truffles are packed with fiber, healthy fats, and other nutrients - a dessert you can feel good about!

On my last day of work for the year I brought home all the chocolate I got from co-workers and friends in the last few weeks. This is both ''Merry Christmas" chocolate and ''Happy Birthday" chocolate - so there was a lot of chocolate.

I love love LOVE chocolate.Yes, chocolate gets three ''loves." Aldo and I always measure how much I actually like things by counting how many times I say ''love." Aldo is is the only one who gets more than three ''loves." He gets all the loves.

But I started reading the ingredients on all the chocolate, and why are cocoa and cocoa butter third on the list after sugar and vegetable oil? And what is in the artificial flavors?

Now don't get me wrong - I ate every piece of chocolate. And also indulged in these hot chocolate bombs.

But after the new year I wanted to come up with a healthier dessert for after the holiday season. Because lets face it, I won't give up actually eating dessert.

And these healthy dark chocolate truffles are an amazing dessert. They are made from totally natural ingredients, only with natural sweeteners - dried dates and agave syrup (or honey). Cocoa powder is very healthy and contains a lot of antioxidants and flavonoids, fiber, and a ton of good-for-you minerals. The other ingredients are almonds and pecans, and both contain fiber, protein, and vitamin E.

Related recipe: Healthy Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

Related recipe: Healthy Chocolate Hummus

Now this is not to say these are diet truffles. All of the ingredients contain some fat, fiber, or sugar (natural sugar is still sugar), and this all adds up to the truffles being a calorie dense food. But they are all calories that are bringing you much needed nutrients, so these truffles can definitely be part of a healthy lifestyle.

I've made these a few times before, and decided to make a double batch this time to bring to a family dinner party. They were devoured pretty fast.

If you don't like super dark chocolate, then use ¼ cup of cocoa powder without the extra 2 tablespoons. Me? I love dark chocolate - the more cocoa powder the better.

Related recipe: Grinch Chocolate Truffles

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

15 Minute Healthy Dark Chocolate Truffles

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: (12 truffles total)

Author: Kate

Ingredients

15 dates - dried, pits removed
¾ cups sliced or slivered almonds
½ cup pecans
¼ cup cocoa powder - plus 2 tablespoons if needed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon agave syrup - (or honey)
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup hot water
Optional truffle coating: coconut flakes, sprinkles, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts

Instructions

Soak the dates in hot water while you get the rest of the ingredients and start on step 2 (about 5 minutes). The water should be hot to the touch but not hot enough to burn you.
Process the almonds in a food processor until coarse almond meal is formed. Add the pecans and process until they are ground up into a coarse meal as well.
Drain the dates and use your hand to squeeze out excess water. Add the drained dates, ¼ cup cocoa powder, vanilla extract, agave nectar, and salt to the food processor. Process until a smooth paste forms. If the paste is very sticky, add up to 2 more tablespoons of cocoa and process until combined.
Use a tablespoon measure to help you form the truffles. Pack a heaping tablespoon of the mixture into the tablespoon measure. Scoop out the mixture and use your hands to form a tightly packed ball of truffle goodness. It is best to squeeze the mixture into little truffles instead of trying to roll them out.
Optional: gently roll the truffles in the toppings of your choice.

Notes

These truffles will keep for 3 days at room temperature in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.