No later than 3 years ago, I don’t think I could have ever conceptualized the idea of a cocoa treat without adding a reasonable amount of butter, sugar and eggs into the mix! No way!! A treat is a treat! That was until I went to a lingerie (direct sale) party at a friend’s place… Those little dark balls on the table intrigued me and I could not resist the temptation to taste them so I did. It was delicious, and so satisfying! When I asked what they were made of, I could not believe there was no added sugar or anything a little naughty but three ingredients, that’s it, let alone highly nutritious:

** Dates:
Health benefits of dates are uncountable, this fruit is affluent in natural fibres which not only keep your digestive system running smoothly but also help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar. Dates are high in several nutrients, especially B vitamins and the minerals magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese. Dried dates contain a very high amount of polyphenols, these micronutrients can provide antioxidant protection against cancer and heart disease. The health benefits of dates have made them the best nourishment for muscles development.

** Walnuts:
Among all nuts, walnuts pack significantly higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for optimum health. They are rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Walnuts are also one of the best plant sources of protein!

** Cocoa:
Raw cocoa that is, is jam packed with antioxidants, magnesium and bliss nutrients that can help keep you energised, healthy and happy.

What’s not to like?! So as always I looked online for these mysterious yummy balls and made my own version…

 

Type of dish: Snack, Dessert.
Serves: Sorry, I cannot answer that question for you! ;-)
Difficulty: Very easy
Cost: Medium
Prep time: 10-15 min
Cooking time: None

Ingredients:
1 cup pitted dates
1 cup walnuts
2 to 3 tablespoons raw cocoa powder (I use loving earth that you can buy at your local healthshop)
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Shredded coconut or sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation:
Add the nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Add all other ingredients and keep pulsing until the mixture is homogenous and has the desired texture (it should be sticky enough to make balls without crumbling).
Taste :-) and make any adjustments if needed.
Have fun rolling the mixture into balls!
The final touch: you can then roll the balls into coconut or sesame seeds for presentation!
Store in the fridge.

Variation:
Mix & Match: don’t hesitate to play with the proportions of each ingredient; after a first trial, you’ll be able to refine your preferred texture and taste. Try replacing the walnuts by almonds, cashews or other nuts. You can also use a mix of nuts and other seeds.

Bon appétit! ;-)