I’m going to be honest, up until a few years ago the thought of raw desserts made me depressed, I mean, why eat something that claims to be chocolate, but isn’t, when you could just eat actual chocolate instead!? However, the year before last I started focusing on what I was eating and limiting food items that cause inflammation (sugar, grains etc), and obviously chocolate was one of the first things that was put on the ‘special occasions’ list. Kinda sad because there’s this dark Lindt chocolate with candied hazelnuts in it that I could quite literally eat *all* day, but that’s life isn’t it?
I heard a lot about raw chocolate and was always a bit sceptical, but one day decided to make some chocolate balls myself – and was flabbergasted that they’re delicious and pretty close to actual chocolate, sans sugar and other nasties! Even Ben likes them which is shocking. I’m pretty sure you’ll know all about these types of protein/raw ballsĀ as they’ve become pretty common on the healthy eating circuit, but I just had to share my little salty take on them. Mainly because they’re a life saver for someone who has toĀ have something sweet after dinner, and also cos they’re really easy to make but people tend to be quite impressed when you share them (winning!).Ā Without further rambling, read on forĀ episode two of ‘ridiculously easyĀ recipesĀ Geneva makes on a Sunday afternoon’ (see ep 1 here).
Easy Raw Chocolate Balls
Make about 25 balls
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of medjool dates (about 16)
- 1/2 a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups of raw almonds
- 1 cup of desiccated or shredded coconut
- a big pinch of salt
How to:
1. Soak your dates for an hour and then remove the seeds.
2. Blend your almonds into gravel sized pieces, and then add your dates and blend again.
3. Add your coconut, salt and cocoa powder and blend one last time until a paste has been formed. If it’s too wet add more almonds. Make sure to have a taste and see if you wasn’t to adjust the flavour, more cocoa will make a more chocolate-y ball.
4. Using your hands, roll the mixture into balls and then coat in coconut by rolling.
Store in the freezer and eat frozen with your afternoon cup of tea!
Photos by Nicola Lemmon
I used to also be on the fence about raw chocolate until my friend actually made me taste some and I was immediately sold! This recipe sounds delicious, thanks for sharing it!
Your welcome. I know what you mean, it sounds like it would be horrible doesn’t it?
You’re so creative. How can you even come up with all these ideas?! Amazing
Hi love! Thanks! I’ve been seeing these in health food cafes for years and am glad I gave them a go finally š x
super creative. My children always want to eat so much chocolate, but its got so much sugar. Definiely will give this a go
Omg this is so easy and looks delicious! x http://www.justsavxnnah.com
Trust me, they are! x
yummy I want to make these
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Thanks! I’m glad you like them and can’t wait to hear how you go. x
they look so yummy
Happy Friday
Ewelina
xoxoxo
chiclifestyleofewelina.blogspot.com
This looks so yummy, I really wanna try this! I’ve also seen these goodies at http://www.renskroes.com, but these are easier to make.
The pictures are so pretty <3
Love the addition of salt. I have some beautiful pink salt from the Murray river which would be delightful in this
Yummyy!!! These look insanely good <3
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Looks like a great , simple, healthy snack to quickly put together if you have a little craving for chocolate. Thanks for the recipe!
Danielle
http://beautyandbourbon.co
The colors are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. !!
Love it!
ā„ ā„ FASHION-SPIKE.blogspot.com ā„ ā„
this looks nice; my only objection would be the dates as I’m not a big fan of them!
nevertheless this seems to be a healthy nutritious sweet treat!
http://www.lifeofchi.co.uk
This loos so similar to the Brazilian dessert Brigadeiros and Beijinhos (also my dog’s name) – definitely trying this recipe!
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
I love cooking with medjool dates, they’re so sweet and tasty! I love finding healthier alternatives to sweet treats!
these look so cute and sound delicious – I’m always looking for healthier ways to satisfy my sweet tooth!
These look great! Will have to try this recipe š
It’s That Time For … February Favourites!
I don’t really get it because dates are about 60-70% sugar. This might taste great and it looks like a nice dessert but sugar is still very much included.
I’m getting hungry just looking at the pictures – the struggle is real.
jeansandmacaroons.blogspot.com
What a great idea!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
This looks so easy and so delicious!! Thanks for sharing š
Carla.
http://www.alanaandkyra.com/
I’ve never known cocoa powder was called ‘raw’. We just called it ‘the real’ thing back when I was growing up. I love your blog and have shared it with 3 daughters your age.
[…] is cooking and I am looking for dessert ideas forĀ the fam later this evening. So far this and this look banging’. Have a good one guysĀ and here are a few eye candiesĀ around the world wide […]
I’ve seen dates as a main ingredient for raw recipes and desserts without added sugar a few times! But I haven’t had much experience with them. I would love to see a few recipes that use dates all together. It would be a cool way to get a sense of how these sweet fruits fit into to healthy recipes.
Hi, Can you substitute raisins for the dates? I only have raisins on hand at the moment!! Thanks
im with you on the not wanting to eat chocolate that isn’t actually chocolate but these look so good. will have to try them out!
Hum!!
Delicius!
Hi, love the recipe. I too have been trying to cut down on certain foods. So many of the sweet recipes require medjool dates which I’ve struggled to find in Hong Kong. Where do you get yours from? Thanks!
These look so good, will definitely be trying them out! Thanks š http://kirsty.ws/
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They look really good!
https://justsem.wordpress.com/
look soo good ! want to eat these right now !
http://nurielfashion.blogspot.co.il/2015/02/hello-everyone-it-has-been-exhausting.html
[…] I’m going to be honest, up until a few years ago the thought of raw desserts made me depressed, I mean, why eat something that claims to be chocolate, but isn’t, when you could just eat actual chocolate instead! […]
[…] I’m going to be honest, up until a few years ago the thought of raw desserts made me depressed, I mean, why eat something that claims to be chocolate, but isn’t, when you could just eat actual chocolate instead! […]
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!