Happy “OMG I can’t believe it’s FR#$**IN December” guys!! I thought I’d kick the month off with something we’ll be seeing a lot of this season… a little sweet treat. But have no fear, my “Feel-good Chocolate Truffles” are not the devilish little suckers they might appear to be.
Oh no… you won’t find any butter, cream, or corn syrup in this recipe. Nope! All you will find are some feel-good ingredients like prunes, dates, and a little almond butter!! Don’t ask me how, but some how or other the combination of some dried fruits along with a little agave nectar and a bit of cacao and cocoa powder really do taste like a rich chocolate truffle. Trust me guys, I’ve learned… some times it’s better not to ask the how’s or why’s. If it works it works. Period. And I’m telling you, these work!
Since this does tend to be the the season of sugar I posted a list of "Natural Alternatives to White Sugar" over in "Food for Thought". Hopefully this will give you some ideas on ways to avoid getting sucked into roller-coaster-of-the-sugar-blues during this holiday season (God, I love the holidays… I really, really love them).
On another note, let me give you a little update. I’m still pregnant and other than nausea, dry heaves, and what appears to be a beer belly, all is well in preggo-ville. One more week and I’m out of the first trimester.
But what’s even more exciting (in an instant gratification type of way) is that I actually heard back from "The Food Network" (thanks again to everyone for watching my video and leaving a comment!!)!! I got an email saying that I made it to the next round:). They asked me to submit a resume, a couple more pictures, and thirty recipes… so that’s what I did! Now I have no idea how many people make it to this round or how close I am to actually being chosen, but either way it’s still the next round, right?! You gotta be in it to win it and so far I’m still in it!! If I hear anymore news I’ll be sure to fill you in. If you don’t hear anything from me, you can assume I haven’t heard anything from them.
In the meantime, I hope your holiday season is off to a great start! I Can’t wait to share some more recipes with you guys!!
Feel-Good Chocolate Truffles & NFNS Update
Ingredients
½ cup pitted prunes¼ cup pitted dates
3 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp Agave Nectar
2 tbsp cacao powder*
1/4 cup grated unsweetened coconut
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
Directions
Place unsweetened cocoa powder in a shallow bowl and set aside.
Combine prunes and dates in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add almond butter, agave nectar, and cacao powder. Transfer to a bowl and mix in coconut by hand.
Scoop up about a tsp of fruit mixture and roll between the palms of your hand to form a small ball. Roll each ball in cocoa powder and place on a tray or plate that will fit in your fridge. Refrigerate until firm and enjoy!
*If you do not have cacao powder on hand, don't worry! You can simply add 2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder instead and the truffles won't even know the difference!
Makes 12 truffles.
Nutritional Analysis
Calories: 89; Total Fat: 3.8; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 22mg; Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 1.6g; Sugars: 7.5g; Protein: 1.7gMore from Clean & Delicious...
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SOOOOO jealous! I didn’t make it to this round. :~( Haven’t heard back from them. for a few weeks.
Good LUCK! I’d LOVE to see on the Food Network!!! Drop a good word in for me. :~P
Oh! and the truffles look AWESOME!!
Just wanted to let you know i linked to you for this recipe. I’m dying to try it out!! Thanks
I am so making this! Can’t wait.
And way to go on the FN! I do think you would be great!
Awww Dani I’m so proud of you. I totally voted for you and I really hope you make it. I think you have a great personality and I would definitely watch you on TV. Good luck with everything and if you ever need any help feel free to contact me!
Thanks for sharing each step of the way as you are competing to be in the lineup of the NFNS. I always wonder what are the process one goes through to be selected in the series of the NFNS. Hope to see you on next season’s airing.
Congrats on getting to the next round! Since they had you sent in 30 recipes, I can’t imagine THAT many people make it – who would want to sift thru a million recipes?? Good-luck!!
Thanks, Dani! I’m planning on giving out homemade truffles for the holidays and may just have to try these out for my “Nice” versions.
Congrats on your advancement to the next round! I would love to see you on the show!
Congrats!!! Super exciting news!
This recipe looks awesome and can’t wait to make it and then brag about what’s in it (or not in it, I should say)!
Roni – Thanks so much. If I actually get there, I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you and Ryan!!
Suzanne – Great. Hope you like it.
Kalyn – This recipe is right up your alley… I hope you like it! Ad thanks for the good wishes!
Mallory – Thanks for the support and for your vote! I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
D: Thank YOU for the support. I’ll be sure to give you guys the play by play should I move on!
Culinary Wannabe – I hope you’re right! I mean really, that’s a lot of recipes to read!
Amy – Hope you like them!
Krista – Hee hee. It really is amazing how they taste like a chocolate truffle… hope everyone enjoys them.
These look so much more indugent than they actually are – just the way I like ‘em
congrats all around, for food net and preggers.
i was a sicko during both pregnancies. it really sucked and i wouldn’t wish it on anyone. so, best of luck!
dani, i think the powder is spelled “cacao”–you might want to change it.
I can totally see you on Food Network! Way to go! I hope they love you:)
Dani hi,
Congratulations on all the exciting news! I wanted to ask if there is any way to replace the coconut with some other ingredient, so that the texture and health benefits of this wonderful recipe will still be maintained?
Maris – I know! Just the way I like em’ too!
Jeanie – Thanks! You are right, I was spelling it wrong…. I changed it;).
Anticiplate – Thanks!!
Einat – You could just skip the coconut and these would still work. If you like the flavor of orange and chocolate, you could try adding some orange zest!
I’M SO BEYOND EXCITED FOR YOU, DANIGIRL!!
Hi Dani!
. Just want to ask though coz in my country, agave nectar is not popular and I’m not sure if we even have those in the groceries…what are the possible alternatives for the agave nectar? and did you use a raw coconut or you cooked them before folding them in? And almond butter…we don’t have that here either…can i use peanut butter instead? Would appreciate your reply. Thanks.
Another great and delicious recipe you’ve got there. The timing is really perfect as I am into deciding what to give my friends this Christmas. And you have just given me the brightest idea
Can’t wait to make chocolate truffles
Jan
Jan – You could use honey instead of the Agave. I used raw coconut and as far as the almond butter is concerned you could definitely use peanut butter! Hope that helps.
WOO-HOO!
I am so happy for you, Dani. My fingers are crossed.
So funny I should run into your post. I had visualized making this recipe, before I even knew how. Thanks for helping me manifest this!
And congrats on your Food Network callback. That is so exciting!!
Dani,
I made these truffles for a breakfast gathering I was attending. I had to make some mods based on what was in my pantry, but I used raisins, cranberries and dates. I tossed in a few medjool dates too, just to add some lavishness to the texture. I did the rest by the book, but made 4 separate rolling “stations”: cocoa, finely chopped unsweetened coconut, hemp seeds, and black sesame seeds.
I think the hemp seed truffles were hands down the best. All of my ingredients were fresh and organic; these are truly amazing. Once again, you have come through with a great recipe. Thanks!