Chewy saint truffles

These are called chewy saint truffles for the simple reason that they’re a sinless alternative to your usual snacks and nibbles, containing no refined sugar but still satisfying that sweet craving! When they first come together in your processor, they’re rather like a healthy cookie dough and you may be tempted to eat the mix there and then. While this does go against their saintly name, I’d never say never and will willingly confess that on numerous occasions these have never made it into truffle form! But, should you wish to be in a more saintly, sharing mood, then these are great once rolled into small balls and refrigerated. If they get that far then give yourself a pat on the back for resisting the most almighty of temptations!

Ingredients

• 3½ ounces / 100g whole blanched almonds
• 3½ ounces / 100g desiccated coconut
• 2¼ ounces / 65g almond butter
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• ¾ ounce / 25g dried chopped dates
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 2½ ounces / 75g whole pitted dates
• 1¾ ounces / 50g toasted chopped hazelnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 356°F (320°F fan).

Place the almonds in a single layer on a baking tray and toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they’re starting to go golden.

Once the nuts have cooled, add them to a food processor with the desiccated coconut and blitz until they come together in a breadcrumb like consistency.

Add the almond butter, cocoa powder, dried chopped dates, coconut oil and chia seeds and blitz until everything has come together.

Finally add the pitted dates and blitz until smooth.

Shape into tablespoon sized balls and then roll in the hazelnuts before placing in the fridge to set.

Tips

Instead of the hazelnuts, you can also roll them in desiccated coconut.

Trivia

Dates are not only chewy and flavoursome, they are also good for you. They are easily digested by the body and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. In particular they are good for maintaining eye health, good skin, helping control the heart rate and blood pressure, fighting infection and inflammation.