The Wellness Journey of a Guilt-Free Dessert
Imagine a dessert that loves your body as much as your taste buds. These Sugar-Free Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles are more than just a sweet treat – they’re a celebration of natural ingredients that nourish your heart, brain, and entire body.
Ingredients
US and European Measurements
- 80 g (½ cup) dates
- 30 g (¼ cup) rolled oats
- 40 g (¼ cup) hazelnuts
- 14 g (2 tbsp) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp water
- 60 g (½ cup) sugar-free dark chocolate
- 1 tbsp olive or coconut oil
- 1 handful roasted hazelnuts for decoration
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Date Preparation
- Soak dates in cold water for 15 minutes
- Remove pits carefully
- Ingredient Processing
- Grind oats into fine flour using coffee grinder
- Grind hazelnuts similarly
- Blend soaked dates until smooth
- Base Mixture
- Add cocoa powder and water to date mixture
- Mix thoroughly until well combined
- Forming Truffles
- Roll mixture into small, uniform balls
- Freeze for 30 minutes to set
- Chocolate Coating
- Melt dark chocolate in double boiler
- Add olive or coconut oil
- Mix until smooth and glossy
- Final Assembly
- Dip frozen balls in melted chocolate
- Place on parchment paper
- Chop roasted hazelnuts
- Decorate with chocolate drizzle and nut crumbs
Nutritional Information
Per Truffle:
- Calories: 85
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
Preparation Time: 30 minutes Freezing/Chilling Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Yield: 12-15 truffles
Pro Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Use Medjool dates for maximum sweetness
- Ensure chocolate is completely sugar-free
- Freeze balls before coating for clean chocolate layer
- Use room temperature ingredients
- Work quickly during coating process
Health Benefits
- Rich in antioxidants from cocoa
- Natural energy from dates
- Heart-healthy nuts
- No refined sugar
- Supports brain function
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Use almonds instead of hazelnuts
- Try coconut flakes for coating
- Add vanilla extract for depth
- Use different sugar-free chocolate varieties
- Incorporate chia seeds for extra nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long can these be stored? Refrigerate up to 1 week in airtight container.
Q2: Are they truly sugar-free? Uses only natural sweetness from dates.
Q3: Can I make without a food processor? Chop ingredients finely by hand.
Q4: Suitable for special diets? Vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free.
Q5: Can children eat these? Nutritious alternative to traditional sweets.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store in refrigerator
- Best consumed within 7 days
- Can be frozen for up to 1 month
- Bring to room temperature before serving
A delicious journey of wellness in every bite!