If you know anything about me, you know that I have a weakness for sweets and chocolate is one of my most favorite things! I am always trying to put a healthy spin on sweet treats so I can enjoy these things without depriving myself completely. What's even better is when I can sneak unexpected healthy foods into these treats and then share them with you!
Truffles are pure decadence in my book. Their deep chocolate flavor and soft creaminess is hard to get enough of. While many find them too rich to have more than one at a time, my vote is two is always better than one! Aside from being full of sugar, traditional truffles are made with heavy cream. Possibly worse than that, many truffles that you find in the store are made with palm oil. Both dairy and palm oil are no bueno, and things that I try to avoid. Here's where my Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles enter.
These sinful spheres are surprisingly healthy. With the base being the secret ingredient and superstar, avocado, there is no need to use heavy cream to create the traditional smooth texture. I also use cacao powder for its antioxidant benefits and keep them refined sugar free by using maple syrup as my sweetener. To create the hint of orange, a couple drops of citrus essential oil or extract is used, but this can easily be omitted if you would rather have a dark chocolate flavor alone.
Treat yourself and give these truffles a try!
Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles
(makes 10-12 truffles)
Truffles are pure decadence in my book. Their deep chocolate flavor and soft creaminess is hard to get enough of. While many find them too rich to have more than one at a time, my vote is two is always better than one! Aside from being full of sugar, traditional truffles are made with heavy cream. Possibly worse than that, many truffles that you find in the store are made with palm oil. Both dairy and palm oil are no bueno, and things that I try to avoid. Here's where my Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles enter.
These sinful spheres are surprisingly healthy. With the base being the secret ingredient and superstar, avocado, there is no need to use heavy cream to create the traditional smooth texture. I also use cacao powder for its antioxidant benefits and keep them refined sugar free by using maple syrup as my sweetener. To create the hint of orange, a couple drops of citrus essential oil or extract is used, but this can easily be omitted if you would rather have a dark chocolate flavor alone.
Treat yourself and give these truffles a try!
Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles
(makes 10-12 truffles)
- 2 small/medium, ripe avocados
- 1/2 cup cacao powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon non-dairy milk
- pinch of salt
- 2 drops of orange therapeutic grade essential oil OR 1/2 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
- Options for coating: additional cacao powder, hemp seeds, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, sesame seeds
- Place avocados, cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla, milk of choice and salt into a high speed blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more cacao, maple syrup or salt as needed. Note: flavor will become more balanced as they set.
- Add orange oil or extract if using and pulse a few times until mixed in.
- Using a rubber spatula, scrape as much of the mixture as you can into a medium sized bowl and place in refrigerator. Allow mixture to chill for about 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes or so, use a tablespoon to scoop mixture and roll into a ball shape. Once loosely formed, roll into coating of choice. Place truffle on a plate or platter. When all truffles have be made, place them back into the refrigerator and allow to chill for several hours. Note: truffles will likely be a bit sticky as you roll them. I like to run my hands under cold water before rolling and try to work quickly.
- Truffles are best served chilled. Store in an airtight container. They should last for 2-3 days.
RSS Feed