Raw Chocolate Balls

BallPopsHandBliss Balls, Chocolate Balls, ‘Rum’ Balls, Tuffles; whatever you like to call them – they are delicious! There are approximately 4 million recipes online for different versions of these, and here’s why I like mine.

1. My recipe uses no dates. I don’t really have a problem with dates eaten in moderation, they are delicious and a natural fruit. They are however extremely sweet, and I find can often take over the flavour of raw desserts.

2. These balls are PACKED full of protein, good fats and nutrition from the nuts, seeds and tahini.

3. They are not overly sweet, and make use of the wonderful cinnamon, not only for flavour but to help with balancing blood sugar.

4. They are incredible easy to make, versatile, and use ingredients that you most likely have hanging around in your cupboard.

5. They are delicious and family friendly! If you need them for school lunches, just sub out the nuts with extra seeds.

BallPopIvy

So there you have it. Five great reasons to try out these balls. We have a birthday party coming up!!! (very exciting – any ideas welcome!) and so I fashioned them into ‘pops’ with the use of a fancy straw – kid appeal – very high – job done.

 

Raw Chocolate Ball Pops

 

½ cup sunflower seeds

¼ cup hemp seeds (or quinoa flakes or pepitas)

¼ cup brazil nuts (or macadamias, cashews etc)

¼ cup tahini or almond butter (I used black tahini)

2 tbs chia or flax seeds

¼ cup coconut–desiccated, plus extra for rolling

2 ½ tbs raw cacao powder

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ cup of rice syrup or honey, or to taste

A pinch of sea salt

Up to a tbs water – depending on consistency

Blitz the nuts and seeds in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a bowl and add all other ingredients except the water. Combine well, and add a little water if needed – the consistency should be firm enough to hold together nicely. Roll into walnut-sized balls, and then roll in a little extra coconut. You can mix it up however you like, and stick in a fun straw to make ‘pops’, or roll in chia seeds, etc.

 

OTHER EXCITING OPTIONS:

 

Add some spirulina and peppermint oil and you have choc-mint balls (thanks for the idea Naturopop!)

 

Add a few goji berries, dried mulberries, blueberries or any other dried fruit you like.

 

Add a few drops of colour to the coconut that you roll it in at the end for colourful balls! I normally use beetroot juice for pink/red, spirulina in a tiny amount of water for green, turmeric for yellow, and blueberries for blue. There are also some lovely natural food colourings available, Hopper is one good brand that I know.

 

Press into a dish and use as a slice rather than balls if you prefer.

 

Enjoy! x