Raw Chocolate Truffles

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the second thing on everyone’s mind is….chocolate! Make my raw chocolate truffles for loved ones (made from raw cacao, not ‘cocoa’ and sugar). They are a cinch to make and a total crowd pleaser! Psst- they are good for you too!

What Is Raw Cacao and How Is It Different From A Snickers Bar?

Raw cacao is surely the new superfood on the block. And this is one superfood that everyone wants to include in their diet! Both raw cacao and commercial cocoa powder are made by grinding cacao nibs and removing the fat. The raw cold pressed form with fat is called cacao butter (also delicious and nutritious used in one of the recipes below). The cocoa that we find in grocery stores is roasted and cooked and high temperatures, thus losing many of its awesome nutrients.

Raw cacao has 4 times the antioxidants than in green tea. One cup contains 17g of protein, 29g of dietary fibre, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper and Manganese. It’s no coincidence that chocolate is associated with romance and lifting our spirits. There is actual science to prove that the compounds in raw cacao do just that! Nicknamed “black gold” by the Spanish, raw cacao is known for supporting weight loss, raising serotonin (the ‘happy’ neurotransmitter) and endorphins (the ‘pleasure’ neurotransmitter) levels. It also contains Phenylethylamines (PEAs) that are compounds released when we are in love. This little compound not only lifts our mood but also increases mental alertness. It also contains Anandamide which are our “bliss molecule” and give us a feeling of wellness and relaxation.

So What Is In A Regular Chocolate Bar?

The first ingredient is usually sugar, followed by milk, cocoa butter, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, polyglycerol polyricinoleate (an emulsifier) and lots of artificial flavours. In fact, regular chocolate bars are usually only 10-20% actual chocolate by weight. In contrast, here is the list of ingredients from my favourite chocolate company, GiddyYoyo: Love & Gratitude, Raw Cacao Paste, Raw Cane Juice Crystals, Raw Cacao Butter. That’s it. Just 2 squares of Giddy Yoyo is more than enough to satiate the chocolate craving.

Raw Chocolate Truffles

Alright, I am done with pushing raw cacao. Here’s an easy and delicious recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to make and will have your loved ones singing your praises. I have two versions below, one that is made with dates as a base and another that uses cacao butter instead. Just to be clear, both versions are healthy with good quality ingredients. Pick one of the ‘base’ recipes, and then add a flavour and a topping. You can mix and match to make a box of assorted homemade truffles for that special someone.

Dates Base

• 1 1/2 cup medjool dates 
• 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts
• 1 tablespoon (or less) coconut oil to bind the ingredients together
• 1/2-1 tablespoon agave nectar or raw honey
• pinch of sea salt

Cacao Butter Base

• 1/2 cup raw cacao butter, melted 
• 1/2 cup almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts
• 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 1/2-1 tablespoon agave nectar or raw honey
• pinch of sea salt

Flavours

• Vanilla: 2 tsp ground up vanilla beans or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Chai: 1/2 tsp cardamom, 2 cloves, 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Espresso: 2 tsp ground coffee
• Orange: 2 tsp ground up orange zest, 1/2 tsp cardamom
• Cherry: 2 tbl spoons dried cherries
• Mint chocolate chip: 1 tsp mint extract and 2 tbl spoons dark chocolate chips
• Coconut: 3 tbl spoons shredded coconut
• Superfood: 2 tsp maca or mesquite powder
• Protein power: 3 tbl spoons of protein powder

Toppings

• Raw cacao powder
• Shredded coconut
• Lightly toasted sesame seeds
• Ground up pistachios
• Ground up pumpkin seeds
• Roasted hazelnuts
• Roasted or raw almonds
• Ground up goji berries

Step 1

Mix base ingredients in a blender.

Step 2

Add in the desired flavours and mix well. Add more coconut oil if the ingredients need more binding power. Add more dry ingredients if the paste is too runny. When you have a firm dough, roll into small balls.

Step 3

Roll in the coating and refrigerate for up to 1 week (you can also freeze these puppies and enjoy them defrosted at any time!).

I love love love these nutrient-dense treats. They taste just as sinful as regular chocolate but you won’t need to eat a box full to feel satiated. Usually, 1 or 2 truffles will hit the spot. I like eating these as desserts after a meal, as a mid-day snack or even a post-workout energy boost. Enjoy my lovelies!