Whether you’re new to real food cooking or a veteran of scratch cooking you’ll love the simplicity and flavor of these clusters of flavor! Your family will love these Paleo-friendly, grain-free chocolate almond balls.
Chocolate Almond Balls
This was one of the first recipes I tried when learning to cook with real food. It continues to be a family favorite and offers lots of options for variation.
Ingredients
- 2 c. soaked and dehydrated raw almonds
- 3/4 c. raw cacao powder
- 8 pitted dates *
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- Pinch of sea salt
- 3 tbsp. filtered water (you may need more)
- 1 c. raw, unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Grind almonds in food processor.
- Add all but shredded coconut.
- Blend well.
- Add enough water to make the mixture moist.
- Form in balls and roll in shredded coconut.
- Store in refrigerator until hardened.
- These can remain at room temperature for several hours, but are best stored in the fridge.
*I ferment dates before I incorporate them into a recipe. This is optional but reduces the sugar level of the fruit.
How to ferment dates:
Simply pack the pitted dates into a mason jar and cover with a mixture of 1/4 c. water kefir and filtered water, or 1/4 c. whey and filtered water. Add enough water to cover the dates. Place a cap on the jar and leave at room temperature for 2 days.
Strain the dates and dehydrate at a temperature of 110 degrees for several hours. The dates will be sticky enough to use in recipes, but with less sugar.
Yummy looking! Thanks for including the instruction to ferment the dates.
Great idea! Never thought of fermenting dates and dehydrating them to lower the sugar content. You are brilliant Andrea!
Thanks, Julia. 🙂