Chocolate Cherry Truffles | Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles
Chocolate Cherry Truffles
The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles are a wonderful alternative to sugary, high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks such as cookies, ice cream, cake, donuts, candy bars and brownies. They’re nutrient-dense, full of protein and fiber, and not processed. In fact, they’re completely raw. The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles make for a perfect treat on any occasion, whether a party, after school snack, “cheat” food or dessert. With your Vitamix or Blendtec, you can whip up a quick batch and have them ready in no time. This Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles recipe is particularly great because you can add a variety of personal touches depending on your preferences.
Health Benefits
These chocolatey treats can actually help you sleep better at night! Raw chocolate is one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium which helps relax nerves and muscles, and tart cherries are the highest plant-based source of melatonin – your sleepy neurotransmitter and antioxidant! Tart cherries also aid in collagen production, soothe arthritis symptoms and assist in wound healing after injury. They are a rich source of copper, vitamins A and C, and iron. Cacao powder contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant compound, anthocyanidin and epicatechins. These antioxodants can prevent changes in platelets that might produce blood clots, hardening of the arteries and may interfere with the development of cancer. It is also a great source of sulfur and iron. Cashews are loaded with vitamins and minerals. A handful of cashews can meet the RDA per day of manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. They help prevent macular generation, dermatitis and coronary artery disease, reduce the risk of sideroblastic anemia and help protect from numerous cancers. Cashews are good sources of vitamins B1, B5 and B6, and contain small amounts of zea-xanthin, an important pigment flavonoid antioxidant. Stevia powder, made from the naturally sweet stevia leaf, is 0 on the glycemic index and will not spike blood sugar.
Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles Recipe
The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles are an awesome, low-sugar dessert alternative if you’ve got a sweet tooth. And they contain lots of chocolate! The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles are loaded with fiber, protein and antioxidants, and won’t spike your blood sugar like most desserts. Made in your Vitamix or Blendtec, these little balls of goodness will keep you full for quite a while. They’re a wonderful treat to give to children and safe for diabetics. The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles are also safe for the lactose-intolerant, those with gluten sensitivity, vegans and raw foodists.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 2/3 cup dried tart cherries
- 3 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 1.5 Tablespoons coconut oil (make sure the coconut oil is melted until liquid)
- 1 teaspoon raw cacao nibs
- Add cashews to Vitamix or Blendtec and pulse until finely ground. Scrape down sides as needed.
- Add dried cherries and cocoa powder and mix until well combined.
- Add cacao nibs and coconut oil and mix until combined. The mixture should ‘stick’ together. You may add more coconut oil if mixture is too dry and/or to round out the tart cherry flavor. You can also add a few dates (soaked in water) or stevia powder for sweetness.
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll into little 1inch balls with your hands.
The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles are a really fun recipe to make and add your own twist to. If you want to vary the balls, simply roll into coconut flakes or cocoa powder. Then, place onto a plate or platter with a few mint sprigs for a beautiful presentation. Serve the Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles up at home to guests, at a gathering, work function or holiday party. Or just keep for yourself for when that nagging sweet tooth strikes. The Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles are also a wonderful treat to make for your Valentine’s day love! The chocolate and cherry flavors merry perfectly for the occasion. Just roll the mixture out evenly on a piece of parchment paper coated with a little coconut oil, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut each treat! Put the Peggy K Chocolate Cherry Truffles on a plate with strawberries and cacao nibs sprinkled around for a beautiful dish.
- Recipe by: Peggy K
- Recipe Type: Dessert, Snack
- Servings: Varies
Special Equipment:
Blendtec blender, Vitamix Blender, Spoon, Measuring spoons, Measuring cups, Small rubber spatula
Ingredient Health Benefits
The cashew tree is a tropical evergreen that produces the cashew nut. Cashews are chock full of copper, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and zinc. They are great sources of monounsaturated fats, which lower LDL cholesterol and are protective against cardiovascular disease. Studies show that people who consume cashews and other nuts are more likely to manage their weight.
The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy drupe. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species such as cultivars of the sweet cherry, Prunus avium. Cherries are high in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Cherries are pigment rich fruits. These pigments are bioflavonoid compounds known as anthocyanin glycosides which have a strong antioxidant effect. Cherries support healthy sleep and can prevent headaches and migraines.
Cacao is the dried and fully fermented fatty seed of Theobroma cacao. Cacao is a powerful superfood that has centuries of recorded traditional and medicinal use. It is high in antioxidants, iron and fiber, and contains the unique nutrition theobromine, a mild stimulant that some believe can treat depression. It may cause the brain to produce more of a neurotransmitter called anandamide which some people say is why chocoholism exists.
Coconut oil is an oil made of coconuts. The coconut tree is a member of the family Arecaceae. It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. Coconuts are the definition of “good fat”, with a super high fat content including lauric acid.
Cacao nibs are basically raw chocolate, pieces of cacao beans that have been roasted, hulled and prepped. Cacao is the dried and fully fermented fatty seed of Theobroma cacao. Cacao is a powerful superfood that has centuries of recorded traditional and medicinal use. It is high in antioxidants, iron and fiber, and contains the unique nutrition theobromine, a mild stimulant that some believe can treat depression. It may cause the brain to produce more of a neurotransmitter called anandamide which some people say is why chocoholism exists.
