snacks:

choc orange bliss balls

Published 27th January 2018

Bliss balls are a great snack, they are super easy and quick to make and freeze well. I made this batch last week to stock up the fridge in preparation for the arrival of our 3rd child. So, I am writing this as I sit here on my ‘holiday’ in hospital while little Elise Ivy sleeps…

Even though all the ingredients in these little balls are healthy and whole foods, they are still calorie dense little morsels, so don’t be fooled!. I will usually make them the size of a ping pong ball and am usually quite satisfied after one.

 
 
 
 

The taste of these are initially a chocolate flavour, but the orange rind and zest gives more of a jaffa or choc orange after taste, which is delightful! I happily give these to the kids, but as with the adults one is enough and I’ll often make some smaller ones for the kids – they love them.

You can use whatever nuts you have for this recipe, but flavour wise, I would recommend almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts, or a combination of the three.

Give them a go!

Enjoy xx

 
 
 
Balls square.jpg
 

 

Ingredients:

Makes 15-20 ping pong sized balls

  • 15 medjool dates, pit removed

  • 1 cup of nuts (I used almonds and walnuts)

  • ½ cup shredded coconut, toasted

  • Zest and Juice of 1 orange

  • 2 tbs chia seeds

  • 2 tbs cocoa powder

  • ½ cup rolled oats

  • Desiccated coconut to roll

 

Method:

  1. Toast the coconut, by heating a small frypan over medium heat and adding the coconut. Stir regularly until golden brown.

  2. Place nuts into food processor and blend on high for ~30 seconds or until nuts are crushed but not so fine that they resemble a powder. Add in the dates and pulse to break down. Add the coconut, oats, chia seeds and cocoa. Blend on high for ~20 seconds to combine ingredients.

  3. Add zest and juice and blend on high until all ingredients come together.

  4. If the mix appears too dry, add some water and if too wet, add some more oats.

  5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  6. Using wet hands, roll mixture into ping pong sized balls then roll in coconut. Repeat with remaining mixture.

  7. Store in the refrigerator.