Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, has recently been praised for its health benefits. Raw chocolate, also referred to as raw cacao, is even better for you! When chocolate is processed, it loses some of its nutritional value. Raw cacao has much of this nutrition intact. It's rich in nutrients, can boost your mood, and can even help the heart.

The good news is that you can easily incorporate raw cacao into your favorite recipes and treats. This recipe for chocolate truffles is one of the ways that you can prepare them. Although this may look like an indulgent dessert, it can actually be good for you. They're still high in calories, though, so you'll want to watch your portions.

Raw Chocolate Truffles Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups mixed, raw nuts (walnuts, cashews, almonds, etc)

10 whole, dried dates - soak in water for thirty minutes

1 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao powder

1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips

1 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions:

Add the nuts to a food processor and pulse until ground. The consistency should resemble a coarse meal, much like flour but a little rougher. Transfer the ground nuts to a mixing bowl.

Put the dates into the food processor and pulse until the dates are pulverized and then turn into a ball. Add the cacao powder and then 1/2 of the nut meal and pulse until all the ingredients are mixed together.

Using a small melon baller or a teaspoon, scoop out some of the mixture and form it into a ball. Place on a sheet of parchment paper that has been laid onto a large plate or small baking sheet. Repeat until all the mixture is used up. You should have roughly 14 truffles.

Place the truffles in the refrigerator until chilled al the way through. This should take at least an hour but the longer you leave them in, the better.

Just before finishing the truffles, place the dark chocolate and coconut oil in a double burner. Let the chocolate heat gently. When it is melted all the way through, remove the truffles from the refrigerator and dip into the chocolate so that each is coated on all sides. Place the truffle back onto the parchment. Repeat until each of the truffles are covered with chocolate.

Put the truffles back in the refrigerator until they have been set all the way through. This should take about two hours.

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