Chocolate and orange combine in these rich decadent truffles. With easy to get healthy ingredients, you won’t believe how easy they are to make!
After all, who doesn’t love chocolate truffles? And that chocolate-orange combo… mmm! This is a super nutritious dessert or snack, but you will think you are eating a gooey brownie!
Given the super healthy ingredients in these delicious date sweetened chocolate orange truffles –cashews, coconut cream, dates, cocoa, orange zest and juice you will be amazed how much like a naughty treat they taste. They are like delicious little no bake brownie bites!
And yet they are good (really good) for you. No refined sugar in sight. They also happen to be gluten free and vegan chocolate truffles, if either of these things are important for you.
I LOVE eating these straight from the freezer. They don’t really freeze, they just go a bit harder and colder. Try and see for yourself.
Desserts and sweet treats don’t need to be complicated and time consuming to be impressive. These truffles are extremely easy to make and guaranteed to impress anyone. Especially those with a sweet tooth and a weakness for chocolate.
When you rock on up to a pot luck dinner, or family gathering with a plate of these delights watch as they disappear! If you are looking for an easy, lighter but impressive treat to enjoy this recipe is for you!
These truffles are also perfect to make if you have guests over or to take with you as a gift if you have been invited to a dinner party. Rich and creamy, smooth and decadent, and are an ideal after-dinner confection.
Its always a nice surprize to me that something so yummy could be created with a few good for you ingredients. Just like magic! Anything orange + chocolate reminds me of Christmas. Although I’m not one to restrict myself from enjoying that flavour combination the rest of the year.
Chocolate truffles are amazing as is, but with a hint of orange they just taste so much more moreish, don’t you agree?
The combination of cashews and dates – just two of the healthy ingredients, creates the perfect texture for a truffle. Super smooth and creamy and covered with a crunchy chocolate shell for good measure.
Want to change the flavor of your truffles? Just change the flavor of your oil or extract. Or use vanilla for a plain chocolate truffle.
Same goes for your chocolate coating–you can use milk, semi-sweet or dark, or even a combination, depending on your preference. I most often go with dark chocolate when making flavored truffles like orange or raspberry.
One important note: if you use extract, it’s not as concentrated, so you will need to use more (about a teaspoon). If you are using oil (the kind of flavoring used in making hard candy) you will only need a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, because it’s much more potent.
Everyone is always impressed with homemade chocolate, and they never have to know how easy these truffles are to make.
You will love these Chocolate Orange Truffles because:
They are the perfect edible gift.
Making this luxurious confectionery is easy to do at home.
You don’t need any special equipment. It is so simple!
They are much cheaper than a store-bought box of chocolates
The result is impressive; you will be delighted with your handiwork.
Healthier Chocolate Orange Truffles
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream, full fat (solid part only) *see note below
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/4-1/2 cup oat milk or milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 orange, juice and zest
- 1 teaspoon orange extract or ¼-½ teaspoon of orange oil or more orange juice and zest
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Topping
- Orange zest
Instructions
- Note: Place the can of coconut cream in the fridge or freezer for at least 1-2 hours before making these truffles to allow coconut cream to separate.When ready to make the truffles, open chilled can and scoop out the cream that has separated and set hard on the top. Save the remaining coconut water to use in a smoothie, drink, or discard.Place cashews, hardened coconut cream, dates, cocoa, orange juice and zest into a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Scoop out into a medium sized mixing bowl and place in fridge to set for around an hour.Use a small ice cream scoop or a spoon to scoop the set truffle mixture and shape into 14 (1 inch) golf ball sized balls (or more smaller ones if preferred).Place on a sheet lined with baking paper and freeze for 30-60 minutes while you melt the chocolate coating.
Chocolate Coating
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Remove the truffles and after checking they are firm and set dunk into the melted chocolate using one of two forks to hold each one as you turn them around in the chocolate until fully coated. Or another method is to hold each one over the melted chocolate with a fork underneath while you spoon over the chocolate letting any excess drip back into the bowl.Place on a rack or parchment lined tray to dry.If you have extra chocolate left over, simply drizzle this over the truffles.Put the truffles into the freezer for at least 2 hours. Once chocolate is set and crisp, serve with orange zest topping if desired.Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
