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    You are at:Home»Dairy-Free Recipes»Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes»Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks + 5 Real Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

    Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks + 5 Real Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

    27
    By Alisa Fleming on July 29, 2014 Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Dairy-Free Recipes, Dairy-Free Snack Recipes, In The News, News

    This is the first post in our Pure Chocolate Wisdom series of information and scrumptious recipes, sponsored by Pascha Chocolate! Pascha Chocolate is made in a top allergen-free facility (dairy-free and even soy-free), and is certified organic, vegan, fair trade, kosher, and non-GMO verified. And we used some of their chocolate chips to make Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks (recipe below!).

    Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks Recipe - Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and nutritious + 5 health reasons to love dark chocolate

    Chocolate: Is it Really Healthy?

    Like a message sent from the confectionary heavens, Dr. Oz proclaimed chocolate to be a good-for-you food. For years, cacao has been abuzz in nutrition circles, but when this beloved health hero took sides, we knew the superfood status of chocolate was here to stay. But not all chocolate is created equal, and when it comes to nutrition, the darker the better. In fact, 100% unsweetened pure chocolate can provide the most when it comes to the following researched benefits:

    Pure Chocolate Wisdom: 5 Real Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate + Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snack RecipeBrain Boost – The EU recently approved a health claim linking cocoa to cognition. Research has shown that the flavonols (phytonutrient compounds) in pure chocolate seem to exhibit neuroprotective effects. Eldery participants in a new study enjoyed their cocoa with a side of memory and processing speed improvement. Additional research in the U.K. and Norway found that chocolate could improve alertness and performance on cognitive tests.

    Sun Screen – London researchers also found that those who regularly consume dark chocolate can enjoy natural sun protection. In their study, subjects indulged in 20 grams (.7 ounce) of high-flavonol chocolate daily, and after 12 weeks, they were able to stay in the sun for twice as long without getting burned, when compared to as those who didn’t get their chocolate fix. Conventional low-flavonol chocolate (such as milk chocolate) did not boast the same protective benefits. Prior studies have helped to confirm chocolate’s protective effect against harmful UV rays.

    Cardio Strength – In Sweden, women who ate one or two servings of dark chocolate weekly saw their risk of heart failure reduce by up to one-third. Germany upped the ante with a long-term study showing the ability of a daily dark chocolate square to lower blood pressure and cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by 39 percent.

    Fitness Buddy – On a diet? Don’t cut chocolate. In Australia, they found that pure chocolate mitigated increased blood pressure during exercise for overweight individuals. And in Copenhagen, scientists were able to demonstrate that dark chocolate is more filling than milk chocolate, and it lessens cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods.

    Stress Less – As it turns out, some emotional eating may not be such a bad thing. According to those calm Swiss scientists, very anxious people can significantly reduce their stress hormone levels and partially suppress the metabolic effects of overactive nerves by eating 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate every day for two weeks.

    For maximum health benefits, Dr Beatrice Golomb recommends dairy-free pure chocolate (the darker the better, as noted above) that is minimally processed and contains no trans fats or other additives. Also, eating chocolate in smaller doses, but with regularity (hello chocolate chips!) may be optimal.

    Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks Recipe - Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and nutritious + 5 health reasons to love dark chocolate

    How to Enjoy Unsweetened Pure Chocolate?

    Intense and rich, good quality unsweetened chocolate can add depth to many dishes, sweet and savory. And the 100% cacao chips are amazing for ease in measurement, use, and melting. Here are five delicious and nutritious ways to enjoy them:

    Berry Chocolaty Bowls – Top your favorite healthy chocolate yogurt (I used CoYo with a few drops of added stevia), pudding or mousse with fresh berries and unsweetened chocolate chips.

    Chocolate-Covered Trail Mix – Add unsweetened chocolate chips to your favorite fruit and nut (or seed) trail mix, or use them to add contrast in homemade granola bars.

    Chili, Mole Style – In Mexico, unsweetened chocolate is commonly used in savory dishes, too. Stir a handful of the unsweetened chocolate chips into a pot of chili just before serving (the chips should melt right in) for complimentary depth of flavor.

    Chocolate Chip Shakes – Have a favorite smoothie that could benefit from chocolate? Add a handful of unsweetened chocolate chips to the blender (once your smoothie is pureed) and pulse several times to break them up. My favorite is a frozen banana, almond butter, a little almond milk, and a few drops of stevia, followed by the chocolate chips.

    Pure Chocolate Truffles (recipe below) – Rather than the overly-sweetened, heavy kind, I like “truffle snacks” for daily eating. They are fruit-sweetened for a lighter, more energetic treat. Enjoy my recipe, which uses pure unsweetened chocolate and not a speck of added sugar …

    Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks Recipe - Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and nutritious + 5 health reasons to love dark chocolateI’m sharing this recipe and post on Shirley’s awesome Gluten-Free Wednesdays at Gluten Free Easily and The Weekend Social at The Midnight Baker.

    Special Diet Notes & Options: Healthy Pure Chocolate Truffles

    By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and paleo. For nut-free pure chocolate truffles, see the substitution notes in the recipe.

    5.0 from 2 reviews
    Healthy Pure Chocolate Truffle Snacks
     
    Print
    Prep time
    20 mins
    Total time
    20 mins
     
    For slightly sweeter snack balls that still have ample cacao benefits, you can substitute dark chocolate chips. Note that the prep time does not include chilling time in the refrigerator.
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Serves: about 9 truffle bites
    Ingredients
    • 4 large, pitted Medjool dates
    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate chips, melted
    • 1 tablespoons almond butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free)
    • Sweetener, optional (I use 3 to 4 drops vanilla stevia)
    • Almond flour / meal (or unsweetened shredded coconut for nut-free)
    Instructions
    1. Soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain.
    2. In a medium bowl, mash (I use a fork) the soaked dates with the melted chocolate chips and almond butter, until relatively smooth and well-distributed. Add in sweetener, to taste, if desired.
    3. Scoop the mixture by the generous ½ tablespoon and roll into balls.
    4. Place some almond flour or almond meal (about 2 tablespoons, or more as needed) on a plate, and roll the balls in it to coat.
    5. Refrigerate the truffles for 30 minutes to set-up. They can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer* until snack time!
    Notes
    *These healthy bites actually stay tender when frozen, so they can be eaten straight from the freezer and will keep there for a few months in an airtight plastic bag.
    3.5.3229

    For More of My Healthy Recipes, Get Eat Dairy Free!

    Eat Dairy Free - Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets
    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

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    27 Comments

    1. Pingback: Dairy-Free Lunch Box Ideas with Kid-Friendly Recipes

    2. Pingback: 40+ Candida-Diet, Vegan, Sugar-Free Valentine's Day Recipes | Ricki Heller

    3. deb pyle on July 17, 2015 6:33 am

      Hi Alisa,

      Do you have the nutritional breakdown for these? Thank you.

      Reply
    4. Pingback: Vanilla Chocolate Chip Muffin Tops Recipe (Dairy-Free)

    5. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious on February 22, 2015 9:01 am

      I know everything in moderation, but I want all of it. Now.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 22, 2015 9:05 am

        Well, I think these are moderate amounts of everything – did that make sense? Anyway, I agree, eat it all! 🙂

        Reply
    6. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) on February 22, 2015 8:16 am

      Ahhh…more reasons to enjoy my daily dark chocolate – and a recipe to try!

      Reply
    7. Pingback: Homemade Dairy-Free Peppermint Patties Recipe

    8. Nicola on October 29, 2014 12:34 pm

      I might try these–wish I had some Pascha chips right now, so I can make them for my son’s birthday. He turns 20 today, and has been both milk- and nut-allergic pretty much all of his life (applesauce at the ice-cream shop, et cetera.)
      Any ideas what to substitute for the ground almonds, for a contrast to roll the truffles in?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on October 29, 2014 1:00 pm

        Hmm, I would hesitate on straight up seeds, but can he do oats? Perhaps a blend of oats and flaxseed would work nicely for the same kind of texture and contrast. The seeds would add a little rustic, but the powdered oats / oat flour would provide balance.

        Reply
    9. Pingback: Healthy Dairy-Free Chocolate-Almond Truffles

    10. Pingback: The Best Way to Melt Chocolate (Comparison)

    11. Pingback: Fresh Corn Salad, Peach Crisp, Pure Chocolate Truffles and More

    12. Pingback: Healthy Chocolate Truffle Snacks Paleo Gluten Free | Gluten Free Pantry

    13. Pingback: Chocolate Truffle Snacks, No Bake Chocolate Mousse Cake, Key Lime Bars, Raw Neopolitan Cake, & 5 Ways to Reverse Autoimmunity - Whole New Mom

    14. Katerina on August 10, 2014 8:06 am

      I love dark chocolate more than milk one. Knowing all these benefits just increased my love for it! Thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social. All posts get pinned in our pinterest board! Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on culinaryflavors.gr ! I hope to see you there!

      Reply
    15. Tessa@TessaTheDomesticDiva on August 7, 2014 5:15 am

      These look simple and decadent Alisa! I will be featuring your recipe next week on AFW, thanks for sharing it with us!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on August 8, 2014 12:15 pm

        Thanks Tessa!!

        Reply
    16. Cara on August 1, 2014 10:34 am

      Wow, it’s so hard to find good quality unsweetened chocolate , especially in chip form!

      Reply
    17. Maggie on July 30, 2014 12:37 pm

      Mmmmm, must find Pascha Chocolate!

      Reply
    18. Hallie on July 30, 2014 10:00 am

      These look amazing! You know I love my energy balls and bites. Can’t wait to try these. 🙂

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on July 30, 2014 12:08 pm

        Indeed, these are definitely up your alley Hallie!

        Reply
    19. Kristina on July 30, 2014 9:34 am

      a great read – so much information, and all GOOD news! these truffles look fabulous!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on July 30, 2014 12:07 pm

        Thanks Kristina!

        Reply
    20. Kim @ Kim's Welcoming Kitchen on July 29, 2014 2:48 pm

      Alisa, You have outdone yourself! I will feel good about myself when I am indulging in these little goodies!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on July 29, 2014 10:01 pm

        Thank you so much Kim!

        Reply
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