pick me up truffles 2.0

added by carm

medium

ingredients

all

3 cups dates

about 32 large dates or 1 container from Trader Joe's, soaked and pitted

1 cup almond butter

unsalted

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

8 tsp date soaking water

4 tsp vanilla

4 cups raw almonds

finely chopped, or 6 cups sunflower seeds

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1 cup raisins

or dried cranberries

shredded coconut or toasted sesame seeds

optional

cookware

measuring glass
medium mixing bowl
ziplock bag
meat pounder
large mixing bowl
spatula
rimmed plates
tablespoon measure
food-grade latex gloves

When one of our content managers cut her thumb when we made this recipe together, we decided to draft a remix of this guilt-free treat. To chop the nuts, we simply place them in a Ziplock bag and crush them with a meat pounder. In our version, we also quadrupled the original proportions since we like to make many to share. This tasty treat contains no processed sugars and is fun to make with a group.

1	In a measuring glass, soak the dates with just enough warm water to submerge them. Soak for about 15 minutes until softened.
2	Taking care to reserve the soaking liquid from the dates, pit then chop the dates into a coarse paste.
3	In a medium mixing bowl, combine the date paste with the almond butter, salt, soaking liquid, and vanilla.
4	"Chop" the almonds by sealing them inside a Ziplock bag and then pounding them on top of a cutting board (to protect the counter) with a meat pounder. Pound the almonds into small crunchy pieces.
5	In a separate large mixing bowl, add the almonds and flax. Mix in the date mixture with a sturdy spatula or equivalent.
6	Fold in the raisins.
7	If coating the truffles with coconut or seeds, set up rolling stations by transferring the coating to rimmed plates or low bowls.
8	Make balls by rolling about 1 tablespoon of the mixture with gloved hands. Roll in shredded coconut or toasted sesame seeds.
9	Enjoy immediately or chill in the fridge for about an hour to firm.

source: www.thecaregiverstable.com

notes

Replace the almonds with sunflower seeds for the a version of this recipe that is great for loved ones with high blood pressure (HBP). Also reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon and replace the raisins with dried cranberries.