Guilt-Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles

If you thought staying slim and eating healthily meant giving up chocolate, think again!

My Guilt-Free Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles are the perfect replacement to store bought chocolates – they’re totally delicious (WAY better than any bought processed chocolates!), rich and gooey, totally decadent tasting but packed full of health benefits, with absolutely no nasties!

Dark chocolate has been shown to have many health benefits. Being full of anti-oxidants that fight free radicals, it helps defend the body against ageing, tissue damage, inflammation and diseases including cancer and heart disease.  Studies have shown that there is a link between chocolate consumption to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of strokes, lower (bad) LDL cholesterol and increased (good) HDL cholesterol levels.  Studies have also found that when compared with occasional consumption, the regular consumption of chocolate was consistently associated with a reduced body mass index (BMI)!

Dates are a rich source of protein, fibre, vitamins and mineral.  They’re an excellent source of potassium, which aids in blood pressure regulation, and also the essential minerals iron, zinc, magnesium and selenium which all help to boost the body’s immunity.

So give this recipe… you won’t regret sinking your teeth into these heavenly truffles, whilst still staying slim and healthy! xx

Recipe

Makes 12

350g Medjool dates, pitted
1 ½ Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
2 tsp. course sea salt plus extra for sprinkling
250g dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips

To start off with, make sure your dates are super soft. If not, place in hot water for around 10 minutes. Then drain completely and remove the pits.  Place all the ingredients (including 2 tsp. sea salt), apart from the dark chocolate or chocolate chips, into a food processor and blend until you have a smooth “dough”.

With your hands, roll the dough into small balls (each a heaped Tablespoon in size). Place them on plate or baking tray lined with baking paper, and put them in the freezer for around 30 minutes to set.  Melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave or in a small pot over a low heat.  Make sure not to let it burn!  Remove the truffles from the freezer and dip each one into dark chocolate to coat fully.

Place them back in the freezer for another 20-30 minutes, until the chocolate is completely firm.  Remove from the freezer once set and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Allow the truffles to come to room temperature, and sprinkle the tops with additional sea salt to serve. Eat and enjoy!!