Tag Archives: gluten-free dessert

12

Aug. ’20

Yumtritious chocolate balls (vegan and gluten-free)

 

Chocolate balls 2

This recipe is yummy and nutritious: yumtritious!

The chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder (or cacao powder), Two types of nuts are used because each type adds its own nutritious aspects. Sweetness comes from the dates, carob powder, and coconut coating. Extra nutrition and texture come from the sesame seeds and lecithin.

This recipe is my second one for chocolate balls. The other recipe, Chocolate sesame date balls, relies on tahini paste and dates to hold their shape. Yumtritious chocolate balls are based on nuts and dates.

Yumtritious chocolate balls satisfy the sweet tooth and nourish the body at the same time!

Makes 30 chocolate balls, depending on size

Ingredients

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup cashews

1/3 cup cocoa or cacao powder

1 Tbsp carob powder

1 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 tsp lecithin granules

1 packed cup medjool dates, pits removed and cut in halves or quarters, plus 1-4 more dates if the mixture is not sticky enough (halawi dates are also good in this recipe)

Unsweetened shredded coconut

Steps

  1. Place walnuts and cashews in a food processor, and process until they are in small pieces, but not ground.
  2. Add cocoa powder, carob powder, sesame seeds and lecithin, and process until the mixture looks uniform.
  3. Add dates, about 1/3 cup at a time, and process after each addition. Check the mixture after you’ve added the cup of dates. If the mixture isn’t sticky, add 1-4 more dates. You want the mixture to stick together when you roll it between your fingers, but you don’t want to add too many dates which could take over the chocolate flavor.
  4. Roll the mixture into balls, and then roll in the shredded coconut.

Notes

  • The dates process more easily when they are soft. If you keep the dates in the refrigerator, let them come to room temperature before using them.
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21

Feb. ’18

Chocolate sesame date balls (vegan and gluten-free)

Chocolate sesame date balls

There are many recipes for chocolate balls. Some of the recipes are not nutritious at all (full of sugar and other health-saddening ingredients) and some are very nutritious (sweetened with fruit and full of nutritious ingredients).

This recipe is nutritious (of course) and yummy! The chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder (or cacao powder) with a bit of carob powder to up the nutritional value. If you like the flavor of carob, increase the ratio of carob powder to cocoa powder. If you prefer a more chocolaty flavor, add less (or no) carob powder.

Sesame seeds up the nutritional value and add a bit of crunch. If you prefer a smoother texture, leave them out.

If you like coconut, coat the balls in coconut. If you love coconut!, add some to the mixture.

This dessert satisfies the sweet tooth and nourishes the body at the same time. Yumtritious!

Makes 20-24 balls,
depending on size and how much dough you snitch while making them 🙂

Ingredients

1 cup medjool dates, pits removed and cut in halves or quarters

1/4 cup  tahini paste (from whole sesame seeds is best)

1/4 cup cocoa powder or combination of cocoa powder and carob powder

Pinch of ground nutmeg

1 Tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Unsweetened shredded coconut for coating the balls (optional)

Steps

  1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor, and process until they are all combined.
  2. Roll the dough into balls.
    Chocolate sesame date balls 2
  3. (Optional) Roll the balls in the shredded coconut.
    Chocolate sesame date balls with coconut

Notes

  • I doubled the recipe, so the pictures show more balls than you will get without doubling it.
  • The dates should be soft when you place them in the food processor. If you keep the dates in the refrigerator, let them come to room temperature before using them.
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31

Dec. ’16

Yummy chocolate rice cereal squares (vegan and gluten-free)

 

chocolate-rice-cereal-squares

Chocolate and crispie rice cereal (brown rice, of course) are a yummy dessert combination. Peanut butter binds them and agave, coconut, and yellow raisins sweeten them. Slivered almonds add extra crunch. This dessert satisfies the sweet tooth and nourishes the body at the same time. Yumtritious!

Ingredients

chocolate-rice-cereal-squares-ingredients

2/3 cup natural peanut butter
(The peanut butter I use is thin. If your peanut butter is thick, add 1 Tbsp coconut oil or other vegetable oil.)

1/4 cup agave syrup

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut

3 Tbsp chopped yellow raisins

3 Tbsp slivered almonds

3 cups brown rice crispie cereal (preferably unsweetened)

Steps

  1. In a medium size bowl, mix the peanut butter and agave until smooth.
  2. Add the cocoa powder and mix well.
  3. Add the coconut, raisins, and almonds and mix.
  4. Add the cereal and mix until all the cereal pieces are well coated.
  5. Place the mixture into an 8 x 8 inch/20 x 20 cm baking dish, and spread it evenly. Press down firmly to solidify the mixture. (I used an offset spatula to press it down evenly, but a large spoon works fine too.)
  6. Place the baking dish in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, then remove it for cutting. The mixture will be firm, but not frozen and easy to cut into squares. Cut the mixture into the square size you prefer.
  7. Return the baking dish to the freezer or refrigerator to firm up more.
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