ROLLED OAT & CACAO BLISS BALLS

I often fail miserably to have just one of these bliss balls a day, however I try never to go over two a day. Thess balls were inspired from a delicious batch a lovely client gave me to sample a few weeks ago. If you do not have a food processor handy, not to worry. Instead you can just mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl; your bliss balls will take on a chunkier texture that is equally as nice as a smooth consistency. I often find myself doubling the recipe so I have lots of these treats in the fridge! You could use puffed rice or puffed quinoa instead of oats. 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (or gluten-free rolled oats if celiac)
• 2-3 heaped tablespoons raw cacao (depends on how chocolatey you want it!)
• 1/4 cup organic maple syrup or honey 
• 2 heaped tablespoons natural peanut butter (contains only peanuts)
• 1 heaped tablespoon hulled tahini (or substitute for another tablespoon of peanut butter)
• pinch of sea salt
• 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil (in liquid form)
• 1/4 cup water 
• Optional- 2 heaped tablespoons of protein powder (I use rice or pea protein powder) 
• Desiccated coconut - to roll balls in 

Method

1. Process all the ingredients in a food processor until well combined. If the mixture is too dry, add additional water; 1 tablespoon at a time to the processor and stir. (Without a food processor: stir all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Add more water if needed). 

2. Pour a layer of desiccated coconut on a serving plate. With wet hands roll each ball then roll in the coconut. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to eat. 

Makes / 12-13 medium balls 

x Emily 

DATE, SEED & NUT BLISS BALLS

I love bliss balls as a snack, as an after dinner treat or as a middle of the day indulgence with a cup of herbal tea. I like to use fresh Medjool dates, as they are lower in sugar and calories to dried. I only try to use 1 fruit in my bliss balls to minimise the sugar levels. I also like to use a relatively small amount of seeds and nuts, and instead let the other ingredients shine; in the case of the recipe below, cacao and tahini (sesame seed paste). I have no doubt that everyone of you can throw whatever you have on hand into your food processor and make amazing tasting bliss balls; I'm just urging you to think of the percentage of sugar in each individual bite. If you love lots and lots of ingredients in your bliss balls, make smaller balls so that you do not consume as much sugar and as many calories. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw Medjool dates (300g), pitted & roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup raw, unsalted cashew nuts 
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut 
• 1 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste) or if you do not have substitute for 1 extra tablespoon maple syrup 
• 1 tablespoon organic maple syrup 

Method 

1. Place the chopped raw dates in a food processor and process until smooth. You may need to add a few little splashes of water to stop the dates concealing into one big ball. 

2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the processor and process until well combined. Add ¼ cup water, a tablespoon at a time, if the mixture is too dry.

3. Mould the mixture into approximately 25 even sized balls.

Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour before eating. 

Makes / 25

Total Preparation time / 20-25 minutes 

x Emily 

APRICOT BLISS BALLS

I have been craving sweets as the weather gets chiller and thought that it was high time to make some bliss / goodie balls. I usually make these with dates as a base, however I thought apricots might be an interesting way to go this time around. The ingredients may sound a little strange but combined together they form a nutritious, naturally sweet and filling little goodie ball. You can also add any form of chopped nuts to this recipe or if you really like citrus lemon zest would be a nice addition along with the lemon juice. I just love the vibrant colour of these bliss balls!

INGREDIENTS

• 500g dried apricots
• 3 heaped tablespoons chia seeds
• 3 heaped tablespoons LSA 
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons rice malt syrup
• 1 heaped tablespoon organic peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup roughly shredded coconut 
• To coat: cacoa powder & finely shredded coconut 

PREPARATION 

1. Place all the ingredients except for the coating ingredients in a food processor and process until mixed well and all ingredients are combined. (If the mixture is too sticky, add some water sparingly). 

2. Form mixture into 16 even-sized bliss balls with your hands. Coat in cacoa powder, finely shredded coconut and leave some bliss balls uncoated. Keep covered in the refrigerator and eat immediately when removed. 

Makes / 16

Total Preparation time / 15 minutes 

x Emily