Advent Week 2: Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

For the second week of Advent with Lay Baby Lay, I thought it would be fun to make these raw truffles. I love making raw desserts (remember these Pumpkin Pie Bites?!). It's so fun to be able to whip something up in no time that tastes completely decadent and still has loads of health benefits. These are chock fun of antioxidants, natural sweeteners, and protein. They are gluten and dairy free and are really beautiful and elegant for parties. Have the kids help you roll the balls in the coconut and cocoa powder. A fun + delicious way to ring in the second week of Advent.

Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

yields 12 truffles

You will need:

1/2 cup raw almonds
1 1/2 cup chopped dates (or 10-15 whole pitted dates)
1 cup organic unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup cacao nibs
1.5 T cacao powder
3 T coconut oil
1/2 t vanilla
1 T peppermint oil
Drizzle of honey

In a high-powered blender or food processor add the almonds first. Once the nuts are crushed, slowly add in the dates. I add them in one at a time to keep the motor from having to work too hard. Next add the coconut oil. Once all of the ingredients are combined and moist add in the rest of the ingredients. Use a cookie scooper (I love this one) and scoop out each truffle onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Place the truffles in the fridge for 30 minutes or so and then you can dress them up by rolling them in cocoa powder or shredded coconut. I left a few plain because I liked the variety. Serve them on a platter with fun toothpicks. I found these start picks at Target. Talk to your little ones about how these bites give them energy and help them to be strong, explaining that strong means "mighty" and then you can talk to them about what a mighty God we serve.

Make sure to hop on over to Lay Baby Lay to see the awesome Mighty God painted shields DIY! Might be my favorite craft yet...

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