Ingredients
- 150 g hazelnuts (or see the swaps below)
- 200 g soft Medjool dates, stones removed (about 10)
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 2 tbsp ground linseed or chia seeds
- 1 tbsp almond, hazelnut or sunflower seed butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of sea salt
- 1–2 tbsp water, if needed
To roll them in (choose one or two)
- Desiccated coconut
- Raw cacao powder
- Finely chopped hazelnuts or pistachios
- Sesame or hemp seeds
Swaps for the hazelnuts
- Almonds: a milder, slightly sweeter flavour, and extra calcium and vitamin E
- Walnuts or pecans: soft and buttery, and rich in omega-3 (walnuts)
- Cashews: creamy and mild, ideal for children
- Nut-free: use pumpkin and sunflower seeds instead, with sunflower seed butter, so they are safe for school lunchboxes
Method
- Toast the nuts (optional): for a deeper flavour, toast the hazelnuts in a dry pan or the oven at 180°C (160°C fan) for 8–10 minutes until golden. Rub off any loose skins in a clean tea towel and leave to cool.
- Blitz: whizz the nuts in a food processor until finely chopped, but not yet a paste.
- Add the rest: add the dates, cacao, linseed, nut or seed butter, vanilla and salt, and blend until the mixture clumps together when pressed between your fingers. If it's too dry, add a little water, a teaspoon at a time; if too sticky, add a spoonful more cacao or ground linseed.
- Roll: with damp hands, roll into walnut-sized balls, then roll them in your chosen coating.
- Chill: refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. They keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 3 months.
Why it's good for you: Bliss balls are a satisfying, whole-food alternative to sweets and chocolate bars. Raw cacao is one of the richest food sources of magnesium and of protective polyphenols, and hazelnuts add vitamin E, healthy fats and more magnesium. Dates bring natural sweetness along with fibre and potassium, while the nuts, seeds and fibre slow down how quickly their sugar reaches the blood. They are still a treat, so one or two at a time is plenty. Read more in Real Food, Real Health.
Good to know: Contains nuts unless you use the nut-free swap; always check for nut allergies before sharing.
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