Healthy Chocolate Truffles

Happy Valentine’s Day friends! I woke up today excited to shower my kids with sweets and kisses, but also craving chocolate. I’m pretty sure this is to be expected on a holiday that is all about decadent and yummy treats. I’m currently in my fourth week of Faster Way To Fat Loss, and though the program allows you to indulge occasionally, it also focuses on eating whole, nutrition-packed foods. Since I began FWTFL I have noticed that my sugar cravings have almost disappeared, but here and there I do feel the need for something sweet, and today is a special occasion after all. 

I’ve been having a lot of fun in the kitchen finding new and unique ways to make some of my favorite foods healthier, and that’s pretty much exactly what I did with these chocolate truffles. They’re Paleo-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of refined sugar… so basically, they’re healthy chocolate. Anyway, they’re super easy to make for any occasion, and would even be great to take to a party or to give someone as a gift!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of coconut oil, melted (or you can use liquid coconut oil. I found mine at Target.)

1/2 tsp of sea salt

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup of cocoa powder

5 tsp cold water

*optional toppings: sprinkles, sea salt, shredded coconut, crushed nuts

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine melted or liquid coconut oil, salt, maple syrup, and vanilla and whisk together until combined.
2. Add cocoa powder and whisk until well mixed in.
3. Using a spatula, continue to mix, as you add the cold water, 1 tsp at a time. This will cause the mixture to sort of separate a little, but don’t worry, this is what you want.
4. Once all of the water has been well mixed in, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and put the mixture into the freezer for about 30 minutes.
5. Remove mixture from the freezer. It should be solid, but pliable.
6. Using a small ice cream scoop or Tablespoon to control portion size, spoon the mixture into your hand and form it into a 1 inch round ball.
7. Optional, roll each ball in your desired topping.

*I store my truffles in a tupperware container in the refrigerator so they do not melt!