Mostly Raw Chocolate Truffles

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Aren’t chocolate truffles just the height of decadence?  At this time of year, they seem to abound on coffee tables, in buffets, or in scalloped porcelain dishes that have been handed down from generation to generation.

Well, for dessert day here at DD&D, I thought I’d share a recipe for my favorite NAG-friendly chocolate trufffles.

 I’ve always loved these ultra-rich, velvety treats, but in recent years have sought out other, more health-supportive ways to indulge my hankering. When I discovered raw truffles, I knew I’d found the winner–the candy I could eat with impunity yet would still allow me to feel just a little bit naughty while I savored them.  And these babies actually contain many compounds that are good for your heart!

There are many recipes for raw chocolate truffles on the Internet and in raw lifestyle cookbooks (though not on the Holidailies  site).  I was given this recipe by a friend a couple of years ago, and I tinkered with it quite a bit before ending up with this version. The recipe uses both maple syrup and agave nectar, which allows for a smoother, silkier texture.

I also favor dark cocoa powder rather than Dutch process. Yes, I am aware that those in the upper echelons of the food blogging world would never make use of such a base form of cocoa; but it turns out, in fact, that the darker the cocoa, the more flavonoids it contains. So Dutch process is actually less efficient at fighting off all those pesky chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, or Type II Diabetes.  Mary Engler, in her article, “The Emerging Role of Flavonoid-Rich Cocoa and Chocolate in Cardiovascular Health and Disease,”  tells us,

“It is important to note that the amount of flavonoids in chocolate is not only dependent on the cacao bean, but also on the processing steps involved in its manufacture, e.g., excess heat and alkalization (“Dutch” process) can significantly reduce the amount of flavonoids.” 

Besdies, dark cocoa just looks so much better in this recipe.

 Similarly, the fats in the cashews (mostly unsaturated) are also good for your ticker.  And according to one of my favorite sites, cashews also contain a fair amount of magnesium, equally beneficial for heart health.  If you aren’t concerned about the cashews being raw, go ahead and use regular cashew butter–it will still taste amazing.

These truffles can tend toward the soft side, so you must be sure to refrigerate them if you want them to hold their shape.  If you’re not too fussy about achieving a perfect sphere, dig in as soon as you’ve rolled them.

Mostly Raw Chocolate Truffles

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TO VIEW THE COMPLETE RECIPE, PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE ON THE NEW DIET, DESSERT AND DOGS, BY CLICKING HERE.

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