Bliss balls

Michael Craig

Sweetened only with dates, these natural bursts of cocoa are a filling, tasty, fun snack. A recipe like this relies on quality ingredients, though: good cocoa and good-quality vanilla, in particular. Bliss balls are fun to make with kids – they especially like the rolling in coconut part – and they also make the perfect sweet treat after dinner, or for afternoon tea.

Take a look at our best bliss balls for more.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups	Dates, pitted
¼ cup	Sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp	Pumpkin seeds
2 Tbsp	Chia seeds
1 Tbsp	Coconut oil
2 Tbsp	Cocoa powder, dark and Fair Trade, and extra for rolling
1 tsp	Pure vanilla extract
1 serving	Coconut threads, for rolling

Directions

1. Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain well.
2. Place dates, seeds, coconut oil, cocoa, and vanilla in bowl of a food processor and blitz until bound together and smooth. Add optional extras if you're using them and blitz well.
3. Take large teaspoons of mixture and roll into balls. Roll in either cocoa or coconut, or freeze dried berries, or leave plain.
4. Serve for morning or afternoon tea with a cup of your favourite Fair Trade tea or coffee. These will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week and a half.

Want more of Delaney's delicious sweets? Try her Cardoman and coconut museli or these simple banana pancakes.