A delicious dark chocolate treat! Chock full of hazelnuts, dates, and cocoa powder. Sweet, festive, and brain-healthy.
Takes 30 minutes to prepare, plus time to cool, and yields 5–6 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (about 135 grams) roasted hazelnuts
- 5 large medjool dates, pitted (6 if they are small)
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- A pinch of sea salt
- ½ cup (about 90 grams) sugar-free and dairy free dark chocolate (such as Lily’s 70% Extra Dark Chocolate, stevia sweetened)
- Toppings: crushed hazelnuts and cacao nibs
How to make our Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles
Place the hazelnuts in a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse them until they are processed into a meal. Remove the meal in a dish and set aside.
Now place the dates in the food processor. Process the dates until small bits are formed and the dates form a ball. Stop the processor and add the cacao or cocoa, the salt, and half of the hazelnut meals. Pulse until mixed together.
Continue adding the hazelnut meal little by little until the dough gets more formed, and when you pick it, it sticks together.
Once you have a dough, scoop out about 1 tablespoon in the palm of your hand. Gently roll into a ball.
Place it on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Place the sheet in the freezer to firm them up.
While the truffles chill in the freezer, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Remove truffles from freezer.
Hold the truffle on top of a fork and dip each one into the melted chocolate. Tap away excess chocolate and place it on the parchment paper again.
Top with either cacao nibs or hazelnut pieces. Allow to set at room temperature. They are best enjoyed at room temperature.
Store leftovers in refrigerator for a week. These can be stored for longer if frozen.
The brain science behind the recipe
Dark chocolate, especially when sugar-free, contains higher levels of cocoa solids, which are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants — compounds which can contribute to improved blood flow and cognitive function.
Hazelnuts can also improve cardiovascular health, thanks to the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats they contain. Good cardiovascular health supports healthy blood flow to the brain.
The Medjool dates provide natural sweetness along with fiber. Fiber is important for digestive health, and a healthy gut is increasingly recognized for its connection to brain health.
Join the NEURO Academy community to get exclusive access to Ayesha’s live brain-healthy cooking sessions.
- Ask Ayesha questions
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Join the NEURO Academy community to get exclusive access to Ayesha’s live brain-healthy cooking sessions.
- Ask Ayesha questions
- Learn about the brain health benefits of different foods
- Share your food photos in the NEURO Academy community, and exchange tips with other members!
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