Chocolate Cherry Nut Treats (Gluten-Free)
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious and deceptively nutritious “Treats.” Loaded with plant protectors (including anti-inflammatory flavonoids and fiber), they are also gluten-free and contain no added sugar. All ingredients are available at Trader Joes.
- 1 ½ cups raw almonds
- 1 cup dry roasted cashews
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 8 oz Medjool dates, cut in half, seeds removed (about 14-20 dates)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- ¼ cup dry roasted almond slivers
- 8 oz pkg dried cherries (Montmercy variety recommended)
- ¾ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened, dark
Grind the almonds and the cashews separately in blender or food processor until flour like consistency. (Depending on the motor strength of the device used, you may want to process the nuts in smaller batches.) Pour ground nuts into large mixing bowl.
Next grind together the coconut oil and dates. You may need to add some water (1 tbsp at a time) if the dates are too dry. Place the date mixture in the bowl containing the ground nuts, and add the salt, coconut, almond slivers, dried cherries, and cocoa powder.
Mix all these ingredients together like you would in preparing a pie crust, using a large spoon and/or two knives to cut through the “dough.”
Form into 1-inch balls. Store in the refrigerator (or freezer) until eaten.
Makes 48 balls. Each ball provides about 90 calories, 2 g protein, 5 g fat (2g sat), 0 mg cholesterol, 10 g carbohydrate, 6 g sugar (from fruit), 3 g fiber, 20 mg calcium, 30 mg magnesium, 26 mg sodium, and 115 mg potassium.
Note: The addition of one ounce of 70% semi-sweet chocolate (melted with the coconut oil) makes these treats even more delicious and chocolate-rich, while only adding a few calories to each ball.