Recipe: Chocolate Truffles for Valentine's Day

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Valentines Day is synonymous with candy and chocolates. This year, why not try giving your loved one a homemade version? These truffles are healthier than the store-bought version and can be customized to each person's exact tastes. Plus, a homemade treat always means more than something you pick up at the store. These truffles have a crisp chocolate shell with a soft and gooey chocolate-date center. They are seriously delicious and my only regret is that I didn't make a double batch. Healthy Homemade Truffles

Chocolate Truffles for Valentine's Day

Ingredients

12 dates, pitted

1 tablespoon carob powder, plus more for coating truffles

1 cups chocolate chips (I like the brand Enjoy Life because they are free of weird ingredients and allergens)

Fillings and toppings such as pecans, almonds, pistachios, and coconut

Directions
  1. Soak dates until very soft, an hour or more depending on how hard the dates are.
  2. Drain water from dates and process in a blender until smooth.
  3. In a small bowl, add the date puree and 1 tablespoon of carob powder. Stir to incorporate.
  4. With wet fingers, roll date paste into 12 truffles. As you roll each truffle, add any desired fillings. Then, roll the truffle in carob powder and set on a baking sheet.
  5. Once all 12 truffles have been formed and rolled in carob powder, put the truffles in the freezer to harden, at least 1 hour.
  6. Once the truffles have firmed up a bit, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave. Dip each truffle into the melted chocolate to coat and then immediately sprinkle with any toppings. You may need to return the truffles to the freezer periodically as they begin to soften. If the truffles get too soft, they will start to come apart when you dip them and the chocolate won't coat evenly. As the consistency of chocolate can vary between brands and also depends on how much the chocolate cools during the coating process, you may find that you need a little more or a little less than the recipe calls for. Feel free to adjust accordingly.
  7. Once all of your truffles are coated in chocolate, return them to the freezer for at least 1 hour to set up. Store in the freezer or refrigerator.