Mixed bliss balls

I call these balls bliss balls, because first of all they are super easy to make, that's bliss #1, second of all they taste AMAZING, that's bliss #2, and third of all you can make a nice gift to your friends with them so they as well feel the happiness :) That's bliss #3.. enough reasons to make them right away :))
Ouh and I forgot... they are super healthy, 100% gluten free, dairy free, egg free, great to just snack on them when you have a sweet tooth, or as a post-workout snack :) ... bliss #4, 5, 6, 7... :):):)  

What will you need:
- 1 cup cashew nuts, soaked for 2-3 hours
- 2 cups dates, soaked for 30 minutes
- 3/4 cups almonds, soaked overnight
- 10 grams cocoa butter (or coconut oil)
- 60 grams wild dried apricots
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- pinch of cardamon
- 1 tsp date syrup (or maple/agave syrup)
- coconut shred, sesame seeds, thinly cut almonds for coating

Method:

1. Rinse all soaked nuts and dates, set aside.
2. Melt the cocoa butter on a bed of hot water.
3. Place the cashew nuts, chia seeds, date syrup, melted cocoa butter together with the dates, apricots and spices to the food processor. Process until a smooth, sticky paste is formed and everything is well combined. If the paste is too dry, you can add more date syrup or a bit of water.
4. Add the almonds and pulse a few times, so the almonds are not completely processed and some coarse pieces reamin in the paste.
5. Take a small portion from the paste and form small balls between your hands.
6. Coat the balls with coconut shred, sesame seeds or cut almonds .. as you like :).

I prepared small bags with mixed bliss balls in them and gave them to my friends :) You can make them too and make someone else happy :D 

Lili's raw-Bounty bites

When I was a kid I used to love the Bounty chocolate bars (I loved them as an adult too :). I would always go for the coconut desserts, up until the time I started to read the labels. I found out, that my favourite chocolate bar is emmm...quite far from being a healthy snack for me. Good thing is, there is always a healthier variation to the original one:) 

So here we go, I've created a raw Bounty chocolate bar, super healthy, only using pure, fresh, raw ingredients. As usual, with a good food processor this dessert is quick and satisfies all Bounty and non-Bounty lovers ;)

What will you need:
Coconut filling
- 130g coconut shred

- 2 tbsp maple syrup

- 3 big Medjool dates

- Pinch of salt

- 1/2 tbsp coconut oil

Chocolate coating
- 1 tbsp coconut oil

- 1 heaping tsp raw cocoa

- 1 tbsp date syrup (or maple syrup)

- 10 grams of cocoa butter (optional)

Place all ingredients for the coconut filling into the food processor and mix until a sticky paste is formed. Fill in baking forms or praline forms with the paste. I used praline forms to create different shapes, but you can simply make balls out of the coconut filling, or use any shapes you like :) Place the filling into the freezer to set for about an hour.  

Meanwhile, bring some water to boil in a smaller pot. Put the coconut oil and cocoa butter into a plate and place it on the top of the pot. Wait until they melt in the heat of the water vapor. Mix in the cocoa and the date syrup.  

Prepare a baking sheet (or paper towel) and place a rack on top. The paper is important, so the excess chocolate doesn't dribble on your cupboard :). Take the coconut pralines out from the forms and marinade each of them in the chocolate coating for a few seconds. Place them on the rack. When done, put the raw-Bounty bites to the fridge until the chocolate hardens. Repeat the marinading until achieving a thicker chocolate coating. FYI: I only made one layer of coating, because I couldn't wait longer to eat these yummi coconut bites :D


Serve and enjoy your healthy bites :)

PS: Don't forget to share with your loved ones ...if you manage to leave them some leftovers;P