EQUIPMENT - YOU WILL NEED:
The biggest bowl you can find- It makes the whole experience easier!
A tablespoon to measure.
A coffee grinder to blend up seeds- or a pestle and mortar if you want to do it the hard way
The biggest bowl you can find- It makes the whole experience easier!
A tablespoon to measure.
A coffee grinder to blend up seeds- or a pestle and mortar if you want to do it the hard way
8 scoops (scoop provided in bag) of Sunwarrior Classic Chocolate Rice protein. (Don't use the Warrior blend as it is blended with Stevia giving a bitter aftertaste!). You can replace this protein with a different chocolate protein so long as it is an absolutely delicious chocolate flavour!! I've tried Sci-Mx in the past and it works well. Also NXT chocolate whey is fine.
8 tbsp of cocoa powder. I used Bourneville from Supervalu supermarket. You can also get a new fairtrade cocoa in Rainbow. Green & Blacks is also good from Only Natural. You can also use raw cacao powder but it tastes a little bitter.
8 tbsp of ground almonds. I got these in Supervalu.
4 tbsp on Coconut flour.
You can get this one in Only Natural and in Kates Farm Shop.
You can get this one in Only Natural and in Kates Farm Shop.
4 tbsp chopped hazelnuts.
I got them in Supervalu. You can also get them in Only Natural.
(I put them in a plastic ziplock after the bag is opened to keep them fresh)
I got them in Supervalu. You can also get them in Only Natural.
(I put them in a plastic ziplock after the bag is opened to keep them fresh)
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds. (Too many may give a strong taste)
I ground them in a coffee grinder from Argos. (A very useful tool for healthy recipes for blending seeds and nuts!)
I ground them in a coffee grinder from Argos. (A very useful tool for healthy recipes for blending seeds and nuts!)
4 tbsp of flaxseeds.
You can get a big bag of them in Only Natural and Rainbow. They are in clear plastic bags and are very cheap. You need to grind them to benefit from their nutrients!
Here's a picture of them in my coffee grinder.
You can get a big bag of them in Only Natural and Rainbow. They are in clear plastic bags and are very cheap. You need to grind them to benefit from their nutrients!
Here's a picture of them in my coffee grinder.
I like to add 2 tbsp of Cocoa nibs- freshly ground up in the coffee grinder. It makes a difference to the taste.
You can get these ones or sometimes they have own brand ones in a clear plastic bag in Only Natural.
You can get these ones or sometimes they have own brand ones in a clear plastic bag in Only Natural.
2 tbsp of xylitol. I like to use this instead of sugar. It's a sugar alcohol. This one comes from Birch trees so I like this brand. (from Only Natural and Rainbow). You can also get brands which are made from corn, but I wonder about GM sometimes, so I choose this instead.
NEVER give Xylitol to your DOG! They have a different digestive system to humans.
Dogs also can't eat chocolate so never feed this recipe to your dog!
Read here why it is a good sugar substitute.
I've researched it from a lot of different sources and I'm happy with it in small amounts.
If you replace this with a different sugar- I would choose Coconut sugar.
NEVER give Xylitol to your DOG! They have a different digestive system to humans.
Dogs also can't eat chocolate so never feed this recipe to your dog!
Read here why it is a good sugar substitute.
I've researched it from a lot of different sources and I'm happy with it in small amounts.
If you replace this with a different sugar- I would choose Coconut sugar.
Just a few drops of Vanilla Bean Paste. (I know I should wipe it!)
You can use "Vanilla Extract" either but not vanilla "essence" which is too artificial for the health balls.
You can use "Vanilla Extract" either but not vanilla "essence" which is too artificial for the health balls.
Throw it all in your big bowl and mix it up.
All mixed
Now add water, a little at a time, while stirring, until it's all wet but still very stiff- you should see any dry powder.
I'm not giving an amount of water here- just add it until it looks like this. Doesn't take much.
You can add coconut milk or coconut water if you like instead- I do that sometimes and it doesn't make a difference to the taste
I'm not giving an amount of water here- just add it until it looks like this. Doesn't take much.
You can add coconut milk or coconut water if you like instead- I do that sometimes and it doesn't make a difference to the taste
Roll them into balls!
Stick them in the freezer box while you prepare the chocolate coating.
MAKING THE COATING
You need coconut oil. I like the Supervalue one which is very cheap and the other one pictured is on special offer in Only Natural at the moment.
Rainbow also have one called "Biona" which is lovely.
There are loads to choose from, so get one which is "raw" unprocessed. Sometimes you will see cheaper ones, but they are processed.
You need coconut oil. I like the Supervalue one which is very cheap and the other one pictured is on special offer in Only Natural at the moment.
Rainbow also have one called "Biona" which is lovely.
There are loads to choose from, so get one which is "raw" unprocessed. Sometimes you will see cheaper ones, but they are processed.
80g of coconut oil. I melt it very gently in the oven. As you are buying it "raw - cold-processed" it doesn't make sense to over-heat it.
It turns to liquid super fast.
Spoon in some cocoa powder a little at a time and stir until you reach a nice runny chocolate consistency.
(Originally I used 40g of coconut oil + 4 tbsp of cocoa but I'd recommend double this as it's easier to work with and have some left over instead!)
(Originally I used 40g of coconut oil + 4 tbsp of cocoa but I'd recommend double this as it's easier to work with and have some left over instead!)
Add some more xylitol to taste (For me only about a tbsp)
Chocolate should be runny. This is why it's important to add it a little at a time.
Approx: add 1 tbsp per 10g of coconut flour.
OF COURSE YOU COULD JUST MELT SOME 85% DARK CHOCOLATE EITHER, BUT THIS IS MY EVEN HEALTHIER VERSION
Approx: add 1 tbsp per 10g of coconut flour.
OF COURSE YOU COULD JUST MELT SOME 85% DARK CHOCOLATE EITHER, BUT THIS IS MY EVEN HEALTHIER VERSION
Now take the balls out of the freezer and dip them in the chocolate
Sprinkle each one ASAP while the chocolate is still wet- as it sets fast because the balls are cold from the freezer!!
Give them plenty of room- I normally transfer them to two plates.
A sneaky yummy tip for the leftover chocolate and hazelnuts. Mix them together and stick them in the fridge for a snack later... Yummy.
Back in the freezer to set.
I left them overnight but I reckon 20 mins is fine.
I love eating them directly from the freezer. Or they are at their best after 2 minutes out of the freezer.
You can also store them in the fridge and they are much softer to bite.
I left them overnight but I reckon 20 mins is fine.
I love eating them directly from the freezer. Or they are at their best after 2 minutes out of the freezer.
You can also store them in the fridge and they are much softer to bite.
Serve and Enjoy!
