I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a sweet tooth.
I did this radical detox thingy over May-June and during that time, apart from fruit and a birthday macaron and glass of champagne, no sugar passed my lips.
I do not consider myself a saint or a new-found, sugar-free evangelist but I’ve decided that rather than ignore my sweet cravings until they build up to a point when even a whole tub of Maggie Beer burnt fig and honeycomb ice cream does little to sate them, I should look for ways in which to craft little treats that I can have in the freezer ready to eat should the sugar thing kick in.
So, when I was reading Ironmum Karla’s blog late the other night and saw her recipe for Raw Choc Mud Slice, a sweet little lightbulb went off inside my head.
The next day I was doing my almost-daily visit to my favourite fruit and veg store (Get Fresh at Cotton Tree), when I realised I could pick up the ingredients I needed for the slice while I was there. Only problem: I’d left my phone at home for quick access to Karla’s blog.
So I improvised.
I’m still recovering from the nasty flu of TWO WEEKS AGO, I figured too many superfood ingredients could never be too much and started piling up my basket with all manner supergoodness stuff. I was like a woman possessed.
So possessed, I came home and whipped up these babies in the Thermomix (a food processer would work too):
Now, the plan was that they would not taste anywhere near chocolately enough for the rest of the family and I would have a freezer stash that would last me months … but … turns out they did love them, popping them straight into lunchboxes and gym bags faster than I could claim the balls as my own.
I posted the above photo on Instagram and a few people asked for the recipe, so I’ve had a go at re-creating and writing it down but I must admit I did “free-ball” it a bit. Pun very much intended.
If you’re playing along at home don’t get too hung up on the quantities and go with your what dried fruit you have access to. Just add the water last so you know what’s needed for your batch.
Ingredients
20 fresh dates, pitted
50g Dr SuperFoods Antioxidant Super Berries
100g Real Food That Loves You Back Organic Dried Apricots
50g Organic Chia Power seeds
200g LSA mix (ground linseed, sunflower seed and almond)
100g Power Super Foods Maca & Cacao Power Blend (Maca is a vegetable from South America)
60g Unsweetened cocoa powder (I use home brand Coles or Woolies – no additives)
1/2 cup water (or as required)
Desiccated coconut
Method
1. Add everything except water to a Thermomix or food processor and blend until you have a fine texture. If you like your balls on the chunky side, feel free to not process so long.
2. Add water, a couple of tablespoons at a time, blend until you get a consistency that’s not too dry and not too moist.
3. Shape about a tablespoon of mixture into a ball and roll in coconut.
4. Store in the freezer for longevity – they won’t actually freeze through so you can grab as you need.
There you go … super balls … have fun with them and yes, bring on the ball jokes. I’m ballsy and I’m ready.
If you follow along on Instagram you’d already know that I do like to cook and bake … especially on weekends when I have less of a time pressure.
But I don’t usually do recipes here, so I’d love to know, is this something you’d like me to occasionally include on the blog?
PS. Don’t forget to take my survey for a chance to win a $150 Westfield gift card … if you haven’t done so already.
Comments 28
hey Nikki, these look wonderful (I saw them on instagram first). You should check out the blog ‘my new roots’ version, the raw chocolate brownie. She uses five ingredients (medjool dates, walnuts, almonds, cacoa powder and sea salt), very yummy!
Thanks Imogen – will do – they sound heavenly!
Oh and now I must try your recipe! I was thinking of adding some peppermint in too, sort of like a after dinner mint taste.x
Great idea – my friends who make the Twenty8 range of essential oils use their pure organic peppermint oil in a chocolate cake. Divine. http://www.twenty8.com/store/pure-essential-oils/peppermint-oil
They look amazing Nikki. This is the kind of treat I’d actually prefer. I’d still eat too many of them though.
They’re actually quite rich and filling – would feel a bit sick doing it!
Yes yes. Nikki, if you are a Thermomixer, you may have heard of Crio Bru, a product from Tenina Holder (who used to be the chief recipe maker-upper or whatever her official title was at Thermomix). Crio grounds work really well in fruit balls like this.
I will Google and find out. We use our Thermo every day here!
Ohh yum! Love the look of these Nikki, I think I might even try to make them! Yes a favourite recepie evey now and then is a good idea (maybe cocktail recepies? LOL)
Oh yes! I can see a summer cocktail recipe series coming on. Think of all the testing I’d have to do to make sure the recipe was perfect 😉
I’d love to see the occasional recipe from you – you obviously enjoy cooking and any time you’ve posted pics of your creations I’ve drooled!
Thanks Nina … I’ll use Instagram as a testing kitchen!
Yes I saw the pic on Instagram ,they look nice,It’s good that you can have a good for you treat on hand that does soothe the sugar /chocolate craving that you don’t feel guilty about,It’s a shame the rest of the family loved them too,make a stash for you and hide them in the veggie drawer of the fridge or the boring part of the freezer,so you know they are there when you need them.I will give these a try they look yummy and I love chia seeds.Thanks for sharing Nikki.
P.S I hope Flynn has a wonderful birthday…7 a magical age ,so fun.Enjoy!!
I have stashed! And Flynn’s had a wonderful birthday … so much Lego to build and he got some US$ to take on our trip!
Anything chocolate is good in my book 🙂
And mine!
oh yes Nikki, I always love a good recipe from another mum, especially ones that can be thrown together in a flash, but look and taste fab!
Done … thanks!
Im going to have to give these a try. Yum!
Too easy Kellie!
Certainly interested, particularly when you mentioned my new friend Monsieur Thermo! Some ‘Food Style’ would round out the SY craving….
We call ours the Thermotron!
These look wonderful. I’m going to try them. Always looking for healthy shacks for the kids.
They’re awesome – think your kids will love!
This sounds great and I will give it a try. Always interested in finding new things to try for the toddler. Love seeing what people cook or bake even if I don’t follow the recipe exactly it can give me ideas. So by all means include recipes.
Oh, thanks Kellie! And yes, I like to be inspired and then adapt it to suit my tastes/needs!