Heirloom Cacao Oat Balls with Pomegranate & Maca
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been wanting to try my hand at some raw superfood truffles. I guess I thought, for one, that they couldn’t be as simple to make as they actually are, and two, that I couldn’t make them any better than the ones I buy at my favorite health food stores. NEWS FLASH! These are just as delicious if not more so, are freaking easy to make and sure to satisfy any chocolate-lovers sweet tooth.
So say hello to my little friends! These delicious raw chocolatey balls of goodness are packed with nutrient-dense superfoods like adaptogenic maca, flaxseed, heart-healthy cacao and antioxidant-rich pomegranate which is a natural mood booster. High in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, these ingredients have disease fighting properties that can help reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Earthy maca, which naturally balances hormones, improves libido and increases energy, doesn’t have the best flavor so this is the perfect vehicle to house this beneficial powder because all the other flavors stand out. I added in some ground flaxseed for a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. What’s more, these healing seeds are known to improve digestion. I opted for a tahini base (other options are almond or cashew butter), which promotes skin and bone health, can help boost nutrient absorption as well as prevent inflammation. For a heartier consistency, I added in fiber-rich old-fashioned oats which gives them a nice texture and make these a perfectly filling snack.
After a half hour in the freezer you can reward yourself with a treat that’s so decadent and healthy you’ll be asking yourself the same question I did - Why did I ever buy expensive raw balls in the first place when I could make them myself?! There’s only one problem. You can’t just eat one. I mean, you can try, but I’ll give you a few minutes before you’re back in the freezer and popping another one of these bites in your mouth.
As always, check out my curated Spotify playlist to pair with your cooking experience, and don't forget to have fun in the kitchen xo
Ingredients
Makes 12-14 balls
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup tahini
6 dates, pits removed
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
2 tbsp raw honey
2 tbsp heirloom cacao (I use Animamundi’s Anandamide)
1 tbsp maca powder
1 tbsp pomegranate powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp himalayan sea salt
Instructions
In a small bowl, cover dates in boiling water and let sit for 10 minutes.
Once dates have softened, add them to a blender with 3-4 tablespoons of the water that the dates soaked in along with the honey. Blend until creamy and smooth.
In a medium-sized bowl, add all ingredients and mix with a spoon until combined.
Roll into balls and dip in your favorite topping. I dipped a few in cocoa powder, some in coconut chips and a few in Trader Joe’s Super Seed blend.
Place in a freezer safe container in the freezer to chill and harden. After about 30 minutes to an hour these treats will be ready to snack on!
