Looking for inspiration for quick, easy, delicious Christmas present ideas? Or maybe you’re trying to think of what to take as your contribution to the Christmas Day dessert table. Well, this latest Foodie Friday post has certainly got you covered!
Most of you will be familiar with the good old bliss ball. But sometimes, finding that perfect combo of flavours can be tricky so I’ve done all the hard work (and taste testing!) to bring you three of my favourite bliss balls. They’re also little people friendly and my chief recipe taste (two year old, H) LOVES them – he loves them so much, I have to hide them from him! I hope you love them as much as we do!
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Lime and coconut bliss balls
Makes approximately 15 bliss balls, or 30 mini ones.
Recipe adapted from Pintrest
What you’ll need…
1/2 cup dried, pitted dates
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup raw cashews (can substitute any nuts)
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
juice and zest from four limes
1/4 cup desiccated coconut, for rolling
How it’s done…
Pour boiling water over the dates and leave to soak for ten minutes. Place the almonds, cashews and coconut in a blender and blitz for a few seconds – I made mine quite powdery with a few nutty pieces so it was a nice smooth but with a bit of texture. Drain the water from the dates and add to the nuts with the lime zest and juice. Mix to combine then roll into balls. I make 1/2 tablespoon sized ones for grown ups and teaspoon sized balls for mini people. Roll in coconut – I didn’t do this with the mini sized ones, mainly because I was paranoid H would choke on it cause he inhales them so quickly!
Best kept in the freezer.
Choco-nut bliss balls (with an option to make these mocha bliss balls or slice)
Makes approximately 20 bliss balls.
This is a lifelovetravelfood original (which means I made it up as I went along… I really hope I can remember it!)
What you’ll need…
1/2 cup dried, pitted dates
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup almonds (again, feel free to use whichever nuts you prefer)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds and pepitas
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tsp instant coffee (optional – NOT little people friendly!)
How it’s done…
Pour boiling water over the dates and leave to soak for ten minutes. In a blender, blitz the nuts, seeds and coconut for a few seconds. Don’t blitz for too long as you’ll blend again with the rest of the ingredients.
Add the melted coconut oil, vanilla and cacao powder. If using the coffee, add to the blender along with the drained dates. Blitz until combined. Roll into balls – I make 1/2 tablespoon sized ones for grown ups and teaspoon sized balls for mini people (H does not eat the coffee flavoured ones!)
I have also done this recipe as a slice – exactly the same method, I just stirred through 1/2 cup puffed brown rice cereal at the end and pressed into a lined baking tray, froze then sliced into squares.
The slice and bliss balls should be kept in the freezer.
Peanut butter chocolate bliss balls
Makes approximately 15 bliss balls or 30 small ones.
Recipe originated from Pintrest
What you’ll need…
1/2 cup dried, pitted dates
2 tbsp raw cacao powder
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (only use the one made from 100% peanuts – there doesn’t need to be anything else in it! Sanitarium does a good one, available at the supermarket – check the health food section and read your labels!)
1 tsp vanilla
How it’s done…
Pour boiling water over the dates and leave to soak for ten minutes. Drain the dates then place all ingredients into blender and process till well combined. Roll into balls and freeze. Couldn’t be easier!
*Sorry no photo, ate them all before I realised I hadn’t taken one!
