I’ve always avoided bliss balls for 2 reasons:
1. They just seemed like calorie bombs – for all that people swore they were healthy (mostly because I couldn’t see myself being able to stop at one).
2. The term bliss balls makes me giggle because I am an immature 12 year old.
But now that I have magically gained some willpower, at least the first problem is solved. As for the second problem, well, I’m beyond help. At least I can be immature with some bliss balls, now. And with chia seeds, almonds, dates and orange and just enough dark chocolate to feel like a treat, they’re both nutritious and absolutely delicious!
Honestly, I barely even adapted this recipe. It’s pretty much straight from Taste.com.au. But, as this blog is to show case the recipes I used to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle (as opposed to showcasing recipes I’ve developed myself… I’m not a chef!), I don’t actually feel bad about this.
One thing I did change was the size of the balls. Rather than yielding 18 balls, I shape mine to yield 28. They’re perfectly bit sized this way, and less crumbly. The smaller balls are 103 calories, and the larger size are 137. Either way, they’re pretty guilt free. A little calorically dense for what they are, perhaps, but full of goodness and filling enough as a morning tea or 3pm pick me up.
Yields 28
Ingredients
2tbs Macro black and white chia seeds
1/4 cup fresh orange juice (juice from one small orange)
85g almonds
2tsp orange rind
200g dates
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
2tbs cocoa powder
150g Lindt 70% dark chocolate
Method
- Line two baking trays with non stick baking paper.
- Combine chia seeds and orange juice, and soak for 10 minutes.
- Process the almonds in a food processor until coarsely ground. Move to a mixing bowl, clean processor and use to coarsely chop dates. Add all ingredients except the chocolate and process until combined.
- With damp hands, press level teaspoons of the mixture into balls and place onto prepared trays. Refrigerated for 15 minutes.
- Break chocolate into pieces and place in a dry, clean bowl. Microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring with a dry metal spoon until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Place one ball in the chocolate, and use a spoon to roll until evenly coated. (Do not be tempted to use a fork to dip the ball into the chocolate, as it will fall apart. Trust me.). Return to lined pan and place in the fridge for 5 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container. Room temperature is fine, but they do freeze very well, too.
