Happy Friday guys!

These truffles are filled with juicy dates, covered in creamy peanut butter, dipped in rich vegan "milk" chocolate, and sprinkled with nutritious hemp hearts. A decadent guilt-free sweet treat for you in light of National Milk Chocolate Day.

What are hemp hearts?

Hemp hearts are the edible interior part of hemp seeds and a very potent superfood. For starters they are an incredible source of natural plant protein with 10 grams of protein per 30 grams. They are also loaded with healthy fats, with 10 grams of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for every 30 grams, and they actually have more omega 3 fatty acids than fish. Additionally, they have all the essential omega 3 fatty acids for human health. They surprisingly contain more amino acids than meat, eggs and milk. (Amino acids are the building blocks of essential proteins in the body.) And hemp hearts contain more protein and provide more energy than your average energy bar, without all the added sugar.

What's healthy about dates?

Dates are a great natural sweetener and source of energy that have been shown to reduce blood pressure. They have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. They contain considerable dietary fiber and antioxidants. They’re filled with essential minerals that contribute to bone health. They’re very beneficial to heart and nervous system health. And they’re loaded with vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium and B6.

The process of soaking dates

It's most beneficial to soak your dates in hot water before eating them to increase the water content of the dates and to make them softer for this recipe (optional).

To do this just place dates in hot water for 15 minutes. Then replace the water with more hot water (it will have cooled by then), and soak for another 15 minutes.

Here's how I did it

Ingredients

1/2 cup organic peanut butter
20 dates (about 10 medjool dates)

Vegan chocolate

1/4 cup organic coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup organic unsweetened coca powder
2-3 tbsp organic maple syrup
1/4 tsp sea salt

Toppings

1/4 cup hemp hearts

Directions

You can soak the dates to start, but this is optional (process explained above). Then dip the dates in peanut butter so that they're completely covered. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put in the freezer for 20 minutes.

While that's freezing prepare your vegan chocolate by combining your coconut oil, cocoa powder, maple syrup and sea salt in a mixing bowl.

Then take your dates out of the freezer. Dip a date in the chocolate and place on the baking sheet. Then immediately sprinkle with hemp hearts (the chocolate hardens quickly). Then repeat with all your remaining dates.

Next freeze for another 20 minutes. Let thaw out for 2-5 minutes and enjoy!

This recipe serves 20 truffles, at 90 calories per truffle. Store in the freezer for up to a week.

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Recipe and photos are mine and original.

You can also connect with me on Instagram

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And for more of my clean and healthy recipes click the links below:

Vegan Chickpea Curry

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cups

Sweet Potato Salad with Arugula, Sunflower Seeds and Goat Cheese

Chocolate Ginger Cookies

Green Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Banana Nut Butter Crepes

Cinnamon Chia Overnight Oats

Zucchini Fritters and Homemade Tzatziki

Mint Chocolate Coconut Bark

Strawberry Partfait Bars

Vegan Pizza and Homemade Pesto

Raw Chocolate Fudge Bites

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins a.k.a Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Donuts

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Sources:

http://holdthesugar.mcclearyfamily.com/using-dates-as-a-sweetener/

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html

http://carlabirnberg.com/2012/02/02/the-feverous-love-affair-with-hemp-hearts/

https://manitobaharvest.com/products/hemp-hearts/