Chocolate Brownie Truffles
Is chocolate a functional food?
There’s evidence to show that cocoa and dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols such as flavanols, and theobromine, a compound that has been found to increase HDL cholesterol (the good one), may improve cardiovascular and respiratory health, and may even improve skin health from UV exposure.
Dark chocolate is rich in a number of compounds and nutrients:
🫐 Polyphenols such as flavanols
⚛️ Theobromine
☕️ Caffeine (to a lesser extent)
💆🏻♀️ Magnesium - helps relax tissues
🟠 Copper - acts as an antioxidant, helps make red blood cells, helps to form collagen
🥔Potassium - regulates fluid levels of our cells, muscle contraction, and blood pressure
🫘 Iron - immune support, hemoglobin production, overall energy, and gastrointestinal function
In a nutshell, dark chocolate has many health benefits including:
✅ Improving insulin sensitivity
✅ Lowering vascular inflammation
✅ Significant improvement in lipid profiles (triglycerides)
✅ Lowering blood pressure
✅ Improving skin elasticity
✅ Weight management
Satisfy your chocolate cravings and feel good about adding this antioxidant-rich treat to your nutrition.
To make these gluten free, opt for gluten-free cocoa and ensure that your other baking ingredients are certified gluten free. The slightest amount of an allergen can set your elimination progress back to the start!
Ingredients & Directions
Ingredients
2 tbsp coconut cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup tahini
1 tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder
pinch salt
6 dates, pitted and soaked
1/2 cup cocoa powder
Coating:
4 oz vegan chocolate
2 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
Directions
In a blender, combine the coconut cream, vanilla, tahini, coffee powder, salt, dates, and cocoa powder.
Blend all ingredients well.
Roll the dough into 1” balls and set aside in the fridge.
In a small saucepan, melt the coconut oil, chocolate and vanilla over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
When the melted chocolate is cool enough to the touch, immerse the balls on a spoon until the ball is covered well. Place each truffle on a parchment-lined tray and place in the fridge until the truffles are cool and the chocolate is hardened.
Keep in the fridge covered for up to 5 days.
Sources:
Escutia-Gutiérrez, R., Sandoval-Rodríguez, A., Galicia-Moreno, M., Rosas-Campos, R., Almeida-López, M., Santos, A., & Armendáriz-Borunda, J. (2023). Mexican Ancestral Foods (Theobroma cacao, Opuntia ficus indica, Persea americana and Phaseolus vulgaris) Supplementation on Anthropometric, Lipid and Glycemic Control Variables in Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 12(6), 1177. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12061177
Scapagnini, G., Davinelli, S., Di Renzo, L., De Lorenzo, A., Olarte, H., Micali, G., Cicero, A., & Gonzalez, S. (2014). Cocoa bioactive compounds: Significance and potential for the maintenance of skin health. Nutrients, 6(8), 3202–3213. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6083202
Tan, T. Y. C., Lim, X. Y., Yeo, J. H. H., Lee, S. W. H., & Lai, N. M. (2021). The health effects of chocolate and cocoa: A systematic review. Nutrients, 13(9), 2909. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13092909
Yoon, H.-S., Kim, J. R., Park, G. Y., Kim, J.-E., Lee, D. H., Lee, K. W., & Chung, J. H. (2016). Cocoa flavanol supplementation influences skin conditions of photo-aged women: A 24-week double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. The Journal of Nutrition, 146(1), 46–50. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.217711
