Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

Truuuuuuffffffllllles.

Better yet, healthy truffles.

Truffles made from a base of dried figs, chickpeas, and extra dark cocoa powder, and rolled in minty crushed starlight candy.

Truffles that don't taste like they're made from beans.

Truffles that will absolutely... blow... you... away.

These incredible Chocolate Peppermint Truffles are like nothing you've ever eaten before.

They're rich and chocolaty with a perfect texture, and a crunchy coating of peppermint.  So satisfying they'll taste as guilt inducing as Godiva.

And yet, they're nowhere close.

Each and every one of these delightful little truffles will do your body no harm.  Like mentioned before, they're made mainly from dried figs, beans, and extra dark cocoa powder.  But it's getter better, or better for you at least.  In the entire batch of truffles, there is only one tablespoon of honey (and no other sweetner).  And, these truffle are super easy.  Just blend and roll.

So why not indulge in a healthier way this Christmas?  I certainly will be!

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles - adapted from this recipe

• 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (of from a can, drain and rinse very well)
• 130 grams dried figs
• 5 tbsp extra dark cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp egg whites
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp honey
• starlight mints, for crushing (about 8 should be enough)

Combine chickpeas and figs in food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.  Add in cocoa powder, vanilla, honey, and egg whites, and process again until thoroughly combined.  Scoop mixture into a plastic bag and refridgerate for at least 20 minutes.  Form into approximately 1 tsp balls.  Place mints in a small bag and crush them into a fine dust with a hammer or similar tool.  Just before serving truffles, roll them in peppermints.  Leftovers will keep in fridge for 1 week, and can also be frozen to last longer.

Feel free to leave the mints off of these truffles too.  They still taste yummy and it makes the whole process even faster.

However, I gotta say, smashing the candies into dust is strangely statisfying and would probably be a great stress reliever.  So, you know, if the stress of the holidays is getting to you, I recommend you don't skip the mints :)

Happy holidays everyone!

Revisited Recipe of the Day:

Double Decker Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Peppermint Milkshake

I have mixed feelings about artificial sweeteners.

I like them in that they aknowledge that people should be conscious about how much white sugar they consume, but I don't like that they're, well, artificial.

When it comes to foods, I like to eat natural foods as much as possible.  Sure, the occasional candy bar with tounge-twisting ingredients makes an appearance, but most of the time the foods that enter by body are nice and real.

Artificial sweeteners... they're not real.  In fact, they're the exact opposite.  Fake.  It's right there in the name.  I don't feel completely comfortable putting something fake into my body.  I've also found that fake things taste fake.  With some artificially sweetened things that I've tried, the ending result doesn't taste right.  There's just something a bit off.

But, all of that aside, I'm always up for a challenge, especially when it involves creating recipes or trying new things.  So, when I was sent a couple samples of Sweet'N Low as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemakers Program with Sweet'N Low, I didn't hesitate to get started creating a delicious drink creation.

I know that although I may not eat Sweet'N Low often, there are many others who do, so I was sure to create a wonderful recipe.  I definitely accomplished my goal.  The shake I created is creamy and chocolaty, with just a hint of peppermint for some holiday cheer.

It's also super healthy and packed with protein, even though there's no protein powder used.  Another great thing about this milkshake is that you can't tell it's not sweetened with sugar.  Like I mentioned earlier, sometimes atrificially sweetened food/drinks come with a funny taste.  Not this one!  You can't tell there's something different about it at all, which is perfect for all you with really sensitive tastebuds (like me).

Overall, though the milkshake I created is definitely yummy and I wouldn't hesitate to sip it up, it doesn't change my feelings about artificial sweeteners.  I still don't think I will be comsuming them often, simply because I don't like to think of something fake going into by body.  However, I do now know that adding Sweet'N Low to a recipe does not make it taste weird, so I can understand a bit more why some people prefer artificial sweeteners.

Thanks Foodbuzz and Sweet'N Low for the great experience!

Chocolate Peppermint Milkshake
(serves 1)

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese (if you'd like it to be vegan, tofu will also work)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 banana, frozen and cut into chunks
• 1-2 packets Sweet' N Low sweetener

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into a glass and serve immediately.  That's all!  Enjoy :)

Revisited Recipe of the Day:

Protein Vanilla Milkshake