Everyone has a favorite holiday treat. And while peppermint and gingerbread tend to steal the limelight, we think the real star of the season are cherry cordials—tiny chocolate candies bursting with rich, sweet cherry flavor.
Of course, if you’re opted to eat a plant-based diet, eating mainstream candy means going off-plan. As a gift to you, we’re sharing this easy way to make your own vegan chocolate cherry truffles!
Candies Made With “The World’s Healthiest Sweetener”
These divine little treats get their sweetness from dates, which some call the world’s healthiest sweetener. Dates are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which means eating these chocolate cherry truffles won’t lead to a sugar crash, and can even give you a health boost! Research shows that dates can decrease cholesterol and strengthen your bones, among other benefits.
To make these decadent chocolate cherry truffles, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 6 medjool dates
- ¾ dried, unsweetened cherries
- 1 tablespoon cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ¼ cups vegan dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A Quick, No-Fuss Way to Make Vegan Truffles
- If the dates you plan to use seem dried out, begin by soaking them so they’re as soft, plump, and juicy as possible. Place the dates in a bowl and pour boiling water over them, then let them sit for 10 – 15 minutes before draining.
- Next, place the almonds and cashews in a food processor. Process to the consistency of a meal, then set aside in a dish.
- Remove the pits from the dates and place them in the food processor and process until a sticky ball begins to form.
- Now, add the cherries, cacao or cocoa powder, almond extract, and half the nut meal, and pulse. As you pulse, slowly add the remaining nut meal until a loose dough forms. Don’t worry if you have leftover nut meal—if you like, you can even reserve some to top the truffles!
- You’ll know your dough has reached the desired consistency when you can easily form it into small balls. At this point, scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into small balls. You should end up with approximately 14 truffles.
- Set the truffles on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer to chill.
- While you wait for the truffles to chill, melt the chocolate in a double boiler, taking care to avoid overheating it. Once it’s melted, stir in the coconut oil and vanilla extract.
- Remove truffles from freezer and individually dip them into the melted chocolate. Use a fork or skewer to remove them, and gently shake to remove excess chocolate.
- Place dipped truffles back onto the parchment paper and let set at room temperature.
The Final Step: Deciding Whether to Share!
Once the chocolate shell has solidified, these delightful morsels are ready to be popped into your mouth! If you have leftovers, or want to give these delightful morsels as a gift, they keep well in an airtight container. If you’re planning to save them for a later date, transfer them to the freezer to preserve freshness.
