Healthy chocolate truffles using just 3 ingredients: unsweetened chocolate, dried fruit and honey (to taste)! I love having these healthy little truffles in the fridge to cure chocolate cravings, and I love their nutritional profile: they clock in at 100 calories each with 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein! All made in one bowl in just 25 minutes!
Healthy chocolate truffles
We are not going to say the ‘p’ word when we talk about these healthy chocolate truffles. We all know the other word to describe a dried plum, but every time you call it by its other name, it conjures up too many health food notions. If dried raisins, dried apricots, and dried mango slices can be adored, why not prunes? Oops, I said it, but I do love prunes. Really good prunes are moist, not dry and leathery. Try to find the ones either from Trader Joe's or in individual wrapping to keep them fresh.
The inside of a fresh dried plum is exactly like that of a soft, unctuous truffle. Which is how I got the idea to make healthy chocolate truffles with prunes.!
I need a tiny bite of something sweet after dinner, and a two-bite healthy chocolate truffle is just the thing. I love to keep a small batch of these truffles in my fridge during the week. I’ve made a few varieties throughout the years for you (Greek yogurt truffles, mashed potato truffles and cake truffles).
Easy chocolate truffles ingredients:
- unsweetened chocolate: Can I make one small request? Buy the unsweetened chocolate in the shiny gold package. Not the baking stuff, ok? You deserve it high-quality unsweetened chocolate. The baking chocolate is totally fine for small batch brownies, but can be a bit chalky here, in an uncooked recipe.
- prunes: Lovely, soft, sweet and chewy dried plums. Look for the freshest ones you can, with obvious moisture--no dry or leathery ones. If they're individually wrapped to maintain moisture, you have found the right ones for these healthy chocolate truffles.
- honey: This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of honey to allow the slight bitterness of the chocolate to shine, but you can add up to 3 tablespoons to make these taste like true candy. You can also substitute agave syrup or maple syrup, if you're strictly vegan.
How to make healthy chocolate truffles:
- Soak: The first step to make healthy chocolate truffles is to boil water. We're going to soak the prunes in boiling water to soften them, so they can be mashed with a fork very easily. They turn into a soft paste that is so (naturally) sweet!
- Drain and mash: After the 20 minute soak, drain off all of the water from the prunes. Use a fork to mash the prunes into a paste and set aside.
- Melt: Next, chop up the bar of unsweetened chocolate into fine bits (see photo). Add the chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for 15 seconds, just enough to soften. Then, stir in the warm prune paste. The residual heat of the prunes will melt the chocolate all the way.
- Sweeten: Finally, add 1 tablespoon of honey, and stir everything together. Once the mixture is homogenous, pull off a small piece and taste it for sweetness. If you think it needs to be sweeter, you can add up to 2 additional tablespoons of honey. Stir very well to combine.
- Roll: Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out 12 balls, and roll them in your hands to form round truffle shapes. It's optional to roll each truffle in unsweetened cocoa powder, to make them look more truffle-like.
These would also be great in a DIY box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, too!
One final request: I think these healthy chocolate truffles taste the most chocolate-y after being chilled for a few hours. My taste-tester ate one right away and said it tasted very much like dried plums. After a few hours of chilling, we tried another, and the chocolate flavor was much more pronounced and dominant. If you're needing super authentic patisserie-like truffles, try my chocolate peanut butter truffles.
How to make these vegan chocolate truffles:
It is such a simple swap to make these vegan! Since the room is split on whether or not honey is vegan, if you are a vegan who does not eat honey, try agave syrup in its place here. I've even made these with maple syrup for my vegan husband as a sweet treat.
Ok, go forth and soak dried fruit to make truffles! I love when we can enjoy as much chocolate as we want because it's healthy!
Vegan Chocolate Truffles
Rich chocolate truffles that are naturally sweetened and refined sugar free!
Ingredients
- 5 ounces prunes (dried plums)
- 4 ounces of 100% unsweetened chocolate
- 1 tablespoon raw honey (more to taste)
- optional: cocoa powder for rolling
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the prunes. Pour over 1 cup of boiling water, and let sit for 20 minutes.
- Drain the water, and then mash the prunes with a fork very well.
- Meanwhile, chop the chocolate and zap in the microwave for about 15 seconds, just to soften it. Immediately stir it into the prunes, which should still be warm enough to melt the chocolate gently. Gently stir the chocolate in at first, add the honey, and then let it sit untouched for a few minutes to melt before stirring it all together.
- Roll the mixture into 12 balls, and roll in cocoa powder before serving (optional).
Notes
unsweetened chocolate: Buy the high-quality unsweetened chocolate in the shiny gold package. Not the baking stuff, ok? You deserve it high-quality unsweetened chocolate. The baking chocolate is totally fine for small batch brownies, but can be a bit chalky here.
prunes: Lovely, soft, sweet and chewy dried plums. Look for the freshest ones you can, with obvious moisture--no dry or leathery ones.
honey: This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of honey to allow the slight bitterness of the chocolate to shine, but you can add up to 3 tablespoons to make these taste like true candy.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I have a bag of the "p" on hand at all times. LOVE them. Also congrats on the Today feature. You are a celeb!
Ronnie says
In the recipe, you did not mention when to add the honey, Honey!
Bubblinky says
Any substitute for the 100% unsweetened chocolate ? no one sells it where I live & I don't want to wreck it by using baking chocolate. We like a candy like taste, so how about plain ol'milk or dark eating chocolate (without needing to add the honey)? Thanks
Christina Lane says
Yes, great idea! Regular chocolate that you love, and leave out the honey :)
Vicky says
How do you store these - in the refrigerator, uncovered, or some other way? Thanks!
Christina Lane says
Fridge :)