I love experimenting with ingredients that I have on hand. It means that I get to use up all those bits and pieces I have hanging around in the cupboard which leads to saving money and making a new variation of a already favourite recipe.
I have made date and seed balls previously but decided to make do with what I had to create a new variation, Date, Sultana and Oat Bliss Balls. They were a big hit with the family. They are a great “fake chocolate” for after dinner and perfect for the lunchbox for the little and big kids.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Dates
1 Cup Sultanas
1 -2 Tbs Water
1/4 Cup Cocoa
1/2 Cup Oats
1/2 Cup desiccated Coconut plus extra for rolling
LET’S PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
1. Place the dates and sultanas into the bowl of a food processor and process for 1 minute. Add the water and process for a further 30 seconds. You want it to be sticky but still together.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and process until it all starts to come together.
3. Take tablespoon size amounts of the mix and roll into balls, then coat in the extra coconut. Repeat until all the mix is used.
Makes 20-24
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Alternatively these can be frozen for up to 3 months in zip lock bags.
Yes I need some of this fake chocolate for after dinner treats lunch boxes! Love it!
Thanks for joining in with all the Fabulous Foodie Fridays Fun. Have a beautiful weekend xx
Lovely change, using oats rather than nuts. Will have to try.
Are the dates fresh or dried for this recipe?
They are dried dates.
I just made mine with fresh dates…perfect!
My kids love these! They think it’s a treat to fet a ‘chocolate ball!’
My kids love these! They think it’s a treat to get a ‘chocolate ball!’
What sort of food processor does everyone use for this? I have a mini processor brand new but it stopped working on our fourth batch. Wondering if I need something stronger??
I used my handheld processor and had the same issue first time around. Second time around I soaked the dates in boiling water for 10-15 mins and omitted most of the water required later in the recipe. Good luck!
Do you have any suggestions for replacing the dates? Would dried apricots work?
Just subbed the cocoa for cacao and sprinkled black chia seeds through the mix before mixing!!! Delish!!!