I've decided to continue shaking things up on this series of 30 Chic Days. I don't have thirty different dinner options, nor enough clothes for thirty different outfits. And you know I walk most days... Onwards and upwards! Today I'm sharing a wonderful recipe for homemade bliss balls (above). As mentioned in previous days of this series, I like to have a bliss ball after lunch or dinner for something petite and sweet. Or dark chocolate of course, but I've been super into bliss balls lately.
I bought packet after packet of Frooze Balls, which are yummy New Zealand-made bliss balls, but then I thought 'they can't be that hard to make'. About the same time I was on Cal's Instagram page and saw that she had made her own. I asked her for her recipe and she kindly gave it to me:
Cal's Bliss Balls (she calls them Protein Balls though)
12-15 medjool dates
1 cup almond meal
1tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp coconut oil
1tbsp tahini
Deseed the dates & blitz in the food processor then add all the other ingredients & blitz a bit more. Roll into balls & roll in dessicated coconut.
I made my first batch yesterday and while I didn't make them exactly as Cal did, I used her recipe as a starting point. I wrote down my quanties and ingredients and loved the way mine turned out. My husband raved about them.
I bought normal, less expensive non-medjool dates and my bliss balls turned out delicious. Can anyone tell me what's so good about medjool dates that they're worth paying so much for and having to de-pit them? I'm not being funny, I'd really like to know. Or is the first rule of Medjool Club that you don't talk about Medjool Club?
Fiona's Bliss Balls
1 cup dates
1/2 cup dried apricots
1 cup almond meal
2 tbsp coconut flakes (or dessicated)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1-2 tbsp peanut butter
Whizz the dates and apricots then add the other ingredients and whizz again. Rolls into balls and coat in dessicated coconut. I store mine in the fridge which makes them quite nice and chewy, but I don't think they have to be refrigerated.
This quantity of ingredients made thirteen decent-sized bliss balls. I may make half the quantity next time, simply because I have a tiny food processor and I had to do the dried fruit in batches. If I end up making bliss balls regularly I may have to invest in a full-size food processor, but until then, I'll make do.
I used coconut oil because I already had a jar, however I've only ever put it on my face before, not put it in my food! I know coconut oil has excellent health-giving qualities, so I'm happy to have found a way to eat it.
I loved the peanut butter flavoured Frooze Balls, so may make bliss balls in the future that are simply dates and peanut butter whizzed together and rolled in coconut. Yum. And I'm definitely getting some cocoa powder because chocolate flavoured sounds good too.
I love that I have an alternative to dark chocolate for after meals and that it's quite a healthy alternative too. Yes, they are high in fat and sugar I suppose, but I only eat one at a time. They wouldn't be so healthy if you ate quite a few at once, but then you probably wouldn't want to because they are rich and satisfying. Even though they're healthy, they're still a treat food
I'd love you to share your bliss ball recipe if you have one. I'm keen to try all different types.
See you tomorrow, be chic!
Thank you for sharing the recipes; I have been wanting to make them since you first mentioned them. Your newest book continues to delight me.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Memee, and I'm SO glad you're enjoying the book!
ReplyDeleteI think I like the name bliss balls more than protein balls so I'm going with that name from now on haha. I'm also going to try your recipe as that also sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the difference between dates is so true.
I've never really thought about why medjool dates seem to be so revered & expensive. There probably is no good reason apart from better marketing at some stage ☺
Haha, that is funny Cal. The least I can do is give you the name 😂 I wonder if it really just good marketing???
ReplyDeleteChocolate Covered Katie also has some yummy-sounding recipes for Bliss Balls on her blog. Thanks for doing this 30 day series; I look forward to reading your posts as I savor my morning coffee.
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona, my recipe is for Lemon Energy Balls and I got it from the blog The Lean Green Bean.
ReplyDelete1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds (I do a mixture of pumpkin and sunflower)
2 tbs chia seeds
Zest and juice of a medium lemon
1/2 tsp vanilla
I guess the chia seeds add quite a bit more protein. I usually get about 15 balls. I keep them in the freezer and take one with me to the gym for right after a workout.
Thank you for sharing your recipe! There is a coffee shop in our cook street village that makes something similar and I often treat myself to one...now I will be able to make yours I love the name too!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you are using this 30 days to shake things up....which I have ended up doing.
ReplyDeleteSharlynn, my pleasure, I'm glad you are enjoying my posts. I will be going to visit Chocolate Covered Katie, thanks the tip.
ReplyDeletePatricia, yum, these look amazing! I love anything lemony. Thank you.
Hostess, they'd be nice to serve guests when you're having a hot drink.
Ratnamurti, yay for you. You've got to follow your feelings in such matters!
They sound so delicious, thank you for posting the recipe, I'm always looking for something yummy to make for my 16 year old daughter who is vegan and something easy for my 13 year old to make as she loves experimenting in the kitchen, this is a win-win for all of us! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa S.
Lisa, yes, they are vegan, I hadn't realised that! And they'd totally be suitable for younger ones to make.
ReplyDeleteIf you want melt-in-your-mouth butterscotch heaven,try bahri dates. They're grown in Thermal, California where the current temperature is 124F!
ReplyDelete~skye
Skye, I've not heard of bahri dates, but I'm going to try and find them to try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI, too, make a version of bliss balls but use macadamias and almonds as the base (I don't have a food processor so put the nuts in a plastic bag and hammer them severely with a kitchen mallet. Great for stress relief) and add diced dried apricots and diced dates, tahini, honey or agave syrup ..... and I can't recall what else. Seniors moment ..... Oh I have been known to add some whey protein powder (GF) if I have some in the kitchen or if the mix is too soft and the balls don't form. I once bought little pink polka dot cardboard containers from a $2 shop and put several balls in each box for my friends and they were delighted.
ReplyDeleteYou could also use peanuts (cheaper) but as I am prone to cold sores (good old herpes virus I) my naturopath has steered me away from peanuts - and sadly also peanut butter - as the lysine in peanuts can intensify breakouts. Macadamias are affordable in NSW anyway.
Fiona - I am curious as to whether you wear coats, scarves, beanies, berets, etc given your cooler climate. If so, would you indulge us by including them in your descriptions of daily outfits :)
Hi Fiona,
ReplyDeleteI don't comment often but love your blog and now follow you on FB as well! Your bliss ball looks so yummy. I have made bliss balls with only toasted walnuts and dates before and also, almonds, dried figs and cranberry version. Here is a tweaked version of traditional Indian recipe that's made in winter usually. I have been making them almost every week since past two weeks! Quantities are approx. 1 cup peanuts, 1 cup coconut flakes, 2 cups sesame seeds, half to 3/4 cup molasses and 1/2 cup powdered jaggery (you could sub dark brown sugar or use more molasses if jaggery isn't available), 4-5 peeled cardamom seeds - optional. Lightly dry roast peanuts, sesame seeds and coconut flakes separately. Mix all the ingredients and grind till smooth and sticky. Roll into balls.
"Or is the first rule of Medjool Club that you don't talk about Medjool Club?"......so funny!!!!!!! I feel this way about marcona almonds. I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteLara, thanks for your bliss ball details. Macadamias aren't as inexpensive here, but they are so delicious. It's good to know you can make bliss balls without a food processor, go the mallet!
ReplyDeleteI will do a post of my winter outerwear. It's pretty temperate in Auckland but I do have outerwear, even if I don't wear it as often as when I lived in colder areas of New Zealand.
Swapna, thanks so much for your comment. I love your version of a traditional Indian recipe, it sounds wonderful, thanks for sharing.
Stephanie, Marcona almond marketing must still be making its way to New Zealand because I haven't heard of them yet. We're still in the Medjool wave ;)