Decadent Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls
Decadent Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls balance a rich combination of flavors with a light texture with a little crisp from the rice cereal, and natural sweetness from the prunes.
If you’re looking for a delicious, healthier treat, look no further! You’ll love these Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls. They’re an excellent DIY gift, or an indulgent dessert.
How to make Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls
Here’s how to make Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls:
Microwave prunes and rum for about two minutes. You can heat the prunes on the stove, but microwaving them helps them soften faster, and absorb even more of the liquid, which lightens the density of the mixture.
Strain the liquid and add all ingredients except for rice cereal to your food processor. Mix until just combined. Then, stir in the rice cereal.
Use a melon baller to scoop the mixture into small balls. Enjoy as is, or dip the balls in chocolate or coat them with your favorite topping.
We like to mix up the outer layer, alternating between dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and coconut flakes, and serve these as a healthier option to a more traditional bonbon, but they also make for a quick and filling snack on the go!
Holiday idea for Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls
We used this chocolate bliss ball recipe as the base for our snowman on this amazing gingerbread house!
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Decadent Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls
Equipment
- Food processor
- Melon baller or small ice cream scoop for portioning the bliss balls
Ingredients
- 12 pitted California Prunes
- Optional but encouraged: ⅓ cup rum or brandy
- 3 TBSP chopped pecans
- 3 TBSP coconut flakes plus more for garnish
- 3 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder plus more for garnish
- 1 tsp unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup puffed rice cereal
- ½ cup dark baking chocolate
Instructions
- Line a small pan or a plate with parchment paper.
- Combine the prunes with the rum or brandy (or substitute with ⅓ cup/ 80ml water) in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, until the prunes have softened and absorbed some of the liquid. Strain the prunes and set aside–reserve the liquor for a spiced cocktail!
- In a food processor, combine the re-hydrated prunes, pecans, coconut flakes, cocoa powder, butter, and sugar, and pulse just until all ingredients are combined–the longer you blend them, the denser the final texture will be. Use a spatula to fold in the puffed rice cereal.
- Use a melon baller to scoop the mixture into balls and place on the parchment; if it sticks to the scoop, gently roll each ball between your hands to create an even shape. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Coating the Bliss Balls:
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or in a double boiler over simmering water, and pour into a small bowl. Set out two additional bowls for garnish, one with cocoa powder and one with coconut flakes. Gently roll the refrigerated prune balls in your choice of topping, then place back on the parchment, and continue refrigerating until the chocolate has set.
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Notes
More fabulous recipes for the holidays:
Once your Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls are chilling, make this delicious Far Breton recipe, this Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake, these Traditional Sugar Plums or Claire Saffitz’s Mascarpone Cake with Red Wine Prunes next! All of these treats are sure to please holiday guests.Nutrition
Love our Dark Chocolate Bliss Balls? Try these homemade holiday treats?
Chocolate Covered Prune and Almond Clusters
When a recipe only calls for a few ingredients, quality counts. Our friend Aida uses premium chocolate, flaky Maldon sea salt – and of course, prunes and almonds from the Golden State!
Sweet and Sour Prune Candy
Our friends at the Noshery took inspiration from some of their favorite Mexican treats, adding a smoky ancho chile powder to to this recipe for Sweet and Sour Prune Candy.
They’re a healthier option to a more traditional bonbon, but they also make for a quick and filling snack on the go!
Prune Almond Butter Cups
These Prune and Almond Butter Cups from Wonky Wonderful are so easy to make and great for snacks or dessert! This recipe is Paleo and Vegan while being melt-in-your-mouth good. It’s hard to believe that these are made with just 5 simple, wholesome ingredients!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These festive Chocolate Crinkle Cookies by Chef Peter Sidwell aren’t only beautiful to look at, they also have less refined sugar thanks to the addition of California Prune Puree.
Did you try this recipe? Maybe you’ve got a favorite recipe using California Prunes that you’d like to share with us? Snap a pic and share it on social using #caprunes.
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