Happy Wednesday!

My first final is TOMORROW (eek!) so, I have another fun guest post for you from my good friend, Marisa!

I found Marisa through her blog, Uproot From Oregon, when I found out that Brian and I were moving to Denver earlier this year.  At the time, I didn’t know anyone out in the Denver area and needed to start connecting with people.  Marisa is relatively new to Denver, and she is a healthy foodie like myself, so naturally it was a match made in heaven 🙂

Oddly enough, she works out at the same gym as me, works on the campus where Brian’s ortho residency is located, AND we lived within walking distance of each other (she recently moved!).  Isn’t it crazy how the world works!?

That being said, Marisa is amazing.  Her recipes are delicious, her photography is beautiful, and she is the sweetest person ever!!

Definitely head over to Uproot From Oregon if you haven’t already!

Now without further ado….take it away, Marisa!

Good morning, Treble in the Kitchen readers! My name is Marisa Westbrook and my healthy recipe website Uproot from Oregon is a place where I focus on developing recipes that are easy and affordable while being wholesome and healthy.

I am excited to be sharing a healthy festive recipe with you today while Tara works on studying for some exams. I feel lucky to have gotten to know Tara very well since she moved to Denver, especially now that she teaches my Body Pump classes and lives just a few miles away! Today, I am sharing a recipe for my favorite Cocoa Date Truffles– with 3 additional variations that are easily customizable to your favorite flavors.

Some people on this planet just need dessert every night. I have tried to convince myself that I am not one of those people, and that I am perfectly satisfied with a well-balanced meal of veggies, grains and protein. But who am I kidding here? Healthy fats have their place in our diets just like any other item, and these truffles are the perfect little sweet snack to hit a sugar craving at night before bed when fruit won’t cut it. I love nibbling on one of these with a cup of tea in the evening.

The main recipe posted below creates the fudgy delicious truffle consistency shown in the cocoa-rolled truffles above. I created 4 different types of these truffles: Cocoa Date Truffles and 3 other easy variations – Coconut Date Truffles, Walnut Date Truffles, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Date Truffles (because variety is the spice of life!). I have noted in the recipe where you can make these simple substitutions. These keep wonderfully in the fridge, but also seem more fudge-like if stored in the freezer.

Cocoa Date Truffles (makes 15-20 dependent on size)

• 15 medjool dates, pitted
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1/3 cup creamy raw almond butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 c cocoa powder*
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Toppings: additional cocoa powder, shredded coconut, finely chopped nuts

1. In a food processor, pulse dates into a paste with the coconut oil. You could also mash them with a fork or stick blender if you don’t have a food processor.
2. Add the other ingredients into the food processor and blend until a ball forms.
3. Using your fingers, roll the sticky dough into small truffles and roll them in whatever topping you have chosen.
4. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts- the options are endless!
5. Keep refrigerated and covered for up to 10 days. Store in the freezer for a fudge-like consistency.

NOTE: *For a different flavor profile, replace the cocoa powder with ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut for Coconut Date Truffles or replace with ¼ cup chopped walnuts for Walnut Date Truffles. Another option is to make Peanut Butter Chocolate Date Truffles by subbing the almond butter with peanut butter and proceeding with the rest of the recipe. Enjoy experimenting!

Thanks again to Tara for letting me stop by today, and feel free to stop by my blog or send me a note if you end up trying these date truffles!

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Marisa Westbrook is a public health professional and food blogger sharing made-from-scratch recipes that use wholesome ingredients that are easy to find and affordable. Visit her blog Uproot from Oregon for healthy recipes, travel and restaurant recaps, and active lifestyle tips, or connect with her via Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Marisa Westbrook. Original recipe published on Uproot from Oregon.