SNICKERS BLISS BALLS

These are quite similar to my Raw Snickers slice but are easier to make! I made these just off the top of my head for our studio warming party and they were well received. I make sure these bliss balls are in the fridge whenever I have a chocolate craving, which is often! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup puffed rice
• 600g dried dates, pitted and roughly chopped
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 
• 2 tablespoons water 
• 3 tablespoons cacao powder 
• 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter (the brand 'Pics' makes a good one or you can make your own homemade peanut butter by processing unsalted raw peanuts in a food processor for several minutes until they become 'butter'.
• 1/3 cup finely chopped peanuts 

Method

1. Place the puffed rice in a food processor / blender and process / blend for several seconds. You want the puffed rice to be just broken, not completely processed to an almond meal state. Remove from the blender and place on a large plate. 

2. Place the dates, vanilla, 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon water in the food processor / blender and process / blend until the mixture becomes a solid paste. Add more water if needed. 

3. Add the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil and water as well as the peanut butter and cacao powder. Process / blend until combined. Stir through the chopped peanuts. 

4. Have a small bowl of water ready to roll the balls. Wet your hands, then take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into an even ball. Roll the ball through the puffed rice, then set aside. Continue this process until all the mixture is used. 

These bliss balls can stay in the fridge for weeks....but I doubt they will last that long! 

Makes / approx. 24 

Total Prep time / around 30 minutes (depending on how fast you roll)

RAW SNICKERS SLICE

I love nothing more than experimenting in my kitchen, except when the food is scattered everywhere, the sink overflows and half of the experiment is on the floor and on my clothes. Unfortunately this happens more often than not! But when I construct a recipe and get the ingredients just right I forget about all the chaos. This raw snickers slice has been adapted from a Donna Hay recipe, which I made without much success (don't you just hate that when you follow a recipe to the letter and the end result is not like the picture?!). You can add more coconut oil for a less crumbly base but I like using as little as I can get away with! With a few tweaks here is my take on a healthier version of a snickers! 

INGREDIENTS

• 300g dried dates, pitted and roughly chopped (Medjool dates will work well too but dried is much lighter on a budget!)
• 1/3 cup all-natural smooth peanut butter (I make my own from processing unsalted raw peanuts until smooth)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, plus extra, to brush 
• 1/3 cup unsalted raw peanuts
• 1 cup puffed rice
• 100g 70% dark chocolate, melted

COOKING

1. Combine the dates, peanut butter, vanilla and 1 tablespoon coconut oil into a food processor. Process for a minute or two until a solid paste is formed. If this doesn't happen add one splash of water at a time until the consistency is right. 

2. Add the peanuts and process for a few seconds until they are chopped. 

3. Remove the date mixture from the processor and place in a large bowl, adding 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and the puffed rice. Stir well to combine. 

4. Lightly brush a 10cm x 20 cm loaf tin with coconut oil and line with baking paper. Firmly press the date mixture into the tin (I use a strong wet spoon to assist with this). Pour the melted chocolate over the base and spread evenly. 

Freeze in the freezer for 20 minutes or until set. I like to freeze the slice as I want to eat it straight away! It can be kept in the fridge or freezer. If you are keeping it in the freezer take it over five minutes before slicing it. 

Enjoy! I bet this slice won't last long in your house! 

x Premium Pilates & Fitness