Chocolate Bliss Balls (raw, vegan)

We love making these bliss balls, they're so easy and so forgiving, the sort of recipe that you don't really need to strictly stick to the quantities, can change the ingredients according to what you have in your cupboard, and they'll turn out tasting good anyway. They're also fun to make with children, my daughter enjoys eating the ingredients before they go into the food processor, watching the mixture wizz around in the processor, then rolling the balls in desiccated coconut at the end. Of course we all love eating them; as a treat after dinner, to take to a play date or as a little snack when we're out and about. I think it's nice to use apricots because they give the balls a bit of a tang, but if they're not your thing you can use dates, or other soft dried fruits, same goes for the nuts, just use what you have, as long as they're not peanuts. The cacao powder is a little more expensive than your usual cocoa powder, but it's packed full of flavour so you won't need to use so much, this recipe calls for one tablespoon which I think is strong enough for children, for adults you might like to add another 1/2 to 1 tablespoon.

My little helper xIngredients 1/2 cup pitted dates (roughly chopped) 1/2 cup dried apricots (roughly chopped) 1/2 cup cashew nuts (raw, unsalted) 1/2 cup almonds (raw, unsalted, slivered or whole) 1/4 cup sesame seeds (toasted or raw) 1 – 2 tablespoons cacao powder (adjust to taste) 1/4 cup water (if needed) 1/4 cup desiccated cocount Method 1. In a food processor, mix the almonds, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and cacao powder, until combined. 2. Add the chopped dried fruit and mix, then slowly add water until the mixture becomes dough like. 3. Roll into bite-sized balls, then roll in coconut, if desired. 4. Place the bliss balls in the fridge then store in the fridge until just before you're ready to eat them. They won't last long!