Dried Fruit Truffles

Dried Fruit Truffles are a delicious sweet treat. They make an energizing and refreshing snack, or a light dessert.   Plus they pack well, similar to my Healthy Oat Breakfast Bars, which comes in handy during extended hours at work or on the road.

Dried Fruit Truffles are fun because you can vary the types of dried fruits and flavorings.  I often used dried Turkish apricots, raisins, dried cranberries, and a few dried plums, however, dates make a great dried fruit truffle, especially when combined with cocoa powder and rum extract.  They taste like Rum Balls, which my mom used to make during the holidays way back when.  Anyone remember Rum Balls?  They got stronger tasting (and so good!) the longer they sat.

Why I LOVE Dried Fruit Truffles

Dried Fruit Truffles are easy to prepare, and don't require baking.  Once you learn how to make them, you’ll love having them around.

They are just the right amount of sweet, and make a very energizing snack.  Pop one or two in your mouth as a between meals, just prior to or post work out, or as a simple, light dessert.

The only equipment you need is a food processor, and a couple shallow bowls for rolling the Dried Fruit Truffles once shaped into balls.   Dried Fruit Truffles are easy to prepare, they just are a tad messy if the batter is too moist and sticky.

Dried Fruit Truffles are also pretty fool proof.  If the batter is too sticky or moist to roll into a ball, there are several adjustments you can make, which I outline, below.   They can even be pressed right into an 8 x 8 pan if you don't want to bother rolling them into truffles.  I share how to do that in the notes below as well.

The final reason I love Dried Fruit Truffles is because they store well in the fridge, or they can be frozen.  They travel well too, and are great for road trips. 

• 1 cup each raisins and prunes (dried or rehydrated / soaked)
• 1/2-3/4 cup Turkish apricots (dried or rehydrated / soaked)
• 1/4-1/2 dried cranberries (I use the Trader Joe’s dried cranberries that contain cranberry oil)
• 1 Tbsp. raw honey
• 1-2 Tbsp. liquid coconut oil &/or MCT oil, optional but I like in this recipe
• ~ (About) 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• ~ (About) 2 tsp. vanilla
• Splash of water as needed
• 1/2 cup each of 1 or more items for rolling: finely shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or coarse ground nuts or seeds, such as black or brown sesame seeds, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds

Place all ingredients in a food processor and process into a paste, or batter that will be a bit sticky.

Place the coconut on a small plate. Roll the fruit batter into small balls in the palms of your hands, then roll in the coconut until completely covered.

Place on a wax paper lined container. Refrigerate until ready to enjoy, around 1-2 hours until set. They should be soft yet firm enough to easily grab. They taste even better the next day!

Variations

Try adding 1 tablespoon of orange marmalade with 1-2 tsp. almond extract in lieu of the honey and vanilla.  Add additional sweetener if needed.

Blend dates with rum extract and 2+ tablespoons cocoa powder for a fun Rum Ball flavor.

Sub maple syrup, brown rice syrup, liquid stevia, or agave syrup in lieu of the honey.

Notes:

You may need to pulse the mixture a few times, scraping with a rubber spatula around the edges as needed. Add a little water (or the rehydrated prune soaking liquid) a tablespoon at a time as needed if the fruit is sticking to the blade without blending.

Mix and match your favorite fruits. You can use all one fruit, such as dried apricot, or sub the dried cranberries for dried cherries or berries.

Turkish apricots are brown, unsulphured apricots with a mild brown sugar flavor. They are less tart than the more common, brighter orange colored dried apricots. Both are great in the Dried Fruit Truffles.  

When the batter gets too moist or sticky, they are messy to roll. They still taste great, but you may need a bowl of water nearby to clean your hands, or use a couple spoons. Or process with more dried fruit as mentioned above. The times mine were too sticky were when I used too much rehydrated fruit instead of all dried fruit.

An Alternative Method to Rolling the Dried Fruit Truffles

If all else fails, or if you don't feel like rolling the Dried Fruit Truffle batter out into small balls, just press the entire batter into an 8 x 8 square inch baking pan.  

Line with parchment paper, or sprinkle the bottom with shredded coconut, or fine chopped nuts.  Spread batter on top, then top with ether more shredded coconut, nuts, or cocoa powder.    

Chill for an hour or more, then cut into squares.  Keep wrapped well in the fridge until ready to eat.