Carob Truffles
Carob Truffles
Made from carob, a fruit that is my favorite alternative to chocolate, these carob truffles are vegan, gluten-free, and caffeine-free. They are healthier than chocolate and are naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
Some other deliciously healthy carob treats I like are Vegan Fudge, Carob Energy Bites, Carob Muffins, Carob Brownies, and Carob Mousse.
Carob Truffle Recipe
- Dates – These super sweet dried fruits make a delicious unprocessed sweetener. They also add a nice texture and caramel-esque flavor. Dates have lots of vitamins and minerals, making them have an important function in your diet outside of just being a sweetener. Lastly, they are low on the glycemic index, which means they cause lower blood sugar spikes when eaten. Be careful to either manually remove the pits or buy dates that are already pitted!!!
- Carob Powder – This functions similarly to cocoa powder, and they can be used interchangeably. Carob powder may be difficult to find if you don’t have a health food store, Whole Foods, or similar store to shop at in person. I’ve attached an Amazon link as an alternative.
- Walnuts – I had these on hand when making this recipe, and they go well in flavor and texture. However, feel free to use any other nut; a personal favorite is cashews. I love walnuts because they are absolutely packed with vitamins, minerals, and lots of fiber.
- Maple Syrup – If you find that it is not sweet enough with just the dates, feel free to add a bit of maple syrup. It also adds a lovely flavor!
- Toppings – Roll your truffles in your favorite topping, or try an assortment out. I love doing a mix of carob powder, coconut flakes, and crushed nuts. I have tried walnuts, almonds, cashews, and peanuts, and they are all amazing!
How To Make Carob Truffles?
- Process dates and walnuts in a food processor until they are crumbly and start sticking together. Add carob powder and maple syrup, and process until the mixture clumps together.
- Transfer the mixture into a bowl. Form into balls, then roll into the topping of your choice. Place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, and refrigerate until they are firm to the touch.
What Is Carob?
Carob trees grow fruit in pod form, with seeds inside, very similar to the cacao tree. I prefer to use it in place of chocolate in my recipes since it is free of stimulating ingredients and migraine-inducing components while having that same complex taste we all know and love.
It also doesn’t contain oxalic acid, which is found in cacao and hinders calcium absorption. In fact, carob has its own naturally occurring calcium.
It is most commonly found in powder and chip form and can be used equally to chocolate chips or cocoa powder in every recipe I’ve tried. The fresh pods can also be found in tropical countries, and the flesh surrounding the seed is quite delicious.
Is Carob Good For You?
Carob is naturally sweet, so you may find that you can add less sugar when using it in your recipes. It has no sodium, dairy, gluten, and caffeine, making it a great choice for various diets.
Caffeine can negatively affect a lot of individuals, sometimes causing insomnia, irritability, a high heart rate, and stomach issues. As such, I appreciate having an option to still enjoy the flavor without the stimulating effect.
We can usually always use more vitamins and minerals in our body, and carob is a great source of a whole variety of them. Carob also has protein, fiber, and antioxidants, making it the perfect way to have dessert and be able to call it healthy food!
For those looking for ways to help prevent or mitigate against heart disease and high blood pressure, lower sugar consumption, help with digestive issues, and improve their nutrition, carob is a great choice.
What Is Carob Bean Gum?
Also known as locust bean gum, this food additive is made from the seed of the carob tree. It is used as a thickener in many commercial products. You will probably not find a use for this ingredient at home, and since it is used in very small quantities, if you use it in place of carob powder you will have a disaster on your hands.
Can Dogs Eat Carob?
I don’t necessarily recommend giving these carob truffles to dogs, mostly because of the sugar content. However, if you have a furry friend you already know they are always scheming how to steal our goodies.
If they eat these truffles, no need to panic and run to the vet! Unlike how chocolate can be deadly for dogs, carob doesn’t contain the toxic component of theobromine, which is what makes chocolate poisonous for animals.
You can find many treat recipes for dogs that contain carob or carob chips to let them join in the fun. In fact, my daughter buys these Three Dog Bakery PB Carob sandwich cookies for her puppy, which you can also find at Target and Walmart.
Where To Buy Carob?
I’m proud to say I was vegan before it was cool… Trendsetter that I am, I’ve become an expert at finding these lesser-known ingredients. Carob has been known in the “healthy hippy” or “crunchy granola” communities since approximately the 70s and was usually found in the small local-owned health food stores.
As these less common superfood, health food, natural, etc. ingredients have become more popular, you will find them in Whole Foods, and sometimes even more common chain grocery stores.
If all else fails, or you’ve become dependent on online shopping and grocery delivery like I have, here are links to buy Carob Chips and Carob Powder online.
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Carob Truffles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates pitted and soaked for one hour
- 1 cup walnuts soaked for one hour
- 2 tablespoons carob powder or cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Process dates and walnuts in a food processor until they are crumbly and start sticking together. Add carob powder and maple syrup, and process until the mixture clumps together.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Form into balls, then roll into the topping of your choice. Place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, and refrigerate until they are firm to the touch.
Excellent sweet flavor to satisfy any sweet craving, and just the same texture as chocolate truffles. I made them with a dusting of carob on top, and followed the recipe to the tee, including the amount of maple syrup for a little extra sweetness. Will definitely make again! Thank you Michelle!
Gilda, I’m so happy you enjoyed them, they are one of my favorite too. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
I have been search of this recipe for a long time. I just could find any. The recipe is so tasty and easy to prepare.
I’m happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for your feedback.