Pecan Date Truffles (Vegan, Paleo)

You want to live through the holidays without putting back on all the weight you just tried to lose in the gym?

However, you also don't want to miss out on all the delicious goodies, yes?

Well, just in time for the holiday season and  for my coach and connoisseur Mike Devlin to try at his  famous cookie exchange party at my Campbell office at Keller Williams Silicon Valley, I found this  marvelous recipe to enjoy without regrets: Pecan Date Truffles

Because of health issues, I cannot eat refined sugar and flour and found this wonderful recipe site from Detoxinista.

Pecan Date Truffles  will make you the Queen/King of every cookie exchange party there is:

Pecan Date Truffles (Vegan, Paleo) 

Author: Detoxinista.com
Prep time: 30 mins Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 24

Naturally sweetened with dates and enhanced with a hint of salt, these bite-sized truffles are delicious on their own, but they are downright addictive when coated melted dark chocolate. The crisp dark chocolate shell is the perfect contrast to the buttery, rich pecan centers. These truffles make an impressive dessert to bring to a party, and a delicious treat to keep on hand in your freezer!

Ingredients
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup raw pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup 70% dark chocolate chips, for coating

Instructions 
In a large food processor, combine all of the ingredients and process until a sticky dough is formed. Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and use your hands to roll into smooth balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy removal. Place the tray in the freezer to set for 30 minutes.

Melt the cup of dark chocolate chips (5 minutes in a 400F oven does the trick), and remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Roll each ball in the melted dark chocolate, then return them to the parchment paper to set. If you'd like to sprinkle some crushed pecans or coconut on top for decoration, be sure to do it while the chocolate is still melted-- it will solidify quickly on the chilled truffles!

Return the chocolate truffles to the fridge or freezer until ready to serve.

 *Note: For a chocolate-filled variation, add 1/4 cup cocoa powder before processing the filling ingredients.

ENJOY!