Made with just a few simple ingredients, these No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls are a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth
As great as the holidays are, I find the hardest part is not just snacking on cookies all day. Bliss balls are inspired by LARABARS in that they’re made from a base of nuts and medjool dates.
As a result, they’re:
- naturally sweetened
- naturally gluten-free
- packed with more nutrients than your average baked good
- no-bake and quick to whip up!
While dates are high in sugar, they’re also high in fiber and several vitamins and minerals (like copper, potassium, and vitamin B6).
And despite being sweet, studies have actually found that dates have a lower glycemic index, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar as much as other sources of sugar will (1, 2).
These bliss balls in particular are one of my favorites around the holidays thanks to their chocolate peppermint flavor!
They’re also handy to have around when Girl Scout Cookie season starts as they have a similar flavor to Thin Mints.
Tips for making these No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls
- The softer your dates are, the faster the mixture will come together. If your dates feel dry, soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes before pulsing.
- To save money, I recommend buying cashew pieces (rather than whole cashews) in bulk online. Store your leftover cashews in the freezer to extend their shelf life.
- Make sure to buy pure peppermint – not mint – extract! Mint extract has more of a spearmint flavor. I find that it doesn’t go as well with chocolate as peppermint extract.
- For a strong peppermint flavor, use ½ teaspoon of extract. Otherwise, if you want just a hint of peppermint, I recommend starting with ¼ teaspoon. Taste and adjust as desired.
No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls
Equipment
-
food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150 grams) raw cashews
- 1 cup (130 grams, or about 12-14) pitted medjool dates, softened
- ⅓ cup (35 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon peppermint extract depending on how strong of a peppermint flavor you want
- Pinch salt
- 1-3 tablespoons water
Optional for rolling:
- Shredded coconut
- Cocoa powder
- Crushed candy canes
Instructions
-
Cover a baking sheet or baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. If you plan on rolling your bliss balls, add your toppings to plates or shallow bowls and set aside.
-
Place cashews in a food processor and pulse until they form a sandy texture. The mixture should be coarser than flour.
-
Next, add the medjool dates and pulse a few times until the dates are broken into small pieces. Add the cocoa powder, peppermint extract, salt, and 1 tablespoon of water. Pulse until well-combined. You may need to stop a few times to scrape down the sides of your food processor.
-
Using your fingers, grab some of the mixture and try to roll it into a ball. If it feels crumbly, add another tablespoon of water and pulse to combine. Repeat the ball test and add additional water if needed. The mixture should be moist and easily roll into a smooth ball. You don’t want it to get too wet and sticky.
-
Once the consistency is just right, use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture and roll into balls. Option to roll bliss balls in cocoa powder, shredded coconut, or crushed candy canes. Place balls on the prepared baking sheet/pan. Freeze for 15 minutes and then serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Notes
Get the latest from our newsletter!
Sign up to receive the latest health content, workout routines, recipes and more from Lose It!
Lose It! is mobilizing the world to achieve a healthy weight
Set Your Goals
Tell us what you want to achieve and receive personalized goals.
Track Your Food
Learn about the foods you're eating and keep your calories within your daily budget.
Lose Weight
Reach your goals and continue to set new ones for a happier, healthier you!