These healthy peppermint chocolate truffles are coated with dark chocolate and so damn delicious. They are made of a blend of raisins (no dates), cocoa powder and peppermint essential oil. It is the perfect holiday treat or snack to enjoy with your loved ones. We bet they would be a hit on Thanksgiving or Christmas eve. You might also want to try these vegan chocolate truffles with cocoa powder.
This recipe was first published on the 27th of September 2020 and updated on the 7th of December 2021.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- These truffles are a healthier version of the indulgent chocolate truffles we all love. They are 100% vegan and gluten-free.
- They make a great no-bake snack. These chocolate peppermint truffles combine the dense texture of energy balls with the softness of chocolate truffles. To give them a little twist, we added some peppermint essential oil. This is the kind of snack we prepare once a week and keep in the fridge to satisfy our chocolate cravings.
- They make the perfect holiday truffles, whether it is for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. They are a great treat to serve after a generous dinner. Plus, you can make them in only 15 minutes, which leaves you enough time to prepare the rest of the dinner.
- They make such a sweet homemade gift. If you were thinking of making homemade Christmas gifts this year, think about including these no-cook chocolate truffles to your gift box.
Key ingredients and substitutions
Peppermint essential oil is used to give the truffles that intense peppermint flavor. Please read our tips on coking with essential oils below before your start. Alternatively, you can use peppermint extract.
Cashews give the chocolate truffles some bite while having a relatively neutral taste. You can substitute them with almonds or hazelnuts if you'd like. To make the truffles nut-free, choose sunflower seeds.
Raisins keep the peppermint chocolate truffles together without having to cook or bake them. The raisins also sweeten the chocolate truffles without adding a sweetener. Finally, they provide an energy ball texture.
Cocoa powder provides that chocolate flavor and adds depth and richness to the mixture. We like to use Dutch-processed cocoa powder (which is less acidic) but you can also use regular cocoa powder.
Dark chocolate adds an extra layer of deliciousness to these peppermint chocolate truffles and turns them into a really indulgent treat. We like to use dark chocolate with at least 70% of cocoa. Feel free to use semi-sweet chocolate if you'd like.
How to make chocolate peppermint truffles
These healthy chocolate truffles are really easy to make and come together in a food processor in less than 15 minutes.
- Simply blend all the ingredients in a food processor or small kitchen blender.
- Press about a teaspoon of dough in the palm of your hands. Use your fingertips to form a truffle and finally roll it between your palms until it has a round shape.
- Melt some dark chocolate.
- Dip the truffles into the chocolate for an extra chocolate coating.
- Let it sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes and enjoy.
Notes on cooking with essential oils
Not every essential oil is safe for cooking: do your research before you start cooking. Make sure to choose brands that are safe for cooking. Finally, always use a very small amount, not more than 1 or 2 drops.
Always use a fatty component: essential oils are soluble in fat. Make sure to mix them with a fatty ingredient such as coconut oil before incorporating them into the recipe. This also prevents adding too many drops to the recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Simply store the chocolate truffles in an air-tight container in the fridge. They will last at least 2 weeks.
These healthy chocolate truffles need to be kept in the fridge. If they stay at room temperature for more than an hour, the truffles might get soft because of the coconut oil they contain and the chocolate coating might melt.
Yes, you can freeze these peppermint chocolate truffles. Add them to a zip bag and press out all the air. Keep them in the freezer for up to 1 month.
The recipe
Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (50 g) cashew nuts*
- ¼ cup (50 g) raisins
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil room temperature
- 1 drop peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract
- 0,7 oz (20 g) dark chocolate approximately 2 squares
Optional
- fresh mint to decorate
Instructions
- Add the coconut oil to a small bowl. Add a drop of the peppermint essential oil and stir to combine.
- Add the cashews to the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times until roughly chopped.
- Add the raisins and blend for about 20 seconds.
- Finally, add the coconut oil mixture and the cocoa powder and blend until combined.
- Form small balls with your hands and place them on a plate.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave (at 30-second intervals).
- Dip each truffle in the chocolate. Garnish with fresh mint if desired.
Notes
- You can use almonds or hazelnuts to replace cashews if you don't have them on hand. Use sunflower seed to make the truffles nut-free.
- You can replace the peppermint essential oil with a handful of fresh mint. Note that the taste will be slightly less pronounced.
- Tips on cooking with essential oils: make sure to choose a brand that is safe for cooking and start with no more than 1 or 2 drops. Essential oils are soluble in fat. Always, mix them with a fatty ingredient such as coconut oil before incorporating them into the recipe.
- Storage tips: the chocolate peppermint truffles can be kept in the fridge for a1 to 2 weeks.
I made these peppermint chocolate truffles for a holiday gathering with the family and everyone loved it! I'll make them again for Christmas!
I'm so happy to hear that! Happy holidays to you and your family!