Oh my, oh my! It’s only two days to Christmas!! (I count Christmas Eve + Christmas Day as “Christmas” because our family celebrates on Christmas eve too!)
So – do you remember Terry’s Chocolate Oranges… that you SMASH?! I think they are still around actually, but I haven’t had one in AGES! Well, those are what inspired me to make this recipe!
I am a big fan of the chocolate + orange flavour combination. The rich, decadent, almost smoky flavour of dark chocolate cut with the sweet and tart citrus orange – it’s just divine! Unfortunately, Terry’s oranges are far from healthy, and the flavour is pretty artificial. So, I thought I’d bring the delicious flavours together again in a real, whole food, healthy kind of way!
Making chocolate-covered energy balls is becoming a little NITK Christmas tradition it seems! Last year I made these delicious gingerbread ones, and they were a big hit! This year it’s chocolate orange, and next year, well I’ve already got some yummy ideas in mind!
I used simple, healthy ingredients to make these orange balls, and there isn’t one ingredient that is not nutritionist approved!
Let’s see…in this recipe we’ve got:
raw cashews // a great source of healthy omega fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc!
pitted dates // a fantastic source of dietary fibre and a plethora of minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium!
coconut flour // another great source of dietary fibre and healthy fats!
navel oranges // a powerhouse of antioxidants like Vitamin C and A, potassium, and soluble fibre!
75% dark chocolate // more, more, more antioxidants!
coconut oil // full of healthy fatty acids!
…and that’s it!
The best part is that they taste even better, in my humble opinion, than those “other guys” chocolate orange treats!! 😉 No hard feelings Terry!
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 100g 75% dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- In a food processor add cashews, dates, coconut flour, orange juice, 2 tablespoons of the orange zest.
- Process for 2-3 minutes until well combined into a sticky "dough".
- With clean, wet hands, roll the dough using your palms into golf ball sized balls, and place on a baking pan.
- Place the balls in the freezer for 1 hour.
- After an hour, heat a small pan over low heat and add in the chocolate and coconut oil. Stir until melted together into a smooth sauce.
- Take a large plate and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of zest on the plate.
- Take the orange balls out of the freezer and roll each ball into the melted chocolate mixture to coat, then lightly over the orange zest. Place back on the baking pan.
- Once all balls are coated in chocolate and orange zest, place the pan back in the freezer for 1 hour longer to set.
- Enjoy!
Seeing as this will be the last time I post until after Christmas, I’d like to wish, from my family to yours…
A very, very, very Merry + Blessed Christmas!
Christal
Nutritionist in the Kitch
Absolutely amazing! Just made these and love the combination of chocolate and orange combined with the nutty coconut flavour. Super easy to make and they look so cool!
Thanks Raya! 🙂
Cannot wait to try this recipe. I used to LOVE those orange chocolate balls you mentioned. I haven’t seen them in a bit but I’m sure they are still around, such a classic!
I actually saw one over the holidays, haha they do still exist!
Hah, here in the UK we still have loooooads of the Terry’s chocolate oranges, but now you can get several varieties – I will always prefer the original, aaand if your recipe here is anything like it, I am most definitely in 😀
I hope you have had a wonderful christmas 🙂 I only got back to Glasgow last night from Bergen after a traditional christmas with friends and family, sooo nice! Enjoy the last few days of 2014, and be sure to rock 2015 too 😉 x
Hey Julie! I hope you had a fantastic Christmas!! I wonder if Terry’s oranges originated in the UK??? Have an amazing New Years – Cheers to 2015! 🙂
I made these for a dessert treat for Christmas eve and they were super yummy! I made them golfball sized and it was a little more than I would want to eat because they are very rich but really good! Thanks for an awesome recipe idea!
Hi Trish! Thanks for the feedback! You can definitely make them smaller next time, as yes, they are pretty rich! 🙂
Chocolate and orange is second only to chocolate and peanut butter, yummy recipe!
Mmmm yes, that’s an awesome flavour combo too!
Love the chocolate orange flavor combo too! And I love the coconut flour in here!
Thanks Rebecca! I thought it would be a good addition!
oh I loved those chocolate oranges as a kid. I will have to try these to get my fix! Thanks for sharing!
You are very welcome!