I know what you’re thinking – chocolate and avocado, yuck! Trust me on this one, it’s actually a delightful blend of two healthy ingredients making this truffle a guilt-free treat to indulge in – here’s why.

Bittersweet Chocolate or Dark Chocolate is rich in magnesium and antioxidants like flavonols. With a high cocoa content (70% or more) it offers tremendous health benefits including:

• reducing blood pressure
• increasing good (HDL) cholesterol and slightly decreasing bad (LDL) cholesterol
• increasing insulin sensitivity

Avocados are so delicious, healthy, and easy to incorporate into your diet, and for good reasons:

• Avocados are incredibly nutritious containing more than 20 different vitamins and minerals!
• Unlike other fruits that are high in carbohydrates, avocados are high in healthy fats.
• Avocados contain more potassium than bananas
• Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy monunsaturated fatty acids – but they don’t just contain any fat… the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid.
• Avocados are loaded with fiber.
• Eating avocados can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• People who eat avocados tend to be healthier.
• The fat in avocados can help you absorb nutrients from plant foods.
• Avocados are loaded with powerful antioxidants that can protect the eyes.
• Avocados may help prevent Cancer.
• Avocado extract may help relieve symptoms of arthritis.
• There’s some evidence that eating avocados may help you lose weight.

The last main ingredient I added was dried unsweetened coconut flakes since they pair so well with chocolate. While they tend to be higher in saturated fat, it’s best not to overdo eating too much. That’s why these truffle balls have a light dusting of coconut flakes.

That said, coconut flakes do provide a small amount of carbs to help give you energy, and a small amount of protein to help preserve lean muscle mass and make enzymes and hormones. They also have a small amount of iron and phosphorus but not a significant number to be of much benefit.

If you don’t care for coconut then you could dust them with cocoa powder, sprinkles, crushed nuts or simply leave plain to enjoy.

Try this simple and healthy recipe, you won’t believe how easy they are to make and how quickly they’ll disappear. Don’t tell anyone there’s avocado in them unless of course they’re allergic. Wait to hear them tell you how delicious and creamy they are, then tell them the surprise ingredient (avocado) – they’ll be shocked at how wonderful they taste!

With just a few ingredients that you may already have on hand I hope you’ll whip up a batch of these Chocolate Avocado Snowball Truffles today!

Chocolate Avocado Snowball Truffles

You'll be shocked at how decadent these taste, and how quickly they can be made & will disappear!

Yield: 10-12 truffles

Prep Time: 15 minutes plus 30 minutes to chill

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 10 oz. bittersweet/dark chocolate (I used 67% chocolate chips)
• 1 avocado, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• unsweetened coconut flakes, for rolling (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine the chocolate, vanilla extract and pinch of salt over a double boiler, and melt until completely smooth. (I just use an oven safe bowl over a saucepan)
2. Mash the avocado with a fork until no lumps are visible, then stir into melted chocolate mixture until smooth and thickened. Place in refrigerator to set for 20 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch.
3. Once mixture has been chilled and is slightly firm, use a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop to scoop out the chocolate and roll between the palms of your hands to create 10 - 12 smooth chocolate balls. Place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet and return to the refrigerator to chill for another 10 minutes.
4. Place coconut flakes in small bowl, and roll each truffle into the coconut to coat. Serve at room temperature, but store in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life - approximately 5 days.

Enjoy!!!

I call this a Chocolate Avocado Snowball Truffle because it reminds me of the Snowballs I used to eat as a child from Hostess.

Slightly adapted from Detoxinista

Read the original on: At Home with Vicki Bensinger