Vegano Rocher: raw vegan hazelnut chocolate truffles
These festive raw vegan chocolate hazelnut truffles aka "Vegano Rocher" are totally addictive and oh! so delicious. Make some for yourself or for a loved one ♥ (perfect for Christmas, Valentine's or to make any day a really special day). Dairy-free, added-sugar-free, oil-free.
3tbspchopped caramelized hazelnutsoptional, but they will enhance the "rocher" taste
20hazelnuts
For the chocolate and hazelnut coating
1/2cupdark chocolate chips
1/2cuphazelnutschopped in small pieces
Instructions
If you don't have hazelnut flour, place 1 cup of roughly chopped hazelnuts in a food processor and pulse until you obtain a fine flour.
Don't process too much or you'll be left with hazelnut butter... delicious but not what we need this time ;-)
Now add the pitted & soaked dates, the cacao powder, the vanilla extract, the pinch of salt and caramelized chopped hazelnuts (if using) to the food processor, and mix until the dough becomes sticky.
With the help of a spoon, take a little amount of the dough in your hand (wetting your hand every now and then makes this easier), flatten it, place a whole hazelnut at the center, closing down by pressing firmly, roll it in your hands and form as many truffles as your dough allows (around 20).
Place the truffles on a tray covered with parchment paper and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
In the meantime, melt your dark chocolate chips in a bain-marie or in the microwave and prepare a dish with the chopped hazelnuts.
Remove the cold and solidified truffles from the refrigerator.
With the help of a fork or a long wooden bbq stick, dip the truffles one at a time in the melted chocolate and cover them entirely with chocolate.
Drain the excess chocolate and place them on a tray covered with parchment paper,
Before the chocolate layer hardens, sprinkle some chopped hazelnuts to make sure they stick to the truffles.
Now place them in the refrigerator one last time, until the chocolate has hardened, it will take about 20 more minutes.
Place them in paper cups, or if you prefer you can wrap them with food-grade gold foil and keep them in the fridge.
They will also make a deliciously unexpected gift ♥