I’m so excited to share my Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles recipe with you! The holidays are hectic and we don’t always have time for treat-making. I love to incorporate treats into my roster that are done and ready to go in minutes. My guests are always shocked at how I have so much variety, my secret? Quick and easy recipes with just a few ingredients. And in this case, easy chocolate peppermint truffles that taste like my Grampy’s favourite holiday treat, After Eight Chocolates.

My Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles are the ultimate holiday recipe because they’re ready in just ten minutes and they store in the freezer for months! No more scrambling when last-minute company drops in! I have just the festive treat to serve! These bite-sized truffles have just four ingredients that pack a huge healthy punch! They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, so no matter who you’re hosting this year you have an easy recipe to pop on your holiday treat trays!

Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Recipe

Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan

Prep time: 10 minutes | Serves: 16 Truffles

Ingredients 

• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1.5 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 cups of Medjool dates (12)

Directions

1. Place coconut oil, 1 cup cocoa powder and peppermint extract in a food processor and turn it on. Slowly add dates one at a time and blend until smooth.
2. Place the remaining 1/2 cup cocoa powder on a shallow plate for rolling.
3. Use a lightly oiled 1 tbsp measuring spoon to scoop out measured amounts. Form into balls and roll through the cocoa powder. You can also dip them in melted chocolate chips.
4. Place on a dish and place in the fridge to set. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

I love coconut oil because it’s so versatile! I can use it for high-heat cooking without worrying about it becoming denatured, and I can use it to stabilize chilled desserts, like in this easy chocolate truffle recipe! Not only is it versatile, but coconut oil contains a ton of health benefits:

• The healthy fats found in coconut oil are great for boosting the immune system because they have antibacterial and antiviral properties
• It’s great for oral health because the antibacterial properties can help to freshen breath and the oils help to prevent a dry mouth or cracked lips
• Coconut contains medium-chain triglycerides (MTC) which help with weight loss and energy levels

What is MCT oil?

Acronyms can be so confusing! Before I jump into the health benefits of MCT oil, I wanted to explain what it is first. MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride. This is a type of fatty acid chain, aka fat, that is shorter than the chains you find in foods like meat. Compared to long-chain triglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides are easily broken down and absorbed by the body so it takes less energy to metabolize them. They are also smaller so they can permeate the cell membrane more easily.

This means they have a ton of health benefits such as:

• Boosting energy
• Fighting bacteria & fungi
• Aiding weight loss

Learn more about the benefits of MCT oils here!

Health Benefits of Dates

I used to dislike dates as a kid, but recently I have fallen in love with them. Dates really are nature’s candy! They are bursting with sweetness and have health benefits to boot!

Dates promote digestive health since they are super high in fibre. The insoluble and soluble fibre in dates helps to clean out your GI tract and allows your digestion to work more efficiently and more regularly.

Dates are rich in magnesium, a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory benefits specifically relating to heart health. Magnesium can significantly lower the risk of inflammation-related conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s.

In a study conducted on pregnant women, researchers found that eating dates regularly in the month leading up to labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour giving mother’s a better chance for seamless labour and delivery.

Chocolate Peppermint Cooking Class

Chocolate and peppermint really are a match made in holiday heaven. In my Chocolate Peppermint corporate cooking class, you and your team will learn how to make two festive treats: Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and either this easy Chocolate Truffle Recipe or a Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate! Bring your team together this season for some delicious fun! Make it a holiday party, happy hour, or just an awesome virtual team-building session to celebrate their hard work this year!

Cooking classes are run through Zoom or your preferred platform. Before the class, I will send you a PDF with the recipes, grocery list, and equipment list. I can also send everyone ingredient kits so they have everything they need to make the recipes.

During the team building virtual cooking class, we cook together in real-time. I answer questions, share cooking tips, and explain the health benefits of the ingredients. I encourage interaction and create an experience that fosters engagement with all attendees. A replay of the class is available for those who cannot attend.

I can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you and your team during this fun and engaging cooking class! Email me at info@jesselanewellness.com for more information!

More Healthy One-Bite Desserts Like These Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

One-bite desserts are a must-have at any holiday gathering. There’s something so decadent about passing by a treat tray, eyeing up a delicious morsel, popping it in your mouth, and continuing on with the party. This grab-and-go style is the best because it means no crumbs left on the floor, and your guests can indulge one bite at a time! Here’s a list of some of my favourite one-bite desserts to complement this easy chocolate truffle recipe!

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles are a decadent dessert with a creamy hazelnut center encased in a dark chocolate shell. These delicious truffles are gluten-free, vegan and super easy to make. They’re so pretty, your family and friends will jump for joy when they see them on the table!

Vanilla Almond Protein Truffles

Torn between holiday indulging and getting those gains in? Do both! These Vanilla Almond Protein Truffles are the perfect thing to put out for your health-conscious or fitness-obsessed friends. These truffles are paleo, gluten-free, and raw vegan to please even your pickiest healthy eaters. 

Sesame Pistachio Energy Bites

Another nutty, protein-packed bite! These are a nut lover’s dream! We’re pulling out all of our fancy nuts for these, I’m talking cashews and pistachios. Paired with chewy coconut, creamy tahini, and sweet maple syrup, these bites are a dream! The minerals, protein, and fats in these festive green bites will keep you fuelled for a full night of holiday partying!

Dark Chocolate Chili Brownies

You’ve heard of one-bite brownies but I bet you’ve never heard of these! My Dark Chocolate Chili Brownies are the perfect treat for the adventurous guests that stop in over the holidays. Lots of people have never tried chilli and chocolate, making this recipe a fun conversation starter and group activity. These brownies boast their chilli flavour from chilli powder and cayenne pepper. The dark chocolate and coconut sugar complement the spices to create a decedent one-bite brownie as you’ve never had before!