Fruit & Nut Truffles

Looking for a healthy treat for Valentine's Day? This is a great alternative to chocolates or sugary candies - and you can make them yourself! These truffles are incredibly simple and easy to make and look as expensive as a box of chocolates!

I will list the four variations you see in the picture but any fruit and nut combo will work.

Strawberry Truffle
1/2 c. dried strawberries (reserve one or two for garnish)
1/2 c. walnuts (reserve one or two for garnish)
1/8 c. oatmeal

Cranberry-Plum Truffle
1/4 c. dried cranberries (reserve one or two for garnish)
1/4 c. dried plums
1/8 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. almonds (reserve one or two for garnish)

Date Truffle
1/2 c. whole pitted dates
1/4 c. raisins
1/2 c. walnuts
1/8 c. oatmeal

Peanut Butter Truffle
1/4 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. raisins
1/4 c. almonds
1/4 c. oatmeal

Step 1: Grind Ingredients

In a food processor add all ingredients (per truffle recipe). Turn food processor on and grind until mixture looks like course salt and can hold together when pinched. If mixture is too dry to hold together grind a bit more until it does. The dried fruit will eventually become sticky if you grind it long enough.

If you are making multiple flavors of truffles and peanut butter is one of them be sure and make that one last. I make one batch and use the food processor again for the next flavor without cleaning. Makes it quick and easy!

***I only show one flavor of truffle mixture in the food processor since all steps are exactly the same for each recipe.

Step 2: Shape the Truffles

Using a rounded tea spoon shape the mixture into equally sized round balls. You could also use a melon baller or small cookie scoop depending how large or small you want the truffles.

Each recipe will make approximately 16 teaspoon sized truffles.

Step 3: Make the Garnishes

For the strawberry garnish: Take one of your reserved dried strawberries and sandwich between two pieces of waxed paper. Roll out with a rolling pin until very thin. Peel the top piece of waxed paper off and place in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easier to work with.

Remove from freezer and cut out small squares then remove from the waxed paper. Cut each corner off of the squares shaping the pieces into circles. I added a dragee on top for added decoration. This is optional. ***Reminder - if you do add dragees remove them before eating.

For the walnut garnish: If you cut the ends of the walnut off you will get a natural heart shape. You will get two to four hearts out of each walnut.

For the cranberry garnish: Since dried cranberries are hollow you can cut then into 1/8 inch slices and bend then to make little hearts. This might take a few tries but you will get two or three from each dried cranberry.

For the almond garnish: Cut an almond in half. Keep cutting in half until you have small square shapes that will fit nicely on top of your truffles.

Step 4: Finished Truffles

Arrange garnished truffles on a plate or package and give to your loved one(s) for Valentine's Day!