Trick or Treat – Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

Unlike typical Halloween sweets, these truffles are low in added sugar and higher in protein, healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals. Reducing added sugars in your diet helps manage inflammation, control blood sugar, and maintain a healthy body weight, which are all important for cancer prevention.

Recipe makes 16 truffles.

INGREDIENTS

• • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup unsalted natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened cacao powder
  • Optional: 1/3 cup dry-roasted peanuts, chopped

PREPARATION

1. Microwave the coconut oil in a medium bowl until melted, about 30 seconds.
2. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup or honey, optional cinnamon, and salt to the bowl & stir to combine.
3. Use a sieve to sift the cacao powder over the mix & stir to combine. Use your hands to form into a dough. Add additional cacao powder if needed to form into a dough (depending on how runny the peanut butter and honey are).
4. Put the chopped peanuts in a small bowl.
5. Roll a thumb-sized portion of the mixture into a ball, then roll to coat in the chopped peanuts, pressing the peanuts into the truffles so they do not fall off.
6. Place on a plate and repeat until all of the mixture is used.
7. Freeze for 5-10 minutes, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Unsweetened cacao powder is a rich source of flavonoids, a type of polyphenol that acts as an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and protects cells from oxidative stress. Cacao also contains copper, magnesium, iron, and zinc, which support immune function and cellular repair. Each truffle contains 2 grams of fiber from cacao powder, which acts as a prebiotic to support gut health and immune function. 

Despite their name, peanuts are actually a legume and not a nut! Peanuts offer plant-based protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats, all of which are associated with reduced risk of certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer. Peanuts are also a good source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, and B vitamins that support cell metabolism. Choose an organic peanut butter with no added oils or sugars, and organic dry-roasted peanuts—peanuts should be the only ingredient.

Recipe by Lotta Andonian, MS, RDN, a dietitian at the Create Cures Foundation Clinic