A few days before the highly anticipated Valentine’s Day, everyone offers symbolic sweet recipes to prepare and give to their loved ones! I may have said this before, I don’t really love commercial holidays because I believe love should be celebrated every day of the year, but if it gives me an excuse to prepare these delicious and sinful strawberry truffles, I’m sure I could love it too! These are small and scenic sweets made with shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and dried strawberries covered in dark chocolate! I love making this kind of dessert (try the truffles with cookies and pistachios or the orange and cashew truffles just to name a few), because they are super easy to prepare and fast. They do not require cooking steps or complex phases and moreover they are vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free! In short, beyond the holidays or special occasions, they are perfect sweets to make even when you want something sweet but healthier and without going overboard with calories!
If you like indulging in sweet treats without guilt, also try these other proposals:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 20 of about 0.5 oz each
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Valentine's Day, All Seasons
Ingredients
⚠ THIS RECIPE CONTAINS ONE OR MORE AFFILIATE LINKS. The products I recommend are the same ones I use in my recipes; purchasing them through my blog helps support me and my work, while it won’t cost you anything extra!
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 2 tbsp strawberries (lyophilized)
- 2 dates
- 1/6 cup plant-based milk
- 1 tbsp agave syrup
- 3.5 oz 85% dark chocolate
- 1 tsp peanut oil
- to taste strawberry powder
- to taste shredded coconut
Tools
- 1 Chopper
- 1 Teaspoon
- 1 Cookie Cutter
- 1 Small Pot
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Tray
- 1 Tongs
- 1 Parchment Paper
Steps
Making these truffles requires just a few simple steps: inside a chopper, pour the shredded coconut along with the chopped almonds.
Add the previously pitted dates.
Add the dried strawberries and the agave syrup.
Blend until reduced to crumbs, then finally incorporate the plant-based milk.
Mix again for a couple of minutes until you get a compact, firm, and workable mixture.
With slightly damp hands, take small portions of the mixture at a time, about 0.6 oz, and flatten them slightly with your fingertips.
With the help of a heart-shaped cookie cutter, shape your truffles.
Level the surface of the truffles with your fingers and remove the excess. The final weight should be around 0.5 oz.
Arrange the heart-shaped truffles on a cutting board or tray.
Place in the fridge to firm up for 30 minutes or 15 minutes in the freezer to speed up the process.
After this time, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler, add the oil, and mix. Quickly dip the chilled truffles into the melted chocolate until they are fully covered, then retrieve them using kitchen tongs, letting the excess chocolate drip off.
Place the truffles on a tray lined with parchment paper and garnish with crumbs of lyophilized strawberries and more shredded coconut.
Let them firm up completely in the fridge for 2 hours before serving.
And voilà…the Valentine’s Day truffles are ready to be enjoyed!
Bon Appétit from La Cucina di FeFè!
More detailed shots!
Storage
👉Valentine’s Day truffles keep at room temperature for 1 day or in the fridge in suitable refrigerated containers for 1 week. If made in the summer, it is recommended to keep them in the fridge or, for an ice cream effect, in the freezer and take them out 15 minutes before consuming.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can other dried fruits be used in this recipe?
You can easily use other fruits such as mango, raspberries, or dried apples.
How can I substitute dates?
You can replace dates with the same amount of prunes, figs, or soft dried apricots.
Can I use cow’s milk instead of plant-based milk?
If you are not vegan, you can certainly use cow’s milk instead of plant-based milk.
How can I substitute agave syrup?
If you are not vegan, you can use acacia honey as an alternative, otherwise maple syrup.
