With just a few days to go before the much-anticipated Valentine’s Day, everyone is sharing recipes for iconic desserts to prepare and gift to your loved one! I might have mentioned this before, but I’m not a fan of commercial holidays because I believe love should be celebrated every day of the year. But if that gives me an excuse to make these exquisite and sinful strawberry truffles, I might just 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 these kinds of desserts (try the truffles with cookies and pistachios or the orange and cashew truffles just to name a couple) because they are super easy and quick to make. They don’t require any cooking stages or complicated steps, and they are vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free! So, beyond special occasions or holidays, these are perfect sweets to make even when you crave something sweet, but prefer it to be healthier and not overly caloric!
If you enjoy indulging in sweet treats without guilt, also try these other suggestions:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 20 Pieces
- Cooking methods: No Cooking Required
- 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 costs you nothing extra!
- 2.5 oz shredded coconut
- 2.1 oz chopped almonds
- 0.7 oz strawberries (lyophilized)
- 2 dates
- 1.4 oz 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 a few simple steps: in a chopper, add the shredded coconut along with the chopped almonds.
Add the previously pitted dates.
Combine the dried strawberries and the agave syrup.
Run the mixer until everything is in crumbs, then add the plant-based milk last.
Continue mixing for another 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 18 g, and flatten them slightly with your fingertips.
With the help of a heart-shaped cookie cutter Ø 2.1 cm, form your truffles.
Smooth the surface of the truffles with your fingers and remove the excess. The final weight should be around 13 grams.
Place the heart truffles on a cutting board or tray as you go.
Put them in the fridge to set for 30′ or 15′ in the freezer to speed up the process.
After this time, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler, add the oil, and stir. Dip the now cold truffles quickly into the melted chocolate until they are completely covered, then remove them with the help of kitchen tongs, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off.
Place the truffles on a tray lined with parchment paper and garnish with lyophilized strawberry crumbs and more shredded coconut.
Allow to set completely in the fridge for 2 hours before serving.
And voilà…Valentine’s Day truffles are ready to be enjoyed!
Bon Appétit from La Cucina di FeFè!
More detailed shots!
Storage
👉Valentine’s Day truffles can be stored at room temperature for 1 day or in the fridge in suitable refrigeration containers for 1 week. If prepared in summer, I recommend keeping them continuously in the fridge or, for an ice cream effect, in the freezer and taking them out 15 minutes before consuming.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can other dried fruits be used in this recipe?
You can easily use other fruits like mango, raspberries, or dried apples.
How can I substitute the dates?
You can substitute the dates with the same amount of prunes, figs, or soft dried apricots.
Can cow’s milk be used instead of plant-based milk?
If you’re not vegan, you can certainly substitute cow’s milk instead of plant-based milk.
How can I substitute agave syrup?
If you’re not vegan, you can alternatively use acacia honey or maple syrup.
