I love pretty much all bliss balls but these strawberry shortcake bliss balls are hands down one of my favorites. The freeze dried strawberries add a rich strawberry flavor and the dates add a subtle sweetness. These are the perfect healthy and delicious snack. In fact, I recommend keeping a batch in your refrigerator or freezer at all times. They are THAT good!
Ingredients
Freeze fried strawberries: these are my latest favorite snack and ingredient to cook and bake with. They are crunchy and slightly sweet. Unlike traditionally dried fruit, freeze fruit does not contain a higher amount of sugar than fresh strawberries.
For these bliss balls, you have two options. You can get the regular freeze fried strawberries, which I like to get at Trader Joes or Target. Or, I recently found freeze dried strawberry powder that you can purchase on amazon. Only downfall with the powder is that you obviously can't much on that as a snack.
Oats: Several different types of oats exist, and not all of them are created equal. However, in most situations, I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats over quick or instant oats. I prefer these oats from One Degree because they are organic and sprouted.
Nutrition tip: oats are a whole grain and a good source of a type of fiber. The benefits of fiber are numerous, but the most well-known are that it lowers cholesterol, balanced blood sugar, feed good bacteria in the gut, and helps you feel full after eating (1).
Raw almonds: Almonds are an excellent rather neutral flavored nut to use in bliss balls.
Nutrition tip: Almonds can help to reduce both cholesterol and blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and protect against diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (2).
Raw cashews: you want to make sure you are getting both raw cashews and raw almonds. Roasted nuts have a stronger flavor. For these bliss balls, we want more of a mild nut flavor so that the strawberry flavor will really come through.
Vanilla extract
Almond extract: this is something that is probably less likely to be in your pantry than vanilla extract but I highly recommend grabbing some. This is what gives these bliss balls the shortcake flavor. If you do buy some almond extract but you're not sure what else to make with it, I HIGHLY recommend trying out my healthy strawberry rice crispy treats (this recipe also uses freeze fried strawberries).
Dates: make sure to get Medjool dates for this recipe. They are much softer and sweeter than other kinds of dates. If you feel like your dates are a little hard, soak them in some warm water for a couple minutes before using.
If you have leftover dates, try cutting them down the middle and filling with cashew butter. Enjoy them as a quick snack or after dinner treat!
Maple syrup: you'll only use 1 tablespoon for this recipe because the dates and strawberries also add sweetness! When buying maple syrup, look for 100% pure maple syrup. Check the ingredient list. It should just say "maple syrup".
How to make bliss balls
Add the oats, nuts, strawberries (or strawberry powder) to a food processor. Process until you have a fine meal.
Next, dump the oat/nut meal into a medium sized mixing bowl and add the water, maple syrup vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Mix together until you have a stick dough.
Use a tablespoon to scoop out dough and roll into balls using the palms of your hands.
That's it! Enjoy!
Store bliss balls in the refrigerator for a week or two. For longer keeping or to make sure you don't run out of your new favorite snack, store in the freezer.
You can buy freeze fried strawberries at most major grocery stores. I have found them at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Target. You will find them in the nut section at most grocery stores. You can also purchase off of Amazon.
Other bliss ball recipes to check out
Strawberry Shortcake Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup freeze dried strawberries Or ¼ cup freeze dried strawberry powder
- ⅔ cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup raw cashews
- ⅓ cup raw almonds
- 4 medjool dates
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tbsp water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pulse the oats, cashews, almonds, dates, strawberries, and salt in a food processor until you have a fine meal.
- Pour into a medium sized mixing bowl and add the maple syrup, water, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix well until you have a sticky dough.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop out the dough and roll into balls using the palm of your hands.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Sources
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