1st Place for Healthy Dessert

 I won a baking contest at my chiropractor's office with this recipe. The goal was to bake a healthy dessert that didn't contain refined sugars, dairy or processed products. You wouldn't believe that these little bite size nuggets didn't contain any sugar or milk chocolate. They were so rich tasting and delicious! Oh so decadent!

For taking 1st place, I received an awesome $25.00 gift card to spend at Harry's Whole Foods Store.  I love Harry's.

Double Chocolate Walnut Candies

INGREDIENTS
For the filling:
½ cup walnuts
¾ cup medjool dates (about 6-7 large), pits removed. I soaked for 15 minutes in water.
1/3 cup cacao powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp melted coconut oil (use a double boiler to melt)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp water

For the chocolate:
½ cup melted coconut oil (use a double boiler to melt)
¼ cup cacao powder
1 tsp agave nectar


DIRECTIONS
To make the filling, use a small food processor to blend the filling ingredients into a smooth paste. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides, if needed, to ensure proper blending. This may take a few minutes to get as smooth as possible.
To make the chocolate, whisk the powders and agave into the coconut until thoroughly combined. Using ice cube trays or candy molds* and pour a small amount of chocolate into each vessel. Enough to coat the bottom of the tray and make a good base. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes to harden.
Remove the trays from the freezer and place a small ball of the filling into the center of each cavity. Gently flatten so that the filling remains below the level of the tray and does not stick out. Pour the remaining chocolate** on top of the filling to fill each vessel, and return the trays to the freezer for 10 more minutes, or until solid. Pop out of trays and serve.
*This recipe made one full candy trays or 1 ice cube tray… though exact number of candies depends entirely on size of tray used. I used a silicone tray which made it easy to pop out the candy. My tray held 15 cube molds.
**If remaining chocolate has begun to solidify too soon, float the vessel holding the chocolate in a small bowl of boiling water to slowly re-melt it into a liquid.