Candy Cane Protein Truffles are easy to make and tasty too! This delicious recipe is dairy, egg, nut and gluten free so it makes a great guilt-free holiday dessert!
If you love Candy Cane and Peppermint as much as we do, be sure to try a few more of our favorites – Candy Cane Cookie Bars, Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies, and Chocolate Peppermint Parfaits.
For most of us, December might as well be renamed Dessert-ber. The holiday parties and potlucks are all stocked with dessert tables – and cookies, brownies and pies are just about everywhere! For those of use with allergies, the holidays are just a bit more stressful. Luckily these Candy Cane Protein Truffles are here to help!
Candy Cane Protein Truffles are one of the absolute best December (Dessert-ber) recipes. Whether you or your kids have food allergies, or you want to help make a friend’s holiday a whole lot merrier, this recipe is not only delicious, but it is also customizable, allergy friendly, easy to make, and surprisingly good for you… as far as desserts go!
Protein Truffles Ingredients
The base of these Candy Cane Protein Truffles is my tried and tested chocolate truffle base. It combines pitted dates with both cocoa powder and just enough melted chips to be perfectly rich and chocolaty. I also add protein powder to give these a little extra health boost AND for a smoother texture. Here are a few helpful tips to consider –
- If dairy isn’t a concern go ahead and use milk chocolate chips.
- If you have dairy insensitivities, use your favorite non-dairy chocolate chip brand (I like Enjoy Life).
- I highly recommend using vanilla protein powder not chocolate because they often have an artificial chocolate taste.
- Use whatever protein powder you like and that meets your allergen needs.
- If dairy isn’t a concern use a Whey based powder (I like Tera’s Whey).
- If dairy is a concern there are soy or pea based powders out there. Whatever powder you use, just make sure it’s one you know you like.
How To Make Candy Cane Truffles
Protein Truffle Mixture – Place all of the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips and candy canes, into a food processor. Pulse everything for a minute or two until the mixture is nice and smooth. If necessary, go ahead and add a little extra water to the mixture.
Melt Chocolate & Combine – Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Once melted, add the chocolate to the protein truffle mixture in the food processor. Pulse everything together until it has combined and then refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
Form – Once your protein truffles have chilled, scoop one heaping teaspoon at a time. Toll them into a ball and then cover each truffle with some crushed candy canes. Try to only get the sticky chocolate mixture on a few fingers so you have clean fingers to work with the candy canes. Having a helper or two in the kitchen is super helpful here!
Refrigerate – Keep the protein truffles refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy!
More Healthy Snack Ideas
- Protein & Fiber Energy Bites
- Chocolate Protein Brownies
- Slim Fast Shake Recipes
- Yogurt Bar Ideas
- Chocolate Raspberry Protein Shake
My mouth is watering as I type this! Hopefully these will help you enjoy the holidays with a little less guilt. Leave us a comment below and let us know how much you liked them.
Candy Cane Protein Truffles
Ingredients
- 10 pitted dates, soft, not dried
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 2 Tbsp chocolate chips
- 1 tsp pure vanilla
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 pinch of salt
- candy canes
Instructions
- Place dates, cocoa, protein powder, vanilla, salt, & water in the food processor or blender.
- Pulse for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth (your machine might need more water but try to use as little as possible for rich, creamy truffles)
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave.
- Use a rubber spatula to add the chocolate into the blender and pulse it again to incorporate it. Refrigerate mixture at least 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, crush the candy canes and place them in a shallow dish.
- Scoop the chilled mixture one heaping teaspoons at a time and form into small balls.
- Drop each truffle into the crushed candy canes and coat evenly.
- Keep refrigerated until you're ready to enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Other Notes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Katie is the foodie, yogi, and all over health junkie behind Fresh Fit Foodie. Her site is a great resource for healthy recipes, yoga workouts, and ways to live your healthiest life. Katie was a contributor on Somewhat Simple in 2016.
Wow! These are incredible! I can barely taste the dates at all! Definitely need to use the darker chocolate, though, as it hides the date flavor better. I love the Enjoy Life brand chocolate, too. It tastes great and it seems to be a little less expensive than the other vegan brands of chocolate.
Thanks Betsy, I’m so glad you love’em!
These are the greatest ever!
Thanks!