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    Home » Sweet Snacks » Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls

    Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls

    Published: Sep 10, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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    pinterest image with photos of recipe top and bottom and text overlay in the centre.

    These delicious Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls are incredibly easy to make and are a healthy, satisfying sweet treat. These sweet bites are also refined sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan.

    round white plate of bliss balls, surrounded by orange slices, sitting on a white marble background.

    Why we love this recipe:

    Some combinations of flavours work so well together, and chocolate and orange are two of the best. These Chocolate and Orange Bliss Balls taste decadent and rich, whilst being made from all natural ingredients and refined sugar free.

    In other bliss ball recipes, we have used coconut to roll the bliss balls in, but for this recipe, we use cacao powder. It is slightly bitter, but works so well with the sweet contrast of the dates and fresh citrus flavour of the orange.

    If you are making this recipe for children, you may wish to roll some of the balls in desiccated coconut instead. But for adults, the cacao is truly perfect, and provides an almost chocolate truffle like sensation.

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

    Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

    Medjool dates – these are not the dried dates commonly found in the baking section of the supermarket. They are a fresh fruit, grown on a date palm. They have a natural sweetness and stickiness that works perfectly for these Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls. It’s best to store the dates in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Cashews – I use raw cashews. They have a rich, creamy flavour and as they are softer than many other nuts they easily blend to a smooth paste. You can, however, leave them with a little texture if you prefer.

    Cacao powder – pronounced “ka-cow”, is made from minimally processed cocoa beans and maintains the nutritional benefits of the bean. It is, in essence, chocolate in its purest form. We use it in the mixture for the bliss balls, and also to roll them in.

    Chia seeds – currently enjoying enormously popularity, chia seeds were once a staple in the Mayan and Aztec diets. Chia seeds absorb liquid and form a gel; they help bind the bliss balls. 

    Orange juice and zest – I add a little orange juice to help bind the mixture together, and some zest to get that extra boost of orange flavour.

    Step by Step Instructions:

    the four steps required to make this recipe.
    1. Wash the dates and remove their seeds. I roughly chop them and add to the bowl of a food processor.
    2. Add the cashews, cacao powder, chia seeds, orange juice and zest to the bowl of a food processor.
    3. Blend until well combined.
    4. Roll the mixture into small balls and toss them in cacao powder or desiccated coconut.

    Tips for Success and FAQs:

    The dates that we use in these Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls are Medjool dates. These are fresh dates, available from the greengrocer or fruit and veg section of the supermarket. They are not the dried variety that is found in the baking aisle of the supermarket.

    After blending the mixture, take a small amount, press it together between your fingers to check if it can be rolled into balls. If the mixture is too crumbly, add a little more orange juice to bind it together.

    I am making these bliss balls for children – what else can I roll them in other than cacao powder?

    Roll the balls in unsweetened desiccated coconut.

    How long will the Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls last for?

    They will last in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container, for about one week.

    Can they be frozen?

    To keep them longer, they can also be frozen in an airtight container for about 3 months.

    small round pink and white bowl of bliss balls, with two orange slices sitting on edge of bowl.

    More delicious recipes for you to try:

    Here are some more of our favourite easy and healthy snack recipes for you to try:

    • Soy Roasted Almonds
    • Chocolate Mint Bliss Balls
    • Spicy Roasted Almonds
    • Salt and Pepper Walnuts
    • Apricot and Coconut Bliss Balls
    • Mixed Seed Crackers
    • Salted Caramel Bliss Balls
    • Nut-Free Chocolate Bliss Balls

    Enjoy the rich taste of these delicious Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls. I would love to hear from you when you have given them a try!

    Alex xx

    small round pink and white bowl of bliss balls, with two orange slices sitting on edge of bowl.

    Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls

    These delicious Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls are incredibly easy to make and make for a healthy, satisfying sweet treat. These delicious sweet bites are also refined sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan.
    4.98 from 40 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Afternoon Tea, Morning Tea, Snack
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 30 bliss balls
    Calories: 42kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    For the Bliss Balls:

    • 1 cup (220 g) medjool dates See Note 1
    • 1 cup (150 g) raw cashews
    • ¼ cup (30 g) cacao powder
    • 2 teaspoon white chia seeds
    • 2 teaspoon orange zest
    • 2 tablespoon orange juice See Note 2

    For Coating the Bliss Balls:

    • 2 tablespoon cacao powder OR desiccated coconut See Note 2 and 3

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Wash the dates, dry them, and remove the pits.
    • Roughly chop the dates and add to the bowl of a food processor along with the cashews, cacao powder, chia seeds, orange juice and zest and whiz until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
    • Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to roll into balls. If not, add a little more orange juice and blend again.
    • Take about a teaspoon of mixture, and roll into small bowls and toss in the extra cacao powder.
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    1. I have used Medjool dates; these are fresh dates available from greengrocers or fruit and veg section of the supermarket.  If measuring by volume, the dates are firmly packed in the cup. For me, it was 15 dates.
      The measurement of the dates includes when they still have their stones in them.
    2. In Australia, the tablespoon is 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries, the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. You may need to adjust your quantities accordingly.
    3. Use unsweetened cacao powder or desiccated coconut. 
      You may require a little extra to roll the bliss balls.
    4. Please note, the nutritional information is calculated on one bliss ball. The nutritional information is an estimate only.

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    pinterest image with photos of recipe top and bottom and text overlay in the centre.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Loraine

      July 07, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      Hi Alexandra! These sound gorgeous! Could I cover them in melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder? How would you advise I do this? Should I freeze) cool the mixture before dipping in chocolate?

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        July 08, 2021 at 3:22 pm

        Hi Loraine, yes, you can certainly coat them in chocolate. What a good idea! There is no need to freeze the bliss balls, just chill them for a short time. Melt some chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Make sure the bowl does not touch the water and ensure that no water/steam gets in the chocolate or it will seize. Use two forks to dip the bliss balls in the chocolate and then place them on baking paper to set. To speed up the process, you may wish to put them in the fridge. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Alex 🙂

        Reply
    2. Whitney

      November 16, 2020 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      Orange and chocolate is such a guilty pleasure for me so I know I had to try this the moment I saw it! This is crazy good!! I’ve been packing a few in my lunch box every day to have as a dessert or a mid afternoon snack and I look forward to it every day. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        November 18, 2020 at 5:42 pm

        Thank you, Whitney, for your lovely comments concerning our Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls. It’s always good to have a delicious snack which is healthy. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Priya Shiva

      September 20, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      These bliss balls are delicious.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 18, 2020 at 9:44 am

        Hello Priya, I am delighted to hear that you enjoy the Bliss Balls; thank you for letting me know. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lizzie

      September 13, 2020 at 8:36 am

      5 stars
      Yummy
      These are my favourite of your Bliss balls yet.
      So good. They taste like truffles but guilt free!!!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 15, 2020 at 3:06 pm

        Thank you, Lizzie!! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Amanda

      September 10, 2020 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate and orange are one of my favourite combinations, and these bliss balls are a really easy to make and great sweet treat.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 07, 2020 at 1:35 pm

        Hello Amanda, chocolate and orange are a classic combination and they are ideal in these bliss balls. I am so pleased that you enjoyed them. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Rachna

      September 10, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love bliss balls. Your recipe is super healthy and the combination of chocolate and orange really can’t go wrong.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 10, 2020 at 9:15 pm

        Thank you so much, Rachna!

        Reply
    7. Nart

      September 10, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love how great these bliss balls look. Chocolate and orange are a great combo. This recipe is really great!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 07, 2020 at 1:36 pm

        Hello Nart, I am so pleased that you enjoyed these Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls. I love that they are so easy to make. 🙂

        Reply
    8. veenaazmanov

      September 10, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      Looks yum. Easy and a party time dessert recipe too. Best for sweet cravings.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 15, 2020 at 9:31 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    9. annie@ciaochowbambina

      September 10, 2020 at 6:16 am

      5 stars
      Oh so delicious! I love the name…Bliss Balls…the perfect descriptor!!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 10, 2020 at 4:26 pm

        Thank you so much, Annie!!

        Reply

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    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

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