Raw Bliss Bites – No Bake
With Date Paste 

By Susan Arruda

YIELD: 30 servings

Prepared date paste/mixture: 

1¼ cup (approx. 285g) roughly chopped, pitted dates* – rough chopping helps to ensure there are no surprise pits

½ cup water

1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice (you can also grate 1-2 tsp. of zest into the mix)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract/essence

Bring all ingredients, except the vanilla, to a boil in a small, covered saucepan. Mash the dates using a potato masher or dough in the saucepan until pureed and smooth.  Lower heat and simmer uncovered until consistency is paste like; thick, yet still creamy when stirred. –  Remove from heat, add the vanilla and allow cooling. 
Date Mixture YIELDs: 2 servings of 1/3 cup (75 ml) – Filling can be used for date squares and other baked recipes, or added to top muffins, cookie sandwich or topper, etc… 

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup chopped dried apricots or dried mango
¼ cup hot or boiling water
Combine the above for a few minutes until softened
3 tbsp. of chia seeds soaked in 3 tbsp. of warm or boiling water & set aside
2 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut (we used: Let’s Do Organic brand- Reduced Fat) 
½ cup almonds
½ cup raisins*
½ cup of goji berries*
¼ tsp. ground cardamom or cinnamon

PREPARATION:

Combine the coconut, almonds, in the above list together in a food processor until sticky. Add the dried apricots with the liquid and chia mixture and blend together in the food processor. 
Remove the mixture into a bowl and add 1/3 cup of the date paste mixture. Blend together using a fork.

Store the leftover date paste mixture in a sealed container (keeps well)  & use as a natural sweetener or a future batch of bliss bites!

Optional: add 1-2 tbsp. cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate, and if desired/available, Lucuma Powder (a superfruit with a maple and citrus flavor, rich in fiber, potassium and other nutrients)

Shape into balls with clean hands. Sprinkle with a light dusting of coconut or date sugar, if desired.  Refrigerate until firm. 

* Using organic dried fruit ensures there are no sulphites and preservatives added.

Date Paste Nutrition Info: 

 

Each Raw Bliss Bite contains 77 calories each with added date paste ingredient