this post is sponsored by coombs family farms. thank you for supporting the partnerships that allow brewing happiness to grow and exist. xoxo.
These Maple Chai Truffles are selfishly the combination of four of my favorite dessert-things : chai spices, truffles, maple syrup and white chocolate. (I mean, COME ON, does it get any better?) So it’s no surprise that I love these truffles, but I think I should tell you why you’ll love them too…
- The inside of the truffles are totally grain-free! They’re made with a base of almond flour (not almond meal) and coconut flour. If that sounds dry, don’t worry! The coconut oil and chai make them super moist and delicious.
- They’re sweetened with Coombs Family Farms Pure Maple Syrup and topped with Maple Sugar. You can feel good about that, not only because maple syrup is lower on the GI scale than granulated sugar, but also because Coombs is an incredible company that supports small farmers and the environment.
- These beautiful little babies make GREAT gifts for your neighbors, or teachers, or office. Bring them to an office party and EVERYONE will be impressed.
Sure, the white chocolate coating isn’t the healthiest option here, but you’re welcome to use a dairy free white chocolate if you want, and a tiny amount of chocolate never hurt anyone! If you aren’t a fan of white chocolate, using a dark chocolate would be delicious as well. So go ahead with that if you want! If you want to cut down on the sweetness, I’d recommend an 80% dark chocolate.
One last note before you get started, the recipe calls for 1/4 cup “strongly brewed chai.” When I make this recipe, I’ll make a cup of chai using 4 bags and 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for as long as the bag calls for, and then squeeze out the excess liquid from the bags. Let it cool a little before using 1/4 of that brewed chai for these truffles, and drink the rest! It’s like a second little treat.
More Healthyish Chai Treats: Coconut Dirty Chai + Chai Spiced Pear Muffins + French Press Chai Latte + Chai Poached Pears + Golden Chai Hot Chocolate
Maple Chai Truffles
These Maple Chai Truffles are totally grain-free, naturally sweetened (mostly), vegan, and packed with warming spices. They're the perfect holiday treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup Coombs Family Farms Pure Maple Syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup strongly brewed chai
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp ginger
Top with
- 2 cups white chocolate chips, melted (sub dairy free white chocolate chips)
- 1/4 cup Coombs Family Farms Maple Sugar
Instructions
Add all truffle ingredients, excluding the melted white chocolate and maple sugar, into a blender or food processor. Pulse or blend until well combined and the batter sticks together.
Roll the truffles into 10 balls, about 1 heaping tablespoon in size. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, melt the white chocolate chips either in the microwave or a double broiler. You want it melted, but not hot.
One at a time, use a spoon to dunk your truffles in the white chocolate, covering them completely. Transfer the truffle back to the parchment paper.
Sprinkle each truffle with maple sugar before moving on to the white chocolate for the next truffle.
After all truffles are coated and sprinkled with maple sugar, transfer them back to the fridge for a few minutes, or just until the chocolate has hardened.
EAT UP.
Every year about this time, I sit in bed wondering why it’s so hard to get up. Where is my motivation? What happened to my internal drive? I find myself reaching for more coffee, or needing an afternoon nap, or dealing with lethargy on an annoying level.
Usually I spend a week or two beating myself up over these internal transgressions until I realize that it’s been about a week or two since I’ve seen the sun. You see, I have seasonal affective disorder, which means that winter is harder for me. Some days are going to be a battle. But it also means it eventually passes.
I’m working on a guide to help anyone who also deals with S.A.D. – testing out things like lights and #30screenlessnights, and diet adjustments and exercises. So I’ll keep you updated on that. For now, if you’re also struggling, I suggest starting with my 10 Ways to make Your Bad Days Better guide. That’s my go-to routine anytime the funk sits in.
Guide or no guide, it becomes obvious to me quickly that pushing through the winter blues isn’t always going to be an option. And that’s where self-gentleness comes in. It’s a word that makes a lot of sense to me on days when I’m frustrated with my lack of motivation. It can be an easier starting point than self-love, because gentleness is an action- not a feeling. We don’t have to feel warm and fuzzy about ourselves in order to be gentle.
We just have to move slower. Forgive more. Make adjustments. Find comfort.
Even if you don’t have S.A.D., the holidays can be a trying time for a TON of reasons (family, disordered eating, loneliness, etc.) So this inward gentleness isn’t just reserved for me. It’s for you. It should be used in heaping quantities on days when getting out of bed seems impossible, or when you’ve cried in the bathroom, or when you feel like you don’t have the capacity to send another freaking email. Be gentle. Tread lightly.
Make yourself some Maple Chai Truffles, drink some chai, tuck yourself into bed, and forgive all that you haven’t done. Know that nothing bad will happen. Know that your progress today doesn’t indicate what kind of person you are or how much success you will have.
Be gentle. xo.
