Raw Vegan Cacao Bliss Ball Recipe

Cacao bliss balls are a quick health boosting snack with only 5 ingredients and are perfect for meal prep. They are raw, vegan, gluten-free, and have no added sugar!

cacao pod, cacao fruit

Fudgy, cacao vegan bliss balls made with wholesome ingredients? Yes, please!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CACAO AND COCOA POWDER?

The raw beans contained within the sticky matrix of the cacao pod don’t taste much like chocolate. Therefore, even raw cacao products aren’t made with beans straight from the pod. Once cacao beans are harvested, they go through several processing steps. Firstly they are fermented and then dried. This stage is the raw cacao powder.

The cacao powder are further processed by roasting at a much higher temperature and typically supplemented with additives to cut the bitterness. The roasting process fully develops the chocolate flavor and gives them some sweetness but many of these beneficial nutrients degrade and are no longer significantly present in the powder—quite the unnecessary loss in nutrition.

Minimally processed cacao powder is an abundant source of minerals (iron, magnesium and potassium), fiber and those unique antioxidants called flavanols, which support cardiovascular and brain health.

WHAT ARE BLISS BALLS?

Bliss balls are also known as energy bites or energy balls. These cacao bliss balls are quick and easy to make and have only 5 ingredients. So you don’t have an excuse not to make them! They are the perfect snack and great to prepare ahead of time as they last for a long time in the fridge and outside the fridge. These bliss balls are made with whole food ingredients like cashew, raisins and cacao powder. 

Just like my original raw vegan almond coconut balls, this cacao version is sure to become a family favourite snack in no time!

HOW TO MAKE CACAO BLISS BALLS

All you need to make these bliss balls is a food processor and 5 ingredients: cashew nuts, raisins, cacao powder, vanilla bean and sea salt.

HOW LONG DO BLISS BALLS LAST?

You can store these cacao bliss balls in the fridge or outside the fridge for up to 7 days in an airtight container. You can also store them in the freezer to enjoy later. 

They’re so chocolaty, rich and moist. The longer you blend them the more of the oils from the cashews are released and get a little more fudgy and sticky.

More Healthy Snack Recipes

For more healthy inspiration, these recipes all make simple, healthy snacks too:

• raw chocolate pudding

• raw chocolate walnut balls

• raw almond coconut balls

• no-bake coconut cranberry truffles