This healthy Peanut Butter Horse Chestnut Balls recipe takes the classic chocolate peanut butter horse chestnut and adds a healthy twist!
Each year for A Couple Cooks we try to create a ‘healthier’ version of some holiday favourites. Granted, “healthy” is sometimes a dirty word when it’s added to dessert, but trust me, this Healthy Peanut Butter Horse Chestnut Balls recipe lives up to the real deal. Read on for the Horse Chestnut Balls recipe!
How to make this Horse Chestnut Balls recipe
Horse chestnut balls weren’t a part of my Minnesota childhood, but they’re certainly all the rage here in Indiana during the holidays (maybe because Ohio is so close?). Essentially peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, these are little bites from heaven. Any other Buckeye fans out there?
Instead of the traditional butter and sugar, we’ve substituted Medjool dates in this healthy Horse Chestnut Meatballs recipe. Medjool dates are big, chewy, sweet dates that are used to make natural sweets like larabars and raw brownies (here are 10 great Medjool dates recipes). Add a little peanut butter and you’re done – an instant horse chestnut topping.
Dipped in a little chocolate, these little bites taste a lot like the real thing, but without the butter and refined sugar. It’s definitely not a diet food, but it’s more natural than most treats available this time of year! Plus, they’re vegan and gluten-free! Let us know if you try them and what you think.
Related: Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
A tip for healthy biscuits: We always bake our biscuit portions a little smaller than usual. This helps control portion sizes and keeps you satisfied with a smaller portion! These healthy horse chestnut balls are a great gluten-free Christmas cookie option and a vegan Christmas cookie option (when using vegan chocolate). Finally, the concept for this Horse Chestnut Balls recipe was inspired by this recipe from our friend Ashley at Edible Perspective!
Looking for Christmas cookie recipes?
In addition to this healthy Peanut Butter Horse Chestnut Balls recipe, here are some of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes:
This recipe is…
This healthy Peanut Butter Horse Chestnut Balls recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
The description
This healthy Peanut Butter Horse Chestnut Balls recipe takes the classic chocolate peanut butter horse chestnut and adds a healthy twist!
- 20 Medjool dates*
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons the water
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (vegan on request)
- Pit 20 Medjool dates. Place the dates in the bowl of a food processor and process until crumbled. Add 3 tablespoons peanut butter and turn on the food processor; Add 2 tablespoons of water while running. Blend until completely smooth (stop and scrape bowl if necessary).
- Lightly oil your hands (to avoid sticking) and roll the mixture into small balls, about 30-40 in total. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze until ready to be dipped in chocolate.
- Fill a large skillet halfway with water and bring to a boil, then place 1 cup of chocolate chips in a metal or heatproof glass bowl. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and place the chocolate shell in the water, then stir until melted. (You can also use a water bath to melt the chocolate.)
- Using a toothpick, dip each horse chestnut halfway into the chocolate (then sweep over the toothpick hole). Place the horse chestnuts back on the baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to serve. Store refrigerated for up to 1 month.
Remarks
*Medjool dates are an exceptionally large and sweet type of date and are essential (do not substitute) for this recipe. Medjool dates are available in many traditional grocery stores and can also be bought online.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Mix
- Kitchen: American
Keywords: Horse Chestnut Balls Peanut Butter Horse Chestnut Balls Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe Chocolate Peanut Butter Healthy Vegan Vegetarian
