No Bake Vegan Truffles – Coconut, Gingerbread, Chocolate, Candy Cane. glutenfree

Happy 2013!
Lets start up with these simple Truffle bites. How is 2013 shaping up for everyone? Ours started up sunny after rain almost all days of December.
What would you like see more of on the blog in 2013??

I am trying to come up with some sort of schedule to keep me motivated. Else things just slip by:)
Maybe like Sandwich Mondays, Pizza Fridays, Spicy Wednesdays or other ideas?

Left to Right: Candy Cane Truffles, Gingerbread Truffles.



Of course we know which ones were gobbled up first:) 

I did an all time reader fave round up recently, so decided not to post the Top posts from 2012 post. Most of the all time faves are from 2012:).
You can find the round up with home made Doritos Spice mix, Naans(regular and glutenfree), Pizzas, Banana quick bread bar and more here. 

Top to bottom rows: Candy cane, Gingerbread, Coconut, Cocoa



Almond Date Truffles with Shredded Coconut, Gingerbread Spice, Chocolate, crushed Candy cane.
Adapted from The Vegan Chickpea
Allergy Information: Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Corn, Soy, refined Sugar free.

Ingredients: Makes 6-7 truffles of each.
Truffle Base:
About 1 cup Raw almonds
1 cup soft dates(12 to 15)
Maple syrup or almond milk as needed

Coconut:
1/4 cup + 1/4 cup Shredded Coconut

Gingerbread:
Gingerbread spice (1/2 teaspoon ginger powder, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 tsp clove powder, a pinch of all spice).

Chocolate:
2 to 3 Tbsp Cocoa powder

Candy Cane:
1/4 cup crushed Candy cane

Method:
Blend the almonds till finely ground. Some of flour will become buttery.
Add pitted dates and pulse until well combined.
Remove the mixture and divide into 4 parts.

Add 1/4 cup shredded coconut to one part. Mix it well. Add a teaspoon or so Maple syrup or non dairy milk to help bring the mixture together and make balls.
Roll the balls in the 1/4 cup coconut to coat.

Add the Gingerbread spices to the another part, mix well, then roll into balls. Add molasses if needed to help the mixture hold as balls.

Add cocoa powder to another part. Mix well, (add mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs if you like). Form balls. Roll in more cocoa powder if needed.

Add 2 Tablespoons crushed Candy cane to another part. Mix well. Add maple syrup or non dairy milk to help form balls. Roll the balls in crushed candy cane.

Store in airtight container in refrigerator if keeping for 1-2 weeks.



Vegan News this week.

• Celebrities going Vegan, including James Cameron who said “It’s not a requirement to eat animals, we just choose to do it, so it becomes a moral choice and one that is having a huge impact on the planet, using up resources and destroying the biosphere.”  Vegan weddings/engagements.. Natalie Portman, Anne hathaway. NASA going vegan for the mission to Mars.. and so much more for plant based living in 2012! Read the article here.
• Israel will no longer allow the import & marketing of products that were tested on animals. Here’s to more countries making compassionate laws in 2013. how awesome is that!
• A new Vegan Cooking show on The cooking Channel this year. First episode airs on Jan 6th. Details here.
• From Athletes, fitness, health, to all you needed to know about Veganism(Main Street Vegan), 
  to amazing Journalism (Death At Seaworld), 
  to Kentucky-born-childhood-cancer-survivor-amputee-TV-producer-undercover-investigator-turned-farmed-animal-sanctuary-founder’s Passionate Fight for Farm Animals. The books to read in 2013!