My mom’s birthday fell on Thursday: two days after she started her new job, the same day of my dad’s critical 8-hour meeting, and the day before he flew to NYC. She planned ahead, buying her own birthday present the previous weekend and handing it to Dad for him to wrap and give, but because of their hectic work schedules, they “celebrated” with take-out on the couch in front of a Duraflame log fire.
Although Mom claimed, “I don’t need to celebrate—I’m not aging this year!” I still drove down Saturday to spend the afternoon with her. Over our favorite blueberry coffee cake, I surprised her with chocolate candles (they smell shockingly realistic!) and inspirational salad plates tucked inside a lavender gift bag. After nestling our leftovers in their crowded fridge, we watched Elf, decorated my dog with a festive blinking-light Christmas collar, and blitzed through stores searching for winter sweaters and stocking stuffers.
While waiting my turn in the long line at Kohl’s, my eyes wandered to their checkout stand displays. Packed with shiny bags of creamy Godiva chocolate truffles and peppermint bark, each one begged to be placed in my basket and taken home. At the Walmart next door, boxes of Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates threatened to topple on my head as I balanced precariously on my tiptoes to inspect the Gingerbread M&Ms. And we vowed not to visit the mall; See’s dark chocolate truffles always called our names too loudly to resist!
Instead of indulging in those pricy, gourmet chocolates (well, for now at least… I can’t make any promises about Christmas Day!), I created my own homemade alternative: Healthy Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles. These rich, fudgy balls taste just as decadent but are secretly skinny, dairy-free and clean-eating friendly!
With the centers of my chocolate-filled wheat rolls as inspiration, I only used 4 ingredients for these low-fat truffles: cocoa powder, applesauce, honey, and peppermint extract. That’s it! Nothing fancy, and not one drop of heavy cream or melted chocolate. You probably store most of these things in your pantry already!
Although applesauce is included, you cannot taste it at all. Along with the honey, it acts as the glue to hold the truffles together, as well as providing a little natural sweetness. There are no fruit flavors in these skinny truffles—just lots of peppermint and dark chocolate!
For vegan truffles, substitute the honey with pure maple syrup or agave. Either one will work if you’re following a clean eating diet!
To add to this recipe’s simplicity, no heating is required either. Like I mentioned, there’s no chocolate to melt and no cream to warm. All of the mixing is done at room temperature. Just measure each ingredient into a bowl, stir until combined, and stick in the fridge to chill. It’s the easiest chocolate truffle recipe you’ll ever make!
To form the truffles, roll a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate mixture between your palms to shape it into a ball. The chocolate may stick to your hands a bit, but it washes off easily with warm water. (Go ahead, sneak a taste—I won’t judge!) Place each sphere on wax paper or in mini muffin paper liners for a pretty presentation, and leave them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Chilling helps maintain their circular shape and intensifies the minty taste.
Although I stuck with a simple appearance, try coating them in extra cocoa powder or confectioner’s (powdered) sugar for a polished look. I also contemplated rolling them in crushed candy canes or peppermint bark for an extra minty taste. That red and white layer would look really striking against the dark chocolate truffles!
Without revealing anything about these Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles, I presented them to Mom for her approval. As she sunk her teeth into the center of one of the decadent treats, her eyes widened. “They’re only 27 calories??” she asked. “Did you use a sugar substitute to reduce the calories?”
I grinned and revealed the recipe. “They’re just as rich as regular ones made with melted chocolate and heavy cream,” she declared. “They’re going to be one of the most popular recipes on your blog!”
I wonder if she’ll be right!
And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your dark chocolate peppermint truffles!
Healthy Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Ingredients
- 1 cup (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder (measured like this)
- ½ cup (127g) unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp (45mL) honey (see Notes!)
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together all 4 ingredients. Chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 days. (If chilling longer than 30 minutes, cover the bowl with foil, plastic wrap, or a lid.) Working with about a tablespoon at a time, roll the chocolate mixture into a ball, and place on wax paper or in individual mini muffin paper liners. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡ Classic Dark Chocolate Truffles
♡ Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Truffles
♡ Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
♡ Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles
♡ Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
♡ Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles
♡ Blueberry Greek Yogurt Truffles
♡ Ginger Fudge
♡ …and the rest of Amy’s healthy truffles recipes and fudge recipes!
I just noticed it’s 7 a.m., and I’ve made my first batch of these truffles. To begin, I’m not normally a truffle fan. But, when you said it was healthy with chocolate and mint, I was interested. When you shared the ingredients, and I actually had everything I need right here ready to stir together, I couldn’t wait another second to try it! Crazy? Maybe…HH might agree (he’s still asleep, though). I think I’ll be a truffle fan now. THESE truffles, anyway. They haven’t chilled thoroughly yet, but you said I could have a taste. 😉 You’re mom might be right – your readers’ most favorite thing. I’m hoping these will become more of an addiction than Hershey kisses and Reese’s peanut butter cups…since my hips really need the help to stop growing (yes, blogger’s behind!) I think it’s quite possible, because they are delicious – and so quick and easy to make! Thanks, Amy! 🙂
Kim, you write such sweet comments — I’m glowing again! 🙂 I’m so happy you enjoyed the truffles, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with making them before 7 am! I’m right there with you about chocolate kisses (especially the dark chocolate ones) and PB cups. Blogging really can be hard on the hips and waistline, especially during these winter months when it’s too cold to exercise outside. I think I’m going to try to keep a small batch of these in the fridge at all times to combat those chocolate cravings. Hope your husband enjoys them too!
This post came into my life at the exact moment I needed it! I am SO far behind on my Christmas cookies this year – and these easy (yet super delicious and decadent!) truffles may just save the day! I have my list of cookies that I always make, but I usually make a new kind each year – and the simplicity of this one just put it at the top of my list! 🙂 Thanks, Amy!! 🙂
I’m so excited to hear that Gretchen! That’s so sweet of you to bake Christmas cookies for your loved ones, and I’m impressed that you bake a new variety each year. You must be everyone’s favorite person during the holiday season! 🙂 I hope you and your family and friends enjoy the truffles!
Oh my goodness… I LOVE this!! What an interesting combo of ingredients… never would have thought those four simple items could make a truffle! Mint and chocolate is one of my most favorite favorite favorite flavor combos, so as soon as I have some apple sauce in my cupboard I’m making these healthy little bites!!
Thanks Andrea! I never would have thought so either, until I made those chocolate-filled wheat rolls. Such an epiphany moment! I like to keep those single-serving applesauce cups (the ones we used to take in our grade school lunches!) in the pantry. They’re just about the perfect size for a batch of these, and that way there isn’t a huge jar of unused applesauce in the fridge that turns moldy!
Yay, these are Paleo-friendly & sound amazing!! I think I definitely need to make these for one of my holiday gatherings. They look really cute on the mini cupcake wrappers! Great job Amy!! 🙂
Thanks Karey! I totally forgot that honey was Paleo-friendly. Thanks for reminding me! I really hope you and your loved ones enjoy the truffles! 🙂
I was reading through your comments on these truffles and I saw Gretchen mention that she was going to add them to her Christmas cookies and so I got to thinking that with a recipe as simple as that I am going to have to make them for my friends for their cookie trays. I usually make fudge but these definitely look like a much easier and healthier 🙂 alternative. Thanks for the post Amy! I love all of your posts. 🙂
Thank you Katy; you’re so sweet! I’m impressed that you make fudge every holiday season. Ever since my first dry and crumbly batch in high school, I’m nervous every time I try! One of these days, I’ll overcome those nerves and hopefully come up with my own recipe. I really hope you and your friends enjoy the truffles!
I love this recipe. I think truffles made without cream are almost better – because they’re guilt free too!
My thoughts exactly Dorothy! 😉 It means I can eat more chocolate too — at least 3 of these for every one of brand-name truffles!
Your peppermint truffles look divine!
You’re so sweet Kristi; thank you! 🙂
These look incredible Amy. YUM! perfect for the holidays (or anytime really) thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Emma! Although I intended for these to be a holiday treat, I think you’re right — they’re perfect for any time. I just might start keeping a permanent stash in my fridge!
these sound like great healthy truffles!
Thank you Dina! They definitely are. 🙂
FOUR INGREDIENTS!?!?! I am sold!!! Actually I was sold at “dairy-free” obviously..but still!! THESE LOOK SO GOOD!! I am so glad you went to spend time with your mom, which led to shopping, which led to THESE!
Thanks Brittany! I thought you might like these. 🙂 Fun (and tasty) things often spring out of our mother-daughter time. Nothing like families and holiday desserts!