Chocolate Dried Fruit Truffle Bites

These bites are a good example of how much sweetness dried fruit can carry without any help. Dates, raisins or sultanas, craisins and dried apricots do most of the work here. Dried fruit is simply fruit with the water taken out, so its sugars become concentrated, which is why a small ball tastes so rich. That same concentration is also why portion size matters, so I like to think of these as a little treat to enjoy slowly rather than a snack to grab by the handful.

The cocoa gives the bites their deep, slightly bitter edge, and that bitterness balances the fruit nicely. Cocoa and cacao powder are almost the same thing, though cacao is usually less processed and can taste a little more earthy. Either works. If you only have one, use what you've got and don't worry about it.

A tip from my own kitchen: let the boiling water sit on the chopped fruit for a minute before you add the rest. It softens everything so the paste comes together without you needing to add extra liquid. If your paste still feels crumbly when you pinch it, add a few drops more orange juice rather than more water. The orange juice brightens the flavour and helps it bind, and you only need a teaspoon or two.

Rolling is the messy part, so keep a small bowl of water nearby. A damp hand stops the paste sticking to your fingers, and you can then roll each piece in the coconut on the plate. I find it easiest to work in a steady line so you don't lose track of which ones are done. The bites will firm up a little in the fridge, so don't panic if they feel soft straight out of the processor.

They keep well in an airtight container in the fridge, and that is where I'd keep them, since the coconut and fruit can get sticky at room temperature. If the paste ends up slightly too soft to roll, chill it for twenty minutes and try again.

To serve, I like a small plate of these alongside a mug of black coffee or a cup of plain tea after dinner. They also pair well with a bowl of fresh berries if you want something lighter. If you're after something with more of a baked feel, a warm bowl of Warm Apricot Bake with Oat Topping goes beautifully with the same dried apricots. For a breakfast version of the same flavours, try Strawberry Almond Oatmeal Bowls. And if you want another no-bake sweet made with dates and coconut, Chocolate Date Coconut Truffles sits right alongside these.