Caramel bliss balls

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: No cooking
Difficulty rating: Easy
Age recommendation: 1 year and over

Ingredients:

Makes 18 walnut size balls.

• 1 cup of almonds (120g)
• 1 cup of cashews (105g)
• 4 tablespoons of pure maple syrup (65g)
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon natural vanilla
• 18 white chocolate buttons (optional decoration)

Method:

1. Place the almonds and cashews in a food processor and mill until they form a paste with a smooth consistency.
2. Add maple syrup, vanilla and salt to the nut paste. Continue mixing in the food processor until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Roll dessertspoon-sized portions into a ball between the palms of your hands. Continue rolling balls until all the mixture is used.
4. Optional: Place a white chocolate button (or another similar treat) on the top of each ball for a decoration.

Tips:

• These yummy caramel balls are great treats for kids and the perfect healthier snack to serve at kids parties (as long as there are no nut allergies).
• These balls are a good way for young children to eat nuts as they are completely smooth and not a choking risk. However, remember as there is added sugar in the form of maple syrup, this recipe is still a treat rather than an everyday snack food. Nut butter with no added sugar would be better as an everyday nut dip or snack food.

Quantities for calculations:

• 1 cup of almonds (120g)
• 1 cup of cashews (105g)
• 4 tablespoons of pure maple syrup (65g)
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon natural vanilla
• 12 white chocolate buttons (optional decoration)

Nutritional content:

Nutritional content per ball (around the size of a walnut):

References

1. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand. AUSNUT 2011-13 Food Nutrient Database. 2013. [cited 6 August 2016]. Available from: [URL Link]
2. National Health and Medical Research Council. Eat for Health- Infant Feeding Guidelines- Information for Health Workers. 2012. (cited 10 April 2016). Available from: DF File]