We all know that the way to people’s hearts is good food. I love gifting homemade treats to people that might either be hard to shop for or seem to ‘have it all’ already. If your holiday gifting budget is small this year, or you’re trying to save money, it’s also a sweet, thoughtful way to gift that is always appreciated – and sometimes even moreso than giving material things.
I recipe-developed these healthy holiday bliss balls with gifting in mind. You can certainly get more mileage by making smaller balls, but I think the larger size looks better and more robust when packaged and given away.
I made the bliss balls in three of our most-loved holiday flavors – chocolate peppermint, gingerbread, and sugar cookie. I think sugar cookie was unanimously our favorite, with gingerbread a close second, but all the flavors are unique and delicious, and sure to please a crowd! Plus, there’s fun in getting to try them all 😉
Made from nuts, dates, oats, real maple syrup, and spices, these bliss balls are not only tasty – they’re also super nourishing and something you can feel good about gifting to anyone. For the active people in your life – they also make a great pre-workout snack!
If you try these, you have to let me know which is your favorite!
PrintHealthy Holiday Bliss Balls – 3 Ways
These bliss balls are a super festive and tasty way to get in the holiday spirit, and best of all – they’re great for sharing, and gifting to others. We love all three holiday flavors, but feel free to make just one if you favor chocolate peppermint, gingerbread, or sugar cookie in particular. You can easily double and triple the batch to make a surplus.
These balls are no-bake, super nutritious, and come together in around 10 minutes. They’re also a super fun, hands-on recipe to make with kids.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 large bliss balls 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients
Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls
- 1 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 8 medjool dates, pitted and then soaked*
- 2 1/2 tablespoons drippy almond butter
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- Optional: 1 candy cane or handful Little Secrets Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pieces, crushed, for rolling on top
Gingerbread Bliss Balls
- 1 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 10 medjool dates, pitted and then soaked*
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: More cinnamon for dusting on top
Sugar Cookie Bliss Balls
- 2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons drippy peanut butter**
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: Coconut sugar for dusting on top
Instructions
- Combine ingredients for your ball of choice in a food processor and blend on high until a sticky dough forms.
- Roll dough into 6-8 large balls, and dust with suggested toppings, if desired. If making the Sugar Cookie Bliss Balls, I recommend placing in the freezer and letting firm up for 5-10 minutes.
- For all bliss balls, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (for up to a week or so) or the freezer (for longer-term storage).
Notes
* To soak your dates, first remove and discard their pits. Then, place in a small bowl with warm to hot water and let soak for 10 minutes.
** Use natural peanut butter, which should be drippy in consistency and have only one or two ingredients in it (peanuts and salt) – not conventional peanut butter with hydrogenated oils in it.
