Hot cross bun bliss balls

If the walls of boxes filled with marshmallow eggs and armies of foil wrapped Easter bunnies piled high in the shops weren’t enough of a reminder, Easter is just around the corner! Autumn is probably my favourite season of the year, and Easter is definitely a highlight. I love the weather, the autumn colours of the trees, the cooler evenings, and of course – the food!

These tasty little date balls with a twist can be mixed together in minutes in a food processor and have a deliciously spicy, fruity flavour – not unlike the very Easter buns that inspired them! Make a batch over the weekend and keep them to enjoy during your busy week as an on the go snack. The dark chocolate drizzle is optional but a really delicious addition. It’s Easter so you should definitely spoil yourself and include it.

I can’t recall exactly what we were up to before we took this photo (resulting in blue Smurf fingers – I’m sure it was fun) but I do know that the kids really enjoyed their hot cross bun bliss balls, so much so that I’ve made them quite a few times recently. Enjoy!

HOT CROSS BUN BLISS BALLS

Servings: Makes 18
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120g dates, chopped
60ml (¼ cup) sultanas
30ml (2 tbsp) mixed peel
125ml (½ cup) raw almonds
125ml (½ cup) raw pecans
10ml (2 tsp) mixed spice
5ml (1 tsp) cinnamon
7.5ml (1½ tsp) vanilla extract
40g dark chocolate for drizzling (optional)

1.) Pop the dates, sultanas and mixed peel into a food processor. Blitz for a few seconds.

2.) Add the almonds and pecans. Blitz again until combined and the nuts are finely chopped.

3.) Add the mixed spice, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Blitz the mixture again until everything is evenly combined and the mixture is sticky and starts clumping together.

4.) Roll the mixture into small balls and arrange these on a plate or small baking sheet. Refrigerate the bliss balls until set.

5.) Optional step: Chop the dark chocolate and melt. Use a spoon or a small piping bag to drizzle the chocolate over the bliss balls. Leave to chill and harden. Store the bliss balls in an airtight container in the fridge.