Cocoa Fruit Treats

If you are craving a naturally sweet, easy to make healthy treat that you won't feel guilty indulging in, then you simply must make these fudgy little fruit and nut nibblers that I was inspired to try after seeing Ricki's recipe for Cocoa Nibbles recently. I was especially attracted to the range of possible flavour combinations and accordingly, proceeded to explore my cupboards. The result was even better than expected! Think fat, chocolatey fruit leather, sans artificial sweeter, with a hint of spice. These delightful slices of existential bliss will keep for a week in a covered container in the fridge, but I dare you to resist gobbling them all up after a slight chill. Serves as many as you feel generous enough to share with.

This is my contribution to Fat Chefs or Skinny Gourmets, a new food event started by Ivy and Ben focusing on healthy diet food. There is no reason at all to sacrifice taste while paying attention to good nutritional habits.

Cocoa Fruit Treats

2/3 cup of unsalted pistachio nuts
1 cup of moist, dried dates, pitted and chopped
1/4 cup of moist, dried prunes, chopped
1/3 cup of dried cranberries
2 heaping tablespoons of cocoa powder (or carob powder)
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon of dried red chili flakes

In a food processor, pulse together the pistachios, dates, prunes, cranberries and cocoa until you have a coarse meal. Add the vanilla, and red chili flakes and process until the mixture forms into thick ball of dough.

Turn the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap and using your hands, shape into a roughly 8 inch long dense log. Cover with plastic wrap, roll the log a few more times to compress and chill for a few hours or longer. Cut into 1/2 inch slices.