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Salted Chocolate–Tahini Bliss Balls

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Bean Lentil Confectionery and Sweets
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen

These two-bite “bliss balls,” known in Persian cuisine as tupak e-khorma, are just fudgy and chocolaty enough to satisfy a sweet tooth craving. Consider them an indulgent energy bite: Keep 'em in the fridge, then grab one when the craving hits.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 10

Ingredients

⅔ cup plus 1 Tbsp. unsalted, shelled raw pistachios, divided
4 Medjool dates
⅓ cup tahini (such as Soom)
3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
¾ tsp. kosher salt
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Pulse ⅔ cup pistachios in a food processor until very coarsely chopped. Add dates, tahini, maple syrup, salt, and ¼ cup cocoa powder and process until mixture balls up and forms a mass around the blade.

    Step 2

    Roll batter into ten 1-oz. balls (each about the size of a ping pong ball) and arrange on prepared sheet. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, grind sesame seeds and remaining 1 Tbsp. pistachios with a mortar and pestle or chop with a sharp knife until finely ground and no large pieces remain. Transfer to a small bowl. Place remaining 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder in another small bowl.

    Step 4

    Re-roll balls between your palms until smooth and round. Dip one half of each ball into pistachio-sesame mixture, then the other half into cocoa powder.

    Step 5

    Return balls to baking sheet and keep chilled.

    Step 6

    Do Ahead: Balls can be made 1 month ahead. Wrap each ball in plastic and transfer to a resealable bag. Keep chilled.

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