These macadamia bonbons are super healthy, they contain macadamia nuts, chia seeds, tahini, coconut, vanilla and I have sweetened mine with maple. If you want a sugar-free alternative use rice malt syrup.
I was pretty excited when my toffee idea came together. I put brown rice syrup in a small saucepan and heated it over medium heat until it bubbled up and started to turn a golden colour. I then mixed in a little unsweetened cocoa powder for a yummy sugar-free chocolate toffee – winning!
The balls themselves are quite soft so the toffee adds a lovely crunch – I keep them in the freezer, they thaw in no time or are soft enough to eat straight from the freezer xx
macadamia bonbons with chocolate toffee
Ingredients
For the bonbons
- 150 grams macadamias (about a cup of whole macadamias)
- 3/4 cup coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup / brown rice syrup or your sweetener of choice
- Extra coconut and sesame seeds to roll the balls in
For the toffee
- 2 heaped tablespoons brown rice syrup
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Add the macadamia to a food processor and pulse til you active a fine crumb. Add the remaining bonbon ingredients and process until combined. Taste the mixute for sweetness and adjust to suit your taste. Add a little more coconut if the mixture is too wet or a tablespoon of water if too dry.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop out some mixture and roll into balls, then roll in the extra coconut or sesame seeds. Add to a container and freeze the balls for a few hours.
For the toffee
- Add the syrup to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the mixture starts to change colour. It will bubble up and change colour very quickly (It burns easily so keep a close eye on it). Once you achieve a nice golden colour, turn off the heat and mix in the cocoa powder. The mixture will become very viscose. Dip your spoon in and run the strands over the frozen bonbons. It will set on impact. If the mixture gets too hard, warm on very low heat until it melts a little again. Serve or put back in the freezer for later.
Notes
To add extra sweetness you could add a handful of sultana/raisins/currants etc..
Sarah says
Great recipe, will try this for the holidays.
Cristie says
Thanks so much Sarah, such a great recipe for the holidays. Especially if you have little people around to help out :)
Teresa says
Great recipe, I love the drizzle! Do you think I could substitute macadamia nuts with hazelnuts?
Cristie says
I have never tried them with hazelnuts but I think they would be still great. You may need a little extra syrup or water to bring it together. If you give it a try be sure to let me know how they are. The drizzle is great, definitely do that step xx
Shihoko says
What a healthy snack it is! I am trying to sugar free so I will make this with rice malt syrup. Love the photos the little cute hands making them:D
Cristie says
Very healthy and very much takes care of the afternoon sugar craving without the sugar! Let me know if you love them. xx
Claudia | Gourmet Project says
perfect! I am looking for edible gift ideas and these are the ones i needed for a nut lover friend!
Cristie says
Thanks so much Claudia. Great idea, I love edible gift they are so personal. xx
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
These look so tempting it’s hard to believe that they are healthy!
Mark, CompassandFork says
These look tremendous. Nice photographs to complement what looks like a really great treat.
Ramona W says
I want to sit home and eat these bonbons! They look amazing. :)
Ramona W says
I just want to stay at home and eat this bonbons… they look amazing. :)
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
These look delicious – perfect for the holidays! I love the photos!!
Cristie says
Thanks so much Kathryn xx
Amanda {Striped Spatula} says
What a beautiful and healthy treat for the holidays! Love your photos.