Remember last post, when I mentioned having new raw vegan truffle recipes to share with you? Shazaam! I ain’t no recipe-tease, folks. I deliver.
I deliver deliciousness.
Or, at the very least, I deliver what I personally think is delicious, and what my mum thinks is delicious, and what my mum’s yoga friends (Hi Andy!) think is delicious, and what I hope you’ll think is delicious.
These Raw Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Truffles are based on a not-quite-raw creation by my gorgeous, glowing, inspiring, currently-travelling-and-soon-to-be-hugged-squeezy-tight-fingers-crossed-yes-indeedy friend Lisa, who posted her Sweet Lemon Fig Poppyseed Bars on Cook. Vegan. Lover.
It’s like a circle of vegan dessert love. Except not a circle. More a line. And I now have Jackson in my head. Which makes no sense. And these are broken sentences. With not grammar good. Sleepy logic-floaty. Cummerbund rhino.
Wait, what? I don’t even know what’s going on right now. With me. This. Do you? Let’s desperately try to make a connection here. Ah! Got it! Have you seen the story about the flying rhinos? Oh my. Incredible. But also sadface, because reason behind = black market horn-stealing killing bad grrrrr. Sleepy logic-floaty.
Ultimately, what I’d like you to take from this post (along with flying rhinos) is enthusiastic encouragement to make these raw vegan lemon poppyseed date nut truffles. The lemon is wonderfully zingy and the lemon zest provides a gorgeous counterpart to the caramelly dates, the buttery creamy nuts, and the almost-but-not-quite-spicy jazziness of the poppyseeds. Plus, these raw vegan truffles are super healthy. Perhaps not for rhinos. But definitely healthy and happy-making for us.
Love you. Hannah out.
Raw Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Truffles
Inspired by Lisa’s recipe here.
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tb lemon juice
- zest of one lemon
- 3 prunes (make sure they’re [dare I say it? dreaded word] moist. Also, you can use two more dates instead if you’d rather)
- 1 tb poppyseed
- pinch salt
- In a food processor, pulse the almonds and cashews until finely chopped. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until well combined the mixture sticks together.
- Roll into balls, call ‘em truffles and mention only the dates, nuts, lemon and poppyseeds when promoting said delicious truffles. After all, not many people will be enticed if you offer them a plate of Prune Balls. (I would. But I’m not people.)
- Store in the fridge, freezer, or your tummy (also known as “the happy place”).
I’m submitting this to Ricki’s Wellness Weekend and Lisa’s Allergy-Friendly Lunchbox Love this week.
I’be made some a lot like this but without prunes – they are so good and a perfect pre-morning workout snack. Just a little natural sugar shot before bouncing out the door.
Yes… “pre-workout”… exactly… definitely not for eating many all at once while lying down reading a book… *shifty eyes*
i love lemon poppyseed muffins, so i’m sure i would love the healthier version too
. hope you are enjoying the new week! 
Lemon and poppyseed is definitely a brilliant combination in cake-y things too
And thanks Junia, you too!
Poppyseeds are so woefully underused! I’m happy you’ve given them some glory here
Aren’t they just? So deliciously delicious though
I’ve been meaning to make my mum’s poppyseed cake/loaf since, oh, this blog began….
I love the lemon / poppyseed combo!
I’m a bit frightened by the athletic among us that follow you… seeing the above ‘pre-morning workout’ made me feel queasy and sleepy logic-floaty, wondering why anyone would get up before the morning has morninged just to… exercise. But then I realized that what I thought to be a pre-dawn ritual was merely a pre (morning workout) snack, and my grammar mind trap had led me down a dark, thorny, bristly, brushy, windy, wind-y, cold path. Like usual.
I saw these and immediately proclaimed to the room, the fella, the cat, and the spicy crab dip that THESE LOOK DELICIOUS. The first of your prune balls that I have immediately wanted to make. I’ll just have to buy some almonds, lemon, dates, prunes, poppy seeds and cashews first. My pantry is in such a woeful state these days !
Actually, just the idea of “working out” leads me down a dark, bristly, brushy, windy, wind-y, cold path. Although maybe if I did some of that, I’d sleep better? But definitely not before the morning has morninged, as you so beautifully put it
Bahaha, give me some credit! These are my only prune balls so far, surely? But yes, definitely stock up your pantry and make these! I’m happy to eat your crab dip and chocolate stash to help you make room.
Surprised to see lemon included but I am sure it plays an important role. You sure it was flying rhinos and not flying pigs:)
Ah, lemon in desserts is never a rare occasion in my life, so definitely not flying pigs
I understand people’s aversion to the word “moist” but what’s the alternative? Sometimes things *are* moist… all the other adjectives don’t quite hit the mark. Hmm. Please consider and get back to me (preferably after you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep).
Yes, exactly. And that’s why I used it, because there often isn’t another suitable word. Oh synonyms, you fail me. You fail me big time. So this is me getting back to you, albeit certainly not after a good night’s sleep. I’m thinking that the stress might have abated a little in January, so I’ll get back to you properly then.
Get off the internet and go to sleep.
The moist synonyms aren’t much better… clammy? Damp? Soggy? Drippy?! Nope, it’s gotta be moist.
I don’t know about that. Who wouldn’t want a clammy cake? It’s got such delicious connotations of creepy old men with sweaty hands hanging around a playground…
Sleep is for the weak. Also, for those not in sweltering apartments. And those who don’t feel like they have to write a post tonight because they can’t tomorrow. Why am I such an idiot, Agnes?
Oh Hannah, never change. You should write when sleepy more often, because it’s such a fun read. You do dreamy, wafty, wibbly, rambly so well. I’m grinning this much. Oh, you can’t see my hands, but I’m holding them wide apart bragging-fisherman style. Ok, that’s a lie; I’m typing and can’t hold my hands out and type at the same time. Unless I type with my nose, but that’s really awkward to do. So… just take my word that your writing made me grin a lot, ok?
I was very disappointed to find that helicopters were involved in the rhino story and that there aren’t, in fact, flying rhinos.
That disappointment was made up for by the amazing photos in the article though. Wow! 
It’s a story of hope and escape, in a way, but it’s still very sad.
My curiosity is urging me to find out what truffles such as those taste like, especially after you’ve talked them up so. My usual distaste for almonds and dates says ‘no’, but my rule of keeping an open mind says ‘yes’…
What’s the bet you’re totally not going to be surprised when I tell you that I once wrote two paragraphs of a uni essay with my nose, just to see whether I could?
Turned out I could, but I ended up with the most rotten headache afterwards. Is that the part of me that I should never change?
Anyway, I’m glad I made you grin… THIS wide. 
Yes, I must admit I did a massive flinch and froze in horror when I read in your email that you don’t like dates or nuts. Raw vegan desserts made of those two ingredients are pretty much my speciality. That may have been why I never replied to that email, actually….
I’m still determined to find out if you’ve ever had proper medjool dates, though? Not the gross rockhard storebought kind?
Hehe, no, I’m not surprised. I’m stuck now, because I want to say “Yes, never change that part of you!
”, but would that not effectively be wishing you to continue giving yourself headaches? So… change just enough that you don’t give yourself headaches but no more? Yeah, that sounds alright. Ok, go. 
I’m surprised you’re still talking to me at all after I revealed that about my tastes.
I’m not sure what dates I’ve tried. Certainly it’s been a long time since I’ve made it as far as biting into one, as with dates it’s the odour which gets me- the distinctive smell of dates has always made me feel properly nauseous. I have no idea why; just an unfortunate quirk of my body I guess. I actually really love sticky-date pudding, but only if I can’t smell the dates in it!
Yep, you wriggled your way out of that one just like a slippery eel. Well done.
Hmm. Sounds like your aversion to dates is like mine to orange. At least we won’t have to share desserts
Hee hee moist.
These sound yummy though. I love a poppyseed anything really.
Yes, I do quite like a bit of opium.
I’m part of your vegan club as far as these sweet little treats and balls go (although I can’t do the rest) . These look fabulous my dear!
Teehee, sweeter words have ne’er been spoken. I think my recent outburst of excitement about Chobani yoghurt has pushed me out of the vegan club too
I feel like one day you must surely reach the pinnacle of your raw vegan ball deliciousness, but somehow that pinnacle keeps getting moved higher and higher. Every time I think you’ve reached it you go yet higher!
Maybe you’ll end up so high you can meet the flying rhinos in person…
*laughs and laughs* That was a pretty brilliant comment, Kari. Kind of like a joke with a punchline, but more motivational and encouraging-like. Except now, the pressure! One day I’ll post another such recipe and you’ll be all “Meh. Yeah, you’ve peaked. See ya.”
Never! I think the peaks of ball deliciousness are part of a never ending mountain range
(The comment wrote itself, some days I think I have just the right amount of caffeine in my system!)
This cup of coffee is too strong. This cup of coffee is too weak. This cup of coffee is juuuuuuuust right.
Yay! Except I’ve never goen skiing. Can I hike the mountain range instead?
Now I know what to do with those leftover dates? Do you think I could do this with ground flax? I know that defeats the purpose and everything, but I just have so much of that stuff…
Flax to replace which part? The nuts? I wouldn’t replace all the nuts with flax, but you could try perhaps a cup of nuts and a 1/4 cup of ground flax. But it will change the texture slightly and could tend towards bitterness, unless you’ve got mild tasting golden flax? Anyway, let me know how it goes
ooooh lemon! love it. I just listened to Jackson – thank you, totally what I needed. Now I feel like sitting on a porch. Yet I have no porch furniture.
Heidi xo
Aw! Heidi! That makes me so happy inside
Mind-heart synchronicities forever xo
P.S. But do you have a porch?
Hmm, I’m thinking if I substituted sesame seeds for the poppy seeds I could make them today, without a trip into town. You’ve got me thinking. The wild side of the gang are still waiting for then peanut/choc slice and last night agreed that the two should be enjoyed separately. Gawd will I ever get any work done?
Oh, absolutely! Sesame seeds would be wonderful. They’d change the flavour dynamics a little as the poppyseeds aren’t strongly flavoured here, but sesame is never a bad thing in my book
No work! Work bad. Work bad, blog better, baking better, yes yes.
Well it had to happen. I made the chocolate/peanut butter brownies (after work yawn yawn) and then the banana/date loaf for my daughter which I will nibble for afternoon tea. These truffles will be for another time. Can I just say the brownies are TO DIE FOR.
Oh my golly, do you mean my banana date loaf as well as my chocolate peanut butter brownies? I’m so proud I might burst!
I’m so glad you liked the brownies!! Ain’t nothin’ better than peanut butter and chocolate in this world of ours. Except maybe friendship. SQUISH! 
YES SQUISH! There’ll always be a bed and hot meal in this neck of the Italian woods any time you are over! Alas all goodies are finished now and I will be working through your recipes this weekend. Especially the rich and sinful wintry ones.
Ain’t nothin’ sinful about delicious food that warms your tummy, heart, and soul
Oh Catherine, you have no idea how much that tempts me! I want to escape overseas so badly it almost makes me cry.
Interesting. It’s a vegan friend birthday this sat… shall attempt this for him
Ooh ooh! Do the raw vegan brownies instead! Nom nom nom!
I haven’t had anything lemon-poppyseed in a hot minute, but since you said “shazam!”, I figure these are worth trying!
SHAZAM! Any lemon dessert is worth trying in my book
Those look delicious. I need to make them pronto. Adding to my recipe page.
Woooot! Let me know what you think if you try them!
Sitting in Bangkok reading your blog with a big smile. xoxo
Wishing I was with you with a smile of anticipation
xoxo
P.S. I didn’t think you’d have time to read or see this! Such a lovely suprise to find your comment
I love poppyseeds and lemon! The truffles look so good!
I like the lemon poppy seed combo too. These do sound fab, I take it that the lemon zest is “zest of 1 lemon”?
Thank you Louise! Gah, I’m usually so diligent with proof-reading; can’t believe I missed that!
Ohhh I hates recipe teasers yo!! Thanks for delivering!
Teehee! You’re more than welcome
i love the teeny crunch from poppy seeds.. your truffles are always so much fun! and yeah those poor rhinos.. all boozed up and then taken upside down.. what if one of them had motion sickness. he probably woke up sick for the day wondering wat the hell happened and where am i!!:) and where is my girlfriend.. !
poaching is a sad reality for all sorts of wild animal parts and skins.. its ridiculous.
Bahahaha! That girlfriend comment made me giggle. “Where’s my harem?! You bring my back my harem!”
But yes, the reason behind it is devastating. Super sadface.
I’m going to make these tonight, because a) they look super-yum and b) I think they’re perfect for sneaking past the State Library’s ‘NO FOOD!!!!’ policy. Dude, I’m in here for like, 10 hours a day. I need truffles!
Oh, I totally used to sneak food into the National Library too. I pretty much became the master of eating almonds silently. So what if it took me five minutes to get through one? WORTH IT.
ha, prunes + moist – double whammy there! hehehe.
Yummo dude, these look super – have never tried lemon in these sorts of truffles, but I am intrigued… nice and refreshing I’m sure
I never used to like dates (shock! horror!) but I was eating those crap little dried up pellet ones, not the big juicy medjool goodies so now I have the right stuff, I love them.
I do so love a nice moist prune though (gag)
*laughs* Now that a double whammy I can get behind
In the comments above, a fellow called Andrew said that he doesn’t like dates, but I do wonder whether he’d change his tune if he had a medjool, like you did! The packet pellet dates are awful, and only good for one thing: sticky date pudding. Apart from that, they should be cast into the fiery pits of hell along with the Cadbury milk chocolate chips.
Get some sleep, m’dear! (She says, at a quarter to midnight, with no intention of going to sleep anytime soon.)
Can I just say this: I LOVE ALL YOUR TRUFFLES. I actually pledge that if you ever come to New Zealand I will insist on hosting you and we will make every single one of your truffle recipes. I love poppyseeds, these sound amazing.
I feel like you and I should have some sort of nightly skype dates to tell each other to go to bed, but the stupid time difference makes it problematic, as it’s either too early for me to go to bed when you need to be told to, or far, far too late for you when I need to be told to
Aw!!!! SQUISH! Thank you Laura! But don’t you say “if”! It’s a “when”, not an “if”, fo’ shiz. Wish I could say next year but that may not be possible. We could meet in New York and go truffle crazy in a hostel kitchen amidst all the drunk folk?
“It’s like a circle of vegan dessert love” – you’ve won me over!
Hmm, so all this time you’ve been making your mind up about me?
*teasing-poke*
I’ve just started experimenting with raw treats like this and now you’ve given me new ingredients to try. Poppy seeds and prunes.
Hurrah! I’m so glad; poppyseeds need to spend more time in the spotlight
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I’m making these this afternoon in anticipation of Monday mid-afternoon energy slump. Yay!
Yay!! Like, fo’serious, totally YAY!!! I think my mum took some to her yoga class the night I made these
And you know what? I bet yoga people are the some of the only people you could name these “Prune Balls” to and know they’ll still want them 
PS I am totally telling everyone at work that they are Prune Balls.
DO IT.
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