3/4 cup coconut flour

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Place dates in a small bowl. Pour boiling water over them and let stand until cool, about 40 minutes. Transfer the dates and liquid to a food processor. Add vanilla and salt and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides once or twice. Add coconut flour and cocoa powder and process, scraping the sides occasionally, until a thick dough-like paste forms. Refrigerate until very cold, 2 to 3 hours.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Using 2 teaspoons per truffle, roll the mixture into about 40 balls.

Place half the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until it is about half melted. Remove from the microwave and continue stirring until completely melted. Place coconut in a shallow dish.

Add about 4 date balls at a time to the melted chocolate. Working quickly, use 2 forks to roll each ball in the chocolate until coated. Use a fork to transfer the truffles one at a time to the coconut, letting excess chocolate drip off first. Sprinkle with coconut to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

When the first batch of chocolate is gone and about half the date balls are coated, melt the remaining chocolate and coat the remaining balls with chocolate and coconut. Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate is set, about 1 hour.

To make ahead: Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Recipe notes: To toast shredded coconut, place in a small dry skillet and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes, or spread in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 F until light golden and fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes.

Recipe nutrition: Per serving: 82 calories; 4 g fat (3 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 12 g carbohydrate; 3 g added sugars; 8 g total sugars; 1 g protein; 3 g fiber; 21 mg sodium; 69 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1/2 fat

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)