DARK CHOCOLATE AVOCADO TRUFFLES: Forget the Toast!

Today is National Avocado Day! Forget the Toast - Avocado and Chocolate make for a great pairing! Avocado enriches the chocolate flavor of these truffles--and they're heart-healthy. The avocado replaces the heavy cream without losing any 'creaminess in texture,' and there's only a hint of the avocado taste .. and that's delicious. These truffles are vegan and gluten-free, too.

Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles

Ingredients
1 ripe avocado (about 1/3 cup mashed avocado)
5 ounces dark chocolate (60-75% cacao), chopped
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch Kosher salt (or regular if you don't have Kosher salt)
2 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
Pit and mash avocado until completely smooth.
Melt chocolate in saucepan over another saucepan over simmering water.
Once melted, stir in mashed avocado, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and 1-1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder until thoroughly combined.
Cover truffle mixture with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator for 30-40 minutes until partially set.
Scoop out to create truffles and then form balls with your hands.
Roll in remaining 1 Tbsp of cocoa powder.

Store in refrigerator..but always serve truffles at room temperature. They'll taste so much better!