Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles

While pumpkin season has commenced as evidenced by seasonal drinks and pumpkin everything, I admittedly have been delaying its start. To be honest I haven't tried anything containing pumpkin until this week, mostly because I love pumpkin so much. I simply wanted my first bite to be special. But now, I am officially ready to make everything on the pumpkin spectrum known to man, and then some. I begin with dessert...

Recipe

Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles

(yield: 20 truffles)

1 cup quick oats

1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 TBSP honey

3 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (may also use chocolate chips)

Place all ingredients except for chocolate into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. *I used the help of a blender to make the consistency smoother, but you are welcome to mix the ingredients by hand.

Roll a tablespoon full of the mixture into a ball. Repeat, making approximately 20 balls.

Place chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 20 seconds. Stir and repeat just until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Using a fork dip the balls into the melted chocolate to coat evenly. Place pumpkin seeds into a shallow plate. Roll balls in pumpkin seeds. Place truffles on a plate or pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all balls are coated. Refrigerate.

*Pumpkin is a great source of dietary fiber and vitamin A. It also boasts nutrients like vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, and iron.