Nutella Inspired Truffles

This is not a traditional truffle recipe, but it is a really quick and even nutritious truffle recipe. It uses ingredients with natural sugars and healthy fats. Although these are not the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth type truffles, they have a bit of texture and are more like decadent energy bites. I call them Nutella inspired, because the chocolate and hazelnut flavors are reminiscent of Nutella. I used frozen strawberry halves as a surprise center, though almost anything could be used or you can leave them without a center.

Nutella Inspired Truffles
1 cup whole hazelnuts
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup dates
pinch salt
strawberry halves (fresh or frozen), or desired filling

Process all ingredients in a food processor until well combined - hazelnuts should be ground and dates should be puréed so they are basically undetectable but hold the mixture together. Taste and add a little more salt, or you can add a sweetener if you wish though the dates do provide sufficient sweetness. Add a touch of cinnamon or vanilla extract if desired.
Transfer mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for a few hours until firm enough to roll into balls without crumbling.
Roll into balls, placing a strawberry half or desired filling in the middle, then rolling to encase it. Refrigerate again until firm. At this point the truffles can then be dipped in chocolate for added decadence, or just served with chocolate shavings on the side.

Variations are endless and go as follows:
Nuts: almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, coconuts, macadamia nuts, brazil nuts
Fruit: raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, prunes, figs
Filling: small pieces of fresh, frozen, or dried fruits; whole nuts, chocolate pieces; cookie pieces; jams, preserves, or dessert sauces
Flavorings: cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon extract, ground coffee