Everything is Always Rosie: Healthy Gluten-free "Rum balls"

Hi all:

I had a real craving for a healthy gluten-free snack a few days ago and came up with this recipe. Since I am trying to avoid carbs and gluten right now, I wanted something flour-free, yet with a lot of taste. One of my all-time favourite treats is rum balls. I could eat them every day, but sadly they have a lot of sugar and carbs in them, so I wanted to make a healthier version. Enter my Healthy Gluten-free Rumballs. They are small and compact (easy to grab and go) but pack a healthy, flavourful punch.

Here is the recipe for my HEALTHY GLUTEN-FREE RUMBALLS:

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(you will need a food processor for this. It makes everything so much easier!)

This was the first time I used this gigantic behemoth!! It is really heavy but does a great job of processing foods. I think it may be a 12 cup food processor. You will need a large one to make this recipe. (Or cut the ingredients in half for a smaller capacity food processor.)

It doesn't get any easier than this; On, Off, Pulse. I like simplicity.

In the large bowl of a food processor add:

1 c. Dried Pitted prunes

1 c. Dried Pitted dates

1 c. Dried apricots

4 T. Candied orange peel ( I used a 100 gram container)

3/4 c. Ground flax seed

Pulse these ingredients until fairly fine.

In a skillet, toast the following nuts and seeds separately for about 1-2 minutes BEFORE adding to the fruit mixture above.

1 c. Filberts (hazelnuts) - toasted (toast in a skillet for 1-2 minutes)

1 c. Slivered almonds - toasted

1/3 c. Pumpkin seeds - toasted

Add these nuts and seeds to the fruit mixture in the food processor and pulse again for a short time to mix well.

Next add:

1-2 tsp. almond extract (to taste)

1-2 tsp. rum extract (optional)

1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

Pulse again quickly to mix then roll the mixture into 1 1/4" balls. I also rolled some of the balls in sesame seeds and left some plain. Either way, they are good. This recipe makes about 38-40 balls.

I hope you enjoy these delicious, healthy Rumballs. (Yes, I know the candied orange peel has some sugar in it, but oh well.... You can omit it or like me, pretend it doesn't!!)