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Today's recipe is for Raw Vegan Hazelnut Cannoli with Coffee Cream! They have a beautiful texture and crunch and of course, the combination of coffee and hazelnuts is absolutely killing it!
Here you will need a good food processor and only 30 minutes from your time (and around 15-20 is just waiting).
Cool, right? And the taste is not disappointing at all - trust me, I'm the one who hates the raw desserts to taste only like dates or coconut!
So, as one of the main ingredients here are hazelnuts - let's take a look at what we can benefit from them ;)
1. Full of Nutrients
Hazelnuts have a great nutrient profile. Although they are high in calories, they are loaded with nutrients and healthy fats.
One ounce (28 grams, or about 20 whole kernels) of hazelnuts contains:
Calories: 176
Total fat: 17 grams
Protein: 4.2 grams
Carbs: 4.7 grams
Fiber: 2.7 grams
Vitamin E: 21% of the RDI
Thiamin: 12% of the RDI
Magnesium: 12% of the RDI
Copper: 24% of the RDI
Manganese: 87% of the RDI
Hazelnuts also contain decent amounts of vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Additionally, they are a rich source of mono- and polyunsaturated fats and contain a good amount of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, such as oleic acid.
Furthermore, a one-ounce serving provides 2.7 grams of dietary fiber, which accounts for about 11% of the DV.
However, hazelnuts contain phytic acid, which has been shown to impair the absorption of some minerals, like iron and zinc, from the nuts.
2. Loaded With Antioxidants
Hazelnuts provide significant amounts of antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative stress, which can damage cell structure and promote aging, cancer, and heart disease.
The most abundant antioxidants in hazelnuts are known as phenolic compounds. They are proven to help decrease blood cholesterol and inflammation. They could also be beneficial for heart health and protecting against cancer.
An 8-week study showed that eating hazelnuts, with or without the skin, significantly decreased oxidative stress compared to not eating hazelnuts, which caused no effects.
The majority of the antioxidants present are concentrated in the skin of the nut. However, this antioxidant content could decrease after the roasting process.
Therefore, it is recommended to consume whole, unroasted kernels with the skin rather than peeled kernels, either roasted or unroasted.
3. May Be Good for the Heart
Eating nuts has been shown to protect the heart.
In hazelnuts, the high concentration of antioxidants and healthy fats may increase the antioxidant potential and lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
One month-long study observed 21 people with high cholesterol levels who consumed 18–20% of their total daily calorie intake from hazelnuts. The results showed that cholesterol, triglycerides, and bad LDL cholesterol levels were reduced.
Participants also experienced improvements to artery health and inflammation markers in the blood.
Moreover, a review of nine studies including over 400 people also saw reductions in bad LDL and total cholesterol levels in those who ate hazelnuts, while good HDL cholesterol and triglycerides remained unchanged.
Other studies have shown similar effects on heart health, with results demonstrating lower blood fat levels and increased vitamin E levels.
Moreover, the high content of fatty acids, dietary fiber, antioxidants, potassium and magnesium in hazelnuts seems to help normalize blood pressure.
In general, eating 29 to 69 grams of hazelnuts per day has been linked to improvements in heart health parameters.
4. Linked With Lower Rates of Cancer
Hazelnuts’ high concentration of antioxidant compounds, vitamins and minerals could give them some anti-cancer properties.
Among other nuts like pecans and pistachios, hazelnuts have the highest concentration of a category of antioxidants known as proanthocyanidins.
Some test-tube and animal studies have shown that proanthocyanidins may help prevent and treat some types of cancers. It is thought that they protect against oxidative stress.
Additionally, hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant that has exhibited possible protection against cell damage that could cause or promote cancer.
Similarly, hazelnuts provide a whopping 87% the RDI for manganese in a one-ounce serving.
Manganese has shown to help the functions of specific enzymes that could reduce oxidative damage and decrease the risk of cancer.
A couple of test-tube studies showed that hazelnut extract could be beneficial in the treatment of cervical, liver, breast, and colon cancer.
Furthermore, an animal study using a product made from hazelnut skin extract resulted in a decreased risk of colon cancer after the eight-week study period.
Since most studies investigating the benefits of hazelnuts against cancer development have been done in test tubes and animals, more studies are needed in humans.
5. Could Decrease Inflammation
Hazelnuts have been linked to reduced inflammatory markers, thanks to their high concentrations of healthy fats.
One study investigated how eating hazelnuts affected inflammatory markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, in 21 people with high cholesterol levels.
The participants experienced significant reductions in inflammation after four weeks of following a diet in which hazelnuts accounted for 18–20% of their total calorie intake.
Moreover, eating 60 grams of hazelnuts every day for 12 weeks helped reduce inflammatory markers in overweight and obese people.
Another study examined how eating hazelnuts affected inflammation. It showed that eating 40 grams of hazelnuts may reduce the inflammatory response in healthy people.
Similarly, 50 people with metabolic syndrome experienced a decrease in inflammation after consuming 30 grams of a combination of raw nuts — 15 grams walnuts, 7.5 grams almonds and 7.5 grams hazelnuts — for 12 weeks, compared to a control group.
However, most studies conclude that eating hazelnuts alone is not enough. In order to reduce inflammation, it is also important to follow a calorie-controlled diet.
6. May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Nuts, like almonds and walnuts, have been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels.
Although not abundant, there is research that hazelnuts may also help reduce blood sugar levels.
One study explored the effect of hazelnuts on fasting blood sugar levels in 48 people with type 2 diabetes. About half-consumed hazelnuts as a snack, while the others served as a control group.
After eight weeks, the hazelnut group did not experience significant reductions in fasting blood sugar levels.
However, another study gave a combination of 30 grams of mixed nuts — 15 grams walnuts, 7.5 grams almonds, and 7.5 grams hazelnuts — to 50 people with metabolic syndrome.
After 12 weeks, the results showed a significant reduction in fasting insulin levels.
Additionally, oleic acid, which is the main fatty acid in hazelnuts, has been shown to have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity.
A two-month study showed that a diet rich in oleic acid significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, while increasing insulin sensitivity, in 11 people with type 2 diabetes.
It seems that a diet rich in nuts, including hazelnuts, could help lower your blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity.*source
So let's jump to the recipe!
Prep: 30 min
Level: medium
Servings: 8 cannolis
Calories per serving: 347 kcal
Find the recipe & nutrition facts below :
For the Cannolli:
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/2 cup ground flaxseeds (or flaxseed flour)
1/3 cup oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
2 tbsp agave syrup (or maple)
1-2 tbsp water
8 small dates
4 tbsp raisins
For the Coffee cream:
1 cup soaked overnight cashews
1/4 cup agave syrup (or maple)
1 tbsp cold-brewed coffee
Method:
Step 1: Place all of the ingredients for the cannoli in a food processor and blend until you reach a dough consistency.
Step 2: Form a ball and cover wrap it and place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Meanwhile prepare the cream by simply blending soaked cashews with agave and cold-brewed coffee for around 3-5 minutes, or until you reach extremely smooth consistency without any cashew pieces. Place in the fridge until you are ready with the cannoli shells.
Step 4: Take the cannoli dough out from the freezer and place it between two baking sheets and roll it out 1-2 sm thin. Cut the dough into a rhombus shape. (around 6-8 pieces) and form Cannolis (if the dough is not solid enough place it in the freezer for 10-15 more minutes). After forming cannolis place them in the freezer for 15 minutes or dehydrate them for 4-6 hours.
Step 5: With a piping bag fill the cannolis with coffee cream.
Step 6: Keep them in the freezer if you are not using a dehydrator. Otherwise in the fridge for up to 5 days.