Almond Fruit Balls

If you love almonds and want the combined health benefits of nuts and fruit, these are a great dessert! From the Almond Board of California.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 24 balls

Ingredients

• 1  cup  whole  natural almonds, toasted*
• 1 (6 ounce) package  mixed  dried fruit
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons honey
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  orange-flavored liqueur or 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  orange juice

Directions

1. Place almonds in bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade; process until finely chopped.
2. Add fruit, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Pulse on and off a few times, then process to make a rough paste.
4. Add liqueur/juice and process to make a firm, sticky paste. (Add more liqueur/juice, a few drops at a time, if needed to make a slightly moist dough.)
5. Shape into 1-inch balls, rolling between palm of hands.
6. Pack loosely in airtight container with waxed paper between layers.
7. *To toast almonds:.
8. Spread almonds in an ungreased baking pan.
9. Place in 350-degree oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes or until almonds are lightly brown; stir once or twice to assure even browning. Almonds will continue to brown slightly after removing from oven.