Looking for another little bite of sweet and chocolate or a small snack to hold you over? This is a perfect side -kick to peanut butter balls to have in your fridge at all times. This is another treat my daughter, with gut issues, can have so, I’m making sure I have them in her fridge and mine with the extra house-hopping over the holidays. I have not worked with DATES so have a couple of tips to pass along in case this is a new ingredient for you as well. Dates can be purchased in the produce section and come pitted or non-pitted. I highly recommend the pitted!! Your food processor will be your best friend with this recipe. Hang onto the processor when you first start it up with dates on board. 🙂 My cookie plate, for the Holidays, is going to look a little different this year and I have to say, I’m excited about that. Of course, a couple of regulars will also be on that plate but it’s time to expand the horizons and the DATE BALL recipe is a great place to start.
Throw the following ingredients into your food processor and mix until the ingredients come together into a crumbly dough. The consistency is perfect when you can squeeze a spoonful into a ball. (If not, add a little more almond butter and blend again)
15-18 Medjool dates (organic is better) the number depends on the size of dates
1/2 c. natural almond butter
1/2 c. unsweetened cacao powder
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Roll into 24 small balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes then place in an airtight container and store in the fridge. The recipe says it’s best to eat them at room temperature but I think they are mighty fine right out of the fridge too!!!
