Date Balls

Awhile back I did a cleanse for 2+ weeks. One of the things I completely cut out was sugar. I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes from my cleanse that I still make almost every week. There is no sugar, they are SUPER easy to make (Good for lazy cooks like me), and the kids LOVE them so they make a great healthy dessert! I also eat these for a little extra energy in the morning before running.

There are many variations to this recipe. I have seen some recipes that call for peanut butter, some that use cocoa powder. You can really experiment and add whatever you want, but here is the way I make them….

Date Balls

Ingredients:(The amounts are all just estimated, I am the kind of cook who just eyeballs things)

Package of chopped dates

Cup of nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, whatever you have)

Cup of raisins (or dried cherries)

Shredded coconut

1 tablespoon Cinnamon

Directions

Soak dates in hot water for ½ hour and then strain and add to bowl

In food processor process raisins until they are broken apart and like a sticky mass, add to bowl. (I do raisins first so the nuts pick up the remnants of the gooey raisins left behind, helps with processor clean up)

In food processor process nuts until they are in TINY pieces almost pasty, add to bowl

Sprinkle a good tablespoon of cinnamon over entire mixture and then stir. (Sometimes I use my hands at this point to really get the ingredients mixed together, but a fork works too!)

Mold in to small balls, and roll in coconut…and put them in the fridge in a Tupperware.

I think they are better after they have sat overnight in the fridge, just my opinion though!

Another carry over from my cleanse is this Bragg dressing. It is EXCELLENT! No sugar and organic!