Healthy Toasted Almond Date Balls

  • Healthy Almond Date Balls

    I am really very excited about this new concoction, and I think you will be too.

    A) They are totally easy to make (although they do require you to pull out the food processor, so sorry about that).

    B) They are natural and healthy and energy-packed (which admittedly means caloric, but in a good “have energy for hiking or shopping” kind of way) and clean, which means not processed and good for people who lead admirable, gym-going, Kettlebell-lifting lives.

    C) THEY TASTE INCREDIBLE.  In my books, I’d be willing to skip point B and even point A just to have an amazing treat to eat.  Really- these are the real deal.  And me loves a treat to indulge in with next to no guilt.

    Oh- watch out, because you’ll want to eat many of these in one sitting and your colon might not love you for doing so.  I’m just saying.

    Adapted from Baker Gal’s recipe…

    1 lb Medjool dates, dried & pitted (about 3 1/3 cups)

    1 1/4 cup almonds, toasted

    2 – 4 tablespoons agave syrup

    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    3/4 teaspoon salt

    1. Preheat oven to 350° and spread almonds on a baking sheet.  Toast for about for about 6 – 8 minutes, until fragrant.
    2. Pulse about a third of the toasted almonds in a food processor, until finely ground.  Remove from food processor and set aside in a small bowl.
    3. Place remaining whole toasted almonds in food processor and pulse until finely ground.  Add all remaining ingredients (inclusive of only 2 tablespoons of agave syrup) to food processor and process until ingredients are evenly mixed into a ball.  Add more agave syrup if needed to obtain a ball-forming consistency.
    4. Spray hands with canola/veggie oil spray, or vegetable oil, and shape date balls into 1″ – 2″ sized pieces.  Roll balls in the finely ground almond pieces to coat.

    Tips:

    • Okay, here’s the thing about dates: Medjool are the shit.  I am sure that other dates will work fine, but I have a thing for this particular type.  If you can’t find them or don’t have them or don’t want to get them, just make sure your dates are fresh and gooey and chewy.  If they are hard, I wouldn’t bother.  (Well, you could always add more agave to soften the date mixture up, but it’s way better to just use the fresh, yummy, plump Medjool buggers.)
    • No agave syrup?  You can use honey or maple syrup instead.
    • You must must must toast the almonds.  Don’t argue with me.  And don’t overdo them.
    • Want more date action?  Try the Canadian Date Squares and tell me if you aren’t totally satisfied.
    • Enjoy!

     

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    February 12th, 2014 | More Sweets Please | No Comments | Tags: , ,

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