Heathy Nutty Balls

I’m a confirmed cookie addict and since cookies make me fat, I was thrilled when my friend, Marleen, made these nutty balls at a luncheon at her house.  Since then, I’ve been experimenting with the recipe ratios and making various flavours of nutty balls.  They are a delicious yet healthy snack (and gluten free), and even if you eat three of them a day, you won’t gain weight! I know this from experience.  Also, I love how I can eat this and not feel guilty–it’s got lots of omega-3’s and fibre.   So, play around with different types of nuts, flavourings  and coatings.  Try adding dried fruit and or cocoa.  I don’t stray from the maple syrup as a sweetener– I just think it’s so much healthier for you than sugar.  So. If you want or love a sweet treat after dinner or at midnight, make a batch of these and keep them in the freezer– they are best served very cold. Cheers. 🙂

Healthy Nutty Balls

adapted from a recipe by Caroline Dupont

Makes about 20 1 inch balls

Ingredients:

2 cups pecans

1/2 cup dates, chopped

1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tbsp real maple syrup

1 tbsp coconut oil (or butter), melted

1/2 cup peanuts or almond slices or cashews

1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut

Directions:

Place pecans in smaller bowl of your processor and process on high until finely ground.  With processor off, add chopped dates, vanilla and maple syrup and coconut oil.  Process, pulsing until well mixed and dates are finely chopped and mixed in.  Mixtures should be sticky.  Add peanuts or almonds, and pulse a few times, until evenly distributed, but still chunky.

Place coconut in wide bowl or plate.  Scoop nut mixture with small scoop or spoons and press into 1 inch balls.  Roll in coconut. Place in container and freeze. Enjoy.

Assemble ingredients together. Rough chop your dates.

Finely process pecans, then add dates, vanilla and maple syrup and process until well incorporated.

add peanuts and pulse until mixed in, but still chunky

scoop nut mixture using small scoop, press into balls, and roll in coconut.

freeze balls….serve cold and enjoy!