5-Ingredient Fudgy Energy Balls

Recipe from PickUpLimes

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes 16 (1/8-cup size) balls

For an after school, serve one of these absolutely delicious energy balls with a whole piece of fruit or a handful of fresh berries.  They are much more nutritious than a cookie from a bag or a box. After a little soak time for the cashews, walnuts and dates, these only take about 15 minutes tops to make using your food processor.

½ cup cashews

1 cup walnuts

1 cup dates (remove seeds)

¼ cup cocoa powder

Pinch kosher salt or sea salt

2 Tablespoons bittersweet chocolate (I used bittersweet chocolate chips.)

Optional: 

Cocoa powder

Grated coconut

Cover the cashews and walnuts with boiling water.  Allow to set for about 30 minutes to soften.  If the dates are not soft, add the dates to the hot water/nuts for 5 minutes.  Drain the cashews, walnuts and dates.  Add them to a food processor along with the cocoa powder and salt.  Process for about 1 minute. (Do not over mix.) Add the bittersweet chocolate and process so it’s coarsely chopped.  Measure out roughly 1/8 cup of the mixture and roll with your hands.  Place on a plate or piece of parchment paper.  Continue until you’ve made approximately 16 balls.  If you wish, you can roll some or all of the balls in grated coconut and/or cocoa powder.  Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge.  Serve with a piece of whole fruit and/or fresh berries.

Nutritional Info: (I used Calorie King app.) (1 ball) 137 calories; 2.9 grams fiber; 3.3 grams protein; 227 mg potassium; 23.2 mg calcium