Chocolate Balls.

These are now our go to treat...

There are about a million different variations out there... and ours have evolved a few times (Balls of Joy!). Where we're at now is mostly a recipe from The Kind Diet, but just adapted a bit to our needs. We like more nuts to stretch the other ingredients. The kids love them, they think the dates are chocolate balls... so it's only fitting we call them "Chocolate Balls". This is where we're at now... and the way Shayne likes them the best...

2 cups of nuts & seeds{i use: walnuts (they're the healthiest nut), almonds, pecans & sunflower seeds}

6 med jool dates, pitted

1/2 cup scant maple syrup or agave nectar

1/2 cup scant cocoa powder or carob powder

1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter {we like pb the best}

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup coconut, shredded and unsweetened

Place the nuts in the food processor and process until coarsely ground. Add the dates, and pulse until well combined with the nuts. Add the cocoa/carob powder, syrup/nectar, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Process until the mixture is thick and smooth.

Form into small balls... I use a small cookie scoop. These are really rich, so I like small balls. You can also roll the balls in the shredded coconut...(the picture up top)... I like these best.

Put in a container or ziplock, and then stick them in the freezer until hardened.

To eat? Grab one out of the freezer, and you can risk knocking a tooth out by taking a bite right then and there - because you'll want to. Or, even better, and less risky - let it sit for a minute or so to soften a tad. SO YUM!

Variation: add a banana to the mixture just before you roll them into balls. Pulse to get it all incorporated. Don't massacre them, or they'll be juicy. Juicy is no bueno. These are a little more sticky, but are SO yummy!! And you can actually eat them right out of the freezer because they don't get super duper hard.