Charlotte's Energy Balls

 

Makes 31 Balls

Preparation Time:  About an hour

 

This confectionery is extraordinarily good and don't last long in our household!   They are a bit time consuming to make, but well worth the time and effort.    Using healthy dried organic ingredients and no sugar, these are great treats to enjoy.

 

You will need a chopping board, sharp knife, spatula, 15ml Tablespoon measure, 2 bowls (one half filled with warm water), one flat dish and a couple of shallow roasting trays that must be able to fit in your fridge.

 

 

 

 

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Ingredients for Basic Mixture

 

1 block pressed dates

200g whole almonds (I used ground almonds)

150g Cocoa butter, melted either in a microwave or bain marie

Pinch of sea salt

Dessicated Coconut

Cinnamon

 

To add different flavours:

Lemon zest, or

Orange zest, 12 apricots, teaspoon Almond Extract, or

Zest of a lime and a little juice plus ground cardamom and dried cranberries

 

 

 

Method

 

1. Process the almond until ground, or use ground almonds and put into a mixing bowl.
    

2. Cut the block of dates into small pieces with a sharp knife and add to the almonds together with the pinch of sea salt.
    

3. Melt the cocoa butter either in a bain marie or in the microwave, try just a minute at a time and don't over heat.
    

4. Now add your chosen flavours to the almond mixture and transfer to a food processor and blitz until roughly fine.
    

5. Add the melted cocoa butter and blitz until well mixed.
    

6. Into the shallow dish, depending which you decide to use - either shake some cocoa powder in or alternatively shake a mixture of dessicated coconut and a generous sprinkling of cinnamon, mix together.
    

7. Spoon this mixture into a clean bowl and using a 15ml Tablespoon measure, take a generous scoop, using the spatula to help and then wet your hands in the water in the second bowl and shape a mound on the top of the spoon and then carefully turn out into your hand.   This method will ensure perfect round and equal sized balls.
    

8. Now gently put the ball into the dry mixture and coat evenly turning it carefully or it may fall apart and then space the finished balls into dry shallow roasting tin and put into the fridge for 12 - 24 hours to harden.