Chocolate Cherry Coconut Energy Balls
 
 
Yield: 22 energy balls
Ingredients
  • 10½ ounces of walnuts, about 2 cups
  • 1¼ cups shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1¼ cups Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 cup dried cherries (sweetened sour cherries)
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Directions
  1. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts and shredded coconut until they resemble crumbs. Add the dates, dried cherries, cocoa powder, coconut oil, coconut extract and salt then pulse until a sticky batter has formed and no large chunks remain. Scoop the mixture into a bowl. You could form the balls right from the food processor, but I find it’s a lot easier and I have less waste if I form them from a bowl.
  2. Line a baking sheet that will fit in your freezer with wax paper or parchment paper. Scoop up some of the mixture and use your hand to roll it into a ball. You will be making about 22 energy balls and your hands will get very sticky! As you form the balls, place them on the prepared baking sheet so they aren’t touching. Freeze them for at least one hour. You can store them in the fridge or the freezer in an airtight container. They should be okay in the fridge for 1 week and will stay longer in the freezer. I prefer to keep them in the freezer and then I let them sit for a minute before eating (or I eat them straight from the freezer if I don’t feel like waiting!).
Notes
The volume of walnuts changes depending on whether you are using whole, halved or pieces, so it’s better to go by weight. I used a mixture of whole and halved walnuts and it came out to 2 cups by volume and 10½ ounces by weight.
Recipe by Lemon & Mocha at http://www.lemonandmocha.com/2018/09/26/chocolate-cherry-coconut-energy-balls/