DATE & ALMOND ENERGY SNACKS

 

Most of us go through it, that afternoon energy crash.  We get tired, foggy, and unproductive.  Well I’ve discovered the cure!  Will my discovery make me rich?  I’m guessing no, so I’m going to share it with you, consider it my gift to humanity.  My discovery/creation is…Duh, da, da, da…Date & Almond Energy Snacks!

Initially, I had named these Energy “Balls”, and then I thought I’d better change that to “Snacks”.  Just thought that you might like to know what goes into naming a recipe.

Not only does one or two of these babies give you energy to get you over the afternoon lull, but they’re packed full of nutrition too.  Date & Almond Energy Snacks are filled with fiber, protein, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, and essential fatty acids.

I made these at the request of my friend Vanessa and she wanted chocolate in her snacks, so I added a little semi-sweet chocolate.  It was a great call, thanks Vanessa!

Here’s what you do.

Put some slivered almonds into the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse until the almonds are the size you like.  I like some texture, so I left some big chunks of almonds.

Dump the chopped almonds into a large bowl and add the sesame seeds, coconut, and chocolate chips.  I used "Rice Dream" semi-sweet chocolate chips so that my vegan friend would eat these little babies.

Puree the dates in the food processor.

They basically become a big sticky ball of date paste.  Add that to the bowl with the almond mixture.  Add some honey too.

I used a pastry blender to mix other wise it's difficult to mix.  If you don't have a pastry blender, use two butter knives, one in each hand.

Now that every thing  is mixed go ahead and scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture.  Roll it into a ball.

Then roll that ball in some more coconut.  This helps with the stickiness.

Line the snacks up on a sheet pan and refrigerate for about 45 minutes before placing them into an air tight container.  If you put them in a container in more than one layer, then place a sheet of parchment paper in between the layers.

I like to store Date & Almond Energy Snacks in the refrigerator.

DATE & ALMOND ENERGY SNACKS

Makes 3 dozen

2              cups        Slivered almonds

¼             cup         Sesame seeds

1 1/3         cups       Unsweetened shredded coconut, divided use

½             cup         Semi-sweet chocolate chips

8              oz.          Pitted dates

¼             cup         Honey

  1.       Add the almonds to the bowl of a food processor, pulse to break up the almonds.  Just go until the almonds are the size that you like.

  2.       Add the almonds, sesame seeds, 1 cup of the coconut and the chocolate chips to a large bowl.  Stir to combine.

  3.       Puree the dates in the food processor.

  4.       Add the pureed dates and honey to the bowl with the other ingredients.

  5.       Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.  Because the mixture is very sticky a pastry cutter works well.

  6.       Pour the remaining 1/3 cup of coconut into a shallow dish.

  7.       Scoop out about a tablespoon of the almond & date mixture and roll it into a ball.  Roll the ball in the coconut and place on a parchment covered sheet pan.  Repeat with the remaining almond & date mixture.

  8.       Place the Date & Almond Energy Snacks in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes before storing them in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper placed in between the layers, to keep them from sticking.