spiced dessert balls

I hope you’re having a bit of a sweet tooth today…. but not the uncontrollable – ‘I NEED SUGAR NOW! WHERE’S MY SUGAR!’ (insert visual of crazy lady going on a rampage in her kitchen or desk drawer – people staring, children hiding under beds – you get the picture) Is this you right now? Oh boy, try to keep your cool. Breathe. Control Yourself Lady!

I can’t help you much right now, but what I can recommend is to choose quality vs. quantity when you choose your sugar fix. And that is precisely what this recipe for Spiced Dessert Balls is for. Fantastic nutritious ingredients sweetened only with natural dried fruit come together in this easy and quick to prepare vegan & raw & gluten-free recipe! See told you help is here ;)

Spiced Dessert Balls

{raw, vegan, gluten-free recipe}

Ingredients:
1 cup almond (may be peeled) or
3/4 almond meal already ground up
1/2 cup ground flax seeds

3/4 cup dates, pitted
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2-4 tsp Hemp Hearts (shelled hemp seeds)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1-2 tablespoons water

optional: 1 tsp cinnamon + 2 tbsp sugar to sprinkle on top or roll the balls in

Directions: Place almonds in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the  dates and pulse a few times. Add the remaining ingredients (except the water) and pulse some more. Spoon out a small amount of the mixture and press with your hand to check if  it sticks together when pressing between two fingers. If not pulse again a few times and then check again. If it still doesn’t stick add a tablespoon of water. Pulse again. Check. Repeat if necessary. Once it sticks together, take a spoonful of mixture at a time and shape into walnut-sized balls. Wrap in cling wrap and keep in fridge, or in the freezer for later use.And here are some sweet action shots of the kiddos digging into their treats….So do not fear the next sugar craving – bookmark this page and I will be your rescue source ;) These are a bit insanely addictive and although very nutritious and sweetened with dried fruit – they still have sugar (all fruits, fresh or dried have sugar) – so don’t go too crazy if you’re on a sugar-restricting diet or anti-candida diet.

These provide great energy, and they are a great source protein and vitamins A, K, E (in the almonds), thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B8, folate, choline, betaine, pantothenic acid and a great source of minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, and then you get the really good stuff in the hemp hearts, which are high in amino acids, proteins, omega 3 and omega 6 essential fats, provides energy with no sugar, and a great source of calcium, vitamin A, E, D, C, B6 & B1 (and I probably missed something ;)

Don’t have these specific ingredients? As long as you have some sweet dried fruit that form into a nice paste such as raisins or dates or apricots, and some nuts, seeds, spices you can create your own recipes. The dried fruit will help to stick the rest of the ingredients together – you can process the nuts and seeds very fine if you want a smooth texture or toss them into a bowl and mix by hand with some nuts and seeds or raisins as whole or roughly chopped. This is a great time to call the kids to give you a helping hand.

I think I will make another batch very soon! Like I said, addictive! ;)