Something I've learnt since I started my new job is that snacks are essential to getting through the day. Without them you get hungry, can't concentrate fully and then aren't nearly as productive. I have been relying on nakd bars and similar snacks - so whilst these don't have any added sugar and have protein, good fats, fibre and carbohydrates, they can be a little expensive to keep buying. So, I thought I'd make some myself - for this you'll need a food processor.
Quite often fruit and nut bars can just taste sweet, from the dates, but here I added dried cherries, for a sour note which really enhance the flavour of these energy balls. I combined the dried cherries with dates for some sweetness and ground almonds, for a cherry bakewell inspired flavour, I also rolled them in coconut, which I know, isn't traditional for a cherry bakewell, but it tastes delicious and makes them less sticky too!
Containing protein, good fats, fibre, as well as naturally occurring sugars, these bliss balls should prevent sudden spikes in your blood sugar, helping you to keep working throughout the afternoon. They also contain vitamin A, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iron, vitamin E and B2, plus, they only have 4 ingredients! As they use dried ingredients, these bliss balls should last for around a week or so when stored at room temperature in a air-tight container, which means that you could leave them at work, to help to stop you snacking on them in the evenings.
If you don't like cherries, then another tart fruit like dried cranberries would also work and you can also switch the almonds for other ground nuts, but of course then you wouldn't be making 'Cherry Bakewell' Bliss Balls. A batch of these makes 12 bliss balls, but you can always double it if you want to be extra efficient. These also couldn't be simpler to make, you put everything in the food processor at once - using ground almonds means you don't have to worry about how powerful your processor is, then once combined, separate the mix, roll into balls and coat in desiccated coconut. The hardest part about this recipe is not eating them all at once...good luck!
Cherry Bakewell Bliss Balls | Yield: 12 | Time: 15 minutes
You'll need
- Food processor
- Measuring cups
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried, pitted dates
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
Method
- Add the dates, cherries and almonds to the food processor and blend until a 'dough' is formed.
- Separate the mix into quarters and each 1/4 into 3 pieces, then roll into balls.
- Measure the coconut into a bowl and roll the bliss balls in the coconut. Then store in a air-tight container for around a week...if they last that long and enjoy as required!
Cassidy xx
