My sister-in-law Jill and my niece Laura have been on a spring detox all week. I thought they could use a little something sweet to keep them on track and I have just the treat for them. Like most raw foods, these are healthy and will help when you get that craving for something sweet.
These keep really well when stored in the fridge or freezer.
The recipes:
Tahini Almond Date Bites
- 12-14 large dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/3 cup tahini
- pinch sea salt
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds to coat
In food processor, pulse almonds until crumbly, partly smooth. Add dates, tahini and salt, continue to process. Texture will still be slightly crumbly – add water (1 tablespoon at a time) and dough should quickly form. Form into 1 inch rounds, roll in sesame seeds to coat, and roll in hands to flatten sesame seeds into ball. Store in the fridge.
Vanilla Bliss Balls
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- pinch salt
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts for rolling
Put walnuts in the processor and process until smooth. Add maple syrup, vanilla, salt and process until well combined. Add cashews and raisins and process until evenly distributed but not completely smooth. Form into 1 inch rounds, roll in crushed walnuts. Store in the fridge.
Chocolate Cherry
- 2 cups of walnuts
- 8 pitted dates
- 1/3 cup of cacao powder
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- ½ tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 TBS maple syrup or honey
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp of water
Place the walnuts in the food processor and process into small chunks. Hold back 1/4 cup of walnuts. Add the salt to the chopped walnuts and process until finely ground. Add the dates and process until the mixture becomes sticky. Add the cacao and vanilla and process again. Add the water if needed. Add in 1/4 cup of the remaining walnuts and stir through the mixture. Form into 1 inch round balls. Roll in cacao powder. Store in the fridge.
Raw Carrot Cake Balls
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup carrots
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon raisins, chopped
- unsweetened shredded coconut for rolling (optional)
Combine almonds & oats in a food processor and pulse until almost flour consistency. Add carrots and process until finely chopped and incorporated. Add remaining ingredients except raisins and process until dough comes together and almost forms a ball in the food processor.Transfer mixture to a small bowl and fold in chopped raisins. Roll into balls. They look really pretty when rolled into shredded coconut. Store in the fridge.