Alrighty folks, here it is…these chocolate power balls are one of the best snacks around! They are naturally energizing, taste fabulous and are jam packed with fiber, protein and all the good yumminess your body needs and naturally craves. My daughter just ate 5 of these babies. I had to cut her off from any more until I make a new batch tomorrow. Because I will be…they are just too good not to when I still have the ingredients on hand!
Wild Orange Chocolate Balls (Cane Sugar Free, Dairy Free & Vegan)
Recipe type: Snack, Dessert
Cuisine: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegan
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 5 dates
- 1 cup cashews
- ½ cup sunflower kernels
- ⅓ cup organic maple syrup
- ½ cup chocolate powder or cacao powder
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 5 drops wild orange oil
Instructions
- Soak the dates in a small bowl of water for 10 minutes. Discard the water and remove the pits from the dates. Place all ingredients into a food processor. Process for 3 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl if needed.
- Turn off food processor and roll mix into small balls. Eat up friends!
- Want to switch it up? Additional ideas: substitute cacao powder for carob powder. Instead of wild orange oil, try cassia, cinnamon or peppermint oils or extracts.
Hi there. Found you on Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways. I’m curious about substitutions in this recipe. (Only because I dislike extra trips to the store and I’m interested in making these, um, now!) Does it have to be cashews and sunflower kernels or would any combination of nuts/seeds work? And how about the maple syrup? Does it serve mainly as a sweetener or does it highly affect flavor and texture?
nicolebogacki1027 Howdy! Yes, any combination of nuts/seeds you like should work. I would think pecans would be super tasty in these balls! I used maple syrup because the recipe needs something sticky to make the mix stick together to roll into balls as well as it is a natural sweetener. You could also try coconut nectar, raw honey, etc. Hope that helps 🙂
Yumm! Looks delicious! Love raw balls. Perfect little treat! / http://www.therawfoodsisters.com
Therawfoodsisters Thanks! Yes, healthy snack balls are the perfect treat indeed!
OMG, these are awesome! Get ready to gobble them up. I love the essence of wild orange combined with chocolate, dates, and nuts. A real winner. Thanks, Laura!
maraka Thanks for the sweet comment-much appreciated!
What a great treat!! I’d like to invite you to share your post with us at Eco-Kids!http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/04/enchanted-trees-at-eco-kids-tuesday.html
hannahwhitewv Thanks new follower 🙂
Yum! Loving these balls! I just love chocolate and orange together!
Jen @ Peanut Butter & Pepper It is a winning combination for sure!
Oooooh, come share at Raw Foods Thursdays! These look to DIE for! Orange and chocolate are such a wonderful combination. I’ve never enjoyed a raw version!
glutenfreecat Thank you Heather. I linked the recipe up!
GFPantry Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll be highlighting these orange chocolate delights at this week’s event!
Wonderful recipe! Can’t wait to try this. Thanks!
KathyReynolds Hope you enjoy Kathy!
Sure wish I had one of these awesome balls right now. Your recipe is fabulous and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen Same to you Miz Helen!
Mmm, I love orange and chocolate combinations! This recipe would be a great addition to 5-Ingredient Mondays (http://siftstirandsavour.com/2013/04/28/5-ingredient-mondays-sugar-free-chunky-monkey-cereal-vegan-gluten-free/), if you’re interested 🙂
Oh my!!!
I love chocolate and orange treats! Thanks for sharing!
#oils4everyone
My pleasure-enjoy!
I don’t like dates. Would another dried fruit work? Maybe apricots??
Yes for sure! You could also try dried figs 🙂
Would you have to add a flavored essential oil? Its the only ingredient I don’t have, and there is a blizzard blowing outside right now, so no trips to the store until tomorrow. I’d love to make them right now! 🙂
You can use orange extract instead if you have that on hand 🙂